If you are not a diver but would love to see what incredible biodiversity the ocean hides, a visit to Japan's largest fish specimen museum (海とくらしの史料館) in Sakaiminato City, Tottori, is probably the next best thing. Approximately 4,000 specimens representing about 700 species of marine life are housed in this renovated sake brewery, listed in Tottori Prefecture's "Top 100 Most Beloved Builings." Hundreds of specimens are displayed behind glass but the impressively huge ones are artifully displayed to simulate how the fish might be swimming underwater. At the center of the museum is a real fishing boat, the Minatomaru. Aside from taxidermy fish, the museum has permanent exhibits on "old Japanese life" -- equipment and tools used by Japanese in their daily life in days of yore.
Getting there
The museum is a 20 minute walk from Sakaiminato Station, or an 8-minute walk from the Hama Loop bus stop. Parking spaces are available free.
