Umitamago Aquarium Beppu Review 2026: Tickets & Shows

If I had to pick the most unexpectedly amazing spot from my recent Beppu trip,

I would choose Umitamago Aquarium without a second thought.

Located in Oita Prefecture, I initially thought it would be just another standard aquarium.

But with non-stop shows happening every 30 minutes,

it turned out to be an incredibly fun and variety-filled experience!

While the ticket price might seem a bit steep at first glance,

it was worth every penny. If I had skipped it,

I seriously would have regretted it.

Let me break down exactly why this place is a must-visit.

How to Get There

Geographically, it sits in Oita Prefecture.

However, it's widely considered a top Beppu attraction

because it's only a 10-minute drive from downtown Beppu,

or a 20-minute ride from Beppu Station on public transit.

I rented a car for this trip,

but if you're taking the bus,

the route is straightforward and doesn't require much walking.

Plus, the bus fare is only 280 JPY, which is quite reasonable!

For those driving, the facility has massive parking lots

(Lot 1 and Lot 2) to accommodate the crowds.

Parking costs 420 JPY for a standard car upon entry.

Make sure you have cash on hand!

I booked my Umitamago Aquarium tickets

online in advance to save some money.

Fun fact: while walking to the entrance with my digital voucher ready,

I actually ran into a sea lion that had "escaped" its keeper!

It just wanted to watch the people walk by.

The keeper eventually coaxed it back with some treats.

Ticket Prices & Operating Hours

The aquarium is open daily with no scheduled closures,

operating from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

You can buy tickets at the gate,

but purchasing them online in advance saves you

both time and a little bit of cash.

Through Klook, you can save about ~$1 per ticket.

The standard adult admission is 3,000 JPY (roughly ~$21),

but you can snag it for about ~$20 online,

and same-day booking works perfectly!

Oita Umitamago Aquarium Ticket - Klook

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Here are some extra discount codes you can use.

You must access the booking page through the link above to apply them:

1. For purchases over ~$38: 세시간전26001

2. For purchases over ~$77: 세시간전26002

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This is what it looks like when applied at checkout.

With these codes, you can save an additional

~$1 for two people! (Note: These are first-come, first-served).

When I bought my tickets, these promo codes

weren't available... but anyway!

Once you receive your voucher, simply show the QR code

at the entrance to exchange it for a ticket and head right in.

What Makes Umitamago Aquarium Special

I've visited a fair share of aquariums across Japan—

in cities like Kyoto, Okinawa, and Tokyo.

(Almost every major Japanese city has one!)

But Umitamago has a very unique charm.

What's fantastic is the schedule.

As you can see, there's a new show or

feeding event happening every 30 minutes!

You never feel rushed.

You can watch a show, casually explore the nearby exhibits,

and naturally transition to the next event space

without feeling like you're racing against the clock.

Because the facility isn't overwhelmingly massive,

you won't feel exhausted running from one end to the other.

The layout is incredibly optimized for visitors,

making it easy to see everything.

While the core programs remain similar,

the exact schedule rotates roughly every 10 days.

Keep in mind that shows might be paused

depending on the animals' conditions.

Yes, there is a dolphin show!

There's seating on the second floor (which fills up fast).

If you bring a raincoat and don't mind getting splashed,

you can get an unbelievably close-up view from the front row.

I initially thought the "Fish Show" might be a bit boring,

but I was completely wrong. Even as an adult, I found it fascinating.

There's a bit of a setup, but the fish seemed

incredibly intelligent and highly trained!

Pro Tip: If you don't understand Japanese,

use a real-time translation app on your phone during the shows.

It makes the experience so much more immersive

when you know exactly what the keepers are explaining.

The third event I caught was the

"Coral Live Show" at the massive main tank.

I expected it to be a bit dry...

Nope! A scuba diver actually gets into the tank

with an underwater camera, projecting close-up views

of the coral reefs and fish onto screens for the audience.

Exploring at Your Own Pace

Honestly, I wanted to catch every single show.

To do that, you'd probably need to arrive right at opening

or dedicate a full, leisurely day here.

I was a bit bummed I missed out on some.

I couldn't catch the main "Umitama Performance" (held 3 times a day)

or the "Large Tank Fish Explanation."

My mistake was underestimating this place!

I had a packed Beppu itinerary planned,

including the Ropeway and the Jigoku (Hell) Hot Springs tour.

But the aquarium was just too much fun to leave!

I ended up staying way longer

than I originally anticipated.

It absolutely overdelivers on the ticket price.

Another unique spot is "Asobeach."

Located on the top floor, it's designed to mimic a real beach.

You genuinely feel like you're walking along the shore,

and you can even spot dolphins jumping in the distant pools.

I noticed a lot of local families

enjoying a day out here.

But because the shows are so fresh and engaging,

it's an absolute blast for adults, too.

Final Thoughts & Souvenirs

The exit naturally leads you through the gift shop.

After watching all those cute animal performances,

it's incredibly tempting to buy a plushie!

Despite Umitamago being on the smaller side

compared to Japan's mega-aquariums,

I bet their gift shop sales are through the roof

because of how much you connect with the animals.

There's also a restaurant on-site where you can grab lunch or snacks.

If you have the time, grabbing a bite here

between the morning and afternoon shows

is a great way to pace your visit.

All shows run at least twice a day.

If I ever find myself back in Oita or Beppu,

Umitamago Aquarium is a guaranteed stop on my itinerary.

I highly recommend adding it to your travel plans!

That wraps up my review of this

incredible Beppu attraction.

Remember to book your tickets via Klook

in advance for those sweet discounts,

and be sure to plan your route around the show schedule—

that's the ultimate secret to enjoying Umitamago!

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