Kamogawa Sea World in Kamogawa City, Chiba Prefecture, will hold the "Orca & Sea Lion Learncation Plan" (シャチ＆アシカ ラーケーションプラン), a learning vacation (学習休暇) program, on four days: Saturday, December 5, Sunday, December 6, Saturday, December 12, and Sunday, December 13, 2026. Set in the aquarium after it closes, this special program is limited to 40 participants per day. Through experiences and lectures on orcas and pinnipeds (鰭脚類), it is designed to lead to learning that is unique to an aquarium.
Orca Photo and "Special Night with Orca"
After taking a commemorative photo with an orca in front of the glass, where the orca's adorable side can be seen, participants watch "Special Night with Orca," a performance held in the stadium at night. The program lets participants experience both the cute side of the orca and its overwhelming power as the king of the sea.
First-Ever "Choose Your Pose" Sea Lion Photo and Keeper Lecture
Before the photo, a trainer demonstrates three sea lion poses: "laughing" (笑い), "salute" (敬礼), and "front flipper raise" (前肢上げ). Each participating group chooses one pose and takes a commemorative photo. This photo experience is being offered for the first time.
The classic "laughing" pose (定番の「笑い」)
Posing together in the "salute" pose (敬礼)
The "front flipper raise" pose (前肢上げ)
Participants also see the custom-made transport equipment used to carry huge walruses safely. A keeper-led lecture on marine mammals explains wildlife protection, based on the case of "Sachi" (サチ), a Steller sea lion that was previously protected at the aquarium.
Dinner at the Restaurant "OCEAN"
After the experiences, participants head to the restaurant "OCEAN," where they can have a meal while watching the orcas. The plan includes a main plate along with a buffet where diners can freely choose their favorite items. Ortan (オルタン) will appear in a Santa costume during the meal, adding a bit of early Christmas atmosphere.
Night Adventure With a Keeper
After dinner, participants set out on the "Night Adventure" (ナイトアドベンチャー), a keeper-guided tour of the quiet aquarium at night. In the calm atmosphere that differs from the daytime, they can see the animals' sleeping faces and hear their quiet breathing, which brings the special night to a close.
Spend the Whole Day at the Aquarium
Participants in the program have parking near the aquarium secured for them (a parking fee of ¥1,200, tax included, is required separately), so they can enter Kamogawa Sea World from the morning of the day, spend the whole day at the aquarium, and then join the program. Reservations for the Orca & Sea Lion Learncation Plan open on the official website on Monday, November 2, 2026.
Program Overview
- Dates: Saturday, December 5, Sunday, December 6, Saturday, December 12, and Sunday, December 13, 2026 (4 days in total)
- Capacity: 40 participants per day (minimum of 15 participants required to run). A lottery will be held if there are many applicants.
- Eligibility: Ages 4 and up. Children aged 3 and under cannot participate.
- Fees:
- Adults (high school age and older): ¥18,000 regular / ¥17,000 DDC members
- Children (elementary and junior high school students): ¥16,000 regular / ¥15,000 DDC members
- Preschoolers (ages 4 and up): ¥14,500 regular / ¥13,500 DDC members
- The fee includes the admission fee, lunch, and participation fees for the experiences.
- Elementary school students and younger must be accompanied by an adult (high school age or older).
Program contents
- Commemorative photo with an orca (one commemorative photo is included as a gift)
- Viewing of the after-closing orca performance "Special Night with Orca"
- First-ever "Choose Your Pose" commemorative photo with a sea lion
- Tour of the walrus transport equipment
- Lecture on pinniped protection activities
- Dinner buffet with a main plate at the restaurant "OCEAN"
- Appearance of Santa Ortan during dinner
- Night Adventure (short version)
Participant benefits
- Entry to Kamogawa Sea World from opening time (9:00 AM) on the day of participation
- Parking secured near the aquarium (a parking fee of ¥1,200, tax included, is required)
- Dinner buffet with a main plate at the restaurant "OCEAN" (オーシャン)
- Ball chain "orca plush toy" (シャチ丸ぬいぐるみ) in purple
Option: Stay at the official hotel
Those who wish to stay at the official hotel, Kamogawa Sea World Hotel, can check the total fee in the "Option" field of the application form and tick "希望する" (wish to stay) when applying. Availability depends on the vacancy on the participation date, and details will be sent in the winning notification email.
Benefits of staying at the official hotel:
- Guests can return to their room and rest right after the plan ends.
- Breakfast buffet is included.
- Guests can enjoy the aquarium on the check-out day as well.
- At check-in, guests can reserve a "Morning Aquarium Walk" (朝の水族館散歩) at the front desk (extra charge).
How to Apply
- Application period: From 4:00 PM on Monday, November 2 to 4:00 PM on Monday, November 9, 2026
- How to apply: Through a Google Form: https://forms.gle/kYKUgXfsNYFuUAgL8
- Winners will be notified by email by Saturday, November 14, 2026.
- All fields in the form must be filled in.
- If the number of applicants exceeds the capacity, a lottery will be held among the applicants.
- Once all winners have been contacted, a notice that applications have closed will be posted on the event page.
- How to pay the participation fee will be announced in the winning notification email.
Important Notes
- The program may be canceled due to circumstances on the aquarium's side.
- The program may be canceled due to animal conditions or severe weather such as typhoons.
Venue Information
Kamogawa Sea World (鴨川シーワールド)
- Address: 1464-18 Higashimachi, Kamogawa City, Chiba 296-0041
- Closed: Irregular
- Official event page: https://www.kamogawa-seaworld.jp/event/event_info/16342/
- Official website: http://www.kamogawa-seaworld.jp/
