Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan Guide: A Pacific Rim Journey Through 14 Themed Tanks

Every Ocean in One Place: Your Complete Guide to Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

A forest with flowing streams, a snowy world of ice, the lightless deep sea. Fourteen distinct natural environments encircling the Pacific have been recreated inside Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, located in the Tempozan area of Osaka.

Each tank is themed around a different region of the ocean. Simply walking through the aquarium feels like a journey around the entire Pacific Rim.

A voyage that begins on land, descends to the ocean floor, and circles the Pacific.

In this article, we introduce the highlights and best ways to enjoy Kaiyukan.

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is an aquarium located in Minato Ward, Osaka. Since opening in 1990, it has been home to approximately 620 species and 30,000 creatures, making it one of the largest aquariums in the world. As one of Osaka’s most iconic attractions, it draws a large number of visitors from Japan and abroad throughout the year.

14 Themed Tanks: A Journey Around the Pacific Rim

Kaiyukan is built around the concept of “Ring of Fire, Ring of Life.” The idea is that all things on Earth — plants, animals, and everything else — are connected, and the ocean plays a vital role in sustaining this web of life.

Based on this concept, the aquarium uses 14 tanks to represent the diverse natural environments created by the volcanic ring surrounding the Pacific, along with the interconnected life that thrives within them.

Japanese streams, Antarctic ice seas, tropical rainforests, coral reefs, and the deep sea. Each tank recreates the environment of a different region, and walking through the aquarium takes you on a full circuit of the Pacific.

5,400 Tons of Water: The Pacific Ocean Recreated in a Massive Tank

The Pacific Ocean tank, which runs through the center of the building, boasts a depth of 9 meters (about 30 feet) and holds 5,400 tons (approximately 1.43 million gallons) of water. A diverse range of marine life coexists within this enormous tank.

The whale shark is the most iconic resident of Kaiyukan. As the largest fish in the world, there are only three aquariums in Japan where you can see them — Kaiyukan, Churaumi Aquarium, and Io World Kagoshima Aquarium.

You will also encounter scalloped hammerhead sharks with their distinctive silhouettes, spinetail devil rays gliding elegantly on their large fins, and powerful giant trevallies slicing through the water. The tank, which recreates the open Pacific, is filled with fish of all sizes swimming back and forth — a sight you will never tire of watching.

The vast ocean world stretching before your eyes is wonderfully calming and soothing to watch. Benches are placed in front of the tank, so we recommend taking a seat and simply gazing into the deep blue world at your own pace.

Enjoy the graceful fish swimming in this massive tank on video as well.

A Breathtaking Silver Swirl: The Spectacular Sardine Migration

If you visit Kaiyukan, this is something you absolutely must see. My top recommendation is the Coast of Chile exhibit.

Approximately 15,000 Japanese anchovies swim in unison through the tank, creating a massive silver swirl. Every time the school changes direction in an instant, their bodies reflect the light and shimmer brilliantly — a truly spectacular sight.

While the whale shark and other large creatures tend to steal the spotlight, this sardine migration is a spot where you should definitely pause and take in the scene. Take a moment to appreciate the beauty of this swirling silver mass — a stunning work of art created by nature.

From the Deep Sea to Outer Space: A Galaxy of Drifting Jellyfish

Land, ocean, deep sea. After journeying through all of these, what awaits you next is, surprisingly, outer space.

Jellyfish Galaxy (Kurage Ginga), located on the 3rd floor, is a popular exhibit where visitors are soothed by the gentle, floating movements of jellyfish.

While the 14 tanks immerse you in a world of blue, this exhibit presents a world of black. Illuminated jellyfish drift gently through a darkened space, as if floating through outer space. This unique presentation is what sets this exhibit apart.

Jellyfish are popular at any aquarium, but what makes this special is how Kaiyukan has crafted its own unique world and spatial experience — something you will not find anywhere else.

The romantic atmosphere makes this a particularly great spot for couples, so make sure to check it out.

Jellyfish Galaxy | Exhibition | Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

Moonlit Romance: The Enchanting Night Aquarium

Every day at 5:00 pm, the lighting and music inside Kaiyukan change, transforming the aquarium into a night sea. The light illuminating the tanks shifts to a gentle glow that recreates a moonlit ocean night. A quiet, dreamlike atmosphere, completely different from the daytime, fills the space. No additional fee is required — the same admission ticket covers both the daytime and nighttime experiences.

We recommend timing your visit to span across 5:00 pm, so you can enjoy both the daytime and nighttime versions of the aquarium in a single visit.

KAIYUKAN Night Aquarium | Events | Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

Behind the Scenes: Getting Closer to the Animals

Beyond the standard walking route, Kaiyukan offers several experience programs that let you learn more about the creatures that call this aquarium home.

Feeding time for the creatures is a free, no-reservation-needed experience you can enjoy casually. Watch about 9 different types of animals — including Asian small-clawed otters, penguins, and Pacific white-sided dolphins — eat their meals and practice their training routines right in front of each tank.

If you want to go beyond the standard route and have a more immersive experience, we recommend Back Stage Viewing. You will enter the backstage area that is normally off-limits to everyone except the keepers, and view the massive Pacific Ocean tank from directly above. Tickets that include the feeding time are also available, letting you watch the feeding process up close. Since tickets are sold on the day and no advance reservation is needed, you can join in easily.

