Thorough Guide to the Highlights and Events at Osaka’s Popular Attraction “Kaiyukan”

Kaiyukan, located in Osaka’s Minato Ward, is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions. It is one of the largest aquariums in the world, showcasing marine life from around the Pacific Rim in a way that closely resembles their natural environments. Inside the eight-story building are 16 exhibition rooms, as well as special exhibitions and interactive zones, offering a wealth of things to see. It takes more than two hours to explore everything, making it packed with highlights. If you’re visiting Osaka, Kaiyukan is a must-see. In this guide, we’ll introduce Kaiyukan in detail, along with surrounding attractions and access information.

1. Permanent Exhibitions at Kaiyukan

After passing through the entrance gate of Kaiyukan and heading up to the 3rd floor, the first thing you’ll see is an underwater tunnel. Known as the “Aqua Gate,” this tunnel-shaped aquarium allows tropical fish to swim all around you, making it a big hit with children. After passing through the Aqua Gate, you’ll go up to the top floor and make your way down while exploring the permanent exhibits.

One of the main highlights is the “Pacific” area, which features a massive tank housing the world’s largest fish, the whale shark. Visitors can watch these majestic creatures swimming gracefully up close.

Another popular spot is the stylish and visually captivating “Jellyfish Galaxy,” filled with elegantly designed tanks that make it a photogenic space.

2. Interactive Zones at Kaiyukan

Kaiyukan offers not only tanks for viewing marine life but also exhibits you can see, hear, and touch. Ever wondered what the Arctic feels like? Or if shark skin is really rough? The “New Interactive Area” is where you can find out.

In the “Arctic Zone,” you can see ringed seals, while the “Falkland Islands” area is home to rockhopper penguins. With only waist-high barriers separating you from the animals, you can closely experience their scents and sounds. In the “Maldives Islands” area, you can even touch swimming sharks and rays. Try feeling the rough texture of shark skin and the slippery surface of ray skin for yourself.

3. Events at Kaiyukan

At certain times, you’ll notice crowds gathering in front of the tanks. This is for the “Feeding Time & Spot Guide,” a popular daily event where expert guides and aquarium keepers explain the animals’ ecology while feeding them. Since each tank has different schedules, check the website in advance if you have specific animals you want to see.

For those wanting an even deeper experience, there are special tours such as the “Guide Tour” and “Premium Tour,” which take you behind the scenes into areas normally off-limits to visitors. Here, keepers introduce the animals while you observe their work. Reservations are required by phone.

Another popular event is the “Overnight School,” where participants can sleep in front of the massive whale shark tank. This gives you a chance to see behind-the-scenes operations and the nighttime behavior of marine life. Participation is determined by prior lottery.

4. Enjoying Kaiyukan at Night

If you’d like to see marine life at night without joining the “Overnight School,” the “Nighttime Kaiyukan” event starts every evening at 5:00 PM. Some tanks have their lights turned off, allowing you to spot sleeping animals, while others are full of active creatures. Each display offers a different and fascinating view.

The “Nighttime Kaiyukan” is also recommended for couples. With lighting and sound effects different from the daytime, the “night ocean” transforms into a dreamy and romantic world.

5. Tourist Attractions Around Kaiyukan

Kaiyukan allows re-entry on the same day if you complete the re-entry procedure, so you can come and go as many times as you like. If you get hungry, we recommend Naniwa Kuishinbo Yokocho, located right next to Kaiyukan. Here you can enjoy Kansai specialties such as okonomiyaki and takoyaki, as well as dishes from a long-established curry restaurant founded in 1910 (Meiji 43). For food lovers, this is a delightful tourist spot. When you visit Kaiyukan, why not satisfy your appetite at Naniwa Kuishinbo Yokocho?

Another great spot, especially for couples, is the Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel, one of the largest in Japan. In addition to regular gondolas, it also offers fully transparent “see-through” gondolas for a thrilling and exciting ride. The night view from the Ferris wheel is beautiful, making an evening ride a truly wonderful experience.

6. Access to Kaiyukan

This feature-packed attraction is conveniently located close to the station. It’s just a 5-minute walk from Osaka Metro Chuo Line’s Osakako Station. For those arriving by car, Kaiyukan and the surrounding tourist spots are served by a main parking lot that can accommodate 1,300 vehicles, so you can rest assured about parking availability.

◎ Lastly: Hotel Information Near Kaiyukan

If you want to make the most of your Osaka trip and enjoy Kaiyukan, we recommend Hotel Seagull Tempozan Osaka, where all rooms offer ocean views. This hotel is located right next to Kaiyukan and even offers accommodation plans bundled with Kaiyukan tickets, so it’s worth considering.

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Thorough Guide to the Highlights and Events at Osaka’s Popular Attraction “Kaiyukan”