Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan + Tempozan Ferris Wheel

Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel

Kaiyukan is considered one of Japan's most spectacular aquarium.It shows the aquatic  animals of the Pacific Rim at their most vibrant and dynamic state by recreating their natural habitat.There are over 15 large tanks, each tanks representing different regions of the Pacific Rim like Japan's Forest, Antartica, Pacific Ocean,Tasman Sea, Aleutian Islands and Coast of Chile.The tour is takes about 2 and a half hour and you can encounter almost 30,000 creatures.

Even their tickets are souvenir worthy

The principle of Kaiyukan is based on Gaia hypothesis advocated by British scientist James Lovelock which proposes that all organisms and their inorganic surroundings on Earth are closely integrated to form a single and self regulating complex system.

Giant Chinese Salamander

Super cute Small Asian Clawed Otter

I'm a huge fan of aquariums though I'm not a huge fan of water in general. I have been to Sentosa but Kaiyukan has to be one of the best decisions I have made in my Japan trip.We went there on a weekday to avoid the crowd but there were still a lot of people who went there. It was a bit far from the train station and thank God we have our umbrellas with us, if not we were toasted before we reach Kaiyukan. It's the only main attraction in the area so people really go there, if lost, follow the crowd. Also there's a huge Ferris Wheel beside Kaiyukan so  it's impossible to miss that one out.

Capybara

The place is magical. It amazes me how they constructed the place and how well they materialized the Gaia hypothesis.The place makes you want to take care of the animals so that the future generations can still see and appreciate the beauty and diversity of mother earth.

For some weird reason,the Penguin is facing the wall

My personal favorite would be the Sea Otters,Capybara, Penguins,Dolphins, Japanese Anchovies and the Jelly Fish.The seals were also cute and fluffy but they smell fishy.

Whitesided Pacific Dolphin

Audio and visual guides are available in four different languages, Japanese,English,Chinese and Korean.

Japanese Anchovy were super shiny like they have Vaseline all over

Drunk Seahorse

Be sure to receive a hand stamp on your way out to re-enter the aquarium on the same day. So you can eat your snacks or lunch at Tempozan Marketplace  and return to the aquarium afterwards.

Tempozan Marketplace (Naniwa Kuishinbo Yokocho) is a commercial complex adjacent to Kaiyukan. There are almost 80 retail and dining establishments including souvenir shops and fashion boutique available inside the Marketplace.

There's even an indoor petting zoo inside!I regret not entering the place.The animals were super cute and cuddly looking.

You need to go through the Marketplace to go to the Ferris Wheel.

Ramen I got from the Tempozan Marketplace

3 different kinds of Takoyaki

There are different packages that go along with the entrance of Kaiyukan like Kaiyukan + Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel (3,000JPY) ,Kaiyukan + Cruise Ship Santa Maria (3,200 JPY) and Kaiyukan + Fast Shuttle Ferry Captain Line ( Price depends on ticket type). The packages let you save as much as 700JPY. 

I chose the Kaiyukan + Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel though I have slight acrophobia just because I love the view from above. 

Osaka Aquarium from above

Attendants will ask you if you prefer the glass floor or not and I chose NOT to push my limitations by riding the glass floor because most probably I'll end up shaking like what happened to me when I decided to ride a cable car to Sentosa and the attendant gave us the one with a glass floor, my dad asked me if I was ok and I told him I am ok but my whole body was shaking.

The view was breathtaking and it was worth it.Seeing the panoramic view of Osaka let you see the place in a different light. I was a bit shaking while taking photos but I was really happy that I decided to ride.

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

Address : 1-1-10 Kaigandori,Minato-ku,Osaka City

Aquarium Hours: 10:00 - 20:00 ( last admission 19:00)

Closed:certain dates in January and February

Fees:Adult ( 16 and above ) 2,300 JPY
Child ( Elementary and Junior High student ) 1,200 JPY
Preschool ( 4 and above ) 600 JPY

Directions by plane, train and bus
http://kaiyukan.com/language/eng/access.html

Official website :http://www.kaiyukan.com

Telephone : 06-6576-5501

Tempozan Marketplace

Address : 1-1-10 Kaigandori,Minato-ku,Osaka City

Shop and Fast Food Restaurant Hours: 11:00 - 20:00

Restaurants : 11:00 - 21:00

Closed:certain dates in January and February

*closed on the same dates as Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
*hours vary by stores/restaurants and season

Official website : http://kaiyukan.com/thv/marketplace

Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel

Address : 1-1-10 Kaigandori,Minato-ku,Osaka City

Hours: 10:00 - 22:00 ( last ticket admission 21:30)

*hours vary by season

Fees: Per person ( 3 and above)  800 JPY

Official website : http://www.senyo.co.jp/tempozan