Osaka Kaiyu Ticket gives you a big saving for the trip to Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium and sightseeing in Osaka.

Osaka kaiyukanOsaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Nara
Whale shark tank is the biggest reason to visit Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium.
Whale shark tank is the biggest reason to visit Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium.

I have been to Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium many times. Whenever I visit there, I use this deal, Osaka Kaiyu Ticket. I would like to share the information of this discount deal in this post.

What is Osaka Kaiyu Ticket?

2015 spring Japan trip 978

This is the combination of Kaniyukan Aquarium admission (adult 2,300 yen) and Osaka subway one day pass (800 yen). The pass is sold at 2,600 yen. You can get 300 yen discount. Even if you take subway between Umeda and Osakako where is the nearest station to Kainyukan, this pass is 260 yen cheaper than the round trip fare and admission. Child pass (under 11 years old) is available at 1,300 yen. There are also subway and major private railway unlimited ride passes available. Please find more info at the link below:

Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium official site (English)

How to purchase Osaka Kaiyu Ticket

This ticket is available at any Osaka subway station. You can purchase it at the station master office or information center of Osaka subway stations. If you are not sure where you can purchase it, ask station staff, or show the Japanese word below:

OSAKA海遊きっぷ

They will understand what you want to buy.

How to use this pass

Subway automated ticket gate at Osakako station. You can slot your pass into the gate. don't forget to pick up your card after going through the gate.
Subway automated ticket gate at Osakako station. You can slot your pass into the gate. don’t forget to pick up your card after going through the gate.

When you take a subway train, you can insert this card into automated ticket gate. This is unlimited ride pass. You can take subway as many as you want from the first train to the last train of the day. (likely 5:30 to midnight)

2015 spring Japan trip 979 - Copy

When you enter Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium, touch QR code (red circle in the photo above) of your card on the entrance gate. If you are not sure how to do it, just show your pass to the staff. They will help you. If you reenter the aquarium, ask the staff. Once you touch your card at the gate, QR code does not work for reentry.

My trip to Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium

kaiyukan-map

My trip was started at Umeda station. Umeda is same location as JR Osaka station.

Osaka Kaiyu Ticket does not cover any JR trains. So I took Osaka Subway Midousuji line (red line in the map above) that is the busiest subway line in Osaka. I transferred to Chuo line (green line in the map above) at Honmachi. I disembarked from subway at Osakako station. This is the nearest station to Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium.

There are many signage of Osaka Kaiyukan. It is very very easy to find the direction.

2015 spring Japan trip 1092
2015 spring Japan trip 1091

After I got out of Osakako station, I saw the huge Ferris wheel ahead.

2015 spring Japan trip 990

Kaiyukan is located next to this wheel. So I just went down the street to this wheel. I took 5 to 10 minutes. Red and Navy colored box shaped building was seen next to wheel. That is Kaiyukan Aquarium.

2015 spring Japan trip 993

We did not need to purchase or exchange at the ticket booth. All we had to do is tapping Osaka Kaiyu Ticket at the entrance gate. And we could enter the aquarium.

2015 spring Japan trip 1003

I though Kanyukan had one big fish tank and a few small tanks. But Kanyukan had many more tanks and showed us many kinds of animals, sea lives and fishes.

The first fish tank
The first fish tank
River otter
River otter
Keep going and you will see under water of river otter tank.
Keep going and you will see under water of river otter tank.
Sea lion
Sea lion
Sea otter
Sea otter
Capybara
Capybara
Tropical fish
Tropical fish
And the biggest tank, Whale Shark tank
And the biggest tank, Whale Shark tank

Some tanks were huge and deep, like world famous whale shark tank. We could see the tanks from top to bottom.

The bottom of whale shark tank
The bottom of whale shark tank
Tropical fish tank
Tropical fish tank
Sea lion tank
Sea lion tank

There are some tanks after whale shark tank.

Jellyfish displays
Jellyfish displays
You can touch sharks and rays.
You can touch sharks and rays.

I spent 3 hours there. I was there with my 6 years old daughter and some more kids. Probably it was slower pace than average. But in my opinion, 2 hours is minimum to see this huge aquarium.

Tenpozan Market Place

Tenpozan Market Place is located between Ferris wheel and Kaiyukan
Tenpozan Market Place is located between Ferris wheel and Kaiyukan

If you want to eat, there are lots of restaurants in Tenpozan Market Place. If you go there in the morning, you can eat lunch after Kaiyukan and visit other areas. I ate Shshi and Udon noodle there.

2015 spring Japan trip 1076

USJ and Kaiyukan in one day is not a good idea

2015 spring Japan trip 1013

Universal Studio Japan is located other side of river. There are ferry service, Capt. Line between USJ and Kaiyukan and it takes only 10 minutes. However half day is too short to see USJ. In these days, USJ is super popular and very crowded. You should spend one full day for USJ at least. USJ and Kaiyukan in one day is not realistic in my opinion.

Comments

  1. Takeshi in HI says:

    Aloha Takeshi,

    We are staying near Tennoji and wanted to visit Kaiyukan on a Sunday + go to Dotonbori/Umeda afterwards. If we got the Kaiyu Pass, it seems that we’d likely take the Midousuji line to Honmachi station and transfer to Chuo line, similar to your Kaiyukan trip above. Typically, how busy is the Midosuji line on Sunday mornings – if we’re wanting to avoid any rush hour times?

    Thanks!

  2. ariff says:

    Hi Takeshi san,

    Can I buy this ticket in kansai international airport and going to aquarium with this pass?
    And, is this pass cover going to minoo station?

    Thank you

  3. Yan says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    Just want to ask, will I be able to purchase the Kaiyu ticket if I go to the subway station late at night for eg, maybe about 8 or 9pm?
    Will the ticket counter close early?
    Thanks!

    • Hi Yan,

      I don’t have an exact time of hours. But in major stations, such as Umeda, Namba, it usually open from 7:00 to 21:00. I believe you can purchase it but not 100% sure.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  4. kms says:

    Hi do you have to use the Kaiyu Ticket for both Osaka metro and aquarium on the same day. what I mean is, can I use the Osaka metro on one day and enter the aquarium on another.

    thanks

    • Hi kms,

      I don’t think so. The condition of this pass says, “The ticket can be used on any single day from April 1st, 2018 through April 30th,2019”. Whole package is valid for one day in my understanding. But I’m not 100% sure. Please ask Kaiyukan aquarium or subway ticket window.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

Copied title and URL