[World's Only] Aquamarine Fukushima, Which Exhibits Live Saury, Presents a "World's Most Saury-Filled" Summer! "Saury School" Opens on July 15 (Wed) for the Aquarium's 26th Anniversary

Aquamarine Fukushima, operated by the Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Fukushima Aquarium (Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, Director: Ken Furukawa), will hold a major special exhibition titled "Saury School" from July 15, 2026 (Wed) to January 11, 2027 (Mon, holiday), themed around "saury," a familiar fish on Japanese dinner tables.

A special exhibition "Saury School" presented by Aquamarine Fukushima, the world's only facility to successfully exhibit live saury permanently.

Despite being a common fish essential to Japanese cuisine, much of its ecology is surprisingly unknown. Aquamarine Fukushima began saury breeding and research three years before its opening (in 1997) and was the first in the world to succeed in breeding them in an aquarium. This exhibition, with the concept of a "learning space" open to everyone from children to adults, is the world's most saury-filled special exhibition where visitors can enjoy the ecology, history, and culture of saury that our aquarium has uncovered. We await your enrollment with many hands-on events for individuals and families to enjoy.

Three Highlights of the Special Exhibition "Saury School"

1 Learn from the World's Only Breeding Experience! Explanations & Hands-on Exhibits Unraveling Saury Mysteries

Learn about surprising facts like "Are medaka related to saury?", the secrets of reproduction revealed through long-term breeding, and the current situation of declining catches in recent years and the latest research for the future, all explained clearly on panels with academic insights. Furthermore, we offer hands-on content for deeper understanding, such as operating saury CT scan footage yourself, observing food under a microscope, and virtual feeding experiences.

2 Produced by a Veteran Keeper with 28 Years of Saury Breeding Experience! Events to Interact with Keepers Also Available

This exhibition is produced by a veteran keeper with 28 years of saury breeding experience. They will share exclusive, in-depth behind-the-scenes stories about saury, only possible through years of experience, through venue exhibits and backstage tours. Various events will be held during the exhibition for children and adults to learn while having fun. Events will also be held where you can deepen your knowledge by speaking directly with the keepers.

3 "Limited Saury Gourmet" Appears at the Aquarium Restaurant

The aquarium restaurant will offer limited saury gourmet dishes, including Iwaki's local specialty "Saury no Popo-yaki," as "Saury School Lunch." We offer the ultimate saury experience: see, learn, and finally savor it deliciously. Details will be announced on the restaurant page of the official website as they are finalized.

Exhibition Overview

Exhibition Period

July 15, 2026 (Wed) - January 11, 2027 (Mon, holiday)

Venue

Aquamarine Fukushima Main Building 1F, Marine Hall, Entrance Hall

Admission Fee

Viewable with Aquamarine Fukushima admission fee. Some events may require a participation fee.

Exciting! Highly Anticipated Experiential Events to Heat Up Your Summer Vacation

We will hold numerous events perfect for creating summer vacation memories and for summer homework research projects.

[First Time Ever] Premium Experience with Saury Breeding Professionals!

◆ Saury-Focused! "Saury Backstage Tour"

Image of backstage tourSaury exhibit tank, "Sea of Fukushima" corner

The saury 담당 keeper will provide a special guided tour behind the scenes of the world's only saury exhibition. Additionally, a special saury feeding experience will be offered.

Date and Time: August 11 (Tue, holiday), 12 (Wed), 11:00 AM - and 2:00 PM - each day (30 minutes per session)

Application Method: Advance web application required via the official website (starting July 15, 9:00 AM - first-come, first-served basis)

https://www.aquamarine.or.jp/events/exhibition_sanma2026/

Fee: 500 yen

Target Audience: 5th graders and above (10 participants per session)

[First Time Ever] Will Make You Giggle and Learn!?

◆ "Saury Teacher's" Advice Corner

A first-ever attempt to answer your love and relationship troubles from a saury's perspective! Unique answers from "Saury Teacher," intertwined with saury ecology, will be posted.

