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The Editor, who absolutely loves visiting aquariums, has been to nearly every aquarium in Taiwan — so there was no way to pass up the staff trip to Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, located at Tempozan in Osaka Port, Japan. Let's dive in!
Kaiyukan Basic Information
Address: 〒552-0022 1-1-10 Kaigandori, Minato-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
Opening Hours: Weekdays 10:00–20:00
Weekends & Holidays 9:30–20:00
Last admission is generally one hour before closing.
Hours may vary by season or holidays,
so be sure to check the Kaiyukan official website in advance, where you can also find information on ticket prices, feeding times, and interactive exhibits.
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Each ticket features a different creature — keep it as a souvenir![/caption]
Getting to Kaiyukan
The nearest metro station is Osaka-ko Station on the Chuo Line; it's just a 650-metre walk from the exit to the aquarium.
Japan's public transportation is genuinely impressive. From the metro station near the Editor's hotel to Osaka-ko Station costs only around ¥280. If you'd rather not buy single-trip tickets every time, consider getting an ICOCA or Suica card (similar to Taiwan's EasyCard). The Suica card can even be loaded directly onto an iPhone Wallet — no physical card needed — which is incredibly convenient.
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Let's go! Time to head out![/caption]
We'd also like to recommend another transit option — the Kansai/Osaka Amazing Pass. In addition to covering train and subway rides across the Kansai or Osaka area (coverage varies by pass type), it also grants free admission or discounts to select attractions, making it an outstanding value for anyone planning a full day of fun in Osaka.
For this Kaiyukan trip, the Editor chose the one-day Osaka Amazing Pass*, priced at ¥2800. You can check the list of included facilities here.
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The Editor used the Osaka Amazing Pass for this visit![/caption]
*Osaka Amazing Pass: It's recommended to purchase in advance through Taiwanese ticketing platforms (e.g., KKday, Klook) for a better deal than buying on-site. Simply present your electronic proof of purchase at the airport counter to exchange for a physical pass.
Time to Get Your Tickets and Go In!
Kaiyukan's permanent exhibitions are organized by geographic region, including Japan Forest, the Aleutian Islands, the Ecuador Rainforest, the Great Barrier Reef, and more — plus the star of the show: the Pacific Ocean tank!
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The Great Barrier Reef display is stunning — so many colorful fish, absolutely adorable![/caption]
The journey begins with an underwater tunnel teeming with an incredible variety of fish species — the Editor spent at least 10 minutes there before moving on. From the tunnel, you take an escalator up to the 7th floor. Unlike aquariums in Taiwan, Kaiyukan takes you on a spiral route starting from the Japan Forest exhibit on the 8th floor, winding downward, with each tank showcasing marine life from a different region. You might wonder: doesn't seeing the same tank multiple times get boring?
The answer is: absolutely not! While it's the same tank and the same creatures, viewing them at different depths reveals entirely different behaviors and perspectives — it's genuinely fascinating!
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The capybara in the Ecuador Rainforest exhibit, munching on grass with a completely blank expression — so ridiculously cute![/caption]
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We caught a penguin feeding session — the penguins lined up in front of the keeper to collect their meals![/caption]
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An adorable tufted puffin patiently waiting for its food[/caption]
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Each region comes with its own unique themed scenery — Kaiyukan really puts in the effort![/caption]
The Breathtaking Pacific Ocean Exhibit
The Pacific Ocean tank is Kaiyukan's largest, measuring 9 m deep and up to 34 m long, with a total water volume of 5,400 tonnes. In the Pacific Ocean exhibit, you can spot large marine life including Whale Sharks, manta rays, Hammerhead Sharks, and more.
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Seeing these giants in person fills you with both excitement and a deep sense of awe![/caption]
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The Whale Shark is the largest fish species in the world — watching it glide slowly through the water is incredibly soothing[/caption]
Nearby, a special feature tank highlights focal species that the aquarium wants visitors to pay particular attention to. On this visit, we were lucky enough to encounter the wonderfully quirky mola mola — the sunfish!
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Seeing a mola mola/ sunfish in person for the first time — so big, so dopey-looking, and utterly adorable[/caption]
Kaiyukan's interactive exhibits include up-close encounters with rockhopper penguins from the Falkland Islands and ringed seals from the Arctic. The only disappointment was missing the Maldives interactive experience with Stingrays and sharks — we missed the chance to actually touch them.
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A seal resting at the water's surface — it looks just like a monk deep in meditation![/caption]
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The rockhopper penguins are tiny and adorable — and while there's no glass, you still can't reach your hand in![/caption]
Naturally, the aquarium ends with the gift shop, stocked with merchandise featuring all the star animals. While waiting for the rest of the group, the Editor's shopping basket somehow filled itself up — the Editor's wallet quietly wept.
