Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi: Welcoming Grandma off the Asuka III, Kaikyokan, and the City of Fugu

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Hello. In May 2026, three generations of our family — my mother, myself, and my child — took a short trip from our home in Fukuoka to Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture. The reason: my mother was partway through a round-Japan cruise aboard the new ship "Asuka III," and we went to meet her at the port when it called at Shimonoseki. From there, we went on to snack our way through Karato Market and spend a day full of dolphins and penguins at Kaikyokan. Every photo here is my own.

What you'll find here

Meeting the new cruise ship "Asuka III" at port on the day it called at Shimonoseki
Snacking our way through Karato Market
The dolphin and sea lion show and hands-on exhibits at Kaikyokan (Shimonoseki Marine Science Museum)
The aquarium's popular penguin dress-up experience and a full blue whale skeleton
Sunset views over Kanmon Bridge from our hotel room

1. Meeting Grandma at the port the day the Asuka III called

The whole trip started because my mother was midway through a round-Japan cruise on the newly launched Asuka III — operated by NYK Cruises, and the largest Japanese-flagged cruise ship afloat, having entered service in July 2025 — and we went to meet her when the ship called at Shimonoseki. At the port, the pure white hull towered over everything, and both my child and I just stood there taking in the scale of it.

*The cruise ship "Asuka III" docked at the port of Shimonoseki*

We met up with my mother after she disembarked, on the boardwalk in the "Arukaport" area next to the port. Walking along the wooden deck by the water, we took our time catching up after not seeing each other for a while.

*My daughter spending time with her grandmother along the waterfront promenade*

Nearby stood a large monument shaped like Shimonoseki's famous fugu (pufferfish). We took a break there with my mother, and it felt like the real start of the trip.

*Taking a break in front of the fugu monument*

💡 Tip for multi-generation trips: cruise ship port schedules can shift with the weather, so build some slack into your pickup plans.

2. Snacking through Karato Market

📍 Karato Market — 5-50 Karato-cho, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi / +81 83-231-0001 / market 5:00–15:00 Mon–Sat, 8:00–15:00 Sun and holidays / the seafood stalls run Fri–Sat 10:00–15:00, Sun and holidays 8:00–15:00

From the Arukaport area, we made our way to Karato Market, known as Shimonoseki's kitchen. It's famous for fugu and fresh seafood, and there was no shortage of stall food you could buy and eat on the spot. My daughter happily worked her way through a skewer of fried chicken while we soaked up the market's energy.

*My daughter enjoying a fried chicken skewer bought at Karato Market*

💡 Tip for families: snacking on the go means your hands are usually full, so a small crossbody bag or pouch helps you move around freely.

3. The dolphin and sea lion show at Kaikyokan

📍 Shimonoseki Marine Science Museum “Kaikyokan” — 6-1 Arukapoto, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi / +81 83-228-1100 / official site

The highlight of the trip was Kaikyokan (Shimonoseki Marine Science Museum), in the Arukaport area. The dolphin and sea lion show, held in an outdoor pool overlooking the Kanmon Strait, was genuinely impressive — the whole family cheered when several dolphins jumped in sync.

*The family waiting in the stands for the dolphin show*

*Multiple dolphins jumping in unison with the sea as a backdrop*

💡 Tip for families: some seats catch splash from the outdoor pool, so mid-to-back rows are a safer bet with small children.

4. Hands-on exhibits and the world of penguins

Inside, there's a large freshwater tank where big fish come right up to the glass, and the kids reached out to get a closer look. Kaikyokan is also known for one of the largest penguin exhibits anywhere, and its underwater tunnel lets you watch penguins "fly" past you from below.

*The kids getting a close look at the fish in the large tank*

*A penguin swimming past in the underwater tunnel*

One of the most popular spots was the dress-up corner in the aquarium's "Penguin Village," where you can put on a penguin costume and pose for a photo with a real colony of penguins in the background.

*Posing in penguin costumes for a photo*

💡 Tip for families: the penguin dress-up corner is popular, so expect to wait your turn when it's busy.

5. A full blue whale skeleton

In the museum's atrium hangs a full-body skeleton (the real specimen) of a blue whale, the largest mammal in the world. It's on loan from the Arctic University of Norway's Tromsø Museum, and seeing the true scale of a 33-meter animal up close left both the kids and adults in our group speechless.

*The information panel for the full blue whale skeleton*

*The whale skeleton on display in the atrium*

💡 Tip for families: looking up at the skeleton from directly below makes for the most dramatic photos — try shooting from the base of the atrium stairs.

6. Sunset over Kanmon Bridge from our hotel

That night we stayed at a hotel with ocean views in Shimonoseki (we're keeping the name private). From our room window, we could see Kanmon Bridge spanning the Kanmon Strait, with the sky fading into evening. It was a quiet, beautiful way to close out a busy day.

*Kanmon Bridge and the sunset seen from our hotel window*

💡 Tip for families: how much of the bridge you can see varies by room along the Kanmon Strait, so it's worth requesting an "ocean-facing room with a bridge view" when you book.

7. Honest Q&A for a three-generation trip

Q. Is it worth it just to see the cruise ship? A. Just seeing a ship that size docked at the port had my child completely captivated. You may not be able to get close except around boarding/disembarking times, so check the port call schedule ahead of time.

Q. How far apart are Karato Market and Kaikyokan? A. Both are in the Arukaport area and within easy walking distance of each other — an easy combination for a single day.

Q. Any tips for traveling three generations together? A. The aquarium involves a fair amount of walking, so we paced things to match my mother's comfort level and took breaks often. For the outdoor show seating, we also thought about sun and splash exposure when picking seats.

8. When to go & what to wear (Shimonoseki in late May)

Our visit in late May brought comfortable daytime weather (impressions only; always check the latest forecast before you travel).

Daytime: easy walking weather; a light layer helps by the water, where it can be breezy
Outdoor aquarium areas: the show can splash you, so wear something that doesn't mind getting a little wet
Mornings/evenings: can feel a bit cool, so bring a layer

9. A rough budget & official site (please verify)

Just an example (amounts vary — always confirm on the official site).

Kaikyokan (Shimonoseki Marine Science Museum) (official site: kaikyokan.com): admission ¥2,500 adults / ¥1,200 elementary & junior high students / ¥500 ages 3+
Karato Market: stall food runs a few hundred yen per item, very affordable
Lodging: ocean-facing rooms with a bridge view tend to run higher than standard rooms

10. Practical notes for a three-generation trip (transport, packing)

Getting around: the Arukaport area is walkable, with Karato Market and Kaikyokan right next to each other
Pacing for grandparents: the aquarium involves real walking distance, so plan rest points in advance
Packing: wet wipes for snacking on the go, a light layer for outdoor show seating
Meeting a cruise ship: port call schedules can change with weather, so confirm in advance

📌 Last updated: July 2026. Prices, facility details, and operations change. Please reconfirm on official sites and current info just before you go.

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All photos were taken by me in May 2026. Prices, hours, and facility details change, so please confirm on official sites or on-site before you go.

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