Kinosaki Marine World

This time I’d like to introduce Kinosaki Marine World in Toyooka city. It is situated on the shore of the Sea of Japan and just a 10-minute drive from Kinosaki Hot spring resort. It is a popular destination for family days out for all ages and is a part of the San’in Kaigan Geopark which is currently in the limelight. Kinosaki Marine Park is not just an aquarium. It aims at being way more than that with its various interactive exhibits and visitors can easily spend the whole day in the park. Let’s explore this marine world!

When you go through the entrance, there is a Sea Zoo floor. You'll see a 12-meter deep tank (one of the largest tanks in Japan) with marine life from the nearby Maruyama River and Hiyoriyama Coast. You’ll come face to face with walruses, the most popular marine animals in the park. Visitors will no doubt be astonished how big they are at first, but they’re actually very cute!

Visitors can watch dolphins from a floating ship in an attraction called Dive Adventure in the Dive area. You’ll have the ultimate experience as if you were a diver, coming very close to dolphins in the ship. Just watching from the outside of the ship is free.

  There is another attraction called Dolphin Cove in the same area. Visitors can get to experience what it is like to be a dolphin trainer and touch these friendly and sociable animals in a pool.

There are more attractions in the same facility such as Sea lion Diving and Penguin’s Walk.

What’s more, a new facility called Tube opened up in April. Sea lions, seals and penguins swim in a twelve meter wide aquarium tube! You’ll see them swim from every angle.

More details on the Tube http://www.hiyoriyama.co.jp/data/tube/index.html (Japanese)

Kinosaki Marine World has mesmerizing views looking out across the beautiful Hiyoriyama coast. There are plenty of restaurants and souvenir shops in the surrounding area. Why don’t you cool down in the summer heat and enjoy yourself at Kinosaki Marine World?

Park Info
Opening hours
9:00―17:00 (Last entry 16:30)
9:00―18:00 from July 20 to August 31
Admission
Adults 2,400 yen, Junior high and elementary school students 1,200 yen, Children (3+) 600 yen
Access
Train Take a Limited express train Hamakaze from JR Sannomiya station to JR Kinosaki Onsen station (Approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes.) Then take a Zentan bus from the station (10 minutes.)
Bus Direct Zentan express coach from Sannnomiya station in 3 hours and 10 minutes.



Price of paid attractions (Advance booking required at Dive Booking Center.)
Dive Adventure
Fee: 500 yen (5+ years old)
Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult.


Dolphin Cove
Dolphin Touch: 500 yen (aged 3+)
Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult.


Dolphin Trainer: 1000 yen 
Trainers must be over the height of 140 cm (4 ft 7 inches.)


Links
Kinosaki Marine World official website: http://www.hiyoriyama.co.jp/ (Japanese)

Spot Info on our websitehttp://www.hyogo-tourism.jp/english/spot/104_kinosakimarine.html (English)



Next issue, we’ll introduce ways to enjoy Mt.Rokko. Don’t miss it!

Soo