See, Hear, Smell, Touch! An Exhibition to Experience and Learn the Reality of Creatures Beyond Just Cuteness is Underway: "World Penguin & Otter Day 2026 at Sunshine Aquarium" ~World Otter Day Edition~ *Until June 7 (Sun)*
Sunshine Aquarium is hosting the "World Otter Day Edition" from May 8 to June 7, as part of "World Penguin & Otter Day 2026." This special event aims to convey the charm and importance of conservation for otters and sea lions through interactive, multi-sensory exhibits.
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- 📰 Published: May 11, 2026 at 19:00
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This event offers interactive exhibits that appeal to sight, hearing, smell, and touch. The staff's hope is that by experiencing through their five senses, visitors will realize the charm of otters and the "SOS" issues faced by wild otters, becoming a trigger for awareness. During the same period, "World Sea Lion Day" is also included, with exhibits focusing on the current situation of sea lions coexisting with humans and the challenges surrounding them.
▼Download the full press release PDF here:
https://prtimes.jp/a/?f=d20364-1107-a48a54a98cb6988f9f66474dfd36f616.pdf
Newly introduced this time are the "Otter Scent Sniffing Device," which allows visitors to compare the unique pungent smell of individual otters, and devices to hear the characteristic calls of otters and sea lions. Furthermore, the "Ashikawa Gacha" (Ashika-Kawauso Gacha), featuring random original goods related to each creature (otters and sea lions), makes its first appearance. Capsules contain precious and unique items such as hoses gnawed by otters, pieces of cloth they rubbed against, and sea lion fur, along with explanations of the creatures. Some capsules also include creature stickers! All sales from the "Ashikawa Gacha" will be fully donated to wildlife conservation organizations through "ShoeZ," an organization that conducts conservation education programs for animals and the natural environment nationwide.
On Saturday, May 30, "World Sea Lion Day," a picture book reading event "Todo ni Otodoke" (Delivering to Sea Lions), featuring many sea lion friends, will also be held.
Event Overview
Name: World Penguin & Otter Day 2026 at Sunshine Aquarium
Period: World Otter Day Edition: May 8 (Fri) - June 7 (Sun) [Total 30 days] *May 12 (Tue) is a closing day
*World Penguin Day Edition (April 10 (Fri) - May 7 (Thu)) has ended
Admission: Free
*Can be enjoyed with just the aquarium admission fee
*Some events are paid
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 "Explorer Guide Tour," which guides visitors through the aquarium's back areas, will also be offered as a special edition. In addition, with the cooperation of "ShoeZ," on specific days, the "Ikigonomi Campus" will be held, offering detailed explanations of the creatures' ecology and their current situation by privatizing the aquarium before opening.
▸Please refer to this URL for details (Press release distributed on March 19):
https://co.sunshinecity.co.jp/press-room/news-release/2026-03-19.html
Carefully crafted by the aquarium staff! Introducing the "World Penguin & Otter Day" exhibits!
◆Smell and Discover! 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 Comparison Device," which allows visitors to compare the scent of individual otters. Otter scents are known as a communication tool that conveys age, sex, and reproductive status. Male otters, in particular, have a strong, sour, pungent smell. Be brave and sniff the device! You might become an otter scent sommelier!
Nanami Iwanaga, Marine Mammal Zookeeper, Sunshine Aquarium
At Sunshine Aquarium, we currently breed 7 small-clawed otters, and each otter has a different scent. Some zookeepers can even identify which otter it is just by its smell! This time, we have prepared the "Otter Scent Comparison Device," where you can smell the scent of each individual. Please try to become an otter scent master!
◆Listen Carefully! Creatures
▼Download the full press release PDF here:
https://prtimes.jp/a/?f=d20364-1107-a48a54a98cb6988f9f66474dfd36f616.pdf
Newly introduced this time are the "Otter Scent Sniffing Device," which allows visitors to compare the unique pungent smell of individual otters, and devices to hear the characteristic calls of otters and sea lions. Furthermore, the "Ashikawa Gacha" (Ashika-Kawauso Gacha), featuring random original goods related to each creature (otters and sea lions), makes its first appearance. Capsules contain precious and unique items such as hoses gnawed by otters, pieces of cloth they rubbed against, and sea lion fur, along with explanations of the creatures. Some capsules also include creature stickers! All sales from the "Ashikawa Gacha" will be fully donated to wildlife conservation organizations through "ShoeZ," an organization that conducts conservation education programs for animals and the natural environment nationwide.
On Saturday, May 30, "World Sea Lion Day," a picture book reading event "Todo ni Otodoke" (Delivering to Sea Lions), featuring many sea lion friends, will also be held.
Event Overview
Name: World Penguin & Otter Day 2026 at Sunshine Aquarium
Period: World Otter Day Edition: May 8 (Fri) - June 7 (Sun) [Total 30 days] *May 12 (Tue) is a closing day
*World Penguin Day Edition (April 10 (Fri) - May 7 (Thu)) has ended
Admission: Free
*Can be enjoyed with just the aquarium admission fee
*Some events are paid
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 "Explorer Guide Tour," which guides visitors through the aquarium's back areas, will also be offered as a special edition. In addition, with the cooperation of "ShoeZ," on specific days, the "Ikigonomi Campus" will be held, offering detailed explanations of the creatures' ecology and their current situation by privatizing the aquarium before opening.
▸Please refer to this URL for details (Press release distributed on March 19):
https://co.sunshinecity.co.jp/press-room/news-release/2026-03-19.html
Carefully crafted by the aquarium staff! Introducing the "World Penguin & Otter Day" exhibits!
◆Smell and Discover! 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 Comparison Device," which allows visitors to compare the scent of individual otters. Otter scents are known as a communication tool that conveys age, sex, and reproductive status. Male otters, in particular, have a strong, sour, pungent smell. Be brave and sniff the device! You might become an otter scent sommelier!
Nanami Iwanaga, Marine Mammal Zookeeper, Sunshine Aquarium
At Sunshine Aquarium, we currently breed 7 small-clawed otters, and each otter has a different scent. Some zookeepers can even identify which otter it is just by its smell! This time, we have prepared the "Otter Scent Comparison Device," where you can smell the scent of each individual. Please try to become an otter scent master!
◆Listen Carefully! Creatures