Oarai is widely known not only for its beautiful coastal scenery but also as the setting of the popular anime Girls und Panzer, whose collaborations with local businesses have helped revitalize the town and attract fans from across Japan.
The town is home to a variety of attractions, including Oarai Isosaki Shrine, famous for its striking torii gate standing among the coastal rocks, and a large aquarium that offers fun for visitors of all ages.
Introduction: Trip Overview
Sightseeing Route
Packed with highlights and guaranteed to be a memorable day, this route covers many of Oarai’s must-see attractions.
Hop aboard the Umimachi Line and depart from Oarai Station. Your first stop is Aqua World Oarai, one of Japan’s largest aquariums.
Come face to face with impressive sharks, adorable penguins, and thrilling dolphin performances that are sure to delight visitors of all ages.
After spending about two hours exploring the aquarium, take the Umimachi Line to Osaki Seaside Station, your next destination.
No visit to Oarai would be complete without trying its famous anglerfish (anko) cuisine.
For lunch, head to Osakana Tengoku, a popular restaurant inside Osaki Seaside Station, and enjoy a delicious bowl of anko nabe (anglerfish hot pot). The restaurant serves portions for solo diners as well, making it a perfect choice for those traveling alone.
The station is also home to the Girls und Panzer Gallery, a must-visit pilgrimage spot for fans of the anime series.
After lunch, enjoy a leisurely stroll along the waterfront to Mentai Park Oarai and Oarai Fishing Port (about 1 km, or a 15-minute walk).
Then hop back on the Umimachi Line to visit Oarai Isosaki Shrine, famous for its iconic torii gate overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and Oarai Marine Tower, which offers panoramic views of the coastline.
After a day filled with sightseeing, return to Oarai Station on the Umimachi Line.
The Umimachi Line circulates around Oarai approximately once every hour. By adjusting your sightseeing schedule and covering some sections on foot, you can efficiently visit many of the town’s major attractions in a single day.
What Is the Umimachi Line?
The Umimachi Line is a community loop bus service that operates throughout Oarai. Following a route reorganization in October 2026, it has become even more convenient for both residents and visitors.
For this itinerary, we used the Sightseeing Route, a traveler-friendly service that connects many of Oarai’s most popular attractions.
One-Day Pass
If you’re planning to explore Oarai on the Umimachi Line, the One-Day Pass (¥500) is highly recommended.
The regular fare is ¥200 per ride, so if you plan to take the bus three or more times during the day, the pass offers better value.
Even better, the pass comes with discount coupons for selected attractions and facilities, meaning it can pay for itself even if you take fewer than three rides.
The pass can also be purchased directly on board. Simply ask the driver when you get on the bus.
Morning: From Oarai Station
Starting Your Journey at Oarai Station
After departing from Tokyo and transferring to the Oarai Kashima Line at Mito Station, I arrived in Oarai at 8:32 a.m.
From the moment you step into the station, you’re greeted by characters from Girls und Panzer, instantly setting the mood for an exciting day of sightseeing.
Outside the station, you’ll find a Girls und Panzer photo board, perfect for a commemorative picture.
Be sure to stop and snap a photo before setting off on your adventure!
A few minutes later, the bus arrived. This would be our ride for exploring Oarai throughout the day.
At 8:40 a.m., the first service departed from Oarai Station, and the journey officially began!
The Umimachi Line Sightseeing Route follows Oarai’s scenic coastline, making the journey itself part of the experience. With the ocean stretching out beside the road, it’s hard not to get excited for the day ahead!
Aqua World Oarai
About 20 minutes after departing Oarai Station, we arrived at Aqua World Oarai.
A dolphin statue welcomes visitors at the entrance, and the aquarium’s impressive architecture immediately catches the eye. It’s an exciting first stop and a great way to begin your Oarai adventure.
What Is Aqua World Oarai?
Aqua World Oarai is one of Japan’s premier aquariums, home to approximately 68,000 marine creatures representing around 580 species across 65 exhibition tanks.
The aquarium is divided into eight themed zones, each offering a unique perspective on the marine world and an impressive variety of exhibits.
It is particularly renowned for its shark collection, featuring about 60 species, the largest number of sharks on display at any aquarium in Japan.
Aqua World Oarai
| Address | 8252-3 Isohama-cho, Oarai-machi, Higashiibaraki-gun, Ibaraki, Japan |
| Open Hours | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Last Admission: 4:00 p.m. |
| Admission Fee | Adults ¥2,300 Elementary & Junior High School Students ¥1,100 Children (Ages 3 and Up) ¥400 Children Under 3 Free |
| Closed Dates (2026) | June 23-24, 2026, December 7-11, 2026 Note: Open throughout the New Year holiday period. |
| Official WEB | Business Information | Aqua World Ibaraki Prefectural Oarai Aquarium [Official] |
At the ticket counter, you’ll spot a Girls und Panzer character standee.
The character featured here is Ogin, the leader of Shark Team from Oarai Girls High School.
Since Aqua World Oarai is famous for its extensive shark exhibits, it’s a fitting choice of character. A nice touch that fans of the series are sure to appreciate!
Once inside, our first stop was the event schedule board.
We planned to watch the Dolphin & Sea Lion Ocean Live at 10:00 a.m. and the Penguin Walk Time at 10:40 a.m.
Looking up, we were greeted by the enormous right whale skeleton hanging overhead. Its immense scale is truly awe-inspiring, making visitors stop in their tracks and gaze upward in amazement.
