At the aquarium "Fureai Lagoon" inside Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise, two Harbor Seal pups have been born — the first on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, and the second at 9:47 PM on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
The second pup was born to its mother "Uni." Both pups currently share space at Hireashi Beach within Fureai Lagoon, where visitors can watch each baby swimming energetically alongside its mother and catch heartwarming glimpses of parent-and-child moments.
Having two seal families viewable in the same area at the same time is a first for Sea Paradise. Guests have a rare opportunity to witness exclusive scenes such as underwater nursing — something only possible right now.
Keepers are closely monitoring both pups, keeping a watchful eye on nursing frequency, swimming behavior, and overall growth as they cheer on the two little ones.
Harbor Seal Pups at Fureai Lagoon
The two families living at the aquarium's Fureai Lagoon are on public display at Hireashi Beach, open for everyone to see. Keepers observe the families closely, monitoring nursing frequency, swimming habits, and other signs that the pups are growing steadily.
About the Harbor Seal
The Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina stejnegeri) inhabits the eastern coastal areas of Hokkaido, Cape Erimo, the Kuril Islands, and the Aleutian Islands — the only seal species to reside permanently along Japan's coastline. Its Japanese name, ゼニガタアザラシ, comes from the coin-shaped (zenigata) spotted markings on its body, which resemble the old Japanese coin known as "zeni."
Because Harbor Seals give birth on rocky shores, the white natal coat is shed while the pup is still in the womb, meaning pups are born with the same coloring as adults. Unlike seal species that are born with white fur, Harbor Seal pups begin swimming almost immediately after birth, and nursing takes place both on land and underwater.
The two pups born at Fureai Lagoon arrived with the same coin-shaped spotted markings as the adults. With timing and a little luck, visitors may even be able to watch both families nursing at the same time.
Harbor Seal (ゼニガタアザラシ)
- English name: Harbor Seal
- Scientific name: Phoca vitulina stejnegeri
- Distribution: Widely distributed along the coasts of the northern Pacific and northern Atlantic Oceans. Phoca vitulina stejnegeri is found from the eastern coast of Hokkaido and Cape Erimo through the Kuril Islands and the Aleutian Islands.
- Size: Males 70–170 kg / Females 50–150 kg
