Located on the Sanriku Coast, this is an aquarium situated underground. I had always wanted to visit an aquarium with such a unique feature. Due to access issues, I thought it would be a while before I could visit, but I was able to make it happen by taking time off in May.
Basic Information Location: Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture Admission: 750 yen (Adult, as of 2025.06.01) Number of species/specimens: Approx. ? species ? specimens (?)
This was my first visit. I feel like this is my first time ever setting foot in Iwate Prefecture. When I started visiting aquariums, I thought, "There are no aquariums in Iwate Prefecture!" but I learned about this facility after seeing posts from other aquarium enthusiasts.
Ticket & Pamphlet
Here is the ticket☟
It is the type issued by a ticket machine where the stub is torn off.
Here is the pamphlet☟
The common four-fold type.When opened, it serves as a guide to the highlights of the facility.Aside from the pamphlet, there was this lovely booklet. Apparently, you can watch videos if you download the app (I haven't done it).
Getting to Mogranpia
The day before visiting Mogranpia, I took the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Morioka Station. From there, I took a bus for an hour and a half to Miyako Station. Since it was the peak season for fresh sea urchin, I enjoyed a delicious seafood bowl before taking the Sanriku Railway to Tanohata Station. I stayed there for one night, and the next day I took the Sanriku Railway again to Kuji Station.
As we got closer to the sea, the train stopped for a while, allowing us to fully enjoy the scenery!Arrived at Kuji Station. From here, it takes about 20 minutes by taxi.The exterior is so simple that you wouldn't think it was an aquarium unless you got close to it.The large mat at the entrance features the character Kamekichi welcoming visitors.The building has five floors and includes exhibits other than the aquarium.There is also Kamekichi on the stairs.
Petroleum Culture Hall
I showed my ticket at the reception and headed inside.
I was a bit intimidated by the sign that said, "There are no restrooms beyond this point."To make matters worse, there was a sign saying, "No signal." Just what kind of place am I heading into?Suddenly, an aquarium tank appeared!Golden rockfish. Apparently, the white ones are rare.Sakanakun is also here to welcome us. He is the "Cheer Captain," and he appears many times from here on out.Located in front of the aquarium is the "Petroleum Culture Hall," an exhibit where you can learn about oil and resources.It's a huge, slightly dark space that feels like an exploration.These are called tide gates, and they close when an earthquake of seismic intensity 5-lower or higher occurs, or when a tsunami warning is issued.How oil is made. It also explained what it is used for.The exhibit showing where it comes from features a large globe.Stockpile locations across the country. I think it has to do with how it's transported, but they are all along the coast.A wheel loader. It's a machine likely used for digging tunnels, and it was very impressive.I was also able to sit in the driver's seat. So many buttons.
Aquarium
The photos from here on are of the aquarium.
It is located beyond the vinyl curtain.Looking up, the ceiling makes you feel like you are in a tunnel.An area lined with small tanks.Freshwater flounder - the way it bends along the wall -Pale chub. There was a sign saying there was one fat minnow among them, but I couldn't tell...Kuji seawater tank.Handwritten fish name plates by the staff. They are full of personality and great.A colorful tank.It looks like the apartment building at Takeshima Aquarium. Wait, it's a hotel.There's even a cafe. There are actual staff members there too.There was a sea pineapple. A Sanriku specialty!When you come out to an open area, the path splits left and right.A tank where you can experience feeding.You can experience it for free twice a day.If you hold a lump of something like fish paste in your hand and put it in the water while holding it between your fingers, the fish will peck at it.From the window that the staff called the 'hard course,' the barred flagtail pecked quite strongly.Next is the deep-sea tank.Cloudy catshark eggs. I could see the inside moving.The adults pile up while also crowding the starfish.Silver conger. Beautiful curves.There was a sea slug, but is this white spiral thing eggs? Or is it poop?There is also a paid doctor fish experience. The tanks were separated for hands and feet.As the corridor continues...There is a line marking the height the tsunami reached. It was higher than my own height, and I felt a sense of fear.A calendar with records of jellyfish collection. I can't believe they are displaying something so precious!The tips were also full of humor and very interesting.The reason there is an electric fan is...Apparently, it's to prevent condensation on the tanks. Everything is handwritten by the staff, which gives it a warm touch.Jellyfish corner. The highlights were written down.Doflein's jellyfish.The fish name plates are too fun to look at. Doflein, the person they are named after, also has a lot of character.A type of upside-down jellyfish. The small jellyfish were moving rhythmically as if they were breathing.Next to it is a baby spotted jellyfish. Apparently, it's subletting.Sea walnut. The story of how it was discovered is interesting...It seems it was mixed in with some deep-sea comb jellies. It's amazing that the person in charge of freshwater fish found it.Indonesian sea nettle. It seems long-term breeding is difficult... I'm rooting for you!Heading back through the corridor, I proceed to the left half.Even the parts that would usually be hidden in the backyard are fully exposed! It's exciting.Horseshoe crab. There are two types!The spotted garden eel tank is very assertive.The real ones were more reserved.Medium-sized tanks are lined up.It's a foxfish, but what makes it different is...It has a nickname along with an illustration by Sakana-kun!I want to know the origin of the name 'Bon-chan' for the starry pufferfish...This is the tunnel tank! The turtle swimming in the upper right is 'Kamekichi'.It turns out it was a female! But the name stayed the same. A local newspaper article about it was on display.I couldn't help but laugh at the nostalgic reference.In the back, there is a cylindrical jellyfish tank. It's a space with nothing else, so you can really immerse yourself.
