Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan — Attraction in Osaka

Arrival and Accessibility: We embarked on our adventure to Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan on January 1,2025 via the Osaka Metro, arriving at Osakako Station. From there, it was a mere 2-minute (500 meters) walk to the aquarium. This walk took us past the iconic Tempozan Ferris Wheel, which is a prominent landmark within Tempozan Harbour Village. The ferris wheel serves as a helpful guidepost for anyone making their way to the aquarium without a map. It’s impossible to not seeing it.

Ticketing and Entry: Upon arriving at the aquarium, we encountered a substantial queue for purchasing admission tickets, which were available on a time-slot basis. This meant that during peak holiday seasons, immediate entry was not guaranteed. After securing our tickets at 1 pm, we were assigned an entry time of 3 pm. It's advisable to purchase all necessary tickets, including those for behind-the-scenes tours, at the ticket counter in advance.

Pre-Entry Activities: While waiting for our entry time, we explored the open square between Osaka Aquarium and Tempozan Harbour Village. Here, we enjoyed refreshments and leisurely strolled around, soaking in the lively atmosphere.

Exhibition Layout: Upon entry, we ascended to the top floor of the building, a lofty seven stories up, which is a unique feature compared to other aquariums that typically extend below ground. The exhibits began with an indoor garden display and transitioned seamlessly into the main aquatic exhibit. The central main aquarium spans multiple levels, offering varied viewing angles from each level, so there's no need to crowd around the first window you see.

Accessibility and Viewing Experience: The aquarium is thoughtfully designed for accessibility, with assistance available for those using wheelchairs and prams. We thoroughly enjoyed observing the playful seals and waddling penguins. The viewing experience is distinctly different from other aquariums, as we were able to observe these animals from three different perspectives: the surface, underwater, and the bottom of the aquarium. Watching them bask on the surface, swim gracefully underwater, and dive for food on the aquarium floor was truly captivating. Our first time seeing live Giant Crab and Sun Fish (Mola mola) display in any aquarium we have visited.

Amenities and Nearby Attractions: Upon exiting the aquarium, we skipped the onsite cafe and souvenir shop in favor of the more extensive food options and shopping experiences available at Tempozan Harbour Village, just next door. The village is home to a FamilyMart convenience store, located conveniently below the ferris wheel, and a Lego Discovery Centre. It's important to note that the Discovery Centre is not a full-fledged Legoland theme park.

Harbour Views and Sunset: Behind Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan and Tempozan Harbour Village, the waterfront offers stunning views of the harbor. This area is an excellent vantage point for capturing beautiful sunset photos. Additionally, harbor cruises are available for those looking to further explore the scenic waterways.

Overall, our visit to Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan was a delightful experience, filled with unique exhibits, accessible design, and ample opportunities for exploration and relaxation in the surrounding Tempozan...

I wish I checked the reviews before coming here. I was told it’s “one of the greatest aquariums on earth” but actually, it’s quite small inside with not much to see apart from animal cruelty

The large tank contains a huge variety of sea life all together, but that’s all there is as you follow the route. You see the same large tank but from a lower floor. It’s designed so the fish have no place to hide or seek shelter and are in constant view of visitors.

It also made me think if it’s safe to have such a large amount of sea life packed together like that. Sharks and whales circling all day every day. Large rays bumping into other marine life. No places to hide. It’s depressing

Other sea life were also packed into tiny spaces. The seals seemed restless and in distress. One of them was hiding in the corner by the glass as if to be attempting to leave or find shelter from the others, and to seek a darker place far from the neon lights and people

There is not much else to see apart from a few seals and penguins in overcrowded conditions.

They also had penguins packed together near the exit by the souvenir shop which seemed really strange and torturous for the penguins who had no place to go. They stood motionless under neon lights and they couldn’t move. It was also during July and they were in + 30 conditions. They looked super unhealthy and the entire area had a strong fishy stench like dead fish

I got the impression they focus more on an Asian, or Chinese audience, who want to be wowed by the spectacle of large sea creatures… There was little education aspect to the aquarium and very few smaller, less exotic sea animals (they don’t sell as well as larger fish). There is no education here, just spectacle

Honestly, any zoo or aquarium in most countries offer a more rewarding experience where you can interact with animals or be educated about marine life and ocean preservation…But in Osaka it was the opposite — quick photo session and then the next group of rude tourists will enter

It was overcrowded and the corridors were small and dark.

It was also difficult to buy the ticket and we had to wait for our time slot. Regardless, it was really busy inside and nowhere to sit down or even buy water.

There is not much else to do in the district because it’s next to a large port. There is a food court but it’s not the best. There is a tourist boat trip but tickets were sold out weeks in advance. And there is a large ferris wheel but we chose not to.

Overall, it was quite boring and I wouldn’t return. This place will be incredibly boring and depressing for most Europeans who have ever been to a zoo or aquarium in their life

I strongly advise against visiting this place. I thought Japan was...

The most impressive aquarium I've ever been to. Way better than Sydney or Kuala Lumpur anyway. However, the whale shark is a pelagic species, and having 2 of them in a tank, does not sit well with me. Their tank here is absolutely huge in our terms, but not for these gentle giants. This fish can live to over 100 years in their own habitat but don't last long in the few tanks scattered around the world. The record is one living 26 years (Okinawa) in captivity, so it's obviously not good for them. It's a dream of mine to dive with these docile creatures, but I never thought I would see these in a tank first. The rest of the aquarium is really top notch and a great day out. The way it's structured, so some tanks traverse multiple floors, is class. Its great watching seals and dolphins rapidly torpedo down through the depths. There were many species from the Sea of Japan and more tropical Pacific waters, that I would never have had the opportunity to see before. Such as the white sided dolphins and Japanese tufted puffins, which are more quirkier than their cousins from Ireland. There were also many species of sharks and rays here, too numerous to count. I could have watched the manta rays and great scalloped hammerhead sharks all day long. The mola mola (ocean sunfish) is a big attraction here because you don't really see them in many aquariums. I saw one while diving in Australia before and they leave a lasting impression on you because they look so bizarre. We felt sorry for it here, because it looked so lonely. The specialist penguin and jellyfish exhibits here were also brilliant. It's not only Japanese marine life here but they have exhibits from many regions of the world. I would advise buying a ticket online in advance because it gets quite busy here. There is a large gift shop at the end, ideal from bringing stuff home. Aside from the whale sharks, I absolutely...