Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium will hold its 15th "Ohitorisama Night Aquarium" on Saturday, May 16, 2026, after regular closing hours. The event runs from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM (last admission at 8:00 PM) and is tailored for visitors who prefer experiencing the aquarium on their own, in a calm and unhurried atmosphere. Candle-type lighting and aroma setups throughout the venue add a relaxing, dreamlike quality to the evening.
Event Details
- Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026
- Hours: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM (last admission: 8:00 PM)
Advance Tickets (on sale April 17, 2026 at 12:00 PM through May 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM):
- Adults: ¥2,100 (tax included)
- Seniors: ¥1,500 (tax included)
- Junior/High school students: ¥1,400 (tax included)
Same-Day Tickets (available at ticket vending machines from approximately 5:45 PM):
- Adults: ¥2,200 (tax included)
- Seniors: ¥1,600 (tax included)
- Junior/High school students: ¥1,500 (tax included)
Annual passport holders may also enter. Children in elementary school and younger are not permitted to participate. Tickets are limited in quantity — if advance tickets sell out, same-day tickets may not be available.
Advance tickets can be purchased through the official website (Asoview). Same-day tickets are sold at the on-site ticket vending machines.
About the Event
"Ohitorisama Night Aquarium" was first held in 2018 for visitors who wanted to focus and enjoy the aquarium on their own. The event features exclusive rules called the "Ohitorisama Jissoku" (Ten Rules for Solo Visitors) to help attendees get the most out of a solo aquarium experience. This year marks the 15th edition.
Exclusive Event Content
- Free exploration of the aquarium after hours
- Aroma scents and candle-type lighting throughout the venue
- Personal chairs and leisure sheets permitted inside
- Special backstage tour led by the vice director
- Limited-edition badge and magnet making (small: ¥300, large: ¥500) — designs are random via capsule toy machine (details to be announced on the official website)
Vice Director's Special Backstage Tour
A backstage tour led by the vice director provides a behind-the-scenes look at areas normally off-limits to the public, along with insider stories from the aquarium's curatorial team.
- Times: 6:30 PM, 7:00 PM, 7:30 PM, and 8:00 PM (approximately 30 minutes per session)
- Capacity: 15 participants per session
- Price: ¥500 (tax included)
- Purchase: Available through the official website (Asoview); limited quantity
Participation in the backstage tour requires a valid "Ohitorisama Night Aquarium" advance ticket or an annual passport.
Nocturnal Creatures on Display
One of the highlights of the event is observing the aquarium's animals during the night hours. Visitors can watch creatures sleeping or see nocturnal animals becoming active — a side of the aquarium that is rarely witnessed during regular daytime visits.
