Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium

The Kaiyukan Aquarium, located next to Osaka Bay in the Minato district, is one of the largest and most spectacular aquariums in the world. Its design follows the concept of the Pacific Ring of Fire: the route descends along a spiral ramp around several themed tanks representing different marine ecosystems, from the Japan Forest to Antarctica. The undisputed star is the enormous central tank, eight metres deep, where whale sharks swim alongside giant rays and thousands of fish. In total, the aquarium houses more than 30.000 animals of around 620 species. The visit lasts between two and three hours; book the ticket online in advance to avoid queues, especially at weekends and holidays. The standard fare is around 2.400 yen for adults. The aquarium opens at 10:00 and closes at 20:00, with last entry at 19:00. To get there, take the Chuo subway line to Osakako station; the aquarium is a five-minute walk away. On the way out you can ride the Tempozan Ferris wheel, one of the largest in Japan, to see the bay from on high.