Osaka Aquarium (Kaiyukan)

Osaka Aquarium (Kaiyukan) Review

This eye-catching red, gray, and blue building is Japan's best aquarium outside of Okinawa and one of the world's largest. More than 11,000 tons of water hold a multitude of sea creatures, including whale sharks, king penguins, giant spider crabs, jellyfish, and sea otters. You can stroll through 15 different re-created environments, including the rivers and streams of Japanese and Ecuadorian forests, the icy waters around Antarctica, the dark depths of the Japan Sea, and the volcanically active Pacific Ring of Fire. The surrounding Tempozan Harbor Village also contains the Suntory Museum, cruises around Osaka Bay on a reproduction of the Santa María, and various shops and restaurants. There are often street performances outside on weekends. To get here, take the Chuo subway line to Osaka-ko Station; the aquarium is a five-minute walk northwest from the station.