One of my first stops in Japan last summer was the Kyoto Aquarium. (This might surprise some people, but those who know me also know that I’m a sucker for well-kept aquariums and exotic fish.) Like many large aquariums around the world, Kyoto features an enormous “deep sea” exhibit featuring many species of fish, including sharks and rays, along with sea turtles, corals, and invertebrate life. We arrived at feeding time, and I loved snapping shots of the diver feeding the various species — none of whom seemed frightened by his presence. While I love to watch aquatic species moving around at any time,
Read moreKyoto Aquarium
Kyoto’s Beloved Penguins
What’s not to love about penguins? and moult at about a year old, at which point they grow their adult feathers: …to a pile of feathers, representing the molt of a juvenile penguin becoming an adult. I’ve blogged before about the curious “march of the penguins” that takes place each afternoon, where keepers roam the exhibit carrying fish in order to ensure the penguins exercise (in a game of “follow the fish”) and to observe their general health. This emphasis on education, as well as exhibition, and clear concern for the animals’ welfare carried through the entire Kyoto Aquarium. The animals seemed happy,
Read moreMarch of the (Kyoto) Penguins
During my recent trip to Japan, I spent a day at the Kyoto aquarium with my son (who was studying in Japan at the time). While there, we had the chance to witness one of the most entertaining zoo-related behaviors I’ve ever seen: the “penguin walk.” I’d heard that some Japanese zoos and aquariums “walk” the penguins to keep them in shape (and also to check for injuries), but never anticipated getting to witness the process for myself. I also had no idea how amusing it would be. Just as we reached the penguins, a trio of keepers entered the exhibit wearing full-length
Read moreThe Giant Salamanders of Japan
On my first morning in Japan, I woke up at 4:30am to catch a Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo to Kyoto. Upon arrival, I went with my son and one of his friends to the Kyoto Aquarium, where I immediately discovered a major difference between a Japanese aquarium and the ones I’ve visited in the United States. The marquee creature. Aquariums usually place a large-draw creature close to the entrance, because the visitors want to see the animal as soon as they enter. Other “big-ticket” creatures may be located far from the entrance (ensuring that guests stay long enough to make the full circuit) but there’s
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