Kaiyukan highlights
The Pacific Tank and the Whale Shark
Kaiyukan is an aquarium located at Osaka Port. The route through the facility centers on the enormous “Pacific” tank, where visitors can observe creatures living in the Pacific Rim, including whale sharks, at varying depths.
Kaiyukan opened on 1990 7 20. With the themes “Pacific Volcanic Belt” and “Pacific Life Belt,” each aquarium recreates the natural environment of a region around the Pacific Ocean. The building is centered on the “Pacific Ocean” tank, with a route through the regional tanks from the upper to lower levels. Its exterior is decorated with vivid designs by British artist Ivan Chermayeff, making it a striking feature of the Osaka Port landscape.
In both tank size and visitor numbers, it ranks second in Japan behind the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. Whale sharks can also be seen at only 4 aquariums: the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, Notojima Aquarium, and Io World Kagoshima City Aquarium.
It is sometimes described as “one of the world’s largest,” but since it was overtaken by the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, aquariums on an entirely different scale have opened elsewhere, including the Georgia Aquarium in the United States and Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in Zhuhai, China. Today, the claim may therefore seem somewhat exaggerated. Tank size alone, however, does not determine an aquarium’s appeal.
Jellyfish Exhibition Area “Moon Jellyfish Galaxy”
This is a red jellyfish displayed in Kaiyukan Aquarium’s jellyfish exhibition area, “Jellyfish Galaxy.” In Jellyfish Galaxy, you can observe the jellyfish’s translucent bodies and slow movements in tanks that emerge from a pitch-black space. The red jellyfish is characterized by radial markings with 16 rays on its bell and long tentacles that contain venom.
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan: Essential Information
The information below was checked against official sources on October 12, 2026. Please also check the latest information on the official website when planning your trip.
- 🔗 Official website
- Check the latest operating status, terms of use, and event schedule here.
ご利用案内 | 海遊館海遊館の営業時間、入館料、交通アクセス情報です。お出かけ前にご覧ください。www.kaiyukan.com - 📍 Location
- 1-1-10 Kaigandōri, Minato-ku, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture
- 🕒 Opening hours
-
- Hours vary by date
- Example at the time of checking: 10:30～20:00
- Last admission is 1 hours before closing
- 💶 Admission
-
- Admission fee Prices vary. Check the official price calendar for your visit date.
- ⏱ Time required
- Allow approximately 2～3 hours.⚠️ Allow extra time, as this varies depending on crowds, events, and the extent of your visit.
Getting to Kaiyukan
From Exit 1 of Osakako Station on the Osaka Metro Chuo Line, it is about 5 minutes on foot toward Tempozan. Once above ground, follow the signs for Kaiyukan Aquarium and Tempozan Harbor Village. The route from the station to the entrance can be crowded on weekends and holidays, so allow plenty of time to enter.
The related guide “大阪：観光スポット・グルメ・交通・モデルコースを解説” is currently available only in Japanese.
