Oita Marine Palace Aquarium

Umitamago, officially the Oita Marine Palace Aquarium, is a large seaside facility on Beppu Bay where one of the main attractions is a massive open-water tank that immerses you in the marine world of the surrounding Seto Inland Sea and Pacific Ocean. Dolphin and walrus shows are crowd favorites, and the interactive "Touch Pool" areas let children handle starfish, sea cucumbers, and small sharks. The outdoor "Asobeach" zone is unique to this aquarium, combining a sandy play area with shallow tide pools where kids can splash alongside harmless marine creatures. Located along the scenic coastal road between Beppu and Oita, it makes a natural half-day stop, especially for families traveling with young children.