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 takeshi,
Saw your post and looks very informative..
just want to ask some questions regarding the kaiyu pass..
1 day pass meaning 24hrs travel?
Do they offer rail to get from aquarium to USJ? or is it only accessible only by ferry?
Because we are planning to
Day 1 aquarium , Tempozan n Legoland
Day 2 USJ
any better suggestion?
Thank you..
Millie
Hi Millie,
Unfortunately one day pass does not mean 24 hours. It’s valid for 0:00 to 23:59.
Ferry is not covered by this pass. When yo go to USJ by train, you have to take JR train from Nishikujo to Universal city station. JR trains is not covered either. This pass covers only subway and city bus.
So you can use this pass for day 1. But on day 2 for trip to USJ, just purchase regular fare ticket.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I am planning to visit Katsuoji Temple and Nara in one day, I will have JR pass on that day, but whats the best transportation to go to Katsuoji Temple that would include the train and bus ride from and to the station? Thank you in advance!
Hi Priscilla,
You have to take subway Midousuji line and Kita-Osaka Kyuko line to Senri Chuo station, and then take taxi or bus to get Katsuoji. All transportation are not covered by JR pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi takeshi.,
I will have JR West Rail pass (sanyo-san) and I want to go from Kyoto to Osaka for one day and visit osaka aquarium and osaka Castle.
What would be the fastest or easiest :
– take shinkansen and buy osaka kaiyu ticket at Shin-Osaka and then subway Midosuji-Line
or
– take JR Kyoto Line for Osaka Station and buy ticket at Osaka Station and take subway from there?
Hi Kato,
You cannot take Shinkansen between Kyoto and Shin-Osaka by this pass. You have to take Kyoto line. Special rapid is most convenient train to get Osaka.
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/rapid-service/special-rapid-service.html
And then purchase Kaiyu ticket to take subway.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
question, will this pass cover going to Osaka instant ramen museum? its abit further out. was thinking of going to that in the morning then Osaka aquarium in the afternoon.
Hi Ken,
No. You cannot get there by this pass. You can get Umeda by this pass but after arriving Umeda, you need to take Hankyu railway train which is not covered by this pass. You need to pay single ticket to Ikeda on Hankyu railway Takarazuka line. It costs around 200 to 300 yen for one way.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi, Takeshi,
We will travel from Kyoto to Osaka, then place luggages in
5 Chome-2-8 Uehonmachinishi, Chūō-ku, Ōsaka-shi, Ōsaka-fu 542-0062,
And plan to visit Kaiyukan Aquarium with Osaka Kaiyu Pass. Is this pass cover the subway from Kyoto to Chuo-Ku ?
Pls give advice.
Thank you
Hi Jasmine,
No. There is no subway lines between Kyoto and Osaka. There are some subway lines in Kyoto but it’s not connected with subway line in Osaka. You need to pay single fare to get Osaka and then purchase Osaka Kaiyu ticket.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
hi
plan to go to osaka end of this June 2017.
Is it possible, to buy the kaiyu ticket and then use the train card first to Osaka Castle and then later go to Kaiyukan.. (reason Kaiyukan open at 10 am but Osaka Castle at 9am)..
regards
Hi Azhar,
It’s completely no problem. You can visit anywhere by subway before going to Kaiyukan.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
thanks !!!
i am going today. 🙂
No worries, Azhar.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
My first trip to Japan together with my daughter. Duration 1 Oct to 6th Oct. My apartment location will be near Shinimamiya and Hanazonocho station.
Planned itinerary :
DAY 1 – reached Kansai Airport around 4pm then to apartment. Later then to Dotonbori near Namba – free and easy
DAY 2 – Kaiyukan and Osaka sight seeing
DAY 3 – USJ
DAY 4 – Kyoto sight seeing and back to apartment
DAY 5 – Nara and Wakayama
DAY 6 – Free and easy and to Kansai Airport
There are so many travel and sight-seeing passes to choose from. Not sure which is the best for my itinerary. Would prefer passes with direct transit to the airport for the last day.
Thanks and regards.
Hi Lydia,
You may use Yokoso Osaka ticket on arrival day.
http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/yokoso.html
Kaiyu ticket is okay for day 2. Single ticket is okay for day 3.
