The Okhotsk Sea along the coast of the Eastern Hokkaido is home to numerous marine species, and seal is no exception. Tokkari Center in Mombetsu city is a shelter for injured seals rescued from the nearby sea, which is open for public to visit.
The center provides the seals treatment and rehabilitation training to return to the sea. While those under treatment stay in pools inside a facility, visitors can see the ones after recovery and on training in outdoor pools.
I like that this center takes great care of the seals and puts their natural living first as any animal shelter should be, rather than trying to entertain visitors. There are feeding times scheduled 5 times a day in which you can see staff give fishes to the seals. They get out of pools only when they are hungry (meaning they are not kept hungry to eat in front of visitors). I’ve seen a funny situation where just one seal came up to the staff and others were watching and teasing her from water.
During the feeding time, the seals show a few simple tricks such as opening their month and lying down on the ground. These are not trained for a demonstrative purpose, but just for the staff to examine their health condition.
Entrance fee at this center is only 200 yen per person, which is to be spent on food for seals. So please visit here to support them, if you are around!
Look at this face, isn’t it so cute? There is a space to watch the seals swimming under water as well. You will find there some handmade posters to introduce each seal staying at the shelter at the moment. Unfortunately they are in Japanese but fun to look at!
There are some other places to visit around this center; an observation tower, Okhotsk Sea Ice Museum and souvenir shop.
Also check out this interesting photo spot nearby! >>> Crab Claw Statue
Tokkari Center
Hours: 10.00-17.00 everyday
Feeding time: 10.30, 11.30, 13.30, 14.30, 15.00
Admission Fee: 200 yen/adult, 100 yen/child under 18 years old
Access: 5 min from Mombetsu city center, 10 min from Mombetsu Airport, 1 hour from Engaru, 1.5 hour from Kitami, 2 hours from Abashiri by car.
Public transportation: Take a bus “Yubetsu/Mombetsu Line” from Mombetsu bus terminal, Mombetsu Airport or Engaru bus terminal, get off at “Okhotsk Tower” and walk for 15 min.
