Japan 2019 Trip Day 12: Osaka Dotonbori, Kaiyukan, and Shinsekai
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan 海遊館
Osaka
[Introduction]
Today’s main objective is to visit Kaiyukan as we didn’t manage to enter the other day due to a long snaking queue. Apart from that, we also travelled for photo ops at a couple of iconic Osaka’s spots.
[Trip Report]
Day 1: Explore around Nagano
Day 2: Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
Day 3: Matsumoto Castle, Nakamachi District, Matsumoto City Museum of Art and night exploring around Nagano
Day 4: Nagano Zenkoji Temple and Kanazawa Higashi Chaya District
Day 5: Shirakawago
Day 6: Hida-Takayama, Hida-Furukawa, and “Your Name” location spots
Day 7: Kanazawa Omicho Market, Kenrokuen Garden, and Kanazawa Castle Park
Day 8: Explore around Osaka
Day 9: Osaka Shinsekai, Tempozan Ferris Wheel, Glion Museum, and Cosmo Tower Observatory
Day 10: Osaka Castle, Gozabune Boat, HEP FIVE Ferris Wheel, and Kuchu Teien Observatory
Day 11: Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kinkakuji, and Yasaka Shrine
Day 12: Osaka Dotonbori, Kaiyukan, and Shinsekai [current post]
Day 13: Kyoto Fushimi Inari, Ginkakuji, and Arashiyama
Day 14: Okayama Korakuen, Okayama Castle, and Kojima Jeans Street
Day 15: Miyajima
Day 16: Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome, Peace Memorial Park, Peace Memorial Museum
Day 17: Yufuin
Day 18: Hakata Ohori Park, Fukuoka Castle Ruins, and Fukuoka Tower
Day 19: Nanzoin Temple
[Travel Date]
2019-10-27 to 2019-11-14
Boulangerie Takagi
Osaka
[Breakfast at Boulangerie Takagi]
2nd takeaway at Boulangerie Takagi, mainly because it is located near our hotel.
TLDR; decent bakery with lots of varieties too, but only recommend if you’re in that area.
Do click on the link for the detailed review and photos.
Boulangerie Takagi
Osaka
Ebisu Bashi-Suji
Osaka
After breakfast, we travelled to Dotonbori area to walk around and also to take photos with the Glico “Running Man”, by the way, the signboard is in its 6th generation/iteration.
Cat Decor
Osaka
Dotonbori Takoyaki Octopus
Osaka
The famed Glico “Running Man” signboard
Osaka
The famed Glico “Running Man” signboard
Osaka
Of course, we have to do the same pose with Glico “Running Man” signboard!
Osaka
Menya Joroku
Osaka
[Lunch at Menya Joroku]
After we are satisfied with one of the shots with numerous retakes with Glico “Running Man”, we made our way to lunch!
Menya Joroku is one of Osaka’s famous Takaida style Tamari Shoyu ramen restaurant.
TLDR; rich, intense, and robust dark ramen.
Do click on the link for the detailed review and photos.
Menya Joroku
Osaka
Small Street
Osaka
On our way to Kaiyukan via train
Osaka
[Going to Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan 海遊館]
After the delicious lunch at Menya Joroku, we walked back to the subway station and make our way to Kaiyukan and hoping there’s no crazy queue today. (And yes, there is only a minimal queue to enter today!)
Apartment building near Kaiyukan
Osaka
Tempozan Ferris Wheel 天保山大観覧車
Osaka
Art logo of Kaiyukan at the entrance
Osaka
Capybara
Osaka
King Penguin, Gentoo Penguin, Adelie Penguin
Osaka
[Antarctica Exhibition]
We spent quite some time over at the Antarctica exhibition which consists of King Penguin, Gentoo Penguin, and Adelie Penguin.
We also tracked back to see the feeding session, which is both amusing and interesting at the same time.
King Penguin, Gentoo Penguin, Adelie Penguin
Osaka
King Penguin
Osaka
Gentoo Penguin
Osaka
Gentoo Penguin
Osaka
Gentoo Penguin
Osaka
Gentoo Penguin
Osaka
Seal
Osaka