MARINE WORLD

Marine World is a wonderful aquarium here in Fukuoka. It is located on a peninsula which protects Hakata Bay from the Genkai Nada Ocean, in the Uminonakamichi National Park. Marine World is the major attraction in the park.





The Three Main Attractions

There are three major attractions in Marine World. The first is the Marine Theater. Every ninty minutes, there is a dolphin and seals show at the theater. Two thousand people can watch dolphins and seals do tricks, while looking into beautiful Hakata Bay in the background. The theater is half open, to show the sky and the bay, but the spectator area is covered, so the show goes on in any weather. Recently, the number of dolphins and seals increased, and they now can do very difficult tricks. I think the show is worth seeing, because you are able to see the dolphins jump and the seals pose right in front of your eyes. The show takes thirty minutes.

The next attraction is the Aqua Live Show. Hold onto your hats because you are going to be looking a shark square in the face! During this show, a diver feeds marine animals in a big, panoramic tank. As the diver feeds the animas, hr holds camera on them, and the image is transmitted to a big screen, so you can see a close-up view of the fishs' faces. I thin it is very exciting to see fish come right at you as you sit on dry land. This show takes ten minutes.


The third attraction is the aquarium. This is always open. There are many beautiful fish swimming around in the tanks, well worth looking at. When I was there, it looked like the sea otters were receiving most of the attention, but I liked the other animals, too. It takes at least two hours to see all of the animals.



How to Get There

Now that you know what attractions are at Marine World, I am sure you will want to go. Although you can go by car or by bus, I recommend the ferries or trains, because there is always heavy road traffic in the area, especially on weekends.
Ferries leave from Marizone, near Fukuoka Tower and from Hakata Port. The high speed ferry from Marizone takes fifteen minutes, the ferry from Hakata, thirty-six minutes.
To go by train, take the JR Kagoshima Main Line to Kashii and change to the Kashii Line for Uminonakamichi. Or, take the subway Line two to Kaizuka, change to the Miyajidake Line to go to Wajiro, and change here to the Kashii Line for Uminonakamichi.

Admission and Hours

Admission to Marine World is 2,100 yen for adults, 1,150 yen for junior high school students, 800 yen for grammer school students, and 550 yen for kindergardeners. From March 1 to the second Friday of July, Marine World is open from 9:30 to 17:30. Until July 20, it opens thirty minutes earlier. During summer vacation (July 21-August 31), it is open from 9:00 to 18:30. From September to November, hours are 9:30 to 17:30. Finally, during the winter season, the park is open from 9:30 to 17:00.
For further information, call Marine World, at 092-603-0400.

This page was written by E.K.Swain(8th grade student).




COPY RIGHT 1997: All rights reserved. All the articles and images were featured by Momochi J.H.S. Computer Club.