KAIYUKAN (Osaka Aquarium)

The principal theme for establishment of the Osaka Aquarium KAIYUKAN was based on the Gaia hypothesis proposed by Dr. James Lovelock. The Gaia hypothesis is an ecological theory that the Earth with its many active volcanoes and all of its living creatures closely interact with each other to form, and function as, a single organism. Moreover, considering that there is considerable geographical overlap in the Pacific Ocean region between the Pacific Rim volcanic belt with frequent volcanic eruptions and an area characterized by rich biodiversity, the KAIYUKAN embodies the concepts of “the Ring of Fire” and “the Ring of Life” into all its exhibits.

Marine life is displayed in 15 tanks, each representing a specific region of the Pacific Rim. The central tank, representing the Pacifc Ocean, is nine meters deep and home to a whale shark, the aquarium’s main attraction.

The aquarium tour starts at the “Aqua Gate” zone. Proceeding through a tunnel-shaped tank, visitors can experience feeling as if they were underwater among a wide variety of fishes. Then, the tour route leads to various different zones such as “Japan Forest” filled with bright sunlight and “Pacific Ocean” where a whale shark, the largest fish in the world, is exhibited in a tank containing 5,400 tons of water. Walking the full length of the tour route, passing twice around the various levels of the aquarium, visitors can feel and experience both ground and marine environments of the Pacific Rim region.

The KAIYUKAN exhibits not only fish; a wide variety of marine life including amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals as well as marine invertebrates and plants can also be observed in the aquarium. By exhibiting some 30,000 marine creatures representing 620 species, the KAIYUKAN recreates the beautiful and diverse natural environments found around the Pacific Rim region.

Osaka Aquarium KAIYUKAN strives to make continued efforts to convey the attractiveness of marine creatures, the preciousness of life and the importance of environmental conservation to as many visitors as possible. As part of wildlife preservation efforts, the aquarium will also continue focusing on research and environmental protection activities in cooperation with all those concerned with oceans and their living creatures.

Hours 10:00 to 20:00 (from 9:30 in May, October and mid July to August)
Admission Fees 2300 yen

KAIYUKANOsaka

Author

TGUadmin

Universal Studios Japan

Abeno Harukas

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