Blessed with ocean currents, Kujukushima is known as a perfect fishing ground. Umi Kirara is an aquarium adjacent to the sea. The name "Umi Kirara" comes from the fact that it is an aquarium that expresses the glittering sea world of Kujukushima.

It is said that 1,000 kinds of creatures live in the waters around Kujukushima, not just fish. This is because the complex topography of the island supports a wide variety of life forms.

The 353km long coastline is mostly natural shoreline. As a result, untouched nature such as the eelgrass grassland, which is called the "cradle of the sea," remains. Areas rich in diversity like this are becoming rare in Japan, and the aquarium is also highly regarded as an aquarium that expresses such a rich environment.

On the other hand, Umi Kirara is a community-based aquarium operated mainly by Sasebo City. The exhibition guide using a special audio guide introduces the ecology of living things in an easy-to-understand manner even for children. Kirara Program, where you can experience making things using special products of Kujukushima, is also available in the museum and is gaining popularity.

■ Basic information
Name: Kujukushima Aquarium Umi Kirara
Address: 1008 Kanomaecho, Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture
Nearest station: JR Sasebo Station (25 minutes by bus)
Business hours: 9:00-18:00
Fee: (as below)
No regular holiday
Parking lot: You can use the parking lot of the facility

■ Fee
Adult: 1,470 yen
Children: 730 yen (junior high school students and younger)
Infant: Free (under 3 years old)
*Please check the website for detailed information.