Kaiyukan Osaka Aquarium

Who doesn't Aquariums? It doesn't matter big or small we love it. This was my last day in Osaka so I decided to sleep a bit more because I hadn't had a proper sleep since I landed. People at the hostel told me that if I like marine life I had to go so I went there. From Nishinagahori it’s not that far – roughly 15 mins with the metro or a bit more if you miss the station like I did (getting lost is part of the fun ^_^).





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It might have been winter but I was expecting more people on the way to the aquarium  but that was not the case. However, once I got to the right station I saw a lot of foreigners, being this the first time since I arrived on the country.

Outside Kaiyukan Osaka Aquarium 海遊館

Around the aquarium there are many shops to buy and eat and what seems to be a massive open space for special events. When you get to this square-like-place you realise that in front of you is the Aquarium itself.

Once inside I saw so many groups of kids that I thought the aquarium was booked for only-school-visitors but that was not the case – pheww good, let’s go! If you want to leave your stuff there are some lockers you can use as well as guides in different languages (although the best are in Japanese - just why?).

Inside Kaiyukan Osaka Aquarium 海遊館

The first great thing you’ll see is this tunnel with sharks, rays and colourful fish – very beautiful.

Right after that comes an open space with some mammals.

As you move inside you’ll see penguins, seals, dolphins, otters until to come to the main tank. I don’t know if it is the biggest in the world but it definitely is one of the biggest and this was the first time I have been in a place like this - seriously breath  taking experience. The specifications of the main tank are: 9 metres deep and holds 5400 cubic metres. In case you’re wondering if that’s big, let me tell you that the main tank has a shark whale, two huge manta rays and over 30 fish species all belonging to the Pacific Ocean.



It doesn’t matter whether you're alone or if you're young, old, with or without kids. The Kaiyukan Aquarium is quite impressive. If you're not a cold person then I recommend you to leave your stuff in the locker and carry the camera if you've got one. However, I saw many Japanese visitors bringing food and drinks inside the aquarium, it's up to you I guess. 

They sat down in the very comfy chairs they have (similar to the ones you can find in any European museum) listen to the zen background music and look all the fish. I must say that it is very relaxing and I believe that could be a quite effective therapy for stressed people.

Once you’re done with the main tank you have some other tanks with squid and another tank with huge crabs. Those two tanks are specially conditioned because they have they have the same pressure you can have at 900 metres deep. Since I was a child when my grandmother bought me a deep-sea book I wanted to sea these huge crabs alive, and if you’re a deep-sea fan then that’s one of the chances of your life.

Giant Crab Kaiyukan Osaka Aquarium 海遊館 

After those tanks you go to the jelly-fish room and you’ll see different kind and also an animal which seems to be from another planet. As you pass that room you’re going the see the “Kawaii” (cute) room. In that room, you’ll see plenty of colourful tiny fish and it’s just then when you understand why they call that room kawaii.

cowfish in Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium

Clowfish - Amphiprion percula - true percula - Osaka Aquarium

If you love sea life you’ll have the opportunity of your life because the last part of the aquarium you'll find this small tank where you can touch sharks and rays. There are plenty of them so no worry you don’t have to queue up to touch them. Just be careful to touch them where you’re not supposed to and also wash your hand before and after touch the fish.