Notojima Aquarium on the Noto Peninsula

Notojima Aquarium sits on a green island in Nanao Bay, joined to the Noto Peninsula by bridge, and it has long been the region’s flagship family attraction, an aquarium built around the rich, cold rimmed waters of the Sea of Japan. The setting alone is worth the trip, with the bay flat and silver around the island and fishing boats working the channels.

Visiting the aquarium

Exhibits centre on the sea life of the surrounding waters alongside crowd favourites, with the sort of close up feeding moments and touch friendly corners that regional Japanese aquariums do warmly. One honest note: the 2024 Noto earthquake hit this region hard, and the aquarium has been rebuilding and restoring its lineup in stages since, so check the booking page for the current state of exhibits and programs before you plan the day. Visiting also puts tourist spend directly into a coastline working its way back, which is no small thing.

Getting there

From Kanazawa, limited express trains run up the peninsula to Wakura Onsen in around an hour, and from there buses and taxis cross the bridge onto Notojima to reach the aquarium. Wakura Onsen itself, a seaside hot spring town, makes the natural base or lunch stop, and an overnight there turns the aquarium into the centrepiece of a proper Noto coastal loop.

Frequently asked questions

Is it suitable for a rainy day? Largely yes, as the main exhibit spaces are indoors.

How long do visitors stay? Around two hours, more if feeding programs are running.

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