Kobe Suma Sea World (神戸須磨シーワールド) in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, will hold its Christmas event "Suma Sea Christmas 2026" (スマシークリスマス2026) from Saturday, December 19 to Friday, December 25, 2026.
During the event, the final performance of each day becomes a Christmas special. The Dolphin Night Performance has dolphins leaping to Christmas songs and lighting effects, and the Orca Performance is also presented in a special version set to Christmas songs.
On four days only, December 19, 20, 24 and 25, Blue Ocean Orca Stadium, the only restaurant in western Japan where guests can dine while watching orcas, opens after the aquarium closes for a "Christmas Dinner Buffet" with more than 100 dishes. Santa Claus also appears during the period, and guests who visit receive a "Christmas Petit Gift."
The aquarium's restaurants also have winter-limited sweets: a Christmas version of the オルシー Pancake Plate at the Wharf Dolphin Stadium food court and a Christmas tree-style parfait at the Port Diner Orca Stadium takeout stand.
Christmas Orca and Dolphin Night Performances
The final performance of each day is given a special Christmas treatment for the event period.
In the Dolphin Night Performance, colorful moving lights illuminate the stadium alongside Christmas music as the dolphins perform. The Orca Performance is presented in a special version set to Christmas songs.
Dolphin Night Performance (illustrative image)
- Dates: December 19 (Saturday) to December 25 (Friday), 2026
Notes:
- Check the official website for each performance's schedule.
- Performances may be cancelled depending on the condition of the animals.
- Aquarium admission is required to watch any of the performances.
Christmas Dinner Buffet at Blue Ocean Orca Stadium
For four days only, Blue Ocean Orca Stadium, where guests can dine while watching orcas, opens after the aquarium closes for a Christmas dinner buffet featuring more than 100 dishes.
Highlights include "Turkey Galantine with Raspberry Sauce" (七面鳥のガランティーヌ ラズベリーのソース), in which low-temperature-cooked, tender turkey is paired with a sweet and tart raspberry sauce. Another is "Sweet and Sour Pork with Himeji Yukihime Pork and Tajima Red Vinegar" (姫路雪姫ポークの但馬産赤酢の酢豚), which uses plenty of ingredients from Hyogo Prefecture, including Himeji's brand pork, Yukihime Pork (雪姫ポーク), Awaji Island onions and red vinegar from Tajima. There is also "Lobster and Kohlrabi Tartare with Anchovy Mayonnaise" (オマール海老とコールラビのタルタル アンチョビマヨネーズ), which balances the fine sweetness of lobster with the saltiness of anchovy.
During the period, Santa Claus also appears, and guests who visit receive a "Christmas Petit Gift."
- Dates: December 19 (Saturday), 20 (Sunday), 24 (Thursday) and 25 (Friday), 2026
- Seatings: 6:00 PM or 6:30 PM (90 minutes)
- Guests who want to visit the aquarium before dining should book the 6:00 PM seating; aquarium admission for that visit is sold separately.
- Guests booking the 6:30 PM seating cannot visit the aquarium, and no aquarium admission ticket is needed. Check-in for the 6:30 PM seating starts at 6:20 PM on the day, in front of the aquarium exit.
- Prices (all tax included; free for children age 3 and under):
- Premium Area: Adults (junior high school age and up) ¥14,000 / Elementary school students ¥7,500 / Young children (age 4 to pre-elementary school) ¥2,500
- Ocean Area: Adults (junior high school age and up) ¥12,000 / Elementary school students ¥6,000 / Young children (age 4 to pre-elementary school) ¥1,500
- Reservations: Open at 12:00 AM on Monday, October 19, through the reservation page
Sample menu items:
Turkey Galantine with Raspberry Sauce
Sweet and Sour Pork with Himeji Yukihime Pork and Tajima Red Vinegar
Lobster and Kohlrabi Tartare with Anchovy Mayonnaise
Winter-Limited Sweets
オルシー Pancake Plate Christmas Version
A winter-limited sweet featuring a pancake of the official character オルシー, topped with pistachio cream, canelé and berries, and decorated with a holly-shaped chocolate.
- Where: Wharf Dolphin Stadium
- Hours: 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM (may vary by season)
オルシー Pancake Plate Christmas Version (¥2,000)
Orca's Christmas Churry Parfait (オルカのクリスマスチュリーパフェ)
A parfait available in December only, made with chocolate churros, vanilla ice cream and whipped cream, with matcha powder sprinkled on top to resemble a Christmas tree.
- Where: Port Diner Orca Stadium
- Hours: 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM (may vary by season)
Orca's Christmas Churry Parfait (¥1,000)
