Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan Ticket
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan at Tempozan Harbor features whale sharks in a 5.4-million-liter Pacific tank and 15 Ring of Fire habitat zones on a spiral descent. Compare live prices and coupons.
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What it is
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan (海遊館), opened in 1990 in the Tempozan Harbor Village area of Osaka's Minato Ward, is one of the world's largest aquariums and a landmark attraction on Osaka Bay. The building is designed around a single massive central tank representing the Pacific Ocean — 9 meters deep, holding approximately 5,400 tonnes of water — that is visible from every floor. Visitors ride an escalator to the top level, then walk a continuous downward spiral ramp through 15 themed habitat zones modeled on ecosystems along the Pacific Ring of Fire, from the Japan Forest at the top to Antarctic penguin colonies, jellyfish galleries, and Arctic seal enclosures lower down. The aquarium is home to whale sharks, Aleutian Islands puffins, Monterey Bay sea lions, Ecuador rainforest arapaima, Great Barrier Reef fish, loggerhead sea turtles, Japanese spider crabs, and much more. The Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel stands immediately adjacent, and the two attractions are often combined in a single half-day outing.
Highlights
- Pacific Ocean central tank: a 9-meter-deep, 5.4-million-liter tank housing whale sharks, manta rays, and hammerhead sharks — visible from every level of the spiral
- Continuous downward spiral route: ride the escalator to the top Japan Forest zone, then descend through 15 Ring of Fire themed habitats without retracing your steps
- Jellyfish gallery: a dimly lit zone showcasing moon jellyfish and northern sea nettles with life-cycle displays and vivid blue-glow lighting
- Arctic and polar zones: ringed seals in the Arctic zone, southern rockhopper penguins in the Falkland Islands zone, and a touch pool with stingrays and bamboo sharks in the Maldives zone
- Diverse Ring of Fire habitats: Aleutian Islands tufted puffins, Monterey Bay sea lions, Ecuador rainforest piranhas and capybaras, Antarctic penguins, and Pacific white-sided dolphins across 15 distinct zones
- Tempozan Ferris Wheel next door: one of Japan's tallest Ferris wheels is a 1-minute walk away, with combo tickets available for added savings
Good to know
- Getting there: take the Osaka Metro Chuo Line to Osakako Station (大阪港駅) — the aquarium entrance is roughly a 5-minute walk from the station exit
- Plan for 2–3 hours inside; the spiral layout is one-way, so the full route must be walked to reach the exit — wear comfortable shoes
- Admission prices vary by date under a dynamic pricing system; as of 2025, adult tickets start from around ¥2,700 and children's tickets from around ¥1,400 — always check the official Kaiyukan website for the current rate before visiting
Frequently asked
- How do I get to Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan from central Osaka?
- Take the Osaka Metro Chuo Line to Osakako Station (大阪港駅). The aquarium entrance is approximately a 5-minute walk from the station's main exit. Signs in English and Japanese point the way through Tempozan Harbor Village.
- Can I see whale sharks at Kaiyukan, and when is feeding time?
- Yes — Kaiyukan is one of the few aquariums in the world that keeps whale sharks. As of 2025, the aquarium houses two whale sharks in the massive Pacific Ocean central tank alongside manta rays and hammerhead sharks. Feedings are typically scheduled twice daily, around 10:20 AM and 3:00 PM, though exact times are subject to change — check at the entrance on the day of your visit for the current schedule.
- How long does it take to go through Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, and is the route one-way?
- Most visitors spend 2 to 3 hours exploring all 15 zones. The layout is a continuous downward spiral from the top floor to the exit — you cannot go back up the way you came, so the full route is the only path through the aquarium. This also means there is no shortcut out once you start, so budget your time accordingly.