Kobe Suma Sea World is holding its popular marine life education program for elementary school children, Ikimono Sumashii School (生きものスマシースクール), starting September 5, 2026 (Saturday). The September and October sessions take "Let's Learn About Sharks and Rays!" as their theme, giving children a closer look at two of the aquarium's most popular animals.
Participants first learn about the physical characteristics, identifying features, and ecology of sharks and rays — both cartilaginous fish — before heading to the touching pool, where they can observe and touch the animals up close while a keeper explains what they're seeing. The session wraps up with a papercraft activity, letting children take home a keepsake of what they learned.
Kobe Suma Sea World runs a variety of programs like this one as part of its effort to blend learning ("Education") and play ("Entertainment") into what it calls a "connected edutainment aquarium."
"Let's Learn About Sharks and Rays!" Program Details
Dates: September 5 (Sat), 13 (Sun), 19 (Sat), 23 (Wed/holiday), 26 (Sat), and 27 (Sun), 2026 — 6 days total
- Program content, or the event itself, may be changed or cancelled depending on weather and the animals' condition.
- The Orca Hall exhibit cannot be viewed while the program is in session.
Times:
- September 5, 19, 26 (Saturdays): 10:30 AM – 12:10 PM
- September 13, 23, 27 (Sunday/holiday): 10:00 AM – 11:40 AM
Capacity: 10 groups (20 people) per day
Who can join: Children in grades 1–6 of elementary school, accompanied by a guardian
- One guardian is required per child, and a maximum of one guardian per child is permitted.
- Preschool-age children may not take part.
Participation fee: Free (separate aquarium admission is required)
Application period: Applications for the September sessions are open from 2:00 PM on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, through 12:00 PM (noon) on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. Applications are accepted month by month, and the schedule and application details for October onward will be announced later on the official website.
How to apply: https://www.kobesuma-seaworld.jp/guide/event/9961/
- Selected participants will be notified individually by email; results will not be announced in any other way.
Program content:
- Lecture: "Let's Learn About Sharks and Rays!"
- Observe sharks and rays at the touching pool and in front of the open-ocean tank
- Recap and a papercraft activity
About Kobe Suma Sea World
Kobe Suma Sea World offers the only orca performance in western Japan, a buffet restaurant where guests can dine while watching the orcas, and an educational zone dedicated to learning about marine life, blending education ("Education") and entertainment ("Entertainment") into what it calls a "connected edutainment aquarium."
Location: 1-3-5 Wakamiyacho, Suma-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 654-0049
Hours: Weekdays 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM / Weekends & Holidays 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (subject to seasonal changes)
Official Website: https://www.kobesuma-seaworld.jp/
