2026 Complete Visitor Guide
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Dive into the Pacific Ocean. 30,000 marine creatures, majestic whale sharks, and one of the world's largest aquarium tanks await.
Explore the Depths ↓
Dive into the Pacific Ocean. 30,000 marine creatures, majestic whale sharks, and one of the world's largest aquarium tanks await.
Explore the Depths ↓The essentials, in one place — verified for 2026. Kaiyukan uses dynamic pricing, so the adult ticket costs different amounts on different days; the explanation is below the table.
| Opening hours | 10:00 - 20:00 daily (last entry 19:00). Opens earlier, at 8:30 or 9:30, during peak periods such as late December and early January. |
|---|---|
| Adult admission | ¥2,400 on ordinary weekdays, rising to ¥2,700 at peak times (ages 16+). The exact price depends on the date you choose. |
| Other ages | Seniors 60+ ¥2,000-2,200 (photo ID required) · Children 7-15 ¥1,200-1,400 · Ages 4-6 ¥500-700 · Under 4 free |
| Closed | Open year-round apart from a two-day maintenance closure each January. Check the date before booking a January visit. |
| Address | 1-1-10 Kaigandori, Minato Ward, Osaka 552-0022 (Tempozan Harbor Village) |
| Nearest station | Osakako Station (Chuo Line), about a 5-minute walk |
| Time needed | 2.5 to 3 hours for the full one-way route through the building |
Why the ticket price moves. Kaiyukan prices by demand rather than charging one flat rate, which is why other guides quote a confusing range. Quiet weekdays sit at the bottom of the range; weekends, Japanese public holidays and school vacations sit at the top. Shifting a visit from a Saturday to a Tuesday saves roughly ¥300 per adult and buys noticeably shorter queues at the whale shark tank. Always confirm the price for your specific date at the point of purchase.
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is a world-renowned public aquarium in Osaka's bay area, famous for its massive Pacific Ocean tank housing whale sharks - the largest fish in the world. Among the top 10 largest aquariums globally, it features around 30,000 creatures from 620 species.
Minato Ward, Osaka, in the Tempozan Harbor Village area near Osaka Bay.
10.9 million liters of water; central tank is 9 meters deep. One of the world's largest aquariums.
Pacific Rim habitats from Japan Forest to Antarctica, Great Barrier Reef, and the deep Pacific Ocean.
Kaiyukan's exhibits revolve around Pacific Rim habitats, with each large tank representing a different region from tropical reefs to Antarctic ice.
A 9m-deep, 5,400-ton tank housing whale sharks (two as of 2025), manta rays, hammerhead sharks, and schooling fish. The true star of Kaiyukan.
Mesmerizing displays of moon jellyfish, lion's mane, and other species in ethereal blue and purple lighting. Perfect for photos.
King and gentoo penguins waddling and swimming in a recreated icy habitat. A family favorite.
Gentle giants up to 12m long, filter-feeding in the main tank. Aquarium's biggest stars.
Playful Aleutian otters floating, grooming, and cracking shells with tools.
Graceful gliders rare in captivity, soaring through the Pacific tank.
Comically large "mola mola" fish, among the rarest aquarium exhibits worldwide.
Giant Japanese spider crabs with leg spans reaching 4 meters.
Including the famous Yuki, beloved by visitors for years.
The whale sharks are Kaiyukan's main attraction, inhabiting the massive central Pacific Ocean tank viewable from multiple levels along the spiral path.
Whale shark feeding occurs twice daily, typically around:
Times vary based on animal conditions - check on-site or the official website.
| Level | View Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 8th Floor (Top) | Overhead views | First sighting; less crowded early |
| 6th-7th Floor (Mid) | Side profiles | Schooling fish interactions; feeding visible |
| 4th-5th Floor (Bottom) | Eye-to-eye | Most immersive; full size appreciation |
For exclusive backstage feeding views from above the tank, book the Premium Tour (¥1,000 extra + admission). Call +81-6-6576-5501 to reserve - phone booking only, limited to 20 people. Usually weekends at 9:45 AM.
| Category | Price (JPY) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adults (16-59) | ¥2,300-2,700 | High school students adult rate |
| Seniors (60+) | ¥2,000-2,200 | ID required (passport/license) |
| Children (7-15) | ¥1,200-1,400 | Elementary/junior high |
| Young Children (4-6) | ¥500-700 | |
| Under 4 | Free |
Tip: Group discounts (15+ people) drop adult tickets to ¥2,000. Combo tickets with Ferris wheel save ¥100-700.
10:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily, with last entry at 7:00 PM.
Buy online before you go. Walk-in same-day tickets are subject to timed entry, and during busy periods that can mean waiting one to two hours for a slot that is already sold out for the afternoon. Advance e-tickets are released about 30 days ahead.
You can buy directly from the aquarium, or compare Kaiyukan entry tickets and combination passes on GetYourGuide — useful if you want the aquarium bundled with a bay cruise, the Ferris wheel or a wider Osaka pass, with free cancellation on most options.
A note on combination tickets: the Ferris wheel combo saves ¥100-700 and the Osaka Amazing Pass includes Kaiyukan on some tiers. Both are only worth it if you will actually use the other attractions on the same day — Tempozan is a 40-minute subway ride from central Osaka, so a pass bought for one visit here rarely pays for itself.
To avoid crowds, aim for weekday afternoons (after 4 PM) or early weekday mornings.
Peaceful start before tour groups arrive. Best for whale shark viewing with minimal crowds.
Crowds thin out plus "night mode" lighting adds magical ambiance from 5 PM.
Avoid: Midday (11 AM-3 PM), feeding times, and school field trip mornings on weekdays.
The most popular route from Osaka Station is JR Loop Line + subway, taking about 25-35 minutes for ¥230-400.
| Option | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| JR Train + Subway (Recommended) | 25-35 min | ¥230-400 |
| City Bus #88 | 45 min | ¥210 flat |
| Subway Only (via Hommachi) | 27-30 min | ¥230-260 |
| Taxi | 10-15 min | ¥3,000-4,500 |
Use ICOCA or IC cards for seamless fares. Google Maps or Hyperdia apps show real-time routes.
Several attractions sit right next to Kaiyukan in Tempozan Harbor Village for a full day out.
Panoramic views of Osaka Bay, city skyline, and Kansai Airport. Beautiful at night.
Retro food alley with takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushikatsu. Budget ¥1,500-3,000 for sampling.
Bay cruise departing from Kaiyukan dock. Daytime and sunset cruises around Osaka Port.
Indoor attraction for families with rides, 4D cinema, and Lego play areas.
Osaka's headline landmark, about 30 minutes away on the Chuo Line. The park is free and open around the clock; only the museum keep charges admission — see our Osaka Castle Museum guide for 2026 hours and prices.
Perfect day plan: Kaiyukan in late morning → Naniwa Kuishinbo for lunch → Ferris wheel → Santa Maria sunset cruise
Explore the underwater world of Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Kaiyukan is open 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily, with last entry at 7:00 PM. During peak periods such as late December and early January it opens earlier, at 8:30 or 9:30 AM. It closes for maintenance for two days each January.
Because Kaiyukan uses dynamic pricing rather than one flat rate. Adult admission is around ¥2,400 on ordinary weekdays and ¥2,700 at peak times. Guides quoting a single figure are quoting one particular day. Visiting on a quiet weekday saves roughly ¥300 per adult and means shorter queues at the whale shark tank.
Adults (16-59): ¥2,400-2,700 depending on the date. Seniors: ¥2,000-2,200. Children (7-15): ¥1,200-1,400. Young children (4-6): ¥500-700. Under 4: Free. Combo tickets with the Ferris wheel save ¥100-700.
Feeding occurs twice daily: 10:20-11:00 AM and 3:00-3:30 PM. Times vary based on animal conditions - check the official site or on-site boards.
Not required, but highly recommended. Walk-ins use timed entry and may wait 1-2+ hours during busy periods, and afternoon slots can sell out. Buy direct from the aquarium, or compare entry tickets and combo passes if you want the aquarium bundled with a cruise or the Ferris wheel.
No, Kaiyukan ranks among the top 10 largest (10.9 million liters), but Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in China is the largest at 48.75 million liters. Kaiyukan excels in exhibit quality and rare species like whale sharks.
Weekday afternoons (after 4 PM) or early weekday mornings. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are quietest. Avoid Golden Week, Obon, New Year, and midday (11 AM-3 PM).
Plan 2-3 hours for a full visit. The spiral layout lets you revisit areas if you exit and re-enter with a hand stamp. Add time for feeding shows and photo ops.