Shimane Prefectural Lake Shinji Nature Museum Gobius

An interactive learning facility introducing creatures that live in Lake Shinji, Nakaumi Lagoon, and the rivers and brackish waters of Shimane Prefecture. A key feature is its exhibits, which focus not only on the characteristics of Lake Shinji and Nakaumi, two of Japan’s leading brackish lakes, but also on diverse aquatic environments including freshwater areas.

The exhibits are organized by environment, such as rivers, lakes, and brackish waters, allowing visitors to compare the different ways creatures have adapted to each habitat. Large tanks recreate ecosystems unique to brackish waters, making it easy to visually understand the relationships between organisms living where freshwater and seawater mix.

Gobius has also succeeded in the artificial breeding and propagation of shirauo, a fish that symbolizes Lake Shinji, and in 2019 it added a new shirauo tank. It is the only place in Japan where shirauo are on display year-round. Enhanced by the tank’s lighting effects, their translucent, glass-like bodies shimmer in rainbow colors as they swim. There is also a “plankton tank” displaying the microscopic organisms that shirauo feed on, along with video monitors that clearly explain the fish’s growth process.

At “Asobikko Manabikko Hiroba,” interactive exhibits make use of a spacious setting. A large touch pool with three different height levels lets visitors observe creatures from directly below and touch them in person. The area is also used for special exhibitions, as well as a space to rest and learn, offering a fun way to experience waterside life. It also provides an opportunity to deepen understanding of the local natural environment and biodiversity.