What other travelers are saying about Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Kaiyukan is one of Japan’s biggest and best aquariums. We were impressed by the layout of this aquarium - you take the escalators up to the top and then you slowly work your way down in a circular motion around the main central tank, ensuring that you don’t miss anything and that the flow of people is smooth and organized. The crowds were tolerable - lots of people but not in a chaotic way. As you work your way down, you see fish and other aquatic life from different areas of the world from playful otters to curious dolphins to energetic sea lions to laid back penguins and much more. The star of the show is the central tank with the gigantic and majestic whale sharks. One could spend hours admiring them, and some do. Allow at least 2 hours to see the aquarium, though 3 hours will allow more time to sit and admire the animals more, plus explore the gift shop at the end.
Amazing place, you start off at the top floor and work your way down, they have a massive central tank where you can see 2 huge whale sharks. Other side tanks have various other aquatic wildlife too. We went during the weekday and whilst it was busy, it wasn't unbearable.
They have stamps for you to collect if that is your thing or for the kids to keep them entertained.
Overall fantastic place, we spent 3 hours there. Would recommend buying tickets in advance.
Though I am not really a fan of seeing animals in captivity, I must agree that the aquarium is doing its best to provide valuable information to visitors on conservation and the wildlife. The place is very suitable for family and is wheelchair friendly. The entire Q aquarium is air conditioned, making it a suitable place to visit all year round.
We did not purchase tickets in advance and queue for tickets in the morning. There is no fuss. We started queuing for our tickets at 1030hrs and we got in at 1100hrs. While waiting for our time slot for entry, we explore the area for photographic opportunities. It would be better to come in the afternoon where there is lesser crowds. We spent about 2.5 hours leisurely exploring the aquarium.
This aquarium is one of the most popular in Japan, and I can see why—it’s well-presented and thoughtfully designed. While it’s not as large as I expected, both in terms of walking space and the size of the tanks, the exhibits are engaging and informative. Kinda sad for big living things living in such space. It feels especially well-suited for student field trips or families with kids.
The location is a plus—surrounded by many other nearby attractions, making it easy to plan a full day of activities. Don’t miss the souvenir shop downstairs! It has a great selection of cute and unique items to remember your visit. Overall, a pleasant and educational stop, especially if you’re already in the area.
Great Aquarium, all of the animals were well cared for. This place was packed, get your tickets in advance if possible or you risk waiting 2 hours before being able to enter. A little bummed that the puffins were not on display as they are on my life bucket list to see but I think the baby macaroni penguin and seeing penguins sitting on their eggs made up for it. Priced fairly for how much you get to experience. It probably took us a good 4 hours to get through everything.
