Shimoda Aquarium Celebrates Flying Saucer Day (UFO Day) on June 24
Key facts
- Shimoda Aquarium Celebrates Flying Saucer Day (UFO Day) on June 24
- Shimoda Aquarium will celebrate Flying Saucer Day (UFO Day) on June 24 by highlighting ray species resembling flying saucers during its 'Discovery Ocean' feeding shows on June 21 and 24, drawing parallels between their disc-like shapes and UFOs.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: June 17, 2026
Direct answer
Shimoda Aquarium will celebrate Flying Saucer Day (UFO Day) on June 24 by highlighting ray species resembling flying saucers during its 'Discovery Ocean' feeding shows on June 21 and 24, drawing parallels between their disc-like shapes and UFOs.
- Citation
- Shimoda Aquarium Celebrates Flying Saucer Day (UFO Day) on June 24 (June 17, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- June 17, 2026
Shimoda Aquarium will celebrate Flying Saucer Day (UFO Day) on June 24 by highlighting ray species resembling flying saucers during its 'Discovery Ocean' feeding shows on June 21 and 24, drawing parallels between their disc-like shapes and UFOs.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 17, 2026 at 00:00
- 🔍 Collected: June 16, 2026 at 15:21
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 16, 2026 at 16:21 (59 min after Collected)
Shimoda Aquarium (located at 3-22-31 Shimoda City, Shizuoka Prefecture; General Manager: Mitsushi Keino) will commemorate Flying Saucer Day (UFO Day) on June 24 by introducing ray species with UFO-like shapes during its fish feeding shows, 'Discovery Ocean,' on June 21 (Sun) and June 24 (Wed).
◇ About Flying Saucer Day
On June 24, 1947, Kenneth Arnold of the United States sighted nine glowing objects while flying his private aircraft. Arnold described their movement as 'like saucers skipping on water' (Note 1), and media coverage of his account popularized the modern image of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) as disc-shaped. June 24 marks the anniversary of this historic event.
Note 1: Arnold commented on the movement; the objects he saw were reportedly boomerang-shaped.
◇ About the Ray Species Exhibition
【Time】10:35 AM and 2:35 PM – during the 'Discovery Ocean' fish feeding shows
【Location】Perry Ship Aqua Dome Main Tank
【Content】Introduction to ray species, primarily the red stingray and spotted eagle ray, housed in the main tank
Spotted Eagle Ray
Red Stingray
◇ About Shimoda Aquarium
Opened in March 1967, Shimoda Aquarium is an experiential aquarium operated by Shimoda Aqua Service Co., Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fujita Kanko. It is one of the few aquariums in Japan built within a natural inlet. The facility exhibits marine life native to the Izu Peninsula, including dolphins, seals, sea lions, penguins, and otters. With interactive programs such as feeding sessions and dolphin swims, the aquarium is renowned for its close proximity between visitors and animals.
■ Address: 3-22-31 Shimoda City, Shizuoka 415-0023
■ Access:
By train: Take a shuttle bus (7 min), taxi (5 min), or walk (25 min) from Izu Kyuko Line’s Izu-Kyu-Shimoda Station
By car: Approximately 40 km from Tsukigase IC on the Izu Chuo and Shuzenji Roads
■ Official Website: https://shimoda-aquarium.com
◇ About Fujita Kanko
Fujita Kanko Co., Ltd., a pioneer in Japan’s tourism industry, opened Hakone Yugawara Garden in 1948 and Tsubakiyama Villa (now Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo) in 1952, and was officially established in 1955. The company aims to realize a 'rich and fulfilling society' by maximizing the use of human resources, cultural assets, and other corporate resources to provide relaxing spaces and warm hospitality. Through unique content and business development, it delivers new value that aligns with customers’ life cycles and lifestyles.
■ Official Website: https://www.fujita-kanko.co.jp/
■ Brand Movie Now Available: https://www.fujita-kanko.co.jp/sub/fkmovie
◇ About Flying Saucer Day
On June 24, 1947, Kenneth Arnold of the United States sighted nine glowing objects while flying his private aircraft. Arnold described their movement as 'like saucers skipping on water' (Note 1), and media coverage of his account popularized the modern image of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) as disc-shaped. June 24 marks the anniversary of this historic event.
Note 1: Arnold commented on the movement; the objects he saw were reportedly boomerang-shaped.
◇ About the Ray Species Exhibition
【Time】10:35 AM and 2:35 PM – during the 'Discovery Ocean' fish feeding shows
【Location】Perry Ship Aqua Dome Main Tank
【Content】Introduction to ray species, primarily the red stingray and spotted eagle ray, housed in the main tank
Spotted Eagle Ray
Red Stingray
◇ About Shimoda Aquarium
Opened in March 1967, Shimoda Aquarium is an experiential aquarium operated by Shimoda Aqua Service Co., Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fujita Kanko. It is one of the few aquariums in Japan built within a natural inlet. The facility exhibits marine life native to the Izu Peninsula, including dolphins, seals, sea lions, penguins, and otters. With interactive programs such as feeding sessions and dolphin swims, the aquarium is renowned for its close proximity between visitors and animals.
■ Address: 3-22-31 Shimoda City, Shizuoka 415-0023
■ Access:
By train: Take a shuttle bus (7 min), taxi (5 min), or walk (25 min) from Izu Kyuko Line’s Izu-Kyu-Shimoda Station
By car: Approximately 40 km from Tsukigase IC on the Izu Chuo and Shuzenji Roads
■ Official Website: https://shimoda-aquarium.com
◇ About Fujita Kanko
Fujita Kanko Co., Ltd., a pioneer in Japan’s tourism industry, opened Hakone Yugawara Garden in 1948 and Tsubakiyama Villa (now Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo) in 1952, and was officially established in 1955. The company aims to realize a 'rich and fulfilling society' by maximizing the use of human resources, cultural assets, and other corporate resources to provide relaxing spaces and warm hospitality. Through unique content and business development, it delivers new value that aligns with customers’ life cycles and lifestyles.
■ Official Website: https://www.fujita-kanko.co.jp/
■ Brand Movie Now Available: https://www.fujita-kanko.co.jp/sub/fkmovie
FAQ
What is Flying Saucer Day?
It commemorates Kenneth Arnold’s UFO sighting in the U.S. on June 24, 1947.
Why do rays look like UFOs?
Their flat, disc-shaped bodies glide through water like flying saucers.
When and where is the event?
June 21 & 24 at Perry Ship Aqua Dome, during 10:35 AM & 2:35 PM feeding shows.