Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan opened in 1990 is one of the largest aquariums in the world, displaying about 30,000 sea creatures of 620 species from the Pacific Ocean. Here, you can not only watch the colorful sea creatures, but also touch some of them, like leopard sharks and rays. Besides, you can learn the marine creatures’ night habits after 17:00.

See More: 10 Cool Things to Do for Kids in Japan

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

Permanent Exhibitions to See in Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

Aqua Gate

Aqua Gate is a water tunnel and you can walk under the tunnel to watch varied fishes, having the feeling of “walking in the sea”. 

Japan Forest 

The exhibition shows the ecosystem of forests in Japan, and you are able to see different creatures living near or in the river of the forest, like Asian small-clawed otters.

Aleutian Islands

It shows a cold natural environment, and you can see the cute sea otter and beautiful tufted puffin.

Monterey Bay

The Lively Swimming Fish

You can see the sea lions and seals living on land and sea, and observe their postures of swimming in the sea. 

Gulf of Panama

Tropical fish and some of the creatures that live in the region of Panama are shown here, like South American coati.

Ecuador Rain Forest

Rain forests are the richest areas of life on Earth, and you can appreciate varied creatures living on the equator.

Antarctica

You can learn about the origin of the Arctic animals, and admire the cute way penguins walk on land and their vigorous swimming postures in the sea. 

Tasman Sea

Intelligent dolphins swim here, and they may surprise you with a burst of water.

Great Barrier Reef

The aquarium is under repair, and it will open in September 2024.

Pacific Ocean

The aquarium is about 9 meters (29 feet) deep and 34 meters (111 feet) long and hosts different sharks and countless small fishes. Whale shark is the star animal in the aquarium, and is the biggest known extant fish species in the world. 

Seto Inland Sea

The Seto Inland Sea is known as the birthplace of Japan's farmed fish industry, with a variety of undersea creatures such as octopuses, and starfish.

Seasonal Exhibits

In the exhibition, you are able to see some star creatures that the majority of people are interested in, like sunfish. The appearance of sunfish is strange, and they are sensitive to light and sound. 

Coast of Chile

You are able to see plenty of plankton and sardines in large groups here. 

Cook Strait

The big sea turtle and cute and round porcupine fish swim freely here. 

Japan Deep

The aquarium shows the different creatures from the deep sea, and you can see the largest crab in the world, the Japanese giant spider crab. They are distinguished by their long crab legs. 

Jellyfish

Transparent, beautiful, and bright jellyfish swim through the dark aquarium like a galactic strip. You can observe jellyfish's slender tentacles floating in the water. These beautiful jellyfish are another kind of star creatures in Aquarium Kaiyukan, and many people take pictures here. 

More Things to Do in Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

See a Different Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan During Night 

The night view of Aquarium Kaiyukan is totally different from the day. The dim lights help create a mysterious underwater world. The majority of the fish fell asleep, floating quietly in the tank. You are able to look closely at the beautiful appearances of these creatures. 

Touch Cute Sea Creatures

The Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan provides a Shintaikan Area, where you can touch these cute sea creatures, like small leopard sharks and rays. Please remember to wash your hands before touching them, or they will get sick. 

Watch the Marine Creatures Having Meals

It is a fun thing to observe the cute marine creatures having their meals. Feeding time in the aquarium is provided below.

Aquarium	Marine Creatures	Meal Time
Japan Forest	River otter	11:30/13:30/15:45
Japan Forest	Waterfowl	16:10
Monterey Bay	Sea Lion	10:10/13:35/15:10
Gulf of Panama	Ringtailed Coati	11:15/15:30
Antarctica	Penguin	11:00/15:30
Tasman Sea	Dolphin	11:50/14:00/16:00
Pacific Ocean	Fish in Pacific Ocean	10:30/15:00
Falkland Island	Rockhopper Penguin	11:40/16:30

Tips:

1. You are allowed to enter the aquarium several times a day. Please ask the staff near the exit to put a transparent stamp on the back of your hand, which is the certificate that you can re-enter. 
2. Upon arrival, you need to take the elevator to the top floor and walk all the way down to the bottom floor to see the different Aquariums. 
3. The aquarium offers English brochures that can help you quickly locate the creature you want to see.
4. There are many coin-operated lockers in six sizes. The fee for using the smallest one is 200 yen, and the largest one 1,000 yen. 
5. You can rent an audio tour guide in English at service counter, and it costs 800 yen.
6. There are English direction signs in the aquarium helping you find your way. 
7. Don't use the flash when taking pictures, and don't hit the glass hard.

Opening Time

It is usually open from 10:00 to 20:00 on normal days. During the weekend and holidays, it may open at 8:00 or 8:30.

Ticket

*Over 16 years old: 2,700 yen
*7 to 15 years old: 1,400 yen
*3 to 6 years old: 700 yen
*Under 2 years old: Free

Recommended Visit Time

About 2 Hours. 

How to Get to the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

1. From Umeda, Shin-Osaka, and Namba: You can take the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line, and change to the Osaka Metro Chuo Line at Hommachi Station, then get off at Osakako Station. At last, you need to walk for about 5 minutes.  
2. From Osaka Itami Airport: You can take the Osaka Monorail, and change to the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line at Senr-Chuo Station. Then, you need to change to the Osaka Metro Chuo Line at Hommachi Station and get off at Osakako Station. The whole single way takes about one hour. 
3. From Kansai International Airport: You can take a Limousine Bus, and it takes about 1 hour from the airport to the Aquarium Kaiyukan.

More Things to Do Near the Aquarium Kaiyukan

1. Ride Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel

Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel is opposite the aquarium and is about 112.5 meters (369 feet) high. The Ferris wheel hosts 60 gondolas, and all gondolas have air conditioners. You have 15 minutes to watch the scene of Osaka Bay inside the gondolas, and it costs about 900 yen per person. 

2. Take the Santa Maria to Appreciate the View of Osaka Bay

Santa Maria Cruise is a huge sightseeing ship that can bring you to appreciate the nice scene of Osaka Bay. The ticket is 1,800 yen.
 

3. Take a Boat to Explore Universal Studios Japan

After watching the marine organisms, you can also explore the nearby Universal Studios Japan. You can take a boat at the West Pier of the Aquarium and get off at Universal City Port, which takes about 15 minutes. A single way ferry ticket is 900 yen, and a round-way ticket is 1,700 yen. Besides, you can buy a combo ticket containing Aquarium Kaiyukan and a single-way ferry ride, which are 3,400 yen. The combo ticket contains Aquarium Kaiyukan and the round-way ferry rides is 4,200 yen. 

See More:

•  Osaka Photos