A tank containing pufferfish undergoing treatment is seen at Kaikyokan aquarium in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Dec. 12, 2025. The role of the facility in protecting marine life is also explained during the “guided tour for maniacs.” (Mainichi/Yasuhisa Yamamoto)
SHIMONOSEKI, Yamaguchi — A behind-the-scenes tour for fanatical aquarium fans launched in December 2025 at Kaikyokan aquarium in this western Japan city is gradually gaining popularity, with many participants expressing satisfaction, saying, “It was amazing” and “I want to come again,” as they enjoy a unique aspect of the facility.
The “guided tour for maniacs” changes daily, with different exhibit staff leading the way and varying routes and explanations.
During winter, the municipal aquarium attracts more fans and repeat visitors compared to the summer, prompting staff to consider offering something a cut above. Thus, such guided tours began in December.
The content of the tour is left to the discretion of the day’s staff. On the day this Mainichi Shimbun reporter visited, Kenta Tamai, 44, a staff member specializing in pufferfish and coral reefs, was in charge. Before the tour began, Tamai explained multiple tour options he had devised to the five participants, asking, “Which one shall we choose?” The selected course was to “see all the creatures in the backstage area.”
A sunfish in a backstage tank is seen at Kaikyokan aquarium in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Dec. 12, 2025. This can only be seen during the “guided tour for maniacs.” (Mainichi/Yasuhisa Yamamoto)
As the tour commenced, participants were quickly led into the behind-the-scenes areas not accessible to the general visitors. They observed various sights, including bigfin reef squid that were delivered to the aquarium the previous day, an indoor crane used to transport large creatures like whale sharks, a sunfish not on display, and a tank with pufferfish undergoing treatment.
Excited exclamations of “wow” and “amazing” filled the air as participants were visibly thrilled. At a large tank housing tiger puffers and purple puffers, Tamai remarked, “This is the only place with such a large tank just for pufferfish. We can’t lose to other aquariums when it comes to pufferfish,” eliciting laughter from the group as Shimonoseki is nationally famous for pufferfish cuisine.
Rina Okamoto, 35, a company worker visiting Kaikyokan for the first time from Osaka, said, “The green sea turtle approaching us, thinking we were caretakers, was so cute. I want to come again.” Kazuyoshi Kiriyama, 32, a company worker from Nagoya, commented, “I didn’t know there was crane equipment inside the facility. I’m getting a child care license, so I want to brag about this to the kids someday.”
The “guided tour for maniacs” runs until Feb. 28. On weekdays, it starts at 3 p.m., and on weekends and holidays, at 12:30 p.m. and again at 3 p.m. Each session lasts about 30 minutes and is limited to three groups (up to five people per group). Elementary school children must be accompanied by a guardian.
Those interested can apply for the first-come, first-served tour through the Kaikyokan website (in Japanese). Reservations are accepted starting one week in advance. The tour is free, but an admission fee for the aquarium is required.
(Japanese original by Yasuhisa Yamamoto, Shimonoseki Bureau)
AloJapan.com