Osaka Aquarium is one of the city’s premier attractions, and one of the best aquariums in the world. It does come with a slightly expensive price tag, but we think it’s worth it. Just be prepared for crowds.
Osaka Aquarium - image © Florentyna Leow
The Osaka Bay area is home to some great attractions, and one of the best reasons to make the trek out is the Osaka Aquarium. Known as Kaiyukan in Japanese, it’s one of the best aquariums in the world. With 15 tanks housing an astonishing variety of ocean life from the Pacific Rim, it is a fantastic day out for adults and children alike.
Osaka Aquarium - image © Florentyna Leow
In the central tank alone, you’ll see large fish like whale sharks, manta rays, tiger sharks, leopard sharks, and a variety of smaller but beautiful fish. Then there are the surrounding smaller tanks where you can see fish and other marine mammals. 2013 saw the opening of a new interactive area where visitors can get up close to some of the animals - it’s probably the only chance you’ll have in your life to really interact with, for instance, a rockhopper penguin!
Osaka Aquarium - image © Florentyna Leow
The only problem with the Osaka Aquarium is that it is almost always crowded - that’s the price you pay for visiting one of the best aquariums in the world. (That, and JPY2,300 for adults and JPY1,200 for children over the age of 4.) We strongly recommend going early or late on weekday; forget the weekends - it will be too packed for comfort!
You can buy tickets for the aquarium online which you can then collect on arrival at Kansai International Airport. That will save you having to queue for a ticket at the aquarium itself.
English name:
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Japanese name:
海遊館
English address:
1-1-10 Kaigan-dori, Minato-ku, Osaka-shi, 552-0022
Japanese address:
〒552-0022 大阪市港区海岸通1-1-10
Opening hours:
10am-8pm (last entry 7pm)
Admission:
60 years old and over: 2000
16-59 years old: 2300
7-15 years old: 1200
4-6 years old: 600
Nearest Transport:
Subway: 5-minute walk from exit 1 of Osakako Station on the Osaka Metro Chuo Line.
Nearest Hotels:
:: Check availability and pricing for hotels near Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Telephone:
+81-6-6576-5501
Website:
Official Website (English)
Near To Here:
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is located in Osaka's bay area. See our complete list of things to do in the Osaka's bay area, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.
Where Are These Places Located?
See these places on the Inside Osaka Google map:- Open the Osaka map
- You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
- Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
- Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels / Ryokan / Guesthouses | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | GREEN: Shops | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
- If you're using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.
Osaka Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Osaka guide
- Check Osaka accommodation availability and pricing on Booking.com – usually you can reserve a room with no upfront payment. Pay when you check out. Free cancellations too
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Osaka
- You can buy a Japan SIM card online for collection on arrival at Osaka's Kansai International Airport. Or rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- View my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- Compare flight prices and timings to find the best Japan flight deals
- If you're visiting more than one city, save a ton of money with the Japan Rail Pass – here's why it's worth it
- Get a prepaid Icoca card to make travelling around Osaka easy – here's how
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
