Activities
Hakkeijima Sea Paradise in Yokohama
Adeline OngEnjoying the aquarium and sea life at Hakkeijima Sea Paradise
The Hakkeijima Sea Paradise in Yokohama is an amusement park near Yokohama, which opened on May 8, 1993. It is one of the most visited amusement parks in Japan and consists of an aquarium, a shopping mall, a hotel, a marina and rides.
Admission is free except for the Aqua Resorts attractions and Pleasure Land rides. Visitors can freely enter the island on which the park is located, to use the park facilities, to stroll on the promenades, to go shopping in the shops or to dine in the restaurants.
In the Aqua Resorts you can see walruses, dolphins, sea lions, seals, polar bears, whale sharks, giant tortoises, sea otters and many other sea creatures. There are also daily shows in which the animals do a number of demonstrations.
In the so-called Pleasure Land there are numerous rides for all age groups. You can experience everything here, from a free fall from a height of 107 meters to a roller coaster and a large carousel.
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50-minute train ride to Hakkeijima Station from Yokohama station.
Enjoying the aquarium and sea life at Hakkeijima Sea Paradise
An alternative to Disneyland if you are near Yokohama, this small island has great aquariums and amusement rides for the whole family to enjoy.
The Hakkeijima Sea Paradise amusement park is one of the most visited theme parks in all of Asia. It has several amusement rides as well as a huge aquarium.
Sea Paradise Christmas runs from November 13th until December 25th, and includes divers dressed in Santa suits presenting "gifts" to fish, Christmas-themed penguin parades, dolphin shows set to Christmas music, and more.
Deep sea creatures are some of the world's most fascinating animals, and a special event taking place at Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise will explore them in greater detail.
Lunch at The Scapes, Hayama: Enjoy really delicious vegetables, a nice tender steak and tasty deserts, a sophisticated atmosphere and stunning seashore view.
At the creative French restaurant, Nature et Sens, diners are treated to an experience for the senses. Seasonal ingredients and Kamakura produce take centerstage in these fantastically beautiful dishes. Enjoy a glass of wine with your meal from their wide selection for the ultimate experience.
Taste Aratama's famous fried pork cutlet and fall in love with the fresh flavors. Tonkatsu isn't all that's on the menu. Be sure to try Aratama's other dishes like mozzarella menchi katsu and cream croquette.
Discover the taste that Kamakura locals are in love with. New German's fluffy custard-filled sponge cakes are a dessert that is sure to impress. The caramel custard flavor is especially popular with visitors.
Shomyoji Temple (称名寺), was founded by Hojo Sanetoki in 1258 and has been declared a National Treasure in 1922.
Originally opened in 1946 and revamped in 2001, Verny Park (ヴェルニー公園) is a French styled garden overlooking Kanagawa’s Yokosuka Port. The park is named after Léonce Verny, a French naval engineer who led the construction of multiple naval facilities in the area in the late 1800s, including Yokosuka Naval Arsenal. Verny made great contributions to Japan’s modernization with his leadership, engineering, and educational skills. Verny Park is renowned for its stunning rosebeds, which contain over 100 different species. In springtime, the collection of colorful flowers bloom, providing visitors an enchanting scene against the massive Japanese and American naval ships docked in Yokosuka Port. The juxtaposition of the park’s soft landscaping against the war ships’ intimidating forms makes Verny Park a visually intriguing spot. Intoxicating floral scents follow the breeze, weaving through notable sights such as the French style gazebo and fountain, which add to the authentic feel of the park. Visitors can also stop by the Verny Memorial Museum, which houses information about Verny’s engineering and machinery, as well as the general history of the area. After strolling through the gardens, guests can take a break at Corsaire, the park’s cafe, and enjoy a delicious meal while looking out at the surrounding greenery and sea.
Located at Mikasa Park, the Memorial Ship Mikasa is a warship that holds a significant place in Japan’s maritime history. Built in the late 1890s and officially commissioned from 1902 to 1923, the Mikasa served as the flagship of the Japanese fleet during the Russo-Japanese War of 1904 to 1905. After the Mikasa was decommissioned, it was preserved as a memorial ship from 1926 onwards. Significant restorations were undertaken in the early 1960s, and the open to the public ship is seen as a point of national pride.