First Anniversary Special Event at Kobe Suma Sea World: Orca Study

Kobe Suma Sea World opened on the former site of the beloved Suma Aqualife Park Kobe. With the concept of an "Edutainment Aquarium" that connects everyone through a fusion of "Education" and "Entertainment," it quickly gained attention for being an aquarium where visitors could encounter orcas.

In June 2025, Kobe Suma Sea World celebrated its first anniversary. To express gratitude to its guests, they host a variety of special events, including the sale of commemorative merchandise, special menu items, and social media campaigns.

Among these was the Orca Study, a special event held on September 27 exclusively for “granvillage” members through a special GRANVISTA PRESS giveaway campaign. This one-day-only program featured an in-depth lecture on orca’s ecology by an orca trainer, a photo session with the orcas, and commemorative first-anniversary merchandise.

It was a memorable experience that delighted both adults and children alike, so we're excited to share a glimpse of this special day.

Dressed in their favorite orca-themed accessories, 10 groups of families and couples took part in the Orca Study event, full of excitement and anticipation.

The session began with a large screen displaying footage of orcas for a special lecture by Mr. Konno, head of the Marine Mammal Exhibit Division 1. Participants learned about orca ecology, behavior, and classification method called "ecotypes" based on food habitat and genetic information. A series of rare photos of orcas, normally not shown to the public, were unveiled one after another.

"Their eyes are about the size of a 500-yen coin, and they can move each one independently."
"The hole on top of their heads is actually their nose. It's normally closed, but if you look closely, you can see that it's split into two openings."
"Do you know what that black spot on an orca's belly is? The answer is...it's belly button!"
The audience reacted with delighted exclamations to these explanations with quizzes, while some children eagerly took notes. Everyone learned something new and fascinating about orcas.

The lecture also touched on the topic of species conservation, one of the aquarium's key social roles. When a rare video of an orca giving birth and nursing her calf appeared on screen, both children and adults watched in silent awe.

During the Q&A session, participants asked questions ranging from "How do orcas sleep?" and "Can they recognize their own names?" to "What does it take to become an orca trainer?" Mr. Konno explained, "It's said there are fewer orca trainers than astronauts. It's an incredibly competitive field. To begin with, you need to be able to swim." His thoughtful and sincere answers left a lasting impression.

After the lecture, participants moved to the BLUE OCEAN ORCA STADIUM restaurant, where they could observe the orcas swimming right before their eyes.

Usually, visitors watch performances from above the tank in the stadium, but this event offered a rare underwater perspective, looking up through the glass.

As the trainer explained, with comments like "Right now, the orca is waiting for a signal" and "Now, you can see the belly button we talked about earlier," guests carefully observed each movement. The trainer also shared behind-the-scenes insights: "We constantly change up the training programs to keep things interesting for the orcas."

When the trainer performed the "surfing" routine, which involves riding on the orca's back across the water, the audience gasped in amazement at the orca's speed and the trainer's balance. Then, when the orca leapt high into the air and crashed back into the water with a resounding splash, children's eyes sparkled with excitement as they expressed their wonder. The chance to see orcas this close up is a uniquely Kobe Suma Sea World experience.

After the observation session, participants gathered in the stadium for commemorative photos. Each group posed alongside an orca, guided by the trainer's signals. As the orca swam up close behind the acrylic glass, guests cheerfully called out, "So cute!" and "Thank you!"

To conclude the event, participants received limited-edition first-anniversary gifts from the orca trainers, bringing the special day to a satisfying end.

"I was pleased to see how carefully everyone listened and how many great questions they asked," said Mr. Konno after the event.

Having previously given orca presentations at Kamogawa Sea World in Chiba Prefecture, Mr. Konno drew on that experience to refine his approach for this special event. "I included plenty of little-known facts, like close-up photos showing specific parts of an orca's body. This was to give participants a deeper look into their world," he explained.

Mr. Konno explained that he placed particular emphasis on reproduction to help participants understand species conservation, one of the key roles of aquariums. The footage of actual births and Ran's growth from infancy was captured at exceptionally close range, offering a perspective only an aquarium can provide. He expressed a deep sense of fulfillment in sharing insights gained through years of observation, including details on pregnancy duration and postnatal behavior.

"There's so much to love about orcas—their strength and grace, their sheer size, and the fact that, despite their intimidating appearance, they're actually very friendly," Mr. Konno said. "As trainers, we work every day to maintain their health and create an environment where they can thrive." With a smile, he also added that both the orcas and the trainers are constantly taking on new challenges, and that he hopes everyone will continue looking forward to seeing them at their best.

Marking its first anniversary, Kobe Suma Sea World continues to evolve into an increasingly popular destination. Its mission to help visitors discover the wonder of orcas—and all the marine life—will carry on into the future.