Toba Aquarium — Japan's Only Dugong Exhibit

Toba Aquarium (鳥羽水族館) is Japan's largest aquarium by species diversity, housing over 1,200 species across 12 themed zones — from tropical coral reefs to deep-sea creatures and freshwater ecosystems. The aquarium is famous for being Japan's only facility exhibiting dugongs (sea cows, relatives of manatees), which graze peacefully in a massive viewing tank. The aquarium has successfully kept dugongs since 1987, a feat unmatched by any other Japanese institution.

Other highlights include the 'Mysteries of the Sea' zone featuring giant spider crabs (3m leg span), bioluminescent deep-sea fish, and a walk-through jellyfish tunnel. The 'Amazing Adaptations' zone showcases evolutionary marvels like archerfish (shoots water to knock down insects) and frogfish camouflage. Toba Aquarium's no-fixed-route layout allows visitors to explore at their own pace rather than following a prescribed path.