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Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan in Osaka, Japan
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
The Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is among the largest aquariums in the world and is built around a “Pacific Ocean” water tank in which the whale shark, the world’s largest fish, swims. The aquarium reproduces 10 regions of the globe in 14 water tanks. After zipping to the uppermost floor on an escalator, visitors work their way around the great water tank in a downward spiral, an interesting feature of the building.
Feeding and exhibiting such sea life as dolphins, sea otters, penguins, and diaphanous jellyfish, the aquarium has a total of some 580 species and 30,000 individual life forms, appealing to the precious nature of life and the importance of the global environment.
Those joining in the paid, guided tour (reservation required) will get the added bonus of a trip to the “backyard” overlooking the “Pacific Ocean” water tank. Watching the feeding of the whale shark up close is a powerful event that can rarely be seen anywhere. Also recommended is coming in the evening, after 5 o’clock, when visitors get a peek at the nocturnal ecology of the fish.
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Open hours: 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Last admission 7 p.m.) Please note that the schedule is subject to change according to the season. The Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan allows in-and-out privileges on the same day if you let the staff know before leaving.
Note: The Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is closed six to seven days a year, falling in the months of January, February, and June.
Admission:
- Adults: 2,400 yen
- Elementary and junior high school students: 1,200 yen
- Young children (4 and older): 600 yen
- Seniors (60 and older): 2,200 yen
Address: 1-1-10 Kaigan-dori, Minato-ku, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture > Map
URL: http://www.kaiyukan.com/language/eng/
Phone: +81-(0)6-6576-5501
Access:
- Take the Osaka Municipal Subway Chuo Line to Osakako Station. It is a five-minute walk.
