Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, Public aquarium in Tempozan Harbor Village, Japan
The Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is a marine facility in the Tempozan Harbor Village district and houses hundreds of animal species from the Pacific across eight floors. Each section is dedicated to a particular geographic part of the Pacific basin and displays life in different habitats.
The facility opened its doors in the summer of 1990 following a design by architect Peter Chermayeff. It later received recognition for its building construction through an award for public structures.
The circular spiral ramp descends through several levels and lets visitors feel as though they are diving into the sea themselves. This downward walkway brings guests eye to eye with animals from different depths.
The nearest subway station is Osakako on the Chuo Line and sits about five walking minutes from the entrance. Opening hours and admission fees change according to season, so checking ahead before a visit helps.
The middle tank reaches a depth of about 9 meters (roughly 30 feet) and contains a whale shark that re-creates open ocean conditions along with numerous fish. This central water basin stretches vertically through several floors and can be observed from different levels.
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