Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, One Of The Largest Aquariums In The World, Built Around A Huge Pacific Ocean Tank With A Whale Shark, In A Ring Of Tanks Representing The Pacific Rim From The Arctic To Antarctica. A Busy Day Out Beside The Harbour. · Osaka, Osaka

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan opened in 1990 beside Osaka Bay and is often called one of the world's largest public aquariums - confirm. Its centre is a very large Pacific Ocean tank, and the star is the whale shark, a huge, slow fish that gives the tank its pull, with other big fish and rays around it - confirm. The route is a spiral: you take a lift or escalator to the top and walk down past roughly 15 tanks, each themed on a region of the Pacific Rim, with the Antarctic and the Arctic among them - confirm. There are penguins, sea otters and a hall of glowing jellyfish, and the walk circles back to the main tank several times from different depths. It is a large, busy, family-friendly day out and suits children and adults alike, though it is crowded at weekends and in school holidays, so a timed ticket helps. The Tempozan Ferris Wheel and a shopping market stand beside it, and the harbour makes a pleasant walk. Universal Studios Japan and Osaka have separate entries in this guide.

1-1-10 Kaigandori, Minato-ku, Osaka, a short walk from Osakako Station on the Chuo line, beside the Tempozan Ferris wheel, Osaka, Osaka, Japan

The aquarium is commonly open from about 9:30 to 20:00, with seasonal changes and last entry about an hour before closing - confirm. It is usually open every day, with a few maintenance closures in the year. It is a short walk from Osakako Station on the Chuo Line, and IC cards work on the trains. A timed ticket can be bought online in advance and is strongly advised for weekends, holidays and school breaks, when entry slots fill early. Plan on two to three hours inside, and cash is useful for the market stalls and cafes around the harbour.

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