Osaka pt.2

Today we will continue the topic of Osaka and the attractions the city has to offer. Recently, we took a look at the replica of Osaka castle, the sky terrace, and the entertainment and shopping districts. Today, we will head to the western part of the city, toward the coast. Osaka is not only the name of the city but also the bay on which it lies. Both in the past and in the present, the port of Osaka was one of the most important one in Japan. However, today I refer to this port not because of the trade or fishing business, but in connection with the incredibly popular Kaiyukan Aquarium located nearby.

As I approached the Aquarium, I spotted the long, long queue. I hoped that it leads somewhere else, but unfortunately - it was the queue to Aquarium. It is the best evidence of the popularity of this place. Although the aquarium offers online ticket reservations, my visit here was unplanned and served as a backup plan due to the bad weather. The Kaiyukan Aquarium opened over 30 years ago and, at the time, was the largest of its kind in the world. While the honor of being the largest aquarium now goes to China’s "Chimelong Ocean Kingdom," the aquarium in Osaka still impresses. Inside the building, there are several tanks representing various seas, oceans and other aquatic environments of the world and Japan. Among other things, there are exhibits for sea otters, spotted seals, sea lions, tanks featuring jellyfish and different kinds of tropical fish. However, the main attraction is the grand tank at the center of the building. It is 9 meters high, filled with rays, mantas, and whale sharks. These three species receive special attention at Kaiyukan, as it is not only an attraction but also a research center! The researchers' efforts have facilitated breeding programs for many species.

Observing the main tank was mesmerizing. It houses many species of fish, all shapes and sizes. Everything can be viewed from different vantage points and heights, as a path spirals around the tank. In addition to the permanent exhibition, the aquarium also features tanks displaying various species that change with each season. One of the new features at the aquarium is the unique opportunity to see the feeding of a whale shark. However, this is an attraction for which we must pay extra. Under normal circumstances, Kaiyukan allows visitors to pet the rays; however, during my visit, this was not possible due to the coronavirus pandemic.

To conclude my description of the aquarium, I would like to remind you that we also have a similarly interesting aquarium in Poland! The one I am thinking of is located in the Wrocław Zoo, so if you are in the Wrocław area, I recommend visiting it!

Upon exiting the aquarium, we can occasionally admire the ships passing by. Just behind the building, there is… a statue of the Little Mermaid, very similar to the one you can see in Denmark. How did it get here? It is a result of the cultural exchange program between the governments of Japan and Denmark.

While exploring the area around the aquarium, it would be hard to miss the enormous Ferris wheel located right next to it. Since the rain was still falling and I wasn’t sure where to go next, I decided to take a ride, hoping that during the trip I would decide what I wanted to do next. I had plenty of time to think, the Ferris wheel is about one hundred meters high, and one rotation lasts fifteen minutes! Of course, at that height, we have a great view of the nearby, and even somewhat farther area. Looking down, I noticed a very well-known place that many people associate with Osaka, but for some reason, it completely slipped my mind. Osaka is home to the famous amusement park Universal Studios! Unfortunately, I hadn’t planned to visit it that day. Not only was the rain persistent, but it was also too late to fully enjoy such a park...

However, if not an amusement park, what else can one do in Osaka, especially on a rainy day? You can always visit one of the numerous museums. Among the most interesting ones are the Natural History Museum, the Museum of Housing and Living, the Ukiyo-e Museum (ukiyo-e is a style of Japanese painting), and the Science Museum... the choices are plentiful. There is even a special museum for children called “Kids Plaza.”

I decided to head to the Museum of Housing and Living. The place where it is located is somewhat unusual and rather easy to overlook—it is on the 8th and 9th floors of the city’s resident information center. The exhibition is not large, it consists of three parts. The first and undoubtedly the most spectacular is a reconstruction of a street from the Edo period! Moreover, to better feel the atmosphere of that time, there is an option to rent a kimono. Unfortunately, this part of the exhibition will be closed until autumn this year (the exact date is not provided) due to renovation work... The next part of the museum features models depicting various stages of the city’s construction and reconstruction, also scenes from the lives of ordinary people, and everyday objects. The entire display is well described, but at this point, you need to have a phone with internet access! The museum likely offers free WiFi (as many others do), but I must admit I didn’t check this; I used my mobile data. The reason I mention this is that all descriptions and recordings are in Japanese, but the labels also include QR codes through which we can access the translated version of the text. The third part of the museum is a temporary exhibition. During my visit, contemporary artworks were on display. I must admit that I am not very knowledgeable about this field, so my description of what I saw may not provide much insight. Therefore, just take a look at the photos below :)

If you are planning to visit Osaka, it is worth mentioning an interesting offer that greatly facilitates sightseeing in the city. It’s called the "Osaka Amazing Pass." This special pass allows for free travel on the subway and buses, as well as free or discounted entry to many museums and other attractions. In fact, all the places I have described so far, except for the aquarium, participate in this program. There are two types of passes: a 1-day and a 2-day pass. You can find all the details about the pass on the official website. Just in case: I would like to clarify that I have no personal connection to this program.

That's it for today. The next post will focus on the previously mentioned amusement park - Universal Studios!