Osaka Kaiyukan

Now in its 27th year, Osaka’s Kaiyukan Aquarium remains one of the premier tourist attractions in the Kansai region.

In 2014, the building underwent a substantial refit, adding additional species, a new area for the sea lions and penguins, as well as the opportunity to get “up close and personal” with some of its residents.

3 Romantic Spots in Osaka for Valentine's Day

skates, rays and sharks. It’s amazing, especially for younger visitors, to actually touch the animals as they swim in the pool. The first touch of the skin of a shark is hard to put into words, but it’s certainly a unique experience.

Of course, past visitors to the Kaiyukan will be grateful to know that the old favorites are still there, too. The centerpiece of the entire seven-floor building remains the massive 5,400-ton water tank that houses the largest varieties of sharks, rays and other marine life. It’s here you’ll find the Kaiyukan’s surly, yet strangely adorable, mascot — the whale shark, the largest fish species on Earth. The Kaiyukan houses two of these behemoths and this massive tank gives you a chance to see them in all their natural glory.

Ambient lighting and a highly stylized layout makes the jellyfish exhibit worthy of mention. From large UFO types to small creatures resembling shiitake mushrooms, it’s amazing to see the level of biodiversity on display in one area.

In total, the Kaiyukan is currently home to more than 30,000 specimens, covering 620 different species of marine life.