Introducing Miyagi's extremely cold spot, the Ice Aquarium!
2024-08-20
Kesennuma City in Miyagi Prefecture is known for its thriving fishing industry. Kesennuma is a popular spot for tourists seeking freshly caught seafood, but did you know that an aquarium run by an ice shop has been the talk of the town for several years now? This time we would like to introduce such a hot and interesting spot "Ice Aquarium ".
Author of this article
Table of Contents
- 1.
- 1-1.2.
- 2-1.2-2.3.
-
Extreme cold even in midsummer! What is an ice aquarium?
Many people probably have an image of an aquarium as a place where they can be impressed by a powerful dolphin show, watch fish swim gracefully in an aquarium tank, or see the adorable sea creatures.
However, the Ice Aquarium "in Kesennuma City "is different from such ordinary aquariums in more ways than one. In fact, you cannot see dolphin shows or even fish swimming gracefully in this aquarium!
So what exactly does the aquarium have to offer? Yes, this is literally an aquarium that exhibits fish from Kesennuma that have been preserved in ice!
The ice aquarium has now become a Kesennuma City landmark, but it was originally run by an ice shop called Okamoto Seihyo, which exhibited ice-cured fish at a snow festival in Hokkaido.
In response to requests from the neighborhood association to "do it locally as well ", it has been exhibited at a tourist and product facility in Kesennuma City "Umi no Ichiba "since 2002.
Later, it was forced to close due to the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, but reopened six years later in 2017 with hopes for the recovery of Kesennuma City.
Currently, about 600 bonito, saury, swordfish, and other sea creatures landed at Kesennuma Fishing Port are on display in a variety of exhibits.
The coldest aquarium in Japan
Unlike most aquariums, the Ice Aquarium is also characterized by the fact that the inside of the building is extremely cold. To prevent the ice encasing the fish from melting, the temperature inside the aquarium is always kept at around minus 20 degrees Celsius.
Therefore, it is so cold here that you need warm clothes even in summer! You will never be able to visit the museum without warm clothing, as you will get cold in no time.
But don't worry. The Ice Aquarium rents warm clothes free of charge, so you can go empty-handed.
Even if you think you are fully protected with a coat, it is unimaginably cold inside the museum. We recommend that you borrow warm clothes when you visit the museum.
Highlights of the Ice Aquarium
The Ice Aquarium is so cold that not only locals but even people from the north can freeze. Because of the danger of getting chilled if you stay in the aquarium for a long time, the museum is quite compact.
However, despite its small size, there is plenty to see and do! Here are some of the highlights of the Ice Aquarium.
The first thing to see before entering the museum is the mural art in front of the reception desk.
This one was created by PSOMAN, a mural artist from Belgium, and was created during the 2017 reopening.
The walls are decorated with about 120 stylishly designed fish of 40 different species. This is a free zone, so visitors who do not enter the museum can see them.
It is a popular photo spot, so why not take a picture with the stylish mural art in the background?
Watch the movement of fish in the museum.
The most remarkable thing about visiting the Ice Aquarium is, without a doubt, the movement of the fish on display! The movement of the fish on display.
Of course, all the fish on display are frozen, so you cannot see them actually swimming, but it is very interesting to see the fish moving in different ways depending on the exhibit.
The most astonishing of all are the fish arranged as if they were really swimming.
Although they are not supposed to be alive, there is a realistic feeling that they are about to start moving at any moment, which is a very strange sensation.
In fact, the ice shop that operates the ice aquarium hand-places each fish individually to create the aquarium.
They achieve this by taking their time to slowly freeze the ice and then placing the previously frozen fish at the right time.
The exhibit, which was created with a focus on the exquisite balance of how to make the fish look like they are really swimming, is art in itself.
Although you cannot see the fish swimming like in a typical aquarium, this kind of time-stopping display can only be seen in an ice aquarium.
Some of the exhibits are full of playfulness. The interesting point is that you can see not only fish swimming but also kissing each other and forming a heart shape, which you would normally never see.
The exhibits will change periodically. Some exhibits can only be seen now, so please take the time to look at each one when you visit.
