Shimane AQUAS Aquarium

AQUAS is the big aquarium of the San-in coast, and its fame across Japan rests on one act: beluga whales blowing perfect bubble rings. The white whales of Shimane became a national sensation through television commercials, and their underwater performances remain the aquarium’s signature.

Belugas and the bubble ring

The beluga pool’s viewing tunnel and performance sessions put you close to the whales as trainers cue the famous ring of air, which drifts upward like smoke before a beluga swims through or bites it apart. Sessions run through the day, and they are genuinely worth scheduling around. Beyond the stars, the aquarium covers the Sea of Japan’s cold rich waters, sharks in a walk through tunnel, penguins with an underwater viewing wing and touch pools that keep younger visitors busy.

On the San-in coast

AQUAS sits by the dunes and beaches of Hamada on Japan’s quiet western seaboard, a region of fishing ports and long horizons that big tourism has largely passed by. It pairs with the Iwami Ginzan silver mine World Heritage area or Matsue and Izumo for travellers doing the San-in coast properly.

Getting there

The aquarium is beside Hashi Station on the JR San-in Line, a short local hop from Hamada; the entrance is minutes from the platform. Hamada connects by highway bus with Hiroshima in around two hours, making a cross mountain day trip feasible.

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