We visited the “Hamanako Learning Center ULOTTO,” an aquarium located in Maisaka-cho, Chuo-ku, Hamamatsu City, which takes a fun and serious approach to studying Lake Hamana.

This article was created on February 9, 2026.

We visited the “Hamanako Learning Center ULOTTO,” an aquarium located in Maisaka-cho, Chuo-ku, Hamamatsu City, which takes a fun and serious approach to studying Lake Hamana.

More than 50 tanks of various sizes display fish and other creatures from the Enshu region, including Lake Hamana.

The humorous descriptions of the fish are written by the staff and are a highlight in themselves.

The touch pools allow visitors to actually handle the fish, and there are also many events aimed at elementary school students, making it a facility the whole family can enjoy.

Let’s take a closer look at the Hamanako Learning Center ULOTTO.

What kind of place is the Hamanako Learning Center ULOTTO?

The Hamanako Learning Center ULOTTO is an interactive aquarium attached to the Hamana Lake Branch of the Shizuoka Prefectural Research Institute of Fisheries and Marine Technology.

It opened on August 21, 2000 and is now in its 26th year.

The facility features a large tank holding 120 tons of water, and around 50 smaller and larger display tanks showcasing approximately 200 species of creatures living in Lake Hamana, the Enshu Sea, and the Miyakoda River.

It was established to provide opportunities for people to become familiar with Lake Hamana’s fishery resources and natural environment, and to deepen their understanding of the lake.

The concept of ULOTTO is “scientifically exploring Lake Hamana in a fun and serious way,” allowing visitors to learn about its ecosystem and lesser-known aspects.

The staff also put great effort into creating POP displays, aiming to make them enjoyable to look at and interesting to read.

Cute illustrations drawn by the keepers and explanations written in the local Enshu dialect are also well received for being easy to understand.

These friendly touches help convey the warm and relaxed atmosphere of ULOTTO through the displays themselves.

Hamanako Learning Center ULOTTO Highlights Guide

As you enter the facility, you are greeted by a friendly space with a festive atmosphere reminiscent of a traditional Japanese fair.

The three-story building is divided into different areas: on the 1st floor are the “Aqua Zone,” “Experience Zone,” and “Lake Theater”; the 2nd floor features the “Learning Zone”; and the 3rd floor has an observation deck with a view of Lake Hamana, where visitors can enjoy the scenery.

We asked keeper Kanau Shimizu about the highlights of ULOTTO, a facility where visitors can have fun while learning.

Highlight 1: Tunnel-Style Large Aquarium Tank

This arched large aquarium tank allows visitors to see fish that live in Lake Hamana and the Enshu Sea.

Benches are placed right in front of the tank, allowing visitors to observe the fish at their leisure.

Be sure to take a closer look at the smiling, cute stingrays and the remoras relaxing near the tank walls, and observe their fascinating behavior up close.

In the tunnel-style large aquarium tank, where visitors can enjoy everything from impressive large fish to cute smaller fish, a feeding event with keeper commentary is held every Wednesday and Saturday at 2:00 p.m.

Highlight 2: Touch Pool

At the touch pool, visitors can put their hands into a tank filled with tropical fish and actually touch the fish.

There are three openings on the side of the tank where you can place your hands inside.

Although there are openings on the side, why doesn’t the water spill out? It is a very mysterious tropical fish tank.

When the fish come closer, try gently touching them.

Before putting your hands into the tank, there are some important precautions to follow.

If you are wearing sunscreen or hand cream, please be sure to wash your hands before placing them into the tank.

After touching the fish as well, make sure to wash your hands. A handwashing station is available next to the tank.

“Sea Lake Textbook” Also Available for Purchase

At the Hamanako Learning Center ULOTTO, a booklet titled “Sea Lake Textbook,” which clearly introduces the formation and natural characteristics of Lake Hamana, as well as the region’s culture and industries, is also available for purchase.

Designed to be easy to read for local elementary school students (especially upper grades) as well as the general public, the booklet includes a section titled “Seafood Edition,” which focuses on fish, shellfish, and aquatic life found in Lake Hamana.

Through the rich environment of Lake Hamana and the diverse creatures that live there, readers can learn about the unique ecosystem of this brackish lake.

If you are interested, be sure to check it out. (Japanese only)

Facilities & Services at Hamanako Learning Center ULOTTO

Restrooms: Available

Nursing Room: Available (Please ask a staff member)

Rest Areas: Available (A circular rest area with benches is located on the 2nd floor, where food and drinks are allowed. Another rest area is also available on the 3rd floor.)

Coin Lockers: Not available

Shop: Available

Recommended items: Eel-themed towel, eel T-shirt

Café: Not available

Vending Machines: Available

Free Wi-Fi: Available

Charging Stations: Not available

Crowd Information at Hamanako Learning Center ULOTTO

Peak busy periods are during Golden Week and the summer vacation period in August.

The busiest hours are from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM and from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

If you wish to avoid crowds, visiting on weekdays is recommended.

Avoiding around midday will allow for a more relaxed experience.

Hamanako Learning Center ULOTTO Information

Address: 5005-3 Bentenjima, Maisaka-cho, Chuo-ku, Hamamatsu

Phone: 053-592-2880

Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Last admission at 4:00 PM)

Closed: Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a national holiday) and the New Year holidays
* Open daily during Golden Week and summer vacation periods. Please note that closing days may vary.

Admission Fees:
High school students and younger / Seniors aged 70 and over (Proof of age required): Free
Adults: ¥320 per person
※Group discounts available for groups of 30 or more.
※Prices may be revised from April 2026 onward

Reservations: Required for groups only

How to Reserve: Please send a request via the inquiry form on the official website

Official website: https://ulotto.entetsuassist-dms.com/

Access

By Car
About 20 minutes from Hamamatsu Nishi IC on the Tomei Expressway
About 35 minutes from Hamamatsu IC on the Tomei Expressway

By Train
About a 10-minute walk from JR Bentenjima Station

Parking: Available (Hamamatsu City Nagisaen Parking Lot: ¥400 per day)

Nearby Attractions Around Hamanako Learning Center ULOTTO

There are several sightseeing spots around the Hamanako Learning Center ULOTTO where visitors can enjoy the natural beauty of Lake Hamana and local specialties of Hamamatsu.

・Bentenjima

・ Hamanako Garden Park

・Unagi Pie Factory, and more

We hope you’ll take the time to visit these attractions as well!

Looking for activities in Hamamatsu and Lake Hamana?
↓↓ Check out here ↓↓

Yaramaika Tourism

Message to Readers from Mr. Kanau Shimizu, Keeper at Hamanako Learning Center ULOTTO

We provide easy-to-understand exhibits introducing the ecology of the creatures living around Lake Hamana, as well as the rich fishery resources the lake provides.

We would be delighted if many people, both local residents and visitors, could learn more about the Hamanako Learning Center ULOTTO.

Thanks to its small scale, the aquarium offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere, with many exhibits full of local charm.

The facility is designed to be enjoyed by everyone, from children to older visitors.

We sincerely look forward to welcoming you.

In this article, we introduced the Hamanako Learning Center ULOTTO.

We discovered many surprising things, such as “There are fish like this in Lake Hamana?” and “Even this kind of creature lives here?”, making the visit highly interesting.

Although it is a small aquarium, it is full of charm. We hope you will visit and experience it for yourself!

*The information in this article is subject to change.

With thanks to the Hamanako Learning Center ULOTTO for their cooperation