Aqua Terrace Nishikigaoka is a unique private aquarium located in Nishikigaoka, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture. Opened on July 18, 2015, the attraction combines water, light, and a wide variety of living creatures to create an atmospheric and relaxing experience.
Located on a hill within the Nishikigaoka Hillside Mall, the aquarium features a diverse collection of animals, including tropical fish, large fish, reptiles, small animals, and insects. Its creative displays make the facility particularly enjoyable for families with children, offering opportunities to discover the fascinating world of animals while enjoying a relaxing indoor attraction.
Aqua Terrace Nishikigaoka is located in the southeastern area of the Nishikigaoka Hillside Mall, inside the Aqua House building. The facility is operated by Nishiki Estate Co., Ltd., a local property management company, with the aim of contributing to the appeal of western Sendai as a destination.
Rather than focusing primarily on rare species or exceptionally large exhibits, the aquarium emphasizes creative presentation and atmosphere. Lighting, displays, and carefully designed spaces are used to highlight the natural beauty and character of the animals.
This approach gives the aquarium a different atmosphere from a conventional large-scale aquarium. Visitors can move between themed areas and encounter a variety of creatures in settings designed to stimulate curiosity and imagination.
The Touch Pool is a popular area for both children and adults. Depending on the exhibits available during your visit, visitors may have the opportunity to touch unusual marine creatures such as horseshoe crabs under appropriate supervision.
Hands-on experiences like these can help children feel closer to the natural world and encourage them to become interested in marine life and other living organisms.
The Reptile Zone features creatures such as lizards and snakes, allowing visitors to observe animals that they may rarely have the opportunity to see at close range.
Take your time to watch their movements, body shapes, patterns, and other distinctive characteristics. The area offers an interesting introduction to the diverse adaptations of reptiles.
The Jungle Zone recreates an atmosphere inspired by tropical environments, where plants and animals appear to coexist in a lush setting.
Colorful fish and aquatic creatures move through the displays, creating the feeling of entering a small tropical world. The immersive atmosphere makes this area especially enjoyable for visitors who like nature and photography.
The Fantasy Zone combines aquatic life with imaginative lighting and visual effects. Fish appear to glide through a dreamlike environment, creating a magical atmosphere that is particularly appealing to young children.
The combination of aquatic life, light, and visual design gives this area a distinctly different character from traditional aquarium exhibits.
Aqua Terrace Nishikigaoka also offers places where visitors can take a break during their visit. The café and restaurant Forward provides a comfortable space to relax, while the food court offers light meals and sweets.
There is also a shop where visitors can purchase souvenirs and other items to remember their visit. Since the aquarium is located within a shopping complex, it is easy to combine sightseeing with dining and shopping.
Opening hours: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Admission: Adults (high school students and older): ¥800
Children (elementary school students and older): ¥500
Young children (3 years and older): ¥300
Children under 3 and seniors aged 70 and over: Free
Admission fees and opening hours may change, so travelers should check the latest information before visiting.
From JR Ayashi Station on the Senzan Line, the aquarium is approximately a 20-minute walk.
Visitors can also take the Ayashi Kanko Bus and get off at the Nishikigaoka Hillside Mall bus stop.
By car, the aquarium is approximately 6 minutes from the Sendai-Miyagi Interchange on the Tohoku Expressway. Parking is available at the shopping complex, making the attraction convenient for visitors exploring the western part of Sendai by car.
Aqua Terrace Nishikigaoka is part of Nishikigaoka Hillside Mall, a mixed-use shopping complex located approximately 10 kilometers west of central Sendai via National Route 48.
The surrounding area also offers attractions such as the Sendai City Astronomical Observatory and Adidas Sports Park Sendai. This makes the area a convenient destination for families looking to combine several activities in a single day.
The development of Nishikigaoka New Town began in 1989. In 1994, Nishikigaoka Center Plaza opened, followed by the opening of Sendai Hillside Outlet in 2002, which attracted attention as the first outlet mall of its kind in the Tohoku region.
As competition from other commercial facilities increased and transportation patterns changed, visitor numbers declined. The complex was subsequently renovated in 2008 and renamed Hillside Shops & Outlet, shifting its focus toward families and the local community.
Today, the complex serves as a neighborhood-oriented commercial facility with restaurants, tutoring schools, pet stores, childcare facilities, and other businesses. Aqua Terrace Nishikigaoka adds an entertainment and educational attraction to the complex.
Aqua Terrace Nishikigaoka can be easily combined with other attractions in western Sendai. One option is to visit the aquarium together with Akiu Onsen, one of the well-known hot spring areas near Sendai, or the Sendai City Astronomical Observatory.
This combination can be especially enjoyable for families and couples traveling by car, allowing visitors to experience nature, science, relaxation, and entertainment in a single itinerary.
With its combination of colorful aquatic life, unusual animals, creative lighting, and themed environments, Aqua Terrace Nishikigaoka offers a different kind of aquarium experience in Sendai.
It is an easy indoor attraction to add to a western Sendai sightseeing itinerary, particularly for families traveling with children. After exploring the aquarium, visitors can enjoy a meal or shopping at Nishikigaoka Hillside Mall before continuing to nearby attractions.
For travelers looking for a relaxing and imaginative break from traditional sightseeing, Aqua Terrace Nishikigaoka is a charming place to discover the fascinating world of animals through water, light, and creative displays.