[Shimoda Marine Aquarium] Entrance Ceremony — Dolphins Welcome New Employees — Wednesday, April 1, 2026

The hands-on aquarium "Shimoda Marine Aquarium (Location: 3-chome 22-31, Shimoda City, Shizuoka Prefecture; General Manager: Koichi Keino)" will hold an entrance ceremony for three new keeper staff members on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

◇ Entrance Ceremony at Shimoda Marine Aquarium

On Wednesday, April 1, an entrance ceremony will be held for three new animal keepers joining Shimoda Marine Aquarium. The ceremony features uniquely aquarium-style touches, including dolphins — who will become the new employees' working partners — personally presenting each new keeper with a whistle (a training tool used with animals). The celebration of these new staff members who have fulfilled their dream of becoming animal keepers will be open to the public, so please come and join us for this special occasion.

All staff will celebrate together, and guests are welcome to enjoy the event as well.

【Date & Time】Wednesday, April 1, 2026 — immediately after the 9:50 Marine Fantasy show

【Venue】Marine Stadium (inside the aquarium)

【Program】1. Letter of appointment presented by the General Manager on the show stage
2. A dolphin presents one of the keeper's work tools to one new employee representative
3. Greetings from all three new employees
※ Media interview time will be available after the ceremony

◇ About Shimoda Marine Aquarium

Shimoda Marine Aquarium opened in March 1967 as a hands-on aquarium operated by Shimoda Aqua Service Co., Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujita Kanko. One of the rare aquariums in Japan to use a natural cove, it is home to dolphins, sea lions, seals, penguins, and otters, as well as marine life native to the waters around the Izu Peninsula. The aquarium is known for its extensive interactive programs — including feeding experiences and swimming with dolphins — that bring visitors exceptionally close to the animals.

■ Address: 3-chome 22-31, Shimoda City, Shizuoka Prefecture 415-0023

■ Access: (By train) Izukyu-Shimoda Station on the Izukyu Line — approx. 7 min by scheduled bus / 5 min by taxi / 25 min on foot
(By car) Approx. 40 km from Tsukigase IC on the Izu Chuo-do / Shuzenji Road

■ Official website: https://shimoda-aquarium.com