What other travelers are saying about Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
This is easily one of the best aquariums we’ve visited. It took us about 3 hours to walk through and explore, and we got to see a wide variety of aquatic species.
They also offer a stamp rally, which was a fun bonus. Be sure to bring a blank passport book or some paper so you can collect all the stamps. It's a nice little keepsake to remember your trip.
ABSOLUTELY A MUST. I’ve been to a few Aquariums. This one exhibits sea life along the “ring of fire” of the world, meaning along the coasts of land that line the Pacific Ocean. They had animals from fresh water to artic waters (5 degrees Celsius).
Pro tip 1: get your tickets in advance as each time-slot does have limited entries. My family of 4 went on November 14th at 2pm, we thought it is low tourist season but there was still quite a line for same-day tickets. Waiting in like might have taken ~30 minutes and there was a sign that was updated that they just sold out thru 3pm. By luck, I tried to buy same-day tickets via online and was able to grab enough for 3:15pm slot.
There is also a small mall so visitors can walk around, shop, eat.
There are also other activities such as boat ride, Ferris wheel (maybe 8–10 stories high), so come and hangout more in the area.
There are storage lockers at the entrance. Bring $400-1000yen, depending on size. Paying with coins worked best for us.
Pro tip 2: Visitors enter in droves every 15 minutes, so the first few exhibits are VERY crowded. The building is built around the main tank in the center of the building which holds giant sharks, stingrays, and whales. The exhibits begin at the top of the tank and spiral downwards so I I suggest you immediately walk past the first 3-5 stations (or floors). Don’t worry you won’t miss too much as there’s still plenty more to enjoy along the little nooks towards the lower floors. There are even benches to sit and watch up against the tank.
We planned to spend 1 hour here but ended up enjoying it for 2 hours at a very leisurely pace.
As we go on the weekend, we have to buy the ticket at the counter as it was unavailable on klook apps. we got here around 2 hours earlier than opening time and start queing at 9am before they opened on 9.30am.
We are the first in line so the wait time are not that long. however, coming later than this might make you wait even longer.
the attraction was super good. every window were super cleaned except for penguin area, not sure why tho.. nonetheless, we can see all animal super clear and nice.
we started the visit with sea otter, however the otter was lazy as they are still sleeping despite the opening hour 🤣🤣 the seal were super cute and interactive, the dolphin weee also very playful hahaha. the shark looks very mesmerizing and wow, super elegant! oh ya! please dont forget to check out the sunfish as well, so cuteeeee!
all area outdoor and indoor was super clean including the toilet, love that very much!
all in all, love the visit so much and please dont forget to end your visit with riding the ferris wheel! very much recommended!
The Osaka Aquarium is HUGE! I was told to visit it if I was ever in Osaka & I'm glad I did. It was very busy during the day, so we opted to get tickets later in the evening. On one hand, glad we went later on, because it was still busy with people & families. On the other hand, we saw later when the feeding times were & gathered that was one of the reasons why it had peak times. The animals were still relatively active when we went in the evening. There is a wide variety of nautical life & it was beautifully laid out in terms of walking. Seeing the lively animals, regardless of it not being feeding time, they seemed happy in their environments. Osaka Aquarium really cares about the environment of the creatures & continuously works on providng the best possible. It certainly shows in the animals lively behaviour. I left feeling positive about this place. It also had a great gift shop with many of the sea creatures in cute plushy form, so you can take home a little creature of your favorite! There's also themed plates, cups, Keychains & snacks. I highly reccomend visiting Osaka Aquarium. A+++
Best aquarium ever. Prebook tickets if possible, or get timed entry tickets at the venue. If you have a waiting time, enjoy delicious food at the Tempozan Market area and maybe do shopping too.
Coming to the aquarium, though there is high crowd, it tends to clear very soon and youll get a glimpse of every tank.All tanks are neatly maintained for crystal clear view of the aquatic lifeforms. The central tank is huge and houses multiple types of sharks and the whalesharks (star of the show).
We spent 3 hours at the aquarium and 2 hours at the tempozan marketplace. Also, there is a giant ferriswheel nearby for breathtaking view of Osaka port area.
Yes, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is often considered worth a visit, especially for marine life enthusiasts and families. It is one of the largest and most impressive aquariums in the world, showcasing a wide variety of aquatic species from the Pacific Rim in well-designed, engaging habitats. The aquarium provides educational insights into marine ecosystems and offers a unique opportunity to observe rare species up close, making it a captivating experience for visitors of all ages.
The amount of time spent at Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan can vary depending on your interest level, but generally, visitors spend about 2 to 3 hours exploring the exhibits. The aquarium is designed in a spiral pattern, allowing you to observe different habitats as you descend from the eighth floor to the ground level. To fully enjoy and appreciate the diverse marine life and exhibits, allocating a few hours is recommended.
While Kaiyukan is one of the largest aquariums globally, it is not the largest. It is, however, one of the most spectacular, with significant volumes of water and numerous marine species on display. The aquarium is particularly famous for its impressive Pacific Ocean tank. Other larger aquariums exist around the world, but Kaiyukan remains a standout for its design and the variety of species exhibited.
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is one of the largest public aquariums in the world. It houses 15 large tanks, each representing a specific region of the Pacific Rim, with the central tank representing the Pacific Ocean. This central tank alone holds 5,400 cubic meters of water. The total water volume of all exhibits exceeds 11,000 cubic meters, and the facility showcases various marine and freshwater species.
To avoid crowds, it's best to visit Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan early in the morning or later in the afternoon, closer to the closing time. Weekdays are typically less crowded than weekends. Also, visiting during feeding times can be particularly interesting, as you get to see more active behavior from the marine life. However, it's advisable to check the aquarium's official website for the latest information on opening hours, feeding times, and any special events that might affect your visit.