Kanasai thru pass 3 days is for the last 3 days.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi there, I’m planning 7 days 6 nights Osaka-Kyoto-Nara-Kyoto-Osaka trip
2 Oct 10pm- reaching KIX airport
few questions for you JPrail 🙂
1) wondering which train/pass to take to our homestay near Osaka, Nishinakajimaminamigata Station from KIX at night
3 Oct am – depart to Kyoto
2) which train/ pass you suggest to go to our house near Kyoto Station
6- 8 Oct – back to Osaka again, stay near to Awaza Station this time.
3)which train and pass you recommend to take as I also saw Kaiyukan promotion?
Plan to visit Sea Aquarium,Ferris Wheel , Umeda Sky building Dotonburi in Osaka and flight at 10pm on the 8th !
Thank you for your patient reply! Thank you so much 🙂
Hi Ethel Kok,
1. You may be able to use the deal in the link below.
http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/chikatoku.html
But your arrival time is so late. You may not have a time to purchase it.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-access-to-osaka-kyoto-and-kobe-from-late-arrival-flight-at-kansai-airport-kix.html
2. There is no deals available for access to Kyoto. Just use single ticket or use Kansai one pass.
http://kansaionepass.com/en/about.html?info=1
3. Your choice is single ticket or using Kansai one pass. Once you get Osaka, you can use Osaka Kaiyu ticket in the post above or using Osaka amazing pass.
https://www.osaka-info.jp/osp/en/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Takeshi,
We will travel from Kyoto to Osaka. Then place in luggages in hotel/ chuo ward area. Think of going to kaiyukan afternoon and have dinner near kaiyukan area. Then we will back to hotel.
We are 2 adults and 1 kids 11 years old, and another one kids is 13 years old. Total 4 person
Any travel pass I can use for this? And which is the most economical?
Need your advise. This.
Hi Seau wei,
Just pay single fare to get Osaka from Kyoto. And then you can use this deal, Osaka Kaiyu Ticket.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi takeshi.
Thank you for the reply. We are planning on this itinerary but a bit confused which passes to buy. 6 adults and 2 kids
Day 1 arrive kix 9pm – sakuragawa
Day 2 planning on osaka castle + shinsaibashi
Day 3 osaka aquarium + shinsaibashi
Day 4 kyoto
Day 5 kyoto
Day 6 usj
Day 7 nara
Day 8 Free time
Day 9 free time
Day 10 leave osaka
Hope you can suggest ideal places for 3 parents, 2 adults in 20-30s – 2 toddlers aged 2&5yo
A friend gave us 2 kyoto-osaka sightseeing pass 2 days. How do we use or maximiZe this? Do we buy another 4 so all 6 adults take it or not use it at all?
Thank you 🙂
Hi Emily,
You can use subway and Nankai railway ticket to get Sakuragawa. You can use this on the way to KIX too.
http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/chikatoku.html
Under 6 years olf are free of charge. So you don’t need to purchase any ticket for all trips for your kids.
You may use single ticket or Kansai one pass for day 2, 6, 8 and 9. Kansai one pass does not give you any unlimited ride but you don’t need to purchase a ticket one by one.
http://kansaionepass.com/en/about.html?info=1
I think Kansai thru pass 3 days is better choice than Kyoto-Osaka sightseeing pass 2 days.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
http://www.keihan.co.jp/travel/en/tickets/special
3 days Knasai thru pass is sold at 5200 yen, Even 4 days is sold at 4000 yen. Kyoto-Osaka sightseeing pass is only 1000 yen. It’s way cheaper and I understand it. But Kyoto-Osaka sightseeing pass covers only Keihan railway. If you intend to visit eastern part of Kyoto, like Gion, Fushimi Inari shrine, this may be enough. But you need to add subway fare to get Keihan railway Yodoyabashi station in Osaka. And also you need to pay if you take subway, city bus, other railways, such as Hankyu railway, Keifuku railway. If you add subway and bus pass in Kyoto, it’s 2000 yen for 2 days. But it does not cover subway in Osaka.
Kansai thru pass covers all. It does not cover only JR trains. But as long as you can take Keihan, Hankyu, subway, city bus in Osaka and Kyoto, you can go anyway by the quickest way.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-kyoto-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
If you finish your trip early and want to visit some place in Osaka by subway, you can use this pass to take it. Your place is Sakuragawa. It’s one staiton away from Namba and two stations away from Shinsaibashi by subway. You can use it for these short rides.
You also can use this pass to get Nara. You can take Kintetsu railway from Namba.
At last, you can use Osaka Kaiyu ticket for day 3.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com