Application and Posting Period:

[Phase 1] Application: June 6 (Sat) - June 13 (Sat) ➔ Posting: July 15 (Wed) - August 31 (Mon)

[Phase 2] Application: July 15 (Wed) - July 31 (Fri) ➔ Posting: September 1 (Tue) - November 1 (Sun)

[Phase 3] Application: September 19 (Sat) - September 23 (Wed) ➔ Posting: November 2 (Mon) - January 11 (Mon, holiday)

Application Method: Application form within the facility and on the official Instagram

Fee: Free

Posting Location: Main Building, 1st Floor, Entrance Hall

[Summer Vacation / Family-Friendly] Learn While Playing Experiential Events!

◆ Full of Impact! "Saury Growth Board Game" (Popular Event Returns!)

Board game image (held in 2024)

A giant 10-meter board game appears in the entrance hall! If you reach the goal without falling into a hole, you'll receive a "Saury Hologram Card." (Participation prize included).

Date and Time: 1 August 13 (Thu) - 15 (Sat) 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM 2 August 16 (Sun) 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Fee: 300 yen (2 balls per person)

Location: Main Building, 1st Floor, Entrance Hall

◆ Can You Reach the Goal Without Getting Lost? "Saury Growth Maze"

Maze image (held in 2024)

A special maze where you follow the growth process from the perspective of migrating saury. Those who reach the goal will receive a commemorative card.

Date and Time: 1 August 13 (Thu) - 15 (Sat) 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM 2 August 16 (Sun) 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Fee: 300 yen

Location: Main Building, 1st Floor, Aqua Room 1

◆ With Keeper Commentary! "Fukushima Fish Touch"

Fish touch image (held in 2014)

This popular event allows you to touch fresh fish caught in Fukushima Prefecture, lined up like at a fish market, including saury. Keepers will answer your questions on the spot! Either a saury breeding professional or a keeper full of passion for fish will appear. Please look forward to it.

Date and Time: July 18 (Sat) - 20 (Mon, holiday) 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Fee: Free

Location: Main Building, 1st Floor, Aqua Room 1

[Limited Bonus] "Saury School" Enrollment Commemorative & Homework Support Goods

"Saury School" emblemDesign of "nagaremo" (drifting seaweed) where saury lay eggsRecipe card with illustrations, let's make delicious saury dishes!

- "Saury School" Enrollment Campaign (First 200 visitors each day)

Receive an "Enrollment Certificate Card" inspired by the special exhibition. A school emblem stamp can be applied to the back.

(Period: July 15 - July 31)

- Saury Research Worksheet (First 200 visitors each day, free)

A worksheet to learn about the structure and growth of saury. Perfect for summer homework! (Period: July 15 - August 31)

- Saury Recipe Card Distribution (First time, free)

Recipe cards for classic salt-grilled saury and Iwaki's local specialty "Popo-yaki" will be distributed. Recreate them at your dining table! *Distribution is available throughout the special exhibition period. Recipe content may change during the period.

Announcement

Various saury-related events are planned for the latter half of the exhibition period. Details will be announced on the official website as they are finalized.

Special Offer "Summer Pair Ticket" Limited Sale

We are offering a limited sale of the "Summer Pair Ticket," which offers great value for two visitors. It is available to anyone visiting as a pair and includes a voucher for two soft-serve ice creams at the in-house restaurant.

Sales Period: July 1, 2026 (Wed) - August 30, 2026 (Sun)

Usage Period: July 1, 2026 (Wed) - August 31, 2026 (Mon)

Price: 3,900 yen (1 pair of general admission tickets / normally equivalent to 4,500 yen)

Sales Locations: Limited sales at Seven-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart, Ministop, and the online ticket service "Asoview" (*Not sold at our ticket counter).

Aquamarine Fukushima Facility Overview

Location: 50 Tatsumi-cho, Onahama, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, 971-8101

Business Hours: Regular Season (March 21 - November 30) 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM / Winter Season (December 1 - March 20) 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM *Last admission is one hour before closing. Extended hours may be available, please check the official website.

Admission Fees: General 1,850 yen / Elementary to High School Students 900 yen / Preschoolers Free

Official Website: https://www.aquamarine.or.jp/

Official Social Media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aquamarinestaff/ X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/aquamarinestaff