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?
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
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)
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
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.
After I got out of Osakako station, I saw the huge Ferris wheel ahead.
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.
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.
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.
Some tanks were huge and deep, like world famous whale shark tank. We could see the tanks from top to bottom.
There are some tanks after whale shark tank.
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
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.
USJ and Kaiyukan in one day is not a good idea
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
Hi!
Is Kaiyu Pass still available?
we’re staying at namba area and will be going to the Osaka Aquarium and nearby areas only. is it advisable to get that ticket?
Thanks,
Zelda
Hi Zelda,
So far it’s on sale until the end of March but I think it will be extended.
This is recommended for access to Kaiyukan from Namba.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi. I’m going to Japan this April for 3 weeks so i planned to get the 21 days JR pass.
I’m going to spend the first 5 days around Kansai.
D1 : Osaka
D2 : Nara
D3 : Kyoto
D4 : Kyoto
D5 : Kobe and Fukuoka
I’m planning to visit the Kaiyukan, so I was thinking whether the Kaiyu Pass will be a good choice. What do you think is the best Pass for my itinerary?
Hi Wani,
Kaiyu pass is a good choice for the first day. I think you can use JR pass for other day, day 2 to 5. You may need to add subway or/and bus deal in Kyoto. But other places are covered by JR pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you Takeshi. According to Kaiyukan website the Osaka Kaiyu Pass is only valid until 31st March 2016. Does that mean i cant use it on 1st April 2016?
Hi Wani,
I think it will continue to sell. But they may change the price. You may check the website after April. The info will be revised.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi,
We plan to visit Osaka (day 1)-Kyoto (day 2)- Nara/Kobe (day 3) and Shirakawago (day 4).
Our hotel is in Osaka. Do you recommend purchasing Kansai thru pass? We also want to visit Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan on day 1.
Thank you
Hi Lily,
Takayama Hokuriku Area pass is your primary choice.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/takayama-hokuriku-area-pass-perfect-deal-to-get-takayama-kanazawa-toyama-shirakawago-from-nagoya-or-osaka.html
It does not cover Kobe and Nara, so you need to add single fare because you can reach Kyoto by this pass.
But you need to add Kyoto city bus or subway deal because you can get Kyoto station by this pass but you cannot go any other places in Kyoto by this pass.
You may use Kaiyu ticket even if you use Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass because this pass does not cover Osaka subway.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi,
We arrive Shin-Osaka Station by Shishanken from Tokyo on February 15, 2016. We intend to visit Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium. Can I buy Osaka Kaiyu Ticket in Shin-Osaka Station ? Can I use this ticket for Osaka City Subway Midosuji Line and Chuo Line to go to the hotel and come back Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium ?
Hi Nguyen,
You can purchase it at subway Shin-Osaka station. Please ask the station staff that you want to purchase this ticket.
It includes all subway lines in Osaka and admission to Kaiyukan. It’s no problem to take subway that you want.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi,
I will be travel from Tokyo to Osaka on 30th December until 4 Jan. Planned to spend around Osaka for New year eve and New year itself. Then get to Kyoto for site-seeing on next day (1 full day) and Nara ( mainly for Nara-Park) on the day after, by purchasing 2days unlimited Kansai Thru Pass, i am thinking if we could get to Kobe as well if time allow so perhaps 3 days KTP a better option?
Any suggested itinerary ?
Thanks much
BR,
Seow (from Malaysia)
Hi Seow,
You may purchase 3 days Kansai thru pass. But you may complete Nara and Kobe in one day if you want. Especially if you want to visit Nara park (deer park) and Todai-ji (big Buddha), half day is fine. You can get Kobe from Nara directly by Kintetsu-Hanshin railway. Both are covered by Kansai thru pass. So 2 days may be okay.
If you have only two days and you want to visit Kobe on 3rd day, you can use Hanshin tourist pass too.
http://www.kansai360.net/en/ticket02/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear takeshi,
May I know if I can use the kaiyu pass to ride on the train to Ramen museum?
We might want to do Kaiyukan during the first Half of the day and Ramen Museum after lunch.
Thanks very much.