Nanbu Diving
They hold events on weekends, which was also one of the reasons I wanted to visit.Traditional Nanbu diving.Apparently, this is incredibly heavy.I'm so curious about the 'diver with amazing showmanship'.A ladder was lowered into the tank, and I could see feet coming down.Oh! I can already feel the showmanship!They have food, and the fish have gathered around.They are holding a pufferfish with their hand. The fish are used to it, too.Staff outside the tank relay questions from the visitors using signs,and they answer from inside the tank using a nostalgic board.Even though the equipment alone looks heavy, they are wearing two 20-kilogram weights!Here, they are calling over the flounder. A brilliant success!They said the success rate is 30%, so they were very happy, which was cute.To my surprise, there was even a photo session at the end! I was very happy.Behind the aquarium tank, there is also an exhibit of the equipment.You can actually lift and touch the weights they wear. It's a rare experience.
Northernmost Ama Divers
In the afternoon, there was an Ama diver demonstration in the same tank.An explanation of the costume. It is famous for the morning drama "Amachan," after all.They have arrived!The water must be very cold!The pufferfish are used to it too. They harvested the sea urchin so easily, and their technique was professional.
Lunch: Kuji Station Sea Urchin Bento
There are no restaurants at Mogranpia, and eating and drinking are prohibited inside the building. They sold cup noodles at the shop, but I wondered where one would eat them... then I found a rest area about a 2-minute walk away that had a hot water dispenser and a microwave (I don't think it's affiliated with Mogranpia, though).
The "Sea Urchin Bento" I bought at Kuji Station was also something I was looking forward to on this trip.It's a luxury item filled only with sea urchin! Needless to say, it was incredibly delicious!
2nd and 3rd Floors
I will also introduce a little bit of the exhibits on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the building.
On the slope going up, there were illustrations, handmade crafts, and fish prints on display.The second floor has a theater and an exhibition room. The theater was under maintenance and not operating.In the exhibition room, I was able to watch a video about the journey from the disaster to recovery.The third floor is the disaster prevention exhibition room, 'Earthpia'.There are panel displays where you can learn how to respond when an earthquake occurs.
4th Floor: Sakana-kun Corner
This is the corner for Sakana-kun, who is the cheering squad leader. My question about why he is the cheering squad leader was answered here.
You can see an overwhelming number of illustrations by Sakana-kun.This explains the connection between Sakana-kun and Mogranpia.It seems he held a talk show every year for five years before the Great East Japan Earthquake occurred.Mogranpia was affected by the disaster. This shows the state of the damage.He started visiting Kuji one month later and helped reopen the aquarium in front of the station. Sakana-kun supported that effort. It was clear that he has visited very frequently since then, and I thought Sakana-kun was amazing.There were also aquarium tank displays. There are many illustrations by Sakana-kun all around.They are cute, but the way he captures their characteristics so well is truly impressive.A Sakana-kun manhole cover found in front of Kuji Station. The connection between Kuji and Sakana-kun was truly wonderful.
Rooftop Observation Deck
The top floor is an observation deck.
From the observation deck, you can see the ocean and the oil facilities.There were also a few aquarium tanks placed there.There was a counter for visitors to press that didn't seem to be noticed very much.
Merchandise
The gift shop had quite a lot of original merchandise, which made me happy.
I bought a hand towel, gum, a postcard featuring a collaboration with Sakana-kun, a Nanbu Diver pin badge, and an acrylic stand.This acrylic stand is wonderful; although it is just a simple stand with the word "Aquarium" on it, it becomes a perfect title wherever you place it in front of a tank. I want to use it in many places from now on.The bags come in various sizes, and the patterns are cute too.This wasn't purchased at the aquarium, but it is a Sanriku Railway keychain I bought at Miyako Station. The fish shape is very cute and it's a favorite of mine.
Summary
This is the only aquarium that performs Nanbu diving and ama diver demonstrations. I'm sure it's absolutely difficult, as it must take time and effort to prepare, and it's cold and physically demanding. I really hope it continues for a long time to come. I enjoyed it so much that I truly feel that way. There were many handwritten fish name plates and explanations, and being able to feel the passion and humor of the keepers directly was also a point I liked. Seeing so many children enjoying themselves makes me feel that it is loved by the local community.
There is an "Information Exchange Center" in front of Kuji Station, and there was a fish tank inside the cafe! There is also a library, making it perfect for killing time. It was a lovely space.
☟Mogranpia also has a note account, so please check it out!
