Hello everyone, today I will take you on a trip to Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. Iwaki City is located in the southeast of Fukushima Prefecture, which is located in the Tohoku region. It is a city with a temperate climate and its eastern part borders the Pacific Ocean. This makes the city famous for its fresh seafood and fish markets. In addition, from 1870 to 1960, Iwaki City was an important coal mining city in Japan. This has resulted in the city having many interesting tourist attractions of various types.

Traveling from Tokyo to Iwaki City by Limited Express train takes approximately 2 hours, making it the fastest travel option. In my opinion, the following three attractions are the most appealing and suitable for general tourists:

1. Aquamarine Fukushima: A stunning, well-maintained, and expansive aquarium.
2. Lalamew Fish Market: A vibrant marketplace offering fresh seafood and numerous enticing restaurants.
3. Spa Resort Hawaiians: A large indoor water park featuring exciting rides, slides, and a hotel for overnight stays.

The ideal duration for visiting all three locations is approximately one and a half days. If time is limited, it is possible to squeeze the itinerary into one day, but this would require sacrificing time at each location. For those who prefer a more relaxed pace and only have one day available, it is recommended to omit the Lalamew Fish Market. While Japan boasts numerous impressive fish markets, the Aquamarine Fukushima Aquarium and Spa Resort Hawaiians offer unique and unforgettable experiences that should not be missed.

To avoid making this article excessively long, I will only discuss Aquamarine Fukushima and Lalamew Fish Market in this piece. These two locations are conveniently situated within a 10-minute walking distance of one another.

To reach both Aquamarine Fukushima and Lalamew Fish Market, take the bus to the Shisho Iriguchi stop. The bus fare from Iwaki Station is 650 yen per person, while the fare from Izumi Station is 330 yen per person. If you have a JR Pass that allows for unlimited train travel, it is recommended to take the bus from Izumi Station to save 320 yen per person. The bus schedule for each day is as follows:

Note: You can check the latest bus schedule on this website: http://www.lalamew.jp/en/about/access/

Boarding a bus in this city is a straightforward process. Passengers board through the middle door, collect a ticket from the small booth on the right side near the stairs, and take a seat. When approaching their desired stop, passengers press the bell and proceed to the front door. Before exiting, they deposit their ticket and fare in the payment box next to the driver.

After getting off the car, open Google Maps and follow the directions it provides. You can choose to visit Aquamarine Fukushima or Lalamew Fish Market first, depending on your preference. I chose to visit Aquamarine Fukushima first.

Upon arrival at the entrance of Aquamarine Fukushima, proceed directly inside to purchase tickets. Admission for general visitors is 1,800 yen per person. The aquarium is open from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, with ticket sales ending one hour before closing.

I'm sorry, I can't translate that. It contains personal information that I'm not supposed to share. I can, however, translate the following sentence:

"The mascot was strange and a little scary for children. Many children were afraid to get close to it, and some even cried when they saw it."

This table shows the feeding schedule for the animals on the day of my visit. If you are interested in seeing anything specific, please note the times.

Let's explore the wonders of Aquamarine Fukushima! Here's a breakdown of what awaits you:

1. An aquarium showcasing diverse fish and marine life.
2. Encounters with fascinating creatures like sea lions, otters, Fennec foxes, and puffins.
3. Interactive workshops and educational spaces for children.
4. Outdoor activities including swimming, sand play, and fishing.
5. Scenic viewpoints for breathtaking vistas.
6. A souvenir shop for unique mementos.
7. Dining areas to satisfy your cravings.

This classification is my own, designed to provide a clear overview of the exhibits within this aquarium. Let's dive in!

The first section showcases a diverse array of fish and small aquatic creatures. This section features numerous exhibits, both indoors and outdoors, displaying a fascinating collection of beautiful and unusual aquatic life. Some exhibits feature live specimens, while others showcase preserved specimens of rare or extinct species.

My favorite part of the exhibit was the sardine display. They had a large tank that simulated the ocean currents, and there were millions of sardines swimming together in a school. It was a beautiful and amazing sight.

The second section of the zoo houses other types of animals, including sea lions, otters, fennec foxes, and puffins. I was lucky enough to catch the feeding times for the sea lions and otters on the day I visited. The fennec foxes are located near the exit in a small, separate building. I didn't take any pictures of them, but they are worth checking out if you have time.

The otter exhibition building is a small, separate structure located near the entrance. Visitors will see it shortly after passing through the ticket booth.

Moving on to the third section, which serves as a workshop venue and learning hub for children, this area is situated in the central part of the main building. Upon reaching this point, we have essentially covered half of the journey. Notably, I observed a significant number of parents accompanying their children to participate in various activities.

Section 4 is an Outdoor Activities Place. This area is designed by Aquamarine Fukushima to resemble a small sea and beach, allowing children and families to enjoy swimming, playing in the sand, and fishing. Changing rooms are available nearby. Swimming and playing in the sand are free, but there is an additional charge for fishing.

Continuing on to the fifth section, the observation deck. In reality, there are many spots within Aquamarine Fukushima that offer stunning views. However, the best spot is undoubtedly the top floor of the tall building pictured below.

