May 17, 2015

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan


Welcome to Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

Jan 31 2015. The Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is located at the Tempozan Harbor Village and is one of the biggest public aquariums in the world. It's just a quick 15-minute ferry ride from Universal City Port via the Captain Line. The aquarium is very popular to two kinds of visitors: kids who are too young and too small for the rides in Universal Studios Japan (USJ) and the veterans who are too "senior" for the attractions in USJ. 


Joint ticket for the Ferry and Aquarium

We availed of the joint Kaiyukan and Captain Line (ferry boat) ticket from our hotel concierge. The ferry runs every 30 minutes and the terminal is a short 10-minute walk from our hotel in Universal CityWalk. Good thing the snow wasn't that strong that morning so it was a pleasant walk.


Universal City Port
On board the ferry

Like all transportations in Japan, the ferry was on time and we were well on our way to the Kaiyukan. 


Upon entry, you'll ride the escalator all the way up to the top and from there, you'll need to work your way down the Aquarium. 

On our way to to top
There are plenty of animals to see at the Aquarium -- from otters, to sea lions, to whale sharks, to manta rays to penguins. The kids had a fun time clicking away pictures of all the cute, creepy, massive and everything in between animals they see.


Adorable baby Rocker Penguin

Colorful ocean

Hello there Mr. Turtle

The last attraction is our favorite -- the touch pool! They have baby sharks and sting rays on a shallow pool and if you're up for it, you can dip your hand and touch them.

Touching the baby shark

Next on our itinerary is a ride at the Tempozan Ferris Wheel. This tourist attraction used to be the biggest and the tallest in the world, that is, until it was surpassed by the more massive London Eye. Just the same, it offers an amazing view of the city and it's an exhilarating 15-minute ride worth the price tag. At no additional cost, you may even opt for the all glass gondola. This we did not try, we were all scared enough as it is, having a glass floor would just probably cross  the line from fun and exhilarating to down-right freaky and scary. 


Each gondola is supervised by a sea-animal stuffed toy

View from the top

The Gray/Red/Blue Kaiyukan Building

Next on the list is the Tempozan Marketplace. It's just right beside the aquarium and there are plenty of stores and restaurants inside. Perfect way to cap our tiring and eventful day in Osaka.


Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
1-1-10 Kaigandori, Minato Ward
Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 552-0022
Japan
Tel: +81 6 6576 5501
Fax: +81 6 6576 5510
Email: info2@kaiyukan.com
Website: http://www.kaiyukan.com/language/eng/index.html