Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, Osaka

Must see attraction in Osaka. A little far out by train but well worth the visit. Good photo opportunities and LEGO land is next door with a nice food court. Good opportunity to see the variety of rare fish and sea creatures. Can even see penguins and touch the sharks and sting rays! The centre tank is amazing and a must see with the huge sharks and rays. Be careful of missing things, you aren’t allowed to go back to see things you might have missed so take your time. Nice gift shop at the end to get some trinkets. Also has the stamp sites to complete the tour books!

This review ignores the question of whether or not animals should be held in captivity. I’m just commenting on the attraction itself, which was well put together. The layout is really clever and gives you some great views of the sea life. There is basically one main tank in the middle and you start at the top and the path gradually circles around this tank going down with different view points along the way. On the outside there are also other tanks with other animals in. At the end there is also an area where you can touch rays and small sharks, not my thing but if you had kids with you something I can imagine they would like.