Regards,
Se Lin
Hi Se Lin,
Please see the train network map in the link below. You will find the route between Tennoji and Kobe.
https://jprail.com/destinations/how-to-transfer-among-kyoto-osaka-and-kobe-compare-japan-railway-and-private-lines.html
Kansai thru pass covers Kobe, Osaka and Kyoto as you see the map in the link above. You can get Ramen Museum. But Kaiyu pass does not cover Ramen Museum.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi,
We are planning to go to Osaka for a day trip but will be living in Kyoto. Our plan is to leave Osaka after eating and spending some time during the evening in Shinsaibashi. However, according to the schedule posted online, the final Shinkansen leaving from Shin-Osaka to Kyoto is usually around 5PM. Are we still able to take the JR train back? If so, when would the last train back to Kyoto be?
Thanks for your help!
Stanley
Hi Stanley,
Shinkansen runs until 22:00. And also many commute trains, like Special rapid train run until midnight.
You may find the exact schedule at Hyperdia.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi,
I am planning to visit Osaka Castle and Umeda Sky Building on Day 1 of my Osaka trip, and visit Kaiyukan on Day 2.
Is it alright to buy Kaiyu Ticket to use its discount feature on Osaka Castle, and Umeda Sky Building on Day 1,
and use it for Kaiyukan on Day 2?
Or must I use the discount on the two other location on the same day only?
Thank you.
Jing
Hi Jing,
I have never tried but in my understanding, you have to visit all places in one day. Because Kaiyu Ticket is valid for one day only. I believe they will check the issue date and decide to give you a discount or not.
But I’m not 100% sure.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi,
Your write ups are so detailed and i have read to read them all. I would like to seek your advise if the following itinerary are doable and which of the following pass is the best for the particular day travel.
We will be travelling with 2 kids, 2 and 4 years old. Staying in Marriott Osaka for the whole trip in Dec 13-19.
Day 1 Arrival
Taking Airport bus to Hotel
Planning to bring kiddos to Osaka Kids Plaza
Single fare ticket from hotel to Osaka kids Plaza is the best?
What is the subway charges for kids?
Day 2 Kyoto
Kiyomizudera
Gion
Pontocho
Nishiki Market
Maybe Fuchiinari Shrine
What is the best pass/which train to get to travel from Tennoji to Kyoto? Which part of Kyoto should i stop?
Any day passes that is worth getting for the above routes?
I have yet to read up on Kyoto travel passes yet.
Day 3 Osaka Castle
Umeda Area (hep Five, Umeda Floating garden, Daimaru)
Naniwa Hot Spring
Day 4
Kuromon Market
Tennoji Zoo
Tsutenkaku tower
Tempozan Wheel
Tombori Cruise
As for day 3 and 4 we plan to get osaka amazing passes for 2 days for adults. What is the best pass for kids to get?
Day 5 Kaiyukan
Namba Park
Shisaibashi/Dotonbori
Should i get the Kaiyu pass since it covers free subway?
Day 6 Ramen Museum and maybe one of the shopping arcade above again. Is eco card worth it as we foresee we will be travelling back to hotel during noon for kids to recharge before we continue the rest of the day. Ie Ramen Museum-hotel-namba/umeda-hotel
Thanks so much for taking time to answer all these.
Regards,
Se Lin
Hi Se Lin,
First of all, kids less than 6 years old is free to ride train. So you don’t need to have anything for them. Many of attractions are free for kids too. Some of them charge for only 4 years old. So just pay one by one. You don’t need to have amazing pass for them.
Kansai thru pass is recommended for Kyoto. You can take Osaka subway to get Yodoyabashi and take Keihan Railway to Gion-Shijo. It’s located at the heart of Higashiyama area.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
But this pass is minimum 2 days. You have to use this for one more day. I think day 6 is the best to use this pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi,
On top of day trip from Osaka to Kyoto, we are now planning to go to Kobe too.
What is the best route from tennoji to Kobe? Is Kansai thru pass for 3 days advisable?
We would plan to visit ramen museum, will single fare for this day be better? Thanks
hi! is it possible to buy USJ ticket in advance?
Like go on mon to buy tues ticket?
Hi Rachel,
No, you can’t.
Online purchase is available but it’s Japanese site only unfortunately. If you want to get it in advance, only travel agent is the way to book.
http://www.usj.co.jp/e/travel/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail