This aquarium focuses on penguins, housing multiple species including some found in relatively few other aquariums worldwide, alongside tanks of regional marine life from Nagasaki's coastal waters. It sits on the seafront and is smaller and more specialized than a general city aquarium, built around close viewing of the penguins rather than a broad collection.
Nagasaki Penguin Aquarium keeps nine species of penguin, one of the broadest penguin collections at any aquarium in the world, alongside regional marine life from the waters around Nagasaki. The aquarium is arranged around outdoor and semi-outdoor penguin enclosures designed to let the birds roam close to visitor walkways, and a notable feature allows some penguins limited free-range access to a section of the surrounding grounds during set hours, walking past visitors rather than staying behind glass. Indoor tanks display regional fish, sea turtles, and touch pools where children can handle small marine creatures under staff supervision. Scheduled feeding times, held three times daily, draw the biggest crowds, as keepers narrate penguin behavior while distributing fish by hand. A full visit, including feeding time and the touch pools, takes about ninety minutes to two and a half hours. The aquarium sits outside the central tourist district, reached by a twenty-minute bus ride from Nagasaki Station, making it a slightly more deliberate excursion than the downtown historic sites, and it draws mostly local families rather than international tour groups, keeping crowds manageable even on weekends outside peak holiday periods.
| Admission | Adult ¥510 ($3.32) · Child ¥260 ($1.69) |
|---|---|
| Hours | 9:00AM-5:00PM (last entry 4:30PM); closed Wed |
| Typical visit | 1.5-2.5 hours |
| Best time | Feeding times (10:30AM, 1:00PM, 3:30PM) |
| Getting there | Bus from Nagasaki Station to Suizokukan-mae stop (20 minutes); fare ¥200 |
| Address | 3-1 Showa-machi, Nagasaki, 851-0121 |
Location
3-1 Showa-machi, Nagasaki, 851-0121
32.7889, 129.9047 View on map
Highlights
- Nine penguin species, among the widest variety at any aquarium globally
- Free-range penguin walking area during scheduled hours
- Three daily keeper-led feeding sessions with hands-on narration
- Touch pools where children can handle small regional marine creatures
Tips for visiting
- Time the visit around one of the three daily feeding sessions for the best penguin activity
- Allow extra travel time, as the aquarium is a 20-minute bus ride from central Nagasaki
- Weekdays are quieter than weekends, when local families visit in larger numbers
- Bring a light jacket even in warmer months, as some indoor viewing areas are cool
- The aquarium is closed on Wednesdays, so plan visits for other days
When to visit
Visiting around one of the three daily feeding times (10:30AM, 1:00PM, 3:30PM) offers the most active penguin viewing.
Accessibility
The aquarium's outdoor paths and indoor exhibit halls are level and wheelchair accessible, with ramps connecting the different viewing areas.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit take?
A full visit including feeding time and the touch pools takes about 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
Is it worth it for kids?
Yes, the touch pools, free-range penguin area, and interactive feeding sessions make it one of the most family-friendly attractions in the region.
Is photography allowed?
Photography without flash is allowed throughout the aquarium, including near the penguin enclosures.
How does the free-range penguin area work?
During set hours, a section of penguins is allowed to walk through a designated area of the grounds near visitors rather than remaining in enclosed exhibits.