Bringing in the New Year at Echizen Matsushima Aquarium
Holidays always make me think of travel, whether driving to my grandparents’ house as a child or flying to far away cities when I got older. This year, as 2023 drew to a close, my husband and I hopped on a train and headed up north.
Echizen Matsushima Aquarium is located on the coast of Fukui Prefecture, overlooking the Sea of Japan. Opened in 1959, it definitely bears a dated look, but there is a certain charm to the facilities and you can tell that they are trying their best.
My husband and I arrived just in time for the King Penguin walk. It was a rainy afternoon, but eager spectators of all ages clustered under umbrellas to watch as three regal looking birds emerged from the penguin house, wings spread, and confidently strutted in front of the crowd.
Decorations had been set up for the New Year festivities, and the penguins waddled through a red torii gate before curiously approaching a tiny shrine. As the penguins investigated the little building or waddled about, sometimes raising their heads to drink rain water, a zookeeper spoke to the crowd. After several minutes and numerous photos, the penguins passed back through the torii and returned to the penguin house.
A special penguin omikuji vending machine had been set up outside of the penguin house. I inserted a 100 yen coin and watched in delight as the mechanical Humboldt penguin disappeared through a set of doors, much like a cuckoo clock, then returned with a rolled up slip of paper. I eagerly unrolled my fortune. Kichi! I received blessing, a good result indeed.
The Echizen Matsushima Aquarium has two separate penguin exhibits, one each for cold and warm weather penguins. After visiting with the King, Gentoo and Rockhoppers, we went to see the Humboldt penguin exhibit. A heart-shaped “skyway” extends out from the main exhibit, which you can walk beneath to observe the penguins swimming. I enjoyed the various penguin murals painted around the exhibit.
Naturally, before we left we had to visit the gift shop. I always forget to take photos of gift shops, because I’m just too occupied with browsing! The Echizen Matsushima Aquarium has a wide variety of penguin goods I hadn’t seen elsewhere, and I walked away with a cute keychain set of mother and child Humboldt penguins.
While not a big, modern aquarium, Echizen Matsushima Aquarium has a unique feel coupled with a beautiful view of the ocean. The staff were kind and helpful and their care is evident throughout. If you’re in Fukui, I recommend a visit.
On January 1st, 2024, just a day after my visit to the aquarium, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck north-central Japan, triggering tsunami warnings for the Sea of Japan coast. The following day, the Echizen Matsushima Aquarium website announced that there has been no damage to any staff or animals. My thoughts are with the people affected by this disaster.
Echizen Matsushima Aquarium website (English translation available)