Sea Life of Ibaraki (出会いの海ゾーン)
The first area visitors encounter is the Sea Life of Ibaraki (出会いの海ゾーン), which showcases marine life found in the waters off the coast of Oarai.
Above the tanks, information panels introduce the various fish species on display and provide fascinating insights into their characteristics and habitats.
As you continue through Sea Life of Ibaraki (出会いの海ゾーン), you’ll come to the“Sea of Encounter Large Tank”, one of Aqua World Oarai’s signature attractions.
Filled with nearly 20,000 fish from around 80 species, the tank offers a stunning recreation of the waters off Oarai. The sight of thousands of fish swimming together is nothing short of awe-inspiring, and it’s hard not to stop and watch for a while.
One of the most captivating sights is the enormous school of sardines. Glittering as they weave through the water in unison, they create a scene that feels both beautiful and mysterious.
It feels like stepping into another world.
The deep, captivating blue and the shimmering surface of the water create the illusion of looking up from the depths of the ocean.
Eternal Sea (悠久の海ゾーン)
Ascending to the next floor, you’ll enter Eternal Sea (悠久の海ゾーン).
Here, you’ll find one of Aqua World Oarai’s highlights: a fascinating collection of sharks from around the world.
In Eternal Sea (悠久の海ゾーン), aquariums are arranged around the floor, surrounding visitors from all sides. The large tank visible straight ahead is the “Coral Reef Sea” exhibit.
Various species of sharks are on display.
Beautiful tropical coral reefs and colorful fish fill the tank. Simply watching them is enough to soothe the soul.
Wonderful Sea (驚きの海ゾーン)
Wonderful Sea (驚きの海ゾーン) is home to the Ocean Theater, where the aquarium’s popular Dolphin & Sea Lion Ocean Live takes place.
We entered the Ocean Theater about 10 minutes before the show began. The non-reserved general seating was already about 80% full.
The show has begun! The trainer’s lively commentary quickly got the audience excited and engaged.
A sea lion strikes a pose on the main stage!
Three dolphins took part in the show. They swam, leaped high into the air, and sent sprays of water flying, keeping the audience thoroughly entertained throughout the performance!
The sea lion and dolphin shared a kiss during the grand finale of the show!
They certainly seem to be good friends.
Wonderful Sea (驚きの海ゾーン) also features an outdoor terrace, where you can see Humboldt penguins, California sea lions, and South American fur seals.
This is also where the aquarium’s popular Penguin Walk Time takes place.
The Penguin Walk Time was a huge hit, thanks to the beautiful weather.
The penguins waddled along at their own pace, completely ignoring the slide. Being able to see them up close made the experience even more enjoyable. They were absolutely adorable!
After spending time with countless fish and other fascinating marine creatures, we left Aqua World Oarai thoroughly satisfied.
We then boarded the third service at 11:08 a.m. and headed for Oarai Seaside Station.
Lunch Time
Oarai Seaside Station
After about 15 minutes on the bus, we arrived at Oarai Seaside Station.
The complex was generally quite quiet, with only the area around Oarai Marine Tower showing any real activity.
On the day of my visit, some kind of event was being held there, which brought a lively atmosphere to that part of the station.
Maiwai Market is a great place to shop for Oarai souvenirs, locally grown vegetables, and other regional specialties.
Fans of Girls und Panzer will immediately recognize this elevator. It’s the very one where Fuku-chan of Chi-Ha-Tan Academy descended in a tank during the opening urban battle scene of the movie!
Enjoying Oarai’s Famous Anko Nabe
Osakana Tengoku is one of Oarai’s popular seafood restaurants. The same group also operates a seafood restaurant and a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant in the fishing port area.
We came to this location because it serves anko nabe starting from a single portion, making it a convenient choice for solo travelers.
I placed our order right away, and a few minutes later, the meal arrived.
For a single serving, the portion was surprisingly generous, with plenty of plump, tender pieces of anglerfish. It even included the liver and skin, allowing us to enjoy the full range of flavors and textures that anko is famous for.
Oarai’s Two Biggest Icons: Anko Nabe and Girls und Panzer
The hot pot was finally ready! Paired with a cold beer, this bowl of anko nabe was, to put it mildly, absolutely heavenly.
Of course, we also ordered the zosui set to finish off the hot pot. The accompanying Japanese pickles were a welcome addition.
Girls und Panzer Gallery（ガルパンギャラリー）
As a Girls und Panzer fan, one place you simply can’t miss is the Girls und Panzer Gallery at Oarai Seaside Station.
The excitement starts the moment you step through the entrance!
Upon entering, you’re welcomed not only by members of Oarai Girls High School, but also by characters from the other schools featured in the series.
The gallery is divided into two sections: a merchandise area and an exhibition area.
The merchandise selection is impressive, with everything from acrylic standees and patches to key chains and more. There’s no shortage of souvenirs for Girls und Panzer fans.
The members of Turtle Team (the Student Council). All three are actually from Mito. Their costumes based on Mito Kōmon and his entourage suit them perfectly!
On the exterior walls of Oarai Seaside Station, you’ll find large Girls und Panzer character displays.
The teams featured here were Anglerfish Team and Anteater Team.
Afternoon: More Must-See Attractions Await!
Mentai Park Oarai
Our next destination is Kanefuku Mentai Park Oarai.
Since there is a break in the bus schedule between the fourth and fifth services around lunchtime, I decided to take a leisurely walk to our next stop instead.
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