Kesennuma is one of Japan’s 13 National Fishing Ports and, as a result, is home to many industries that serve to support the lifeblood fishing industry. Perhaps the most important of these supporting industries is commercial-grade ice production. Ice manufacturing might not be something the average person thinks much about, but in a port town like Kesennuma it’s an essential commodity for preserving the freshness of the day’s catch. The Ice Aquarium showcases both the engineering talent of Kesennuma’s ice specialists and the diversity of local fisheries. In addition, for groups who make a reservation in advance, the people at Okamoto Seihyo even offer tours of their ice-manufacturing facility.

The Ice Aquarium is located on the first floor of Umi no Ichi, the largest tourist facility in Kesennuma. Before entering the “aquarium,” guests are given winter coats to put on, as the air inside is kept at a chilly -20 degrees Celsius. Inside, there are 450 specimens of locally-caught fish representing 80 different species, all suspended in blocks of ice. The colorful lighting, seasonal ice sculptures, and Ice Photobooth make the place an Instagrammer’s delight.