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The Whale Shark plushie is an absolute must-buy![/caption]
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This cushion plushie is spot-on accurate XDD[/caption]
Trip Summary
While Kaiyukan's floor area may not be huge, the diversity of marine life inside is remarkable, and every single tank is worth stopping to admire.
If you take a leisurely stroll through, you can easily spend 4 to 5 hours. But if you're truly passionate about marine life and want to observe every single creature at length, you could easily spend an entire day!
Food and drink are strictly prohibited throughout Kaiyukan — with the exception of drinking water and designated dining areas, eating or drinking while walking or in non-designated areas is not allowed. That said, if you work up an appetite, there is a café inside the aquarium where you can grab a meal or a snack, sit down, and enjoy the view of Osaka Port before continuing your visit.
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A beautiful and delicious cream soda float[/caption]
Kaiyukan also has a stamp-collecting mission — you can purchase a souvenir stamp book at the gift shop near the entrance, then carry it around to collect commemorative stamps throughout the aquarium. It's a perfect activity for parents to enjoy together with kids as they unlock each stamp together. There are so many special creatures waiting to be discovered at Kaiyukan — if you love aquariums as much as the Editor does, make sure to visit Kaiyukan the next time you're in Osaka. It's one experience you will absolutely not regret.
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A BlueTrend group photo at the entrance![/caption]
Further Reading:
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a BlueTrend dive trip different from an unknown, no-name dive group?
Choosing us means full peace-of-mind protection and a smooth experience from start to finish. Every trip we run holds to three things.
First, full legal protection and a professional dive leader: we strictly follow Taiwan's travel regulations and provide complete travel-agency liability insurance, travel insurance, trip-inconvenience insurance and dive insurance. Every group is accompanied by a certified, foreign-language dive leader who joins you on both the dives and the land itinerary, liaising seamlessly with local dive shops and operators on your behalf to keep things running smoothly — the person our travellers trust most.
Second, fully licensed with secure payments: every payment goes into a licensed travel agency's account, with multiple safe payment channels (bank transfer, credit card and more) and a legal collect-and-remit receipt, so every transaction is open, transparent and protected, avoiding the fraud and dispute risks of transferring money privately to an individual.
Third, hand-picked quality we vet in person: every trip, dive site and partner shop is scouted on the ground by our own team, from the guides' professionalism and safety standards to the food, lodging, environment and service details on land, all vetted by us so you don't get caught out.
I want to sign up for a dive trip. Are there certification-level or logged-dive requirements?
Each dive site is different, so the entry bar varies. 'Bali Tulamben', for instance, is relatively beginner-friendly. 'Malapascua in the Philippines' is also beginner-friendly, but since thresher sharks tend to cruise between 20 and 30 metres, we recommend AOW certification with 20+ logged dives to enjoy this trip comfortably. For 'the Maldives' or 'Palau', we suggest AOW with 50+ logged dives for a more relaxed experience. If you're not sure whether your experience fits the trip you want, message us and our dive editors will assess it and help you find the trip you'll feel safest on.
Can I join if I'm signing up alone? How are rooms arranged?
Plenty of our travellers sign up solo! For rooms and beds, we prioritise pairing you with a same-gender traveller, and if you'd rather have your own space you can pay the difference to upgrade to a single room. For the diving, our professional leader will pair you with a suitable buddy, and with the happy vibe on our trips you'll quickly make a great group of dive friends. Many people sign up alone, make new friends, and end up organising the next trip together!
Does the trip fee include dive insurance, gear rental, taxes and instructor tips?
It depends on the trip, the destination's regulations and the local operators. Every BlueTrend dive trip has a detailed web page with a clear 'included / not included' list, transparent and with no hidden charges. All payments are collected by a licensed travel agency, with a standard-form contract for your protection.
I'm a new diver / haven't dived in a long time — will I fall behind the group?
Before you complete your booking, our team assesses a suitable trip based on your certification level and experience. Before departure, we strongly recommend taking time to refresh in Taiwan with an instructor, or a fun dive to get your feel back. On the trip itself, our professional dive leader groups and pairs everyone by experience, keeps a close eye underwater on travellers who need extra care, and steps in to help right away.
Will the photos and videos taken during the trip be shared with us?
During the dives, 'safety' is always the leader's top priority, so whenever it's suitable and safe the leader will capture great shots and record the best moments. During or after the trip, we compile a cloud album for all travellers to download, so you go home loaded with memories!
Besides your scheduled trips, can you arrange a private group charter or independent travel for me and my friends?
Absolutely! Besides group trips, we also arrange private group charters and independent travel. We can communicate, enquire and coordinate services with local operators based on your needs, saving you time and effort and taking the language barrier off your plate, to tailor the smoothest, most reassuring dive trip just for you. Contact our LINE support and our editors will arrange it for you!
