Friday, January 25, 2008

Yokohama Sea Paradise


Yokohama is an integral part of the greater Tokyo area and a major urban center, has its own personality stemming from its role as one of the greatest international seaports of Asia. Located at the tip of Yokohama Bay, the Hakkeijima Sea Paradise is a leisure land home of one of the top aquariums in Japan with 500 different varieties of fish with more than 100,000 sea creatures in all. It is leisure land surrounded by nature and is a new generation style amusement park.

The island is approximately 24ha, is 18 times bigger than the grounds of the Tokyo Dome. The island itself is free to enter and walk around as it is maintained by the City. There are a variety of beautiful flower gardens which you can stroll around at leisure, taking in the sights and smells of the ocean, making this an ideal picnic spot.

It has a variety of attractions that make up the Sea Paradise amusement park. The island has 14 amusement rides, the popular Museum Aquarium and marine life show, a selection of restaurants and hotels.

Rides
At 107 meters high, you can enjoy an exhilarating vertical fall amusement, the blue fall. There is Japan's first surf or roller coaster that swings out over the water as well as some rides suited for the younger visitor to the park. The amusement rides are all priced individually.

Aquarium Museum
The Aquarium Museum is probably the most famous of the park's attractions. The large glass exhibits give you a rare opportunity to glimpse at life under the waves. The names of the fish are written in English as well as in Japanese.

Fishing Pier
A fishing pier attracts thousands of eager fishermen and women each year. The professional, the amateur, the young and the old, can all be seen trying their best to catch their dinner. You can take home anything that you catch, although you are advised to throw back undersized or young fish in line with environmental and conservation concerns. The lodge has fishing equipment for rent as well as providing life jackets for children.

Marine Show
The show is conducted entirely in Japanese. However, show is mostly visual and the talking generally consists of introductions of the marine life and their trainers.

How to Access
Take the Yokohama- Yokosuka Rd., Exit. Continue on National Route 357 about four kilometers to Hakkeijima, and use the Sea Paradise parking facility. Automobiles are not allowed on the island.