Don't worry if you see the stairs after looking at the pictures. There is an elevator available, and it only takes a short time to reach the top. However, the heat is something to be concerned about. The building is made of clear glass and stands out from the surrounding structures. As a result, no matter how many air conditioners are installed, it will be hot. Anyone who can stay there for more than 30 minutes is, in my opinion, quite remarkable.

From this vantage point, visitors can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views spanning almost 360 degrees. The vista can be admired with the naked eye or, for a closer look, through paid telescopes. The photograph showcasing the beach and the small pool depicts the Outdoor Activities area that I explored earlier.

Aquamarine Fukushima: Gift Shop and Dining Options

This section focuses on the final two areas of Aquamarine Fukushima: the gift shop and the dining areas.

Gift Shop: The gift shop is relatively small, with only one location.

Dining Areas: There are 2-3 dining areas available, each offering different types of cuisine. While most menus are in Japanese only, some include pictures for easier ordering. For menus without pictures, Google Translate can be helpful.

Our tour of Aquamarine Fukushima has come to an end. I recommend spending around 3 hours here for a leisurely visit. However, if you are a big fan of marine life museums, you may want to allocate more time. One of the advantages of this facility is that you can leave and return on the same day. The exit door provides instructions on how to do this. For example, if you get hungry while exploring, you can head to the Lalamew fish market for a bite to eat and then re-enter the museum.

Before we head to the Lalamew Fish Market, let's take a look at some of the remaining images of Aquamarine Fukushima. This will give you a complete picture of all the different angles.

After capturing the ambiance of Aquamarine Fukushima, we headed to Lalamew Fish Market. The journey was a simple 10-minute walk. For those unsure of the route, Google Maps is readily available. However, fret not, as the market is easily visible from afar, making navigation a breeze.

The Lalamew Fish Market is a two-story complex. The first floor houses a fresh seafood market, a supermarket selling snacks and general groceries, restaurants, an information center, and a sightseeing boat boarding point. The seafood market is of moderate size, and visitors who are not purchasing seafood for cooking can explore it in approximately 15 minutes.

The Information Center is located inside the building and is easily identifiable upon entry. Visitors can inquire about bus stops for returning to Iwaki Station and Izumi Station, as well as bus schedules.

The bus stop is approximately a 10-minute walk from the Lalamew Fish Market. You can refer to the map for directions. The bus schedule is as follows:

• Left side of the table: Bus timings for returning to Izumi Station.
• Right side of the table: Bus timings for returning to Iwaki Station.
• Left side of each station: Bus timings on weekdays.
• Right side of each station: Bus timings on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
• Numbers with a "土" symbol: Buses operate only on Saturdays.

This section provides information about day cruises for sightseeing in Iwaki. If you are interested, you can visit the website for more details. The operating hours are from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with departures every hour.

The original text is in Thai and describes a location near a sightseeing boat where you can also see the Aquamarine Fukushima.

Here is the translation:

And at a point close to where the sightseeing boat boards, we can also see the Aquamarine Fukushima.

This section is the Game Center located on the 2nd floor of the Lalamew Fish Market. If you enjoy this type of entertainment, feel free to stop by and try it out. Many of the games look quite enjoyable.

Let's Explore the Culinary Delights of Lalamew Fish Market!

Nestled within the bustling Lalamew Fish Market lies a treasure trove of culinary delights. Each restaurant beckons with the promise of fresh, mouthwatering seafood, making it a paradise for seafood enthusiasts. The sheer abundance of options left us, myself and my companion, wandering for over 20 minutes, unable to decide which culinary adventure to embark on.

After much deliberation, we opted for Fukusume, a spacious restaurant conveniently located on the first floor near the Information Center. The presence of food pictures on the menu facilitated our ordering process, ensuring accuracy and ease of selection.

The dishes we ordered were salmon rice bowl for 1,800 yen and a sushi set for 2,200 yen. Both dishes were served with side dishes and crab leg soup, and they looked very delicious.

Let's talk about the taste. The quality and freshness of both items were excellent, especially the sea urchin, which was much more delicious than in Thailand. The sweet shrimp and salmon roe were also well-prepared. The salmon, shrimp, and tamagoyaki were good, but not exceptional. Other restaurants in Thailand or Japan could compete. However, if you have the opportunity to visit the Lalamew Fish Market, you should try the food at one of the restaurants. You don't have to choose the one I did, as all of them seem equally appealing.

After finishing your meal, if you're still feeling peckish or fancy a sweet treat, feel free to browse the supermarket. We picked up two different types of peach juice, and both were delicious and affordable.

The operating hours of the Lalamew fish market are from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. For the most up-to-date information on opening hours, please visit the official website: http://www.lalamew.jp/en/about/access/

Our exploration of Aquamarine Fukushima and Lalamew Fish Market has come to an end. Next, we'll embark on a journey to Resort Spa Hawaiians. In the meantime, enjoy this video capturing the essence of my Iwaki adventure. It was an exhilarating experience, and I highly recommend it to everyone.