Nagoya Port Aquarium — Beluga Whales & Japan's Largest Main Tank

Nagoya Port Aquarium (名古屋港水族館) is one of Japan's premier aquariums, famous for its beluga whale exhibit — a rarity in Japan — and massive main tank holding 3 million liters and displaying sardine tornadoes, sea turtles, and dolphins. The facility divides into North Building (marine mammals: belugas, dolphins, orcas, penguins) and South Building (global ocean ecosystems from Antarctic to tropical seas).

The aquarium's highlight is the dolphin performance stadium — an outdoor pool with Nagoya Port as backdrop where bottlenose dolphins demonstrate intelligence through synchronized swimming, jumps, and trainer interactions. Unlike commercial 'shows,' the aquarium frames performances as behavioral research demonstrations, emphasizing conservation and education. The beluga exhibit allows close viewing through underwater tunnels as the white whales glide overhead, their vocalizations audible through hydrophones.