See, Hear, Smell, Touch! Experience and Learn the Reality of Creatures Beyond Just Cuteness with an Experiential Exhibition: "World Penguin & Otter Day 2026 at Sunshine Aquarium" ~World Otter Day Edition~ *Until Sunday, June 7*

This event offers experiential exhibits that appeal to sight, hearing, smell, and touch. The aim of the animal care staff is for visitors to experience the charm of otters and the problems wild otters face, such as their "SOS," through their five senses. This time, as World Sea Lion Day is also included during the same period, there will also be an exhibition focusing on the current situation of sea lions coexisting with humans and the challenges surrounding them.

▼Download the PDF of this press release here https://prtimes.jp/a/?f=d20364-1107-a48a54a98cb6988f9f66474dfd36f616.pdf

Newly introduced are the "Otter Scent Sniffing Device," which allows visitors to compare and smell the unique pungent odor of individual otters, and devices that let you hear the distinctive calls of otters and sea lions. Furthermore, the "Ashikawa Gacha," containing random original goods related to each creature (otters and sea lions), makes its debut. Inside the capsules are valuable and unique items such as hoses chewed by otters, scraps of cloth they rubbed against, and sea lion fur, along with explanations of the creatures. Some capsules also contain creature stickers! Sales from the "Ashikawa Gacha" will be fully donated to animal conservation organizations through "ShoeZ," an organization that conducts conservation education programs related to animals and the natural environment nationwide.

On Saturday, May 30, "World Sea Lion Day," a storytelling event will also be held, featuring the picture book "Todoni Otodoke," which stars many sea lion friends.

Event Outline Name: World Penguin & Otter Day 2026 at Sunshine Aquarium Period: World Otter Day Edition: May 8 (Fri) - June 7 (Sun) <30 days in total> *Closed on May 12 (Tue) *World Penguin Day Edition (April 10 (Fri) - May 7 (Thu)) has ended. Admission: Free *Enjoyable with only the aquarium admission fee. *Some events are charged. Event Website: https://sunshinecity.jp/aquarium/event_performance/event/entry-36714.html

Event Outline Name: World Penguin & Otter Day 2026 at Sunshine Aquarium Period: World Otter Day Edition: May 8 (Fri) - June 7 (Sun) <30 days in total> *Closed on May 12 (Tue) *World Penguin Day Edition (April 10 (Fri) - May 7 (Thu)) has ended. Admission: Free *Enjoyable with only the aquarium admission fee. *Some events are charged. Event Website: https://sunshinecity.jp/aquarium/event_performance/event/entry-36714.html

During the period, the daily otter feeding commentary performance will be held in a special version, and the "Exploration Guide Tour," which guides visitors through the aquarium's back areas, will also be held as a special edition. Furthermore, with the cooperation of "ShoeZ," on specific days, the aquarium will be reserved before opening for "Creature Campus," where the ecology and circumstances of creatures will be explained in detail.

▸For more details, please refer to this URL (Press release distributed on March 19) https://co.sunshinecity.co.jp/press-room/news-release/2026-03-19.html

Animal care staff put their ingenuity into production! Introducing exhibits for World Penguin Day and Otter Day!

◆Smell and learn! The reality of creatures beyond just "cuteness" In previous years, the "Otter Scent Sniffing Box" was exhibited, but this year's "World Otter Day Edition" newly features the "Otter Scent Sniffing Device," which allows visitors to compare the scents of individual otters. Otter scent is known as a communication tool that conveys age, sex, and reproductive status. Male otters, in particular, have a strong, sour, pungent odor. Be brave and sniff the device! With this, you might become an otter scent sommelier...!?

Sunshine Aquarium Animal Care Staff, Marine Mammal 담당 Nanami Iwanaga

Sunshine Aquarium Animal Care Staff, Marine Mammal 담당 / Nanami Iwanaga

Sunshine Aquarium currently keeps seven small-clawed otters, and each otter has a different scent. Some animal care staff can identify which otter it is just by its scent! This time, we have prepared the "Otter Scent Sniffing Device" where you can smell the scent of each individual. Let's all aim to become otter scent masters!