Official Website: Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
This morning, we woke up sad because it was the last day of our 9D8N Japan trip. After packing, we checked out of our Airbnb apartment and left our luggage at Yamato luggage storage at Namba OCAT bus terminal. Our plan was to visit the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, which is one of the most spectacular and well-known aquariums in Japan before taking the airport limousine bus to Itami Airport.
Our return flight required us to transit at Narita International Airport in Tokyo. Our flight to Tokyo will depart from Itami Airport at 8.00 am. Since we have a very early flight to catch the next day, we decided to stay at Osaka Air Terminal Hotel at Itami Airport for the night.
After leaving our luggage at the Yamato luggage storage counter, we bought our ticket for airport limousine bus to Itami Airport before heading to Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan. It costs 640 Yen per adult. The bus ticket can be used at any time on the day you bought it. You may want to check out the bus schedule above to plan your time. But please note that the luggage storage counter close at 6 pm. You will need to come back before 6 pm to collect your luggage.
However, the cheaper way is to take the OsakaMetro Sennichimae Line from Namba (Subway) Station to Awaza Station and transfer to the Chuo Line to Osakako Station. It will take 26 minutes and costs 280 Yen.
You will know that you have arrived at the Tempozan Harbor Village when you see a beautiful life-sized giraffe made with legos.
Price: 600 Yen each
We have our breakfast at Menya Kuramasa, a restaurant specializing in ramen. The price is pretty cheap but delicious. We had soy sauce flavored ramen which comes with two slices of Chashu, dried seaweed and bamboo shoots and scallions.
Next to the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, you will find a giant ferris wheel. Standing at 112.5 tall and 100 m in diameter, it is one of the largest ferris wheels in the world. It has 60 glass-walled gondolas and takes about 15 minutes to complete a ride. A ride on the ferris wheel will give you a panoramic view over Osaka Bay.
Located close by Osaka Bay, the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is one of the largest aquariums in the world, featuring over 30,000 marine life and 620 species.
Ticket Price
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Aged Over 16
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2,300 Yen
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Aged Over 60
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2,000 Yen
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Aged 7 to 15
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1,200 Yen
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Aged 4 to 6
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600 Yen
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Children Under 3
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FREE
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The aquarium has 27 different tanks in 16 main exhibit areas, each representing a specific region of the Pacific Rim, also known as the Ring of Fire area of the Pacific ocean. This is where many earthquakes and volcano eruptions occur.
The walk-through aquarium is easy to navigate around the aquarium as there is only one route takes you through all the areas. You will basically start from the top at the eighth floor and gradually make your way down through the exhibits in a circular motion via a spiral ramp. This will makes you feel as though you were going deep down into the ocean.
Aqua Gate
Japan Forest
Passing through the Aqua Gate, you will be greeted by lush greenery and waterfalls. Just as its name suggests, this exhibit area recreates a Japanese forest, complete with creatures that live near river such as otters, crabs, Japanese giant salamander and river fish.
Aleutian Island
Next, you will walk into the cold and harsh environment of the Aleutian Islands, which is home to the Tufted Puffin, a medium sized Pelagic seabird.
Monterey Bay
Ecuadorian Rainforest Area
The Ecuadorian Rainforest Area is a South America tropical rain forest located directly on the equator. Here you will find the Capybara, the largest living rodent in the world, Iguana and a variety of Amazon river fish like the Arapaima and Red Piranha. We did not managed to take a closer look at the Capybara but from afar, it looks like a guinea pig. So adorable!
Gulf of Panama
Antarctica
Tasman Sea
Great Barrier Reef
Around the dome shaped tanks, you will also find plenty of seats where you can sit and admire the Pacific ocean.
Seto Inland Sea
Coast of Chile
At the Coast of Chile, you will find an enormous schools of sardines gathering and swimming in spinal pattern.
Cook Straits
Sitting between the North and South islands of New Zealand, the Cook Straits is home to the loggerhead sea turtles, porcupine fish and scarlet wrasse.
Japan Deep
Jelly fish
New Interactive Area
The New Interactive Area allows visitors to see and possibly touch animals up close. It consists of 3 zones - the Arctic Zone, the Falkland Zone and the Maldives Zone. The Arctic Zone will provide you a fascinating encounter with the ringed seals playing amongst the ice in the pool. You will even get to see their restful sleep up close!
At the Falkland Zone, you will get the chance to see rock hopper penguins play and hop off the rocks up close, almost within arm's reach.
We ordered the chicken fillet burger set, which comes with Kernel ring potatoes (not sure what it is called) and a drink of your choice. The burger was delicious and it just taste so different from what we have in Malaysia. The meat is very tender, juicy and so much less greasy.
After lunch, we took the train back to Namba Station and headed to OCAT where we took the airport limousine bus to Itami Airport. At Itami Airport, we checked into Osaka Air Terminal Hotel and took a short rest before going out for dinner.
We had our dinner at a restaurant named Ganko at Itami Airport. The restaurant offers a variety of set meals, as well as Sushi and various items. We ordered their Tempura Zaru Soba set. I love the Tempura! They were crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. But most importantly, non greasy at all!
After dinner, we did some souvenirs shopping at Itami Airport and went back to our room to pack. We tried to get to bed early but could not fall asleep. After spending 8 amazing day in Japan, we simply do not want to return home.
We woke up at 5.30 am the next morning and made our way to the JAL check in counters at 6 am. But we were way too early because the counters does not open until 6.30 am. Even so, it was better to be early than late. The queues at the check in counters was very long, so make sure you get there enough.
With a heavy heart, we boarded the plane home. Thank you Japan for being so amazing! We will definitely come back again!
If you are interested to know more about our trip, you may want to check out our 9D8N Tokyo - Kyoto - Osaka Trip Itinerary + Overview for the list of attractions that we had visited during our 9 days in Japan. For anyone planning your first trip to Japan but have no idea where to start, you should read my "How To Plan A Trip To Japan" post.
Be sure to follow me on Facebook or Twitter for the latest updates on my 9 days adventures in Japan! You might also want to check My Wanderlust page for some of my other travel adventures.
