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Shane_Currie

Osaka Aquarium

8 floors of Fish, Crabs, Dolphins, Seals, Penguins, Sharks, Otters, Monkeys and even a Whale Shark...yes that's right, a Whale Shark!

Picture: Whale Shark

Each floor is divided into different regions of the Earth displaying the marine animals you would expect to find there, e.g.. the Antarctica display has King, Gentoo & Rock-Hopper penguins.

The premier display is the "Pacific Ocean"; a 9 metre deep tank, with an enormous 5,400,000 litres of water, forming a central aquatic Atrium spanning 3 floors, and housing Marta Rays, Bluefin Tuna, Double Headed Maori Wrasse, Mackerel and the centre piece of the display, a 5-6 metre Whale Shark.

I have to say I have mixed feelings about this display. We went to see the aquarium because of the Whale Shark. However both my wife & I walked away with heavy hearts after seeing such a magnificent animal swimming in endless circles. Even though this has to be one of the biggest tanks around it still seems too small!

We had similar feelings when we saw the Sunfish; its tank was definitely too small. The poor thing was swimming in circles running into the sides of the tank.

The other noteworthy display for us was the "Japan Deeps". Here we saw 20 or so large "Spider Crabs", two of which are almost 1 metre tall. I'm now convinced that the creatures in the ''Alien" movies, that come out of the cocoons, are based on the Spider Crab.

Picture: Spider Crabs

The aquarium is a short 10 min walk from the Osakako Station on the Subway Chuo Line. From Osaka Station take the Loop Line to Bentencho Station and change to the Chuo Subway Line.

Admission is ¥2,000 for adults, ¥400 for children and they accept credit cards. Opening hours are 10:00am - 8:00pm.
 

Nagoya Aquarium

Picture: Playful Dolphins

The Nagoya Aquarium is one of largest in Japan, comprised of two buildings with a total of 5 floors, dedicated to 5 of the world's marine environments; Japan, Australia, the tropics, the deep sea & the Antarctic. I've have to say this is the best aquarium I've been to, and I've been to several around the world, including Sea World San Diego.

The north building has two floors that are dedicated to Dolphins and Killer Whales. The 1st floor has various informational displays, static & interactive, on the evolution and life cycle of these magnificent mammals.

Picture: Penguin Display - Complete With Snow Making

The primary attractions though are the underwater viewing rooms which look into the main pools. You could spend hours watching the Dolphins playing. The viewing rooms are very large, and set out with amphitheatre style seating.

The 2nd floor has a 3000 seat stadium positioned around the main performance pool. There are several performances by the Dolphins & Killer Whale each day, with the last show at 5pm.

The South building has 3 levels, and houses most of the fish display tanks. These cover the waters from Japan to Antarctica; with displays ranging from penguins - complete with artificial snow falling from the roof - to tropical tanks filled with colourful reef fish like anemone fish, trigger fish, chromis, snapper…etc! to turtles, to Australian Mangroves.

Picture: Killer Whale

Nearly all the information presented doesn't have an English translation, but the floor map and show times are both available in English.

You reach the aquarium by taking the Meijo subway line to the very end and Nagoyako Station. Exit the station and go straight ahead across the road at the lights and the signs - it is well sign posted.

It cost 2,000yen per person and they don't accept any credit cards.

Nagoya Aquarium Gallery

                                        Click here to view the Nagoya Aquarium Picture Gallery

                                        Click here to view the Osaka Aquarium Picture Gallery