Broadcasters' Eye S2020E04 - Sharks in Our Pool: The Miracle of Muroto City Schoolhouse Aquarium

The closure of a school in Kochi Prefecture after 132 years led to the opening of a new attraction at the site. Sharks and sea turtles enjoy themselves in the pool where students used to swim. The facility has been repurposed as the Muroto Closed School Aquarium. Despite being a two-and-a-half-hour drive from the prefectural capital, the aquarium has attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors. When the idea was proposed, critics called it a waste of money for a small town with a declining population. However, organizers came up with fun ideas that could be achieved with a modest budget. The result has brought new life to a struggling community.