Known as the “jewel of the southern sea” with its beautifully scenic shoreline views, Takegashima Island is located at the southernmost tip of Tokushima prefecture. Inhabited by over 20 different coral varieties and tropical fish, its waters are within Takegashima Marine Park.

Blue Marine is a semi-submerged tour boat that allows passengers to enjoy the charms of Takegashima Marine Park to the fullest! With a capacity of 50 passengers, tours around Takegashima Bay last about 45-minutes.

After going through the necessary procedures to board the boat at Marinesium, a marine nature museum located near the island’s entrance, we head out to sea towards the coral reef that extends out from the northwestern tip of Takegashima Island.

First of all, I’m impressed by the view of the translucent sea from this underwater deck!

The main characteristic of Blue Marine is that an observation area has been set up in the bottom of the boat! Here you can sit and admire the coral reef and tropical fish at the bottom of the sea. 

This is the view from the observation area. Seeing tropical fish swimming between the coral feels almost as if you’re walking in the sea! In addition to being able to observe Pavona decussata, also known as leaf coral, as well as Acropora squarrosa, at times you may also spot one of the hugely popular clown fish swimming by!

After enjoying my ‘walk in the sea’, I head back to the upper deck to soak up the pleasant sea breezes and admire the scenery. If you happen to visit, do try and enjoy all the charms of Takegashima Marine Park, which is known as the jewel of the southern sea for its wonderful views both from above and below!

This is the museum that sells tickets to the Blue Marine. After taking a cruise, do take a relaxed tour around the inside. 

At Marinesium you can also make reservations for guided sea kayak tours of both Takegashima Island and Mito Bay (starting at JPY3000 per adult).

The museum is adjoined to Kumanomi-kan. Here you can catch a glimpse of different clown fish from around the world. (Admission: Adults JPY300 per person.) 

While you’ll be surprised at just how many clown fish varieties exist, watching them swim relaxedly around in their tanks is very relaxing!

Preserving valuable natural habitats, Takegashima Marine Park is a part of Muroto-Anan Coast Quasi National Park and is thought to be the northernmost breeding ground for tropical fish and coral reefs.

Take a ride on the Blue Marine and enjoy the scenery from the upper deck of the boat, and also the sight of the beautiful undersea world below! 

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Semi-Submerged Tour Boat Blue Marine
Location: 28-45 Takegashima, Shishikuiura, Kaiyo, Kaifu district, Tokushima prefecture
Parking: Available (toll-free)
Tour boat tickets (inside the marine museum): Adults JPY1800, Children JPY900
Operates: 1 tour every hour (between 9AM and 4PM). The tour that starts at 12 runs only during Golden Week, Obon, and the New Year’s holidays
Closed: Tuesdays (if Tuesday is a national holiday, closed the following day). However, in operation during Golden Week, Japanese summer holidays & New Year’s holidays
http://www.kaiyo-kankou.jp/index.php/guide (Japanese)

Kumanomi-kan (Clown Fish Hall)
Location: (inside Mariseum, Museum for Marine Nature) 28-45 Takegashima, Shishikuiura, Kaiyo, Kaifu district, Tokushima prefecture
Parking area: Available (toll-free)
Admission: Adults (middle school students & older) JPY300, Children (elementary school students & younger) JPY200
Closed: Tuesdays (if Tuesday is a national holiday, closed the following day). However, in operation during Golden Week, Japanese summer holidays & New Year’s holidays.
http://www.kaiyo-kankou.jp/index.php/guide/bear-flea (Japanese)

Setouchi Finder Photo-writer: Hironobu Matsuoka