Genkai Undersea Observation Tower

The waters around Cape Hado, where the Genkai Underwater Observatory is located, were designated as part of the quasi-national park "Genkai Underwater Park" (now Genkai Sea Area Park) in 1970 as Japan's first underwater park. This facility opened in 1974 as the only underwater observatory on the Sea of Japan side. Connected to the land of Cape Hado by an 86-meter-long pier, the observation room is 20 meters high and 10 meters in diameter, and located 7 meters deep. Through 24 underwater windows, you can see a variety of fish swimming, seaweed, and shellfish in their natural state. In addition, from the sea deck, you can see the islands of the Genkai Sea on three sides. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of its opening, the facility will be reopened for the first time on April 1, 2024, and will be the first of the seven underwater observatories in the country to introduce projection mapping, allowing you to enjoy an immersive experience as if you were in the sea while watching real fish. Our company was involved from the basic concept stage and was responsible for everything from concept design, exhibit execution to public relations at the time of opening.

Fifty years have passed since the facility opened, and the number of visitors has been declining due to aging and other factors, so the challenge was to attract more visitors by adding entertainment elements while retaining its function as an underwater observation tower. Renewability was also required to continue to maintain the frequency of visitors.

As an underwater observation tower that has fostered connections between people and sea creatures for 50 years, this reopening aims to update the experience to new values by introducing digital technology while retaining the memories of the place that has been loved by many people. The conical ceiling of the observation room is used as a screen, and the spiral staircase shaft in the center is decorated with mirrors, creating a kaleidoscope-like underwater world where the sea creatures and images change from moment to moment due to the diffuse reflection from the mirrors. Another highlight is the powerful video show that invites visitors on a journey through the diverse underwater world of Genkai. In line with the story of traveling through the Genkai sea, 360-degree images, surround sound, and lighting technology such as water effect lights that express the rippling of water have been used to create a space where visitors can enjoy a immersive experience that makes them feel as if they are in the sea. The sea creatures that change with the seasons, which can only be experienced here, and the immersive experience through the images will bring visitors new discoveries every time. While retaining the appeal of the existing observation tower, the facility was renovated to create an immersive space that draws you into the underwater world by adding digital effects to further expand the underwater experience, and projecting images of fish that can be seen around Hatoma Cape onto the ceiling and walls. In addition, influencers were hired to promote the facility, spreading the word on social media in order to significantly increase visitor numbers.

On April 28, 2024, less than a month after the reopening, the number of visitors since the renovation topped 10,000.