[Official site]Tochigi Nakagawa Aquatic Park～A freshwater aquarium～

Three highlights of the Nakagawa Water Amusement Park

Tochigi Prefecture's only aquariumIntroducing the three highlights of Nakagawa Water Amusement

-From Nakagawa River to world rivers, then to the longing sea-
20,000 fish of 300 species are represented in the river aquarium.

The beauty of a river that differs from that of the ocean.
The collaboration of the sun, greenery, and fish.
- Welcome to the green riverbed where fish actively swim in the shimmering natural sunlight. -

It’s just like being a fish.

Nature, from the source of Nakagawa River to downriver, is recreated.
A large acrylic glass wall rises from the floor for a view of the half submerged water tank, with real trees and flowers in the ground section.
Sunlight coming through the leaves shine down, spreading in the water, swaying in the wind, and leaves and flower petals fall from the real trees gently sink in the riverbed, with lively fish swimming around...
By gazing up to the sky from the bottom of the river, a space where you feel just like a fish has been created.

The dynamic fish of the Nakagawa River

The fish have been raised in the nature-themed water tank and swim around leisurely. Various phases can be seen according to the season, such as changing to bright courtship colors during the mating season, and demonstrating their dynamic egg laying activities.

The fish grow in an aquarium which recreates nature, actively swimming, and showing off their bright mating colors during the egg laying period and dynamic breeding behaviors.
The display story is “From the Nakagawa River to world rivers, then to the longing sea.”
Experience the beauty of the river that has been, up to now, too close to notice.

View the impressive large aquarium of the Amazon through the 360℃ panorama tubular tunnel.

Experience the Amazon River in the huge tank

The world’s largest river, the Amazon, is recreated in a 400 ton aquarium.The tunnel passes through the water tank, bringing the spectacular Amazon River right in front of you, as giant fish swim above your head and schools of fish hide under your feet.
Approximately 100 kinds of unique fish are swimming in the aquarium. Of course there are piranhas, but also catfish and rays, as well as small 2cm fish to the Pirarucu, the largest fish in the Amazon reaching sizes over 2m.
Light abundantly shimmers through the water, creating a dynamic water world as if it is a different spacial dimension. The “Amazon Large Water Tank” is the largest water tank in Japan to display fish from the Amazon River. Experience the magnificence of nature and the complexity of living creatures.

Touch and be amazed! Touching Basin and fish laboratory are very popular with children

See! Touch! Feel!!

The most popular site with small children is the Touching Basin! You can touch and watch creatures which one normally cannot come in contact with, such as crayfish, turtles, starfish, sea urchins, and sharks.

Experience “living creatures”!

Hands-on classes for fish dissection, experiments, etc. are also held at the fish lab. In both areas, members of the expert staff provide in-depth explanations about the creatures. Learn about the movements and smell of creatures by personal experience. This spot in the park is a top recommendation, which conveys the attraction of creatures which is difficult to perceive just by looking, and can be a trigger for children to learn and consider about them and their lives.

The aquarium would like to convey the local culture and food (of Satoyama in the Yamizo area, a highly regarded area in Tochigi)!

Nakagawa Aquatic Park is a facility built to share the nature and culture of the Yamizo region, north of Tochigi prefecture. The aquarium introduces the “Nakagawa River,” the clear stream that represents Tochigi, as well as local crafts and the goodness of the local food products are introduced at the food craft center and creative craft center. It also shares the good points of its home town, through hands-on experiences(craft / cooking classes)held at each area! Nakagawa Aquatic Park is a unique aquarium even for Japan, where one doesn’t just observe, but also can actively experience culture.