■About Me
Salama daholo (Hello, everyone)! My name is Neil, and I’m from Madagascar. I came to Japan in April 2023 as an international student. (This is my second post!) Since the spring of 2024, I’ve been studying at a specialized technical college in Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture, to gain advanced knowledge and skills. Before I knew it, April arrived, marking my second year in Japan. Time flies!
■My Encounter with Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise
I first learned about Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise from a Japanese drama. As a new student in Japan, I was eager to immerse myself in the culture and language, so I watched Japanese dramas as a way to study. One day, while watching episode 4 of She Was Pretty, I saw Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise and immediately thought, I have to go there! The breathtaking scenery, the lively marine life, and the vibrant atmosphere around the area captivated me through the screen.
Then, as if by fate, my Japanese language school organized a field trip to Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise! I couldn’t believe it—I was finally going to experience in real life what I had only seen on TV. My excitement was through the roof! Now, let me introduce the unique charm of Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise and how it stands out from other aquariums.
■Introducing Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise
Located in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Hakkeijima Sea Paradise is an aquarium combined with various attractions and leisure facilities. The park also features restaurants and shopping malls, making it a fantastic spot to enjoy a meal while gazing at the sea or to pick up unique souvenirs. It’s also conveniently accessible—about 1.5 hours by train from Shinjuku Station, making it a great day-trip destination for those living in the city.
■The Charm of Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise: A Floating Marine Leisure Wonderland
What makes Hakkeijima Sea Paradise special is its unique combination of an aquarium, restaurants, a shopping mall, and an amusement park— all in one place. Isn’t that rare? Unfortunately, in my home country, Madagascar, such a place doesn’t exist. If you want to see marine life, you go to an aquarium. If you want to enjoy thrilling rides, you go to an amusement park. If you want a meal, you go to a restaurant. But at Hakkeijima Sea Paradise, everyone—whether they love marine creatures, exciting attractions, or adorable land animals—can enjoy themselves together. No arguments, just fun! Truly, it’s a dream destination.
■Our Itinerary
1. Aqua Museum (Aquarium)
Our first stop was the Aqua Museum. The moment we stepped inside, we were greeted by clownfish (like those from Finding Nemo) and tiny shimmering fish joyfully swimming around.
Deeper inside, we encountered a massive 8-meter-deep tank that transported us to another world. Watching 50,000 dazzling sardines and elegant sand tiger sharks gliding through the water left me in awe.
※The sand tiger shark, despite its name, is not a crocodile but a shark.
But the most breathtaking moment? Walking through the underwater tunnel! Seeing dolphins and rays swimming gracefully overhead made me feel as if I was diving in the ocean.
★For a special experience, I recommend the Fureai Lagoon! Here, you can touch marine creatures, including stingrays. I was thrilled to touch a stingray for the first time! Their scaleless, rubbery texture was strangely addictive. Nearby, a curious South American sea lion stared at us, which was absolutely adorable! By the way, although otaries look like sea lions, they are not sea lions; rather, they belong to the same family as sea lions and fur seals.
2. Pleasure Land (Amusement Park)
Next, we ventured into Pleasure Land. It was surreal to go from being surrounded by fish to suddenly riding a roller coaster within minutes!
The highlight was the Surf Coaster Leviathan, a roller coaster that extends over the ocean. The added thrill of riding above the sea made my heart pound like never before. While waiting in line, I was beyond nervous, but the ride itself was an adrenaline rush like no other. Hands down, an unforgettable experience!
(Don’t worry, there are also gentle rides suitable for all ages!)
3. Prairie Garden (Mini Zoo)
After all the excitement, we visited the Prairie Garden, located on the 5th floor of the Aqua Museum. The moment we saw the prairie dogs, we were completely smitten! Watching them munch on leaves and take naps was too cute to handle. It was funny to think that just moments earlier, we had been screaming on roller coasters, and now we were melting over tiny furry animals.
4. Live Stadium (Dolphin Show)
Our last stop was the dolphin and beluga whale show at Live Stadium. I had seen dolphin shows before, but never one where the dolphins synchronized so perfectly with the music. Their trust in their trainers was evident, and their breathtaking jumps left us speechless. Some argue that dolphin shows negatively impact animals, but seeing this firsthand, I felt that the trainers truly respect and care for them, and that the dolphins trust their trainers in return.
■Tips for Enjoying Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise to the Fullest
•Avoid crowds: Weekdays are best, as weekends and holidays get packed.
•Best seasons to visit:Spring and autumn. (Summer is scorching hot, and winter is freezing!)
•Arrive early: The park gets crowded during the day, so arriving when it opens lets you enjoy a full day.
•Check for deals: Hakkeijima Sea Paradise offers many discounted plans, so choose one that suits your needs!
■Conclusion
How did you like this introduction to Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise? Situated on its own island, it offers a unique aquarium experience. Growing up on Madagascar, an island in the Indian Ocean, I’ve always felt a connection to the sea. Being surrounded by marine life for an entire day brought me peace and joy. Honestly, while writing this, I couldn’t help but think, I want to go back soon! (Haha!)
Hakkeijima Sea Paradise offers much more than just an aquarium. I highly recommend visiting if you ever get the chance! Thank you for reading until the end!
