[Joetsu City Aquarium Umigatari] 8th Anniversary New Event: Diver Special Commentary "Kobudiver!" Starts [From Monday, June 15, 2026]

Joetsu City Aquarium 'Umigatari', which will celebrate its 8th anniversary on June 26, 2026, will start a new event, the Diver Special Commentary 'Kobudiver!', from Monday, June 15, 2026.

This event is designed to let more people learn about the charm and abilities of the 'kobudai' (Asian sheepshead wrasse), a representative creature of the 'Umigatari Main Tank' that recreates the Sea of Japan spreading out in front of the aquarium.

In its 9th year, 'Umigatari' will continue to fulfill its mission of 'being an aquarium that fosters attachment and pride and energizes the community' through exhibits and events full of the charm of living creatures.

8th Anniversary on June 26! New Event Starts!

Diver Special Commentary 'Kobudiver!'

A new event, the Diver Special Commentary 'Kobudiver!', will start on Monday, June 15, 2026.

The 'kobudai' is a fish characterized by its reddish body, and males develop a prominent hump on their forehead and a larger jaw as they grow. Due to their distinctive appearance, ease of habituation to humans, and charmingly approachable behavior, they have long been popular with divers off the coast of Sado Island. At 'Umigatari', where they can be seen swimming throughout the main tank, they are so popular that original merchandise has been created.

In the new 'Kobudiver!' event, visitors can watch the kobudai swimming around divers and eating food while aquarium staff explain their ecology and abilities.

Kobudai Scientific name: Semicossyphus reticulatus Standard length: 80 cm

Protogynous hermaphrodite; they are female when small and change sex to become male when large.

The spawning season is spring, during which males and females rise near the sea surface, drawing circles, and spawn.

Their diet includes turban shells, oysters, and crabs. They use their hard teeth to crush the shells of turban shells and other prey.

Period: From Monday, June 15, 2026

Time: 12:15 - approximately 10 minutes

Location: 2nd floor, Umigatari Tube

Addition of Explanatory Panels for the 'Umigatari Main Tank'

New explanatory panels will be added to convey the appeal of the 'Umigatari Main Tank', the largest tank at the aquarium.

The 'Umigatari Main Tank' is a 'diorama tank' that recreates the seabed topography of the Sea of Japan, which spreads out in front of 'Umigatari', at a scale of 1/10,000, featuring a complex structure not seen in other aquariums. The panels will introduce the charm of this unique large tank, which recreates the Sea of Japan with its distinctive shape, in a quiz format.

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Period: From Monday, June 15, 2026

Location: Umigatari Main Tank Slope

Opening Hours

Admission Fees

* Visitors holding a physical disability certificate, rehabilitation certificate, or mental disability health and welfare certificate (all grades) receive a 50% discount on the individual admission fee.

(Up to one caregiver per eligible person also receives a 50% discount on the individual admission fee.)

The disability certificate app 'Mirairo ID' can also be used.

* When creating an annual passport, a photo of the passport holder will be taken, so the holder must visit the aquarium in person.

* No identification documents are required when purchasing an annual passport.

* No documents for age verification are required when purchasing admission tickets.

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