When the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan opened in 1990 in the port of Osaka it overturned previously-held ideas about aquariums. Now, more than 25 years later, the large-scale tanks and variety of large and small creatures swimming around dynamically will have visitors feeling as though everything is interconnected.
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The form of the swimming whale shark is truly incredible!
Take the escalator to the top floor of this eight-story building to begin your journey through this aquarium. There are more than 15 large tanks to see here, with each tank recreating a specific region of the Pacific Rim. This aquarium is famous as a place where you can see the whale shark! At first, the sheer scale of the whale shark is overwhelming, but after a while you begin to notice that other fish are coming close to the whale shark. Are they friends or rivals? This exhibition is famous, so be sure to take your time enjoying the power of these majestic creatures.
Don’t miss meal time at the aquarium!
Check the website before your visit to confirm feeding time for the whale shark, dolphins, penguins, sea lions, otters, and birds. Unlike other aquariums, there are no dolphin and sea lion shows to see here. Instead, you can observe them during meal time to see how the creatures behave during normal activities and see how the keepers establish a relationship with them. You can also listen as the guides give on-the-spot explanations. For visitors who want to experience more and hear stories from behind the scenes, we recommend a full guided tour or an overnight stay.
Experience a different atmosphere in the aquarium at night
At five o’clock in the evening, the music switches to evening mode and the aquarium takes on a very different atmosphere. In the Great Barrier Reef tank, it is amazing to see the evening lighting reflecting off the colorful fish. In the evening, some creatures become less active while others become more active. You might be surprised to see how some creatures behave a little differently in the evening environment.
Getting here
| Address | 1-1-10 Kaigandori, Minato-ku, Osaka City 552-0022 Japan |
| ☎ | 06-6576-5501 |
| Access | The aquarium direction page (English) |
Access Map
Admission Tickets, Price
| Fees | General | One-year pass |
|---|---|---|
| Over aged 16 | 2,300 yen | 5,000 yen |
| Aged 7-15 | 1,200 yen | 2,000 yen |
| Aged 4 – 6 | 600 yen | 1,000 yen |
| Over aged 60 | 2,000 yen | — |
| Child under aged 3 | free | — |
Opening Hours & Calendar
| Hours | |
|---|---|
| 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Last entry 7:00 p.m.) | |
| Golden Week holiday (Apr 28 – 30) | 9:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Last entry 7:00 p.m.) |
| Golden Week holiday (May 3 – 5) | 8:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. (Last entry 7:30 p.m.) |
| Summer (Jul 14 – 31) | 9:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. (Last entry 7:30 p.m.) |
| Summer (Aug 11 – 15) | 8:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. (Last entry 7:30 p.m.) |
| Days closed | Open throughout the year |
Official website
FAQs
Nursing Lounge
There are two nursing rooms for babies. Hot water is available.
Coin lockers
There are two coin-operated lockers in the aquarium.
Baby stroller rental service
Not available.
Wheelchair rental service
Wheelchairs are available free of charge.
