Uozu Aquarium
This municipal aquarium in Uozu City, Toyama Prefecture, opened in 1913 (Taisho 2). It is known as Japan’s oldest existing aquarium. Its exhibits focus on creatures from Toyama Prefecture’s rivers and coastal waters, with more than 10,000 specimens representing about 330 species. In the 4-meter-deep Toyama Bay Large Tank, visitors can watch schools of large fish from Toyama Bay, including yellowtail and longtooth grouper.
You can tell right away that this place has some age to it. The facilities aren’t flashy, but it was surprisingly enjoyable to look around.
It focuses on marine life from Toyama Bay, and there were lots of fish you don’t usually see at bigger aquariums. The explanations were also really thoughtfully written, so you end up learning a lot as you go.