Let's all celebrate the first birthday of the sea lion "Chinowa"! Chinowa's birthday event will be held on Tuesday, June 30th.

Kyoto Aquarium is pleased to announce that it will be holding a birthday event on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, to commemorate the first birthday of Chinowa, a South American fur seal born last year.

Chinowa, a South American fur seal, was born at Kyoto Aquarium on June 30, 2025*1. Chinowa has been spending her time in the back area until now, but on Friday, May 22, 2026, she will make her debut in the fur seal area, where you can see her swimming in the pool with other fur seals and resting on land.
To celebrate Chinowa's first birthday, we will be holding a birthday event on Tuesday, June 30th. At the event, the animal care staff will introduce Chinowa's growth record, and Chinowa will make a special appearance for visitors.

The name "Chinowa" was chosen in reference to the "Chinowa Kuguri" ritual, which is performed on June 30th as part of the Nagoshi no Harae Shinto ceremony to pray for good health and protection from illness.*2 In keeping with this origin, a Chinowa will be set up in the "Sea Lion" area from May 29th (Fri) to July 5th (Sun). This Chinowa has been blessed by the chief priest of Rokusonno Shrine, the guardian shrine of Kyoto Aquarium. Take this opportunity to pass through the Chinowa and pray for the healthy growth of Chinowa and the animals.

In addition, from June 27th (Sat) to 30th (Tue), we will be collecting congratulatory messages for Chinowa from our customers and displaying them on the "Birthday Board" set up inside the building. Furthermore, new food and drink menus will be available to celebrate her first birthday.

Let's celebrate Chinowa's upcoming first birthday at Kyoto Aquarium and support her growth!

*1 Press release dated August 5, 2025: A baby South American fur seal was born on June 30. *2 Press release dated October 7, 2025: The baby South American fur seal was named "Chinowa".

① Overview of "Chinowa's 1st Birthday Event"

On June 30th, her actual birthday, we will be holding a birthday event to celebrate Chinowa's first birthday.
At the event, the animal care staff will present a record of Chinowa's growth over the past year, and Chinowa will make a special appearance in front of the guests. Guests who attend the event will receive a special Chinowa cheering fan as a gift. Let's celebrate Chinowa's first birthday together with our cheering fans!

Date and Time: Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 10:15 AM
Location: "Seal" area Admission: Free

*Aquarium admission fee not included.
*Please note that the content may be changed or canceled without notice due to the circumstances of the animals.
* Fans are available in limited quantities and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to limited quantities, they will not be distributed to groups.

② Pray for good health for the year by passing through a "Chino-wa" (a ring made of reeds).

June 30th, the day Chinowa was born, is the day of the Nagoshi no Harae, a Shinto ritual to purify oneself of the impurities accumulated over the past six months and pray for good health for the remaining half of the year. Inspired by the Chinowa ritual, which involves passing through a ring of reeds (Chino-wa) on this day to pray for good health and protection from illness, Chinowa was named with the hope that she will grow up healthy and strong, never giving up no matter what happens.
For a limited time, we will be setting up a thatched ring in the "sea lion" area. The thatched ring has been blessed by the chief priest of Rokusonno Shrine, the guardian shrine of our facility. From June, "Chinowa" will be appearing in the "sea lion" area, and guests will be able to see "Chinowa" when it comes near the thatched ring. During this period, pass through the thatched ring and pray for good health throughout the year and for "Chinowa" to grow up healthy.

Exhibition period: May 29 (Fri) - July 5 (Sun), 2026
Exhibit location: "Seal" area *The exhibit location may change due to weather or other circumstances.
* Details regarding the time of Chinowa's appearance will be announced on our official social media accounts.

③ We're collecting congratulatory messages for "Chinowa"! A "Birthday Board" will be available.

We will be collecting birthday messages for Chinowa on a "Birthday Board" displayed inside the building. Please write your message on a card and attach it to the "Birthday Board." Let's create a bouquet with lots of messages and celebrate her first birthday!

Recruitment period: June 27th (Saturday) to June 30th (Tuesday), 2026
Location: "Seal" area *Distribution of message cards will end once supplies run out.

■ About Chinowa, the South American fur seal

Sex: Female; Date of Birth: June 30, 2025; Weight: Approximately 14.48 kg (as of May 22, 2026)
Parents: Mother "Vicky" / Father "Gion"

■ Chinowa's Growth Record

Chinowa was born on June 30, 2025. It was the first sea lion born at Kyoto Aquarium in seven years. From 19 days old, the animal care staff switched to artificial rearing, raising Chinowa as her own child, and have been carefully monitoring her growth. Here's a look back at her growth record so far.

This is a video of Chinowa, a two-day-old baby, being nursed. She is snuggled up to her mother, Vicky.

This is what it looked like at 35 days old. It loves to get between the feet of the animal care staff.

I'm practicing swimming. I started by getting used to the water in a shallow pool.

Here's a glimpse of our practice walk. We saw that he was very curious about environments other than home.

When it made its first appearance in front of visitors, it played in its new environment, snuggling close to the feet of the animal care staff.

On Friday, May 22nd, she made her debut in the "Seal" area. She appears to be with her mother, "Vicky."

④ Celebrating Chinowa's first birthday! Introducing "Chinowa's Birthday Melon Latte"

A refreshing summer drink has arrived, featuring a fruity and sweet melon latte topped with whipped cream and a seal-shaped marshmallow inspired by "Chinowa".
Purchase any drink and receive a special Chinowa sticker. Don't miss this opportunity to enjoy our drink menu!

Sales period: May 29th (Fri) - July 5th (Sun), 2026
Sales location: Kaiju Café
Selling price: 1,080 yen (tax included) (sticker included)
*Limited quantities available; while supplies last.
* You will receive one sticker for each item purchased.