You don’t have to go far from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo to discover a showcase of sea life from around Japan. The sea is so interesting and important to the lifeblood of much of the world, perhaps this explains why the many exhibits here often are crowded with onlookers. If you have a few hours, it may be worth a visit to Enoshima Aquarium to see what makes it so popular.
General Information
Built around the conservation of animals and education of their importance, Enoshima Aquarium is a great place to visit for those looking to get away from the urban Tokyo scene. Dolphins, sea turtles, deep-sea dwelling spider crabs, jellyfish, river otters and even capybara, can be found here, so chances are you find something interesting at Enoshima Aquarium. Hosting not only many large aquariums, Enoshima Aquarium also provides opportunities for interactive educational activities that may inspire a child’s curiosity in science. If that’s not enough, various shows and exhibits are available throughout the day, including shows at the Dolphin Show Stadium, a dolphin interaction, and hands-on feeding of fish, penguins, turtles, or capybara. Most of Enoshima Aquarium can be seen in a couple hours, however if you want to experience all the shows it may be best to plan this spot as a half day trip. With the rest of the day, you may want to check out other local area and see what they have to offer.
Located just over a 1-hour train ride from the heart of Tokyo itself, this accessible Aquarium sits on the waterfront of Sagami Bay adjacent to Enoshima Island and west of the nearby historic Kamakura city. Surrounded by a beachfront park, the Aquarium building is hard to miss and has many wide paved walkways up to and around behind the facility. While the outdoor beach side of the aquarium does have a paved walkway where several stores are set up (hours vary, may be seasonal), wheelchair users may find access limited in this area due to steps.
Admission cost is by age/grade: Adults 2,500-yen, High School student 1,700-yen, Elementary/Junior High School students 1,200-yen, Children 3 to school age 800-yen, Children under 3 are Free. Hours of operation: 10:00-17:00 (December-February), 9:00-17:00 (March-November), Open year-round. While there are discounts available for visitors with disabilities, staff may insist on seeing a Japanese-issued disability ID to receive the discount. (See this article for more information.)
Getting There
Enoshima Aquarium is in Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture. The closest station is Katase-Enoshima Station, it is just a 3-minute stroll from the Enoshima Aquarium and fully accessible. The closest Enoden station is Enoshima Station and the Shonan Monorail’s closest station is Shonan-Enoshima Station. Both are about 10 minutes from the aquarium and are accessible.
Accessibility
Multiple elevators and wide ramps are located throughout the aquarium, giving easy and comfortable access for viewing everything the aquarium has to offer.
The Dolphin Show Stadium only has wheelchair accessible seating on the upper back-most floor space, if you don’t mind being at this distance then it shouldn’t be an issue as you can still see and enjoy the whole show from this angle. Staff will guide wheelchair users to the designated areas and provide a stool for companions.
Seating is available in various parts of Enoshima Aquarium for those who need to rest between short walks.
The majority of Enoshima Aquarium is inside or under cover (i.e. the Stadium), so weather should only be a concern in terms of getting to/from the location.
Certified service dogs (seeing-eye dogs, assistance dogs, and hearing dogs) are allowed in the building. However, most flooring in the building does not have any tactile blocks. Many areas are very dark and may add to the challenge of navigating a crowded space.
There are modern wheelchair accessible unisex/family toilets available at the entrance and throughout the aquarium’s facilities, many signs make it easy to locate them. The toilets are fitted with many options for support bars, but no toilets have backrests. At least one toilet has an adult-sized changing bed.
Wheelchairs are available to those with difficulties walking but supply is limited.
Conclusion
This nice and modern aquarium is a breeze to visit whether you use a wheelchair or not. It’s exhibits host a wide variety of interesting wildlife that makes it a fun and educational place to visit. If you find aquariums or wildlife interesting and you have a few hours or a day to spend, you can easily find some entertainment here and its surrounding area.
