Shimoda Aquarium, an interactive aquarium located in Shimoda City, Shizuoka Prefecture, will mark Respect for the Aged Day on September 21 (Mon, holiday) by introducing one of its longest-lived residents, a king penguin, during the "Peta Peta March" penguin show. An indoor walk will also let visitors get an up-close look at the king penguin.
About the Aquarium's Long-Lived Animals
Shimoda Aquarium has previously been home to animals that set impressive longevity records, including "Jumbo," a false killer whale that set a world record for days in captivity, and "Nana," a bottlenose dolphin, and "Ellie," a California sea lion, both of which set Japan records for days in captivity. Like these three, animals that have been loved by visitors over many years often come with plenty of stories from their keepers. To mark Respect for the Aged Day, the aquarium will share the story of "San-chan," a king penguin that has been in its care for 34 years, and will hold a special indoor walk so visitors can get a closer look and celebrate the holiday together.
Introducing the Long-Lived King Penguin, Plus an Up-Close Indoor Walk
Event Period: September 21 (Mon, holiday), 2026
Event Times:
- Penguin show "Peta Peta March": 11:25 AM (San-chan will be introduced during the show)
- King penguin indoor walk: 3:25 PM (includes the walk and an introduction)
Price: Free (separate admission of ¥2,500 for adults and ¥1,250 for children is required)
Location: Near the Penguin Panorama Pool
*The event may be cancelled depending on weather or the animals' condition.
About San-chan the King Penguin
San-chan is a king penguin that was rescued from the wild in 1987 and has been in Shimoda Aquarium's care since 1992. As of September 2026, San-chan has been at the aquarium for 34 years. King penguins are said to live an average of 20 to 30 years in captivity, and since San-chan was already a fully grown adult at the time of rescue, factoring in the years since then puts the estimated age at around 40, making San-chan a notably senior bird. The aquarium will continue daily health checks to help San-chan live a long, healthy life.
About Shimoda Aquarium
Shimoda Aquarium opened in March 1967 as an interactive aquarium operated by Shimoda Aqua Service Co., Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujita Kanko Inc. Using a rare natural inlet, the aquarium is home to dolphins, sea lions, seals, penguins, and otters, along with marine life found in the waters around the Izu Peninsula. It offers extensive interactive programs, including feeding experiences and the chance to swim with dolphins, giving visitors an unusually close connection with the animals.
Address: 22-31 San-chome, Shimoda City, Shizuoka Prefecture 415-0023
Access:
- By Train: 7 minutes by regular bus / 5 minutes by taxi / 25 minutes on foot from Izukyu-Shimoda Station on the Izukyu Line
- By Car: Approximately 40 km from Tsukigase IC on the Izu Chuo Expressway and Shuzenji Road
Official Website: https://shimoda-aquarium.com
