Osaka Aquarium KAIYUKAN

The Osaka Aquarium, Kaiyukan, is one of the world's largest aquariums. It uses massive tanks to recreate environments of the Ring of Fire that surrounds the Pacific Ocean and accompanying Ring of Life, home to a vast array of marine life. All year round you can see some 30,000 creatures from about 620 species. Opened in July, 1990, the aquarium has welcomed 75 million visitors as of September, 2018. Undoubtably the aquarium's highlight is the massive ”Pacific Ocean” tank, where you can watch the imposing but harmless whale shark gliding gracefully through the water. Every evening from 5 o'clock, you can experience Kaiyukan Night Aquarium, where tanks are illuminated with a mystical deep-blue light that resembles a moonlit deep ocean to reveal to what sea creatures get up to when the sun goes down.

Colorful tropical fish await in the Aqua Gate
Your first encounter with marine life at the aquarium will happen as you pass through the tunnel-style aquarium ”Fish Underpass–Aqua Gate.” Look up and around to see the stunning, cherry bass, and cownose ray welcome you to their home.

See a whale shark swimming serenely in an enormous tank
The highlight and symbol of Osaka Aquarium KAIYUKAN is the massive ”Pacific Ocean” tank that measures 9 m deep, 34 m across, and contains 5,400 tons of water. Take some time to appreciate the natural beauty of migratory fish such as the whale shark, rays and horse mackerel glide through the water, evokes the magnificent scenery of the Pacific Ocean.

Kurage Ginga, a galaxy of drifting jellyfish
Reopening in March, 2018, Kurage Ginga is a popular drawcard. In a space surrounded by pitch-black walls and floors, jelly fish drift at leisure in their tanks to create a mystical atmosphere. Feel yourself floating through the Milky Way as you gaze at the beautiful, translucent jellyfish.

Experience the world of sea creatures in the Shintaikan Area, where you can see and touch marine life with your own hands!
The Shintaikan Area on the fourth floor consists of the Arctic zone with its ringed seals, the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) zone with its rockhopper penguins, and the Maldives zone where visitors can touch sharks and rays swimming in Japan's largest experiential water tank. You can learn more about marine life by seeing, touching, and feeling it up close.