Aquariums can be a lot of fun for visitors, but on this day no one was having a better time than this adorable marine mammal.
Do animals really have a firm concept of entertainment? Sure, walk into any pet shop and you’ll find toys for dogs and cats, but most of them have some sort of relation to chasing, catching, or biting, all things which all have connections to hunting, and thus survival, instincts.
And yet, it’s hard to imagine any reason for this sea lion in Japan to be sliding back and forth on her tummy than because it’s having an incredible amount of fun.
https://twitter.com/sumineko_L/status/780787366101262336As identified by video uploader @sumineko_L, that’s Risa, a California sea lion and resident of the Katsurahama Aquarium in Kochi Prefecture, on Japan’s island of Shikoku. Ordinarily, this part of Risa’s habitat is filled with water for her to swim about it, but the pool periodically has to be drained for cleaning, which is why it’s dry in the video. That doesn’t mean Risa has no reason to hang out there, though, and the aquarium’s official account even tweeted back that this is something she looks forward to every time the pool gets scrubbed.
She certainly seems to be having a great time, as no sooner does she come to a stop than she reverses direction, builds up a bit of momentum, and slides back to the other end of the pool, keeping her eyes on the aquarium’s visitors as if to say “See what I can do?” The music box-style background music is the icing on this adorable cake, and surely the scene had everyone who saw it in-person smiling serenely for the rest of the day.
▼ Or at least until they walked past the souvenir shop and saw Katsurahama Aquarium’s terrifying official mascot character.
Related: Katsurahama Aquarium
Source: IT Media, Twitter/@sumineko_L
Insert image: Katsurahama Aquarium


We score an exclusive interview with viral Twitter star Otodo-chan, Kochi Aquarium’s scary mascot
Japanese aquarium installs fake people to keep apparently lonely sunfish company【Video】
Japanese anteater’s commitment to stealing other animals’ food is hilarious, inspiring【Video】
Adorable Japanese cat uses owner’s finger as pacifier, soothes Japanese Internet’s heart 【Video】
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Japanese sweets souvenirs don’t get more beautiful than this
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
What are the worst things about living in the Japanese countryside?[Survey]
War in Iran threatening Japan’s pudding production
Which of Japan’s big three beef bowl chains has the best tonjiru pork miso soup?【Taste test】
New Totoro carabiner pouches are ready to clip/tag along with you on all your adventures[Photos]
Sanrio amusement park in Tokyo to host Psycho Game horror event this summer[Video]
Japan now has stricter requirements for foreigners applying for citizenship
A Must-See Visual of Japan’s 2011 Earthquakes
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
Japanese convenience store gives away free ice cream with creative ad at Shinjuku Station
Japan is so hungry for workers it used up its five-year visa quota in record time
Tsujihan sushi bowl restaurant goes viral with foreign tourists, but is it worth the hype?
Hello Kitty is now a transforming truck robot[Photos]
7-Eleven Japan’s cooked-in-store takoyaki is here! How does it fare against the street food king?
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japanese pet owner’s precious cat and hedgehog combo are a perfect prickly pair【Video】