Summer is the Best Time for Aquariums

We got out of town last week for the first time in months, unless you count hopping over to the town next door for a routine visa renewal. It was starting on the last day of Obon week, I guess, for a couple nights. I was hoping things would be less crowded at this time and I think they were. Some of that was likely due to the lack of overseas visitors this season.

We have been to Beppu City multiple times, as it's just a couple hours away by highway bus. The bus was not too crowded although we were still expected to wear masks the entire time and refrain from chatting too much. There was no effort to space out passengers on the bus although reservations are required. There was plenty of room to have no passengers sitting directly in front, behind, or beside us.

The Obon week was probably the hottest time this summer, so our plan to finally visit the Oita Marine Palace, or  UmiTamago, was good timing.

From Beppu Station or Kitahama Highway Bus Terminal, discount tickets can be purchased. For 2550 yen per adult, entrance to both the aquarium and Takasaki Mountain Nature Park plus return bus fare is included. We skipped the monkey park as we had been before. We also heard the monkeys haven't been coming out lately because it's too hot.

We headed out after breakfast to beat the heat. Visitors at UmiTamago are required to wear masks and use hand sanitizer. As you enter the aquarium, you walk over floor mats saturated in sanitizer to avoid tracking in germs on your shoes. I thought this was smart as any particles from coughs and sneezes will fly onto the ground.

The first thing we did after arrival is the dolphin show, as it's outdoors and likely to get crowded. There are also some other outdoor tanks like manta rays and a 'beach' where small whales and dolphins are swimming.

Then we spent some time indoors.

The place is a good size and we looked at everything including catching one of the 'performances' where fish swam through hoops. The coolest place was the dark deep sea fish section. There are lots of benches to sit and rest too.

The aquarium allows re-entry, so we went to the park area outside to sit in the shade and look at the water until the other show started. (There are shows a few times a day but both shows are at the same time.) We saw a sea otter, a pelican, and a walrus do tricks. The walrus was adorable, especially when she did sit-ups.

Everyone wore masks, even outdoors, and the seating was marked off to allow space between groups. I even saw staff asking someone outside to put their mask back on, so they are enforcing this strictly.

We spent at least a couple hours there, plus looked around the gift shops while we had time before the bus back. It was a good way to stay out of the heat.