Did you know there’s a place in Nishinomiya where you can enjoy rock-pooling?
It’s here↓
The address is 1-19 Hamakoshien, Nishinomiya, Hyogo.
We went around 3 p.m. in mid-May.
When we moved some rocks… there were so many crabs!!!




There were hermit crabs too, and you can also pick up seashells.
In the coming season, it’s really fun to bring along some sandbox toys and enjoy rock-pooling! Even adults can get completely absorbed in it!!
The footing isn’t great, so we recommend wearing marine shoes or something similar that protects your toes.
Right next to the shore is the Nishinomiya Municipal Koshienhama Nature and Environment Center, where admission is free.


On the first floor, there’s a tiny aquarium with all kinds of fish swimming in the tanks.
The second floor has a connecting passageway leading to the shore.

There are also tanks in the Learning and Exchange Room on the third floor.

Apparently this big crab was caught at Koshienhama too!
There’s also a tank low enough for small children to reach, with crabs, hermit crabs, and shrimp caught at Koshienhama that you’re free to touch.
The shrimp are incredibly quick to get away, and whenever we visit, parents and kids always get totally focused on trying to catch them.We still haven’t managed to catch one even once… Please give it a try!!
The Learning and Exchange Room also has corners for origami, coloring, and picture books,
as well as exhibits about the birds and marine life that live at Koshienhama, plus lots of materials that look useful for independent research projects.


If you’d like to look through the telescope, just ask a staff member.
Right next to the building, there’s even this huge ship-shaped playground structure!!

My kids love getting on the ship and playing pretend.The train-shaped play equipment and concrete slide are popular too.
There’s also a sports field right next door.
You can see what this park is like on my Instagram (


















