The Kaiyukan Osaka Aquarium is one of the most impressive aquariums in the world, offering a rare glimpse of incredible sea creatures—all housed within one enormous complex.
Opened in 1990, the aquarium features over 470 species and holds nearly 11,000 cubic metres of water across its many tanks. The largest tank alone contains approximately 5,400 cubic metres, making it one of the largest aquarium tanks in the world. This tank is the centrepiece of the Pacific Ocean exhibit, home to a variety of sharks, manta rays, bluefin tuna, and the awe-inspiring whale shark—the largest fish in the world’s oceans.
The aquarium showcases aquatic environments from across Japan and beyond. Exhibits include the Seto Inland Sea, the Japan Deep Sea Trench—home to enormous spider crabs and a giant North Pacific octopus—and the Japanese Forest exhibit, which features a family of Asian small-clawed otters and the unusual giant Japanese salamander.
International marine environments are also featured, with displays replicating the Great Barrier Reef, Panama Bay, Chilean Coast, and Cook Strait, where visitors can observe sea turtles and other unique marine life up close.
One of the most popular areas is the Antarctica exhibit, where visitors flock to see Adélie and King penguins. Nearby, the Falklands exhibit is home to a charming group of rockhopper penguins. The Monterey Bay exhibit features harbour seals and California sea lions, while the Tasman Sea exhibit houses a playful school of Pacific white-sided dolphins.
Many exhibits are interactive, and guests have the opportunity to get up close and personal with stingrays and fish at the Maldives Touch Pool.
Outside the aquarium, Tempozan Harbor Village offers around 100 shops and restaurants, making it a great place to browse for souvenirs, stuffed animals, books, and toys.
The Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is generally open seven days a week from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Special joint tickets are available that include access to the Osaka City Municipal Transport network. English-language leaflets and an audio guide are also available.
The aquarium is located within Tempozan Harbour Village and is easily accessible via a 5-minute walk from Osakako Station on the Subway Chūō Line, or a 10-minute walk from Universal City Station on the JR Sakurajima Line. A ferry service also operates between Tempozan and Universal Studios Japan.e. A ferry service also operates between Tempozan and .
Official Website
https://www.kaiyukan.com/