For a truly one-of-a-kind experience, we recommend the Pacific Ocean Premium Backyard Tour. You will get to see the -30°C (-22°F) freezer room, watch whale shark feeding up close, and ask the keepers anything you have ever wondered about the aquarium and its animals. Each session is limited to one group, giving it an exclusive, private feel.

To get the most out of your Kaiyukan visit, the Kaiyukan Guided Tour is the way to go. A dedicated guide accompanies you through the route with all 14 tanks, sharing fun facts about the animals, the aquarium, and the exhibits. You will also be taken to areas not normally open to the public. Each group gets their own personal guide.

Cafe R.O.F

cafe R.O.F is a cafe located on the 4th floor inside the aquarium, behind the Japan Deep tank. Kaiyukan is one of the larger aquariums in Japan, and you will do quite a bit of walking. The cafe is positioned near the end of the exhibit route, making it a perfectly timed rest stop after exploring from land to the deep sea.

There are window counter seats overlooking Osaka Bay and seats with a view of the Japan Deep tank. The menu features playful, Kaiyukan-themed items such as Jinbe Soft (whale shark soft serve) — a ramune and vanilla flavor combination — and Spotted Garden Eel Dog (Chinanago Dog), a long hot dog measuring approximately 38 cm (about 15 inches).

Exclusive Merchandise at the Kaiyukan Official Shop

The Kaiyukan Official Shop on the 3rd floor features original merchandise designed under the supervision of the aquarium keepers, including limited-edition items you can only find here. The shop was newly renovated and reopened in December 2025.

The standout items are the stuffed animals. They are irresistibly cute! Whale sharks, ringed seals, and other adorable creatures line the shelves, just waiting to be taken home.

There is also a Kaiyukan Official Museum Shop on the 2nd floor of the Entrance Building, which you can visit without an aquarium admission ticket. It carries a wide selection of goods, so make sure to stop by. The 2nd floor of the Entrance Building also has a Starbucks and a food stand where you can grab snacks and drinks.

Admission Prices Change by Date: Smart Ways to Buy Tickets

Kaiyukan uses a dynamic pricing system, where admission fees vary by date. For adult tickets, the price difference can be as much as around 800 yen. You can check the exact price for your visit date when purchasing e-tickets on the official website.

Kaiyukan is a popular attraction. Days with higher admission prices — such as weekends and consecutive holidays — tend to be more crowded as well. We recommend checking the calendar on the official website in advance. Simply shifting your visit by a day or two could mean lower prices and a more comfortable experience.

Combo tickets with the Santa Maria cruise ship and Captain Line (shuttle boat) are also available at a discount. If you are planning to visit both Universal Studios Japan (USJ) and Kaiyukan, or want to explore the wider Tempozan area, consider taking advantage of these combo ticket options.

For a detailed comparison of discounts and combo tickets, see the article below.

Skip the Line by Buying E-Tickets in Advance

The ticket counter at Kaiyukan (for same-day purchases) tends to get long lines, especially on weekends, holidays, and during extended holiday periods. By purchasing e-tickets in advance, you can skip the counter and enter directly through the admission gate.

Also, if you buy tickets at the counter on the day, be aware that if nearby time slots are already full, you may not be able to enter right away. During busy periods, you might only be able to purchase a ticket for a time slot several hours later.

E-tickets allow you to select a specific time slot in advance, helping you avoid these unexpected waits. We explain the process in detail in the article below.

How to Get from USJ to Kaiyukan

USJ and Kaiyukan are both in the bay area of Osaka, but since they are on different islands, traveling by train requires a long detour around the water.

However, by taking a boat, you can cross the water directly and travel efficiently from USJ to Kaiyukan by sea. There are two options.

The first is the paid shuttle boat Captain Line. It runs directly between USJ and Kaiyukan. Combo tickets with Kaiyukan admission are available — see our discount information article for details.

The second is the free municipal Tempozan Ferry. The boarding points are a short walk from both USJ and Kaiyukan, but it is a hidden gem since it is completely free. When we used it, the walk from USJ to the ferry dock took about 10 minutes, the ferry ride itself was about 2 minutes, and the walk from the dock to Kaiyukan was another 10 minutes or so — not far at all.

How Long to Spend at Kaiyukan

A typical visit to Kaiyukan takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. When we visited, we took our time looking around, had a break at the cafe, and shopped at the official shop — and it took 1 hour and 40 minutes.

If you are considering a tour, the Kaiyukan Guided Tour takes up to 3 hours for the long version and 1 hour 30 minutes for the short version. If you want to add Back Stage Viewing, plan for an extra 20 minutes on top of the standard visit time, putting the total at just over 2 hours.

Kaiyukan allows same-day re-entry. You receive a hand stamp at the exit, so you can head out to Tempozan Marketplace or Tempozan Harbor Village and come back to the aquarium later.

From Land to the Ocean Floor: A Pacific Rim Journey Through the Seas of the World

From forest streams to coral reefs, a world of ice, the lightless deep sea, and even a space-like realm. Kaiyukan is an aquarium where you can experience a journey through the seas of the world, all in one place.

Peek behind the scenes on a backstage tour, or meet the animals at feeding time. The ability to enjoy so much more than just the exhibits is part of what makes Kaiyukan so special.

“Everything is connected.”

Come experience a full circle around the Pacific at Kaiyukan, where the seas of the world come together in one place.