【Day Trip Drive】 There’s a大水槽 in Tateyama! “Nagisa no Eki” Tateyama is fascinating.

In Tateyama City, Chiba Prefecture, experience the impressive大水槽 at “Nagisa no Eki” Tateyama. Our family became engrossed in the fish swimming in schools and the features of the tide pool tank. If you're looking to encounter the extraordinary on a drive, this might be a great place.

What is "Nagisa no Eki" Tateyama, located about an hour and a half drive from Kanagawa?

I visited "Nagisa no Eki" Tateyama in Tateyama City, Chiba Prefecture, about an hour and a half by car from Kanagawa, during a family drive on the weekend.

I have visited Tateyama several times before, but this was my first time entering this facility. I had heard there was a large aquarium, so I was very curious about what it was like.

Upon arrival, the pier that stretches straight out to the sea and the observation deck caught my eye. The sea breeze was strong that day, so I couldn’t go all the way to the end, but the view before me was full of openness.

During the day, the view of the horizon is overwhelming, but at dusk, it seems like you can catch a moment when the sea and sky turn orange. If I take a drive a bit later, I would like to see the sunset as well.

I headed to the seaside plaza to see the large aquarium.

At the "Nagisa no Eki" Tateyama, there are several facilities, and I stepped into one of them, the "Seaside Plaza".

What first caught my eye was a large aquarium that recreates the rich nature of Tateyama Bay. The scale was beyond what I had imagined, and I couldn't help but stop in my tracks. I found myself gazing at the large aquarium for a while.

Particularly impressive was the "Intertidal Zone Tank" with a capacity of about 40㎥. Through the transparent glass, schools of fish swimming together looked as if they had been directly taken out of the ocean. The sight of familiar fish from Tateyama Bay, like sharks, black sea bream, and striped beakfish, moving in schools or suddenly changing direction individually was quite thrilling.

These are fish that I usually only encounter through fishing or cooking. Seeing their natural movements right in front of me was a refreshing experience.

Here, the ebb and flow of the tide are artificially recreated, allowing observation of small creatures left stranded in the shallow waters during low tide.

Peering into the tide pools with my child while exclaiming, "There's a shark here!" and "A small fish is hiding behind the rocks!" felt like a little adventure. It wasn’t just an exhibition; I could truly experience the rhythm of the living sea.

Inside, there's also an interactive area where you can learn by touch. By actually touching the rough texture of a shark's skin or observing a gigantic Japanese spider crab and colorful seashells up close, both children and adults alike became completely engrossed.

Touching and interacting conveyed the concept of "experiencing the sea" perfectly, making it a fun time for the whole family.

I had heard about the large aquarium, but I didn't expect to immerse myself in such an authentic world of the ocean. I think it’s definitely a spot worth recommending not only for families but also as a destination for a drive.

Even in the car on the way back, the conversation of “I want to come again” naturally arose, making it quite memorable.

Exploring the Sakana-kun Gallery and museums.

After enjoying the large water tank, head to the exhibition and merchandise corner related to Sakana-kun, who serves as the honorary station master. There are many contents that will delight children, making it perfect for a little souvenir hunting.

Additionally, at the "Nagisa Museum," there are displays of Boso's maritime culture, including decorative rice cakes and fishing boats. Reflecting on life in those times made it easier to feel a closer connection to the people who lived alongside the sea.

If you go to Tateyama, I recommend taking a break with a biwa soft-serve ice cream!

Taking a break to enjoy the popular loquat soft serve. I bought it at "Umi no Marche Tateyama" inside the building. The unique fresh sweetness of the loquat spreads throughout my mouth, and although it is rich, the aftertaste is refreshing.

The coolness seeped into my heated body, blown by the潮風, and it was truly a reward during our drive. Everyone was engrossed in eating and couldn't help but say, “Shall we order one more?” This is a dish that you must not miss when you come to Tateyama.

You might want to visit the大水槽.

"Nagisa no Eki" Tateyama was an extraordinary spot where I lost track of time. In particular, the impact of the大水槽 has a charm that I hope you can experience by visiting. Next time I go, I want to enjoy the view from the deck at sunset as well.

“Nagisa no Eki” Tateyama
Location: 1564-1 Tateyama, Tateyama City, Chiba Prefecture
Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:45 PM

Reported and written by SYURI

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