About the Aquarium

Hello, travelers!
It’s me, Binako—a SaruKuma writer who once polished off an entire rice flour cake in one sitting!

Today I’m taking you to one of Kumamoto’s most unique attractions:
located in Aizu, Matsushima-cho, Kamiamakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture,
“Wakuwaku Sea Donuts Aquarium” (わくわく海中水族館シードーナツ).

The parking lot sits right in front of Sea Donuts,
and restrooms are available inside the main building.

Stepping inside, you’re greeted by
a lovely shop area packed with local goods and souvenirs.
From Amakusa-themed sweets shaped like sea creatures to adorable keychains,
there’s plenty to browse and bring home.

Toward the back, you’ll find a baby room,
so families with little ones can visit with peace of mind.

Admission Fees
Aquarium only:
Adults ¥1,300 / Elementary & Junior High students ¥800 / Preschoolers ¥400
Aquarium + Pearl Line Cruise combo:
Adults ¥2,500 / Elementary & Junior High students ¥1,700 / Preschoolers ¥1,000

Group discounts are also available for parties of 15 or more.

Sea Donuts also offers daily programs inside the facility,
so you can check the schedule in advance and book your favorite experience.

Top Highlights

There’s a scenic walking path that leads to Sea Donuts,
but if you’re traveling with small children or prefer not to walk,
for just ¥100 per person each way you can hop aboard the adorable dolphin-themed shuttle bus, Iru-chan-go,
which whisks visitors directly to the aquarium.

Once inside the aquarium, helpful signage guides you through the exhibits.

Sea Donuts is built in a circular shape, and right in the center, sea bream swim freely in the open ocean!

For ¥100 per cup, you can buy fish food and feed the sea bream yourself—
a fun, interactive moment that kids absolutely love.

My son started off carefully tossing one pellet at a time,
but by the end he was dumping the whole cup in at once. Ha!

Head upstairs and you’ll find an observation deck with sweeping views.

From up here, you can take in a stunning panorama of the Amakusa coastline.

The aquarium also has a touching pool—
a wonderful chance to actually touch real sea creatures with your own hands!

My son tentatively reached out to touch turtles and starfish at first,
then ended up squealing with delight!

Head down to the lower level and you can observe fish that actually live in the waters of Amakusa.

You’ll spot a giant crab with massive claws,

and a huge moray eel that my son couldn’t tear his eyes away from!

Watching the garden eels poke up from the sand, my son said,
“The sand is so pretty!”
Not quite what I expected, but a sweet observation nonetheless.

From tiny tropical fish to mesmerizing jellyfish and even predatory species—you’ll see it all here!

The main event!
The dolphin encounter and feeding experience!

When I touched a dolphin’s fin,
I was shocked at how firm it was!
Fun fact: a dolphin’s fin actually has 5 bones, just like our human hands.

For feeding, the staff hands you fresh fish,
and even though I was a little nervous holding it,

Plop!
In it went, and the dolphin gobbled it right up. Success!

We were treated to spectacular dolphin jumps too,
and both my son and I were absolutely thrilled!

On the walk back, we strolled through the path,
played in the sandbox, spotted pine trees
and collected pinecones along the way—a perfectly relaxing finish.

This community-rooted aquarium gives kids (and adults!) the chance to get up close with all kinds of marine life.
It was a hit with my little one from start to finish.

If you’re traveling through Kumamoto, definitely add Sea Donuts to your itinerary!

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Visitor Information

Frequently Asked Questions

※ Information is accurate as of the time of reporting. Prices and hours are subject to change. Please confirm before your visit.