More to Enjoy enjoy kaiyukan more!
In addition to the creatures inside the Aquarium, there are many other things to check out!
Staff who know the Kaiyukan inside and out will teach you tips on how to enjoy the aquarium even more.
Points to look around the tank
It's getting a little crowded... In that case, just wait there for a little while.
At Kaiyukan, benches are set up at various points along the route. During busy times such as Feeding Time, it can get a little lively in front of the tank. At times like that, why not take a break on a bench? While you're there, the flow of people will calm down, allowing you to relax and enjoy the creatures.
Observe every corner of the tank
The Kaiyukan is designed so that you can walk down a circular path from the upper floors of the building. For example, in the "Pacific Ocean" tank, you can feel as if you are diving to a depth of up to 9 meters.
Even in the same tank, the types and behavior of creatures in the upper, middle, and lower layers will be different. Try to find not only the fish swimming in the middle, but also the fish gathered at the edges of the tank and the creatures sitting still at the bottom.
There are creatures hiding even in the signs
If you look closely at the signs with the names of the tank in the Aquarium , you will see the creatures that live in those tank hiding there. There are signs about sea creatures and the ocean scattered around the aquarium, so try to find them!
The material used for the tank is not glass!?
At Kaiyukan, large acrylic panels were used to create the gigantic tank that had never been seen before. When the aquarium first opened, large tank using acrylic panels were rare, and the amount of acrylic panels used was 1.5 times the annual global production at the time.
The acrylic panels used in the largest tank , the Pacific Ocean tank, are up to 30cm thick! The actual tank is on display halfway through the Aquarium(on the 4th floor), so be sure to check it out.
If you get lost in the Aquarium,
Check the signs at your feet and the Aquarium map
Most of the Aquarium is sloped, so it can be hard to tell where you are. Check your current location by looking at the signs at your feet indicating how far away you are to the exit, and on the Aquarium map on the website. You can also check the location of each tank, restrooms, and shop information on the Aquarium map.
Highlights and tips for enjoying the "Pacific Ocean" tank
The first place where you can see the Whale shark tends to be crowded, so go further and see them.
Many visitors stop at the corner where they can see the "Pacific Ocean" tank for the first time after turning the corner from the "Great Barrier Reef" tank . The "Pacific Ocean" tank can be seen many times further ahead, so it is recommended that you go a little further ahead and then see it.
Depending on the floor, you can see different creatures being fed.
The Whale sharks are fed at the surface of the ocean, so you can see a more impressive Feeding Time from the upper levels. You can see them treading water and sucking in food from the lower levels of the "Pacific Ocean" tank, so if you want to relax and enjoy the experience, we recommend looking up from the lower levels.
Join the limited-capacity Back Stage Viewing
This plan is limited to a certain number of people and allows you to enter the back area of the "Pacific Ocean" tank , which is normally only accessible to aquarium keeper , and observe the Whale shark and other creatures in the tank from above.
Tips for enjoying Kaiyukan even more
If you want to take your time looking around, come on a weekday! There are some days when it gets surprisingly crowded.
Weekdays are generally quieter than weekends. However, during the following seasons, we recommend visiting in the afternoon as many group visitors visit on weekdays.
- Early February to early March (morning) [kindergarten farewell field trip, etc.]
- Mid-April to the end of May *Excluding Golden Week Morning [Spring field trip & school trip season]
- October to early December (mornings) [Autumn field trip and school trip season]
Check for limited-time events
We irregularly hold events where aquarium keeper give lectures about the creatures living in the aquarium, as well as events where you can take your time to explore Kaiyukan after closing time.
Slowly walk around,
"KAIYUKAN Night Aquarium" - See a different side to the daytime
Every day from 5pm, the "KAIYUKAN Night Aquarium" event is held. You can see the creatures' movements and expressions that are different from those during the day, and the fantastical sight of them swimming in the deep blue sea in the light that shines like moonlight.
When You show your admission ticket to Kaiyukan,
There are marketplace perks
If you are planning to eat or buy souvenirs at Tempozan Marketplace, there are some stores where you can receive special benefits if you show your admission ticket to Kaiyukan. Be sure to check in advance!
Take advantage of re-entry
Before leaving Kaiyukan, please tell the staff near the Aquarium that you would like to re-enter the aquarium or have your re-entry stamp stamped. Everyone who enters Kaiyukan can re-enter on the same day (up to one hour before closing time). If you get hungry or your child falls asleep during your visit, please use the re-entry system to enjoy Kaiyukan to the fullest.
Check out "Learn about Living Things"
Kaiyukan does not just raise and exhibit living creatures, but also works on species preservation and research, which are the roles of an aquarium.
In "Learn About Living Creatures," you can learn more about baby creatures born at Kaiyukan, as well as about creatures that are familiar to us at aquariums but whose ecology is not yet fully understood and whose numbers are decreasing in the wild.
