Numazu Deep Sea Aquarium

**Highlight specimens:** Giant isopod (ダイオウグソクムシ, 30cm long, armored scavenger resembling massive pill bug) — live specimens in pressurized tank, fascinatingly alien appearance. Fang-tooth fish (ホウライエソ, 15cm fish with disproportionately large teeth) — preserved specimens showing extreme adaptations for deep-sea predation. Goblin shark (ミツクリザメ, 3m shark with protrusible jaws) — rare frozen specimen showing jaw mechanism. Coelacanth viewing room requires coat rental (¥100) — plan for 3-min viewing limit in -20°C freezer. **Suruga Bay geology:** The bay's extreme depth results from Philippine Sea Plate subducting beneath Eurasian Plate — creating Nankai Trough which reaches 2,500m within 20km of shore. This brings deep-sea ecosystems unusually close to land, explaining why Numazu has unique access to deep-sea species. The aquarium's displays include geological cross-sections explaining plate tectonics and how tectonic activity creates deep-sea habitats. **Combined Numazu Port itinerary:** Arrive 9:00 → Numazu Fish Market morning auction viewing (free, observe tuna and local catch auctions) → breakfast kaisen-don at market restaurant (¥1,800–2,500, ultra-fresh seafood rice bowl) → Deep Sea Aquarium 10:00 opening (90 min, avoid midday crowds) → Mito Sea Paradise (optional, sea lion/penguin shows, ¥2,200) → afternoon departure. Total cost excluding transport: ¥4,500. The port area is compact (a short walk end-to-end), making this efficient half-day trip.