There are many aquariums in the world but probably none better than ‘Kaiyukan’ in Osaka. The Aquarium is very well presented and is one of the largest public aquariums in the world. When you are in the aquarium you are have a feeling as if you are actually in the ocean with water and sea creatures all around you.

Day 47 – April 19th continued.

“Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan”

The Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan near Osaka Bay is very close to the sea and when you walk around inside the aquarium you get the feeling that you could actually be surrounded by water as it is actually all around you. The name ‘Kaiyukan’ which translated means playing in the sea and is very apt.

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

The entry costs 2300 Yen each.

The place is very nice and easy to walk around, just follow the signs on the floor so you can’t get lost. First up you walk through the Aqua gate a tunnel shaped tank where you walk under the water and the creatures are swimming above and beside you, before taking the escalator up to the top of the building the eighth floor and working your way down, it’s all one way traffic, even though it is reasonably busy it doesn’t feel so crowded that you can’t see anything.

Aquarium entrance followed by the Aqua gate (tunnel) then you go up the huge escalator

At the top you enter into the Japan forest a place where you see Otters and a giant Japanese Salamander.

Japan Forest in the aquarium with Otters

Further on you see more Otters and then my favourite, the Seals. They are darting in and out of the water all around. After a peek into life in the Tropical Ecuador Rain Forest, you find yourself in front of huge windows with so much to see, from the Great Barrier Reef display then onto the Pacific Ocean with lots of fish.

Aquarium images

Slowly but surely you have walked all the way down, with the possibility that you might see a feeding of the Sharks or even the huge Scalloped Hammerhead.

Aquarium in Osaka stingray and shark feeding

“King Penguins make plenty of noise and you can even touch some baby sharks”

Touching a shark at Osaka Aquarium and Penguin feeding

Their are many huge windows that display lots of fish in the centre of the building and the route winds down and around for three levels before returning to ground level and past even more displays.

Images from marine life at Kaiyukan Aquarium Osaka

“Freaky looking Spider Crabs”

Next up are Spider Crabs, freaky looking creatures then a large display of Jelly Fish and then a last glimpse of the playful Sea Lions.

Giant Spider Crabs

I think these were Moni’s favourites of the day, check out the colours of the Jelly Fish.

Jelly Fish at Osaka Aquarium

“My favourites are the Sea Lions”

Having to pick just a few photo’s to show from hundreds is not easy, but I’ll finish our visit we these.

Sea Lions at Kaiyukan

After the few hours we spent in Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan we head over to Tempozan Harbor Village for something to nourish ourselves. Here we find a great place that makes Okonomiyaki.

“Japan’s Okonomiyaki in Tempozan Habor Village Osaka”

Japan’s Okonomiyaki in Tempozan Habor Village Osaka

From here it was back home but not before we visit a few stores in the Osaka Station area, after it’s time for dinner which we enjoy in the station at a cheap curry place and then it’s home which is only a few stops on the subway.

San Marco Curry place in the station

The meals may look a bit plain but they were very tasty and cheap, you could also season them up with extra flavours if you so wished.