Kaiyukan

Kaiyukan, also known as Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, is a public aquarium located in Osaka, Japan, in the Tempozan Harbor Village near Osaka Bay. Opened in 1990, it is one of the largest public aquariums in the world by total water volume and by the breadth of its exhibits. The building is designed around a central, multi-story tank that forms the core of the visitor experience, with a circuit of galleries arranged around it.

Visitors move along a ramped path that leads toward the Pacific Ocean tank, the centerpiece of the facility, which houses large marine life in a simulated open-ocean environment. The galleries present habitats from the Pacific Rim, including regions around Japan, the North Pacific, Central America, and the South Pacific. The design emphasizes immersion and close viewing through expansive windows and thoughtful lighting.

Among its inhabitants are sharks, rays, sea turtles, and other marine species, complemented by coastal residents such as otters. The aquarium highlights educational interpretation and aims to foster conservation awareness through its exhibits and programs. In addition to public displays, Kaiyukan engages in conservation, research collaborations, and educational outreach to support broader marine stewardship.

Kaiyukan attracts a large number of visitors and is regarded as a flagship attraction within Osaka’s tourism landscape. It is operated by Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan Co., Ltd., and remains a prominent example of Japan’s public aquariums, balancing entertainment with scientific and educational aims.