Enchanted by the fantastic world
The museum is illuminated in blue, red, green, and other colors, creating a different atmospheric scene at different times of the day.
There is also a zone in the back of the museum where visitors can experience a fantastic world through projection mapping!
A variety of images are projected along with music, such as falling lights, flowers on the waves, and schools of fish swimming gracefully, so you will never get bored.
The Ice Aquarium's attractions are not limited to fish preserved in ice.
There are many other attractions, including a work by world-renowned ice sculptor Mitsuo Shimizu and a photo spot where you can take a picture as if you are trapped in the ice.
Near the exit, there is a sculpture of Kesennuma's tourist characters "Hoya Boya and ", which is also a popular photo spot.
The museum is full of spots where you can take photogenic photos everywhere, so please enjoy taking photos when you visit.Also check out "Sea City "which has an ice aquarium!
If you are going to go to the Ice Aquarium, you should also look around "Sea City "where the facility is located. Here are a few last tips on how to enjoy the Sea Market.
A variety of fish are landed at Kesennuma Fishing Port, but did you know that among them, sharks are particularly abundant?
Kesennuma City has the largest catch of sharks in Japan. Kesennuma City is also known for its high quality shark fins.
The only shark museum in Japan, "Shark Museum ", was established in Kesennuma City, the city of sharks.
The Shark Museum is composed of four zones under the theme of shark ecology and recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake: "Shark Zone ""Kizuna Zone ""Memories of the Earthquake Zone ""Living with the Sea Zone "
In the Shark Zone, super realistic objects of great white sharks and whale sharks, wonders of shark ecology, and a shark habitat map line the exhibits where visitors can learn about sharks.
This is also a small-scale exhibit, but it is very worth seeing! Not only shark lovers, but also those who know little about sharks and small children will enjoy this exhibit.
Sharks landed in Kesennuma are also displayed at the Ice Aquarium, so you may enjoy your visit to the Ice Aquarium more if you learn about shark ecology at the Shark Museum first.
After the tour, enjoy local seafood delicacies.
A visit to Kesennuma City is a must to try the local seafood dishes. There are four restaurants in Umi no Ichiba where you can taste fresh seafood.
In addition to sushi and seafood bowls, fried seafood and ramen noodles are also offered, so even those who do not like raw fish can enjoy local delicacies.
Some restaurants offer special menus that are only available on weekdays, and daily lunch specials with limited quantities. Please check the menu of each restaurant when you visit.
On the first floor of the Sea Market, there are many shopping spots, including a seafood market, a Hoya Boya character store, and a store specializing in maru-zuwaigani (snow crab).
At the market, seafood landed at Kesennuma Fishing Port can be purchased at direct from-production prices. It is also a great place to purchase seasonal fresh fish. The market also offers a service to process local foods so that they can be enjoyed immediately.
The souvenir shop sells specialty shark fin soup, as well as sweets, breads, and snacks made from local ingredients.
Of particular note is "Hoya Boya Shop ", which carries Hoya Boya's original goods.
About 240 kinds of Hoyaboya goods, including mugs, patches, and plush toys, are lined up in a row, and just holding them in your hands and looking at them will make you feel warm and fuzzy.
Next to the store is a panel with Hoya Boya's face on it, as well as "Umi-no-ko Shrine "where you can actually write an ema (votive picture tablet) and dedicate it!
Incidentally, the money in the money box at Umiko Shrine is donated for the recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake and other disasters that occurred in various areas.
After a day of shopping, be sure to stop by here as well.
summary
Very different from a typical aquarium, the Ice Aquarium is an ice aquarium where you can enjoy "still "and "moving ". The works of art created by local ice makers look as if time has truly stood still. Combined with the world view created by sound and light, it is sure to be a sight to behold. If you visit Miyagi Prefecture, be sure to stop by not only "Umi-no-Mori Aquarium "in Sendai City, but also the Ice Aquarium in Kesennuma City.
Recommended articles
Keyword search
Category overview
Search by Area
Select Language
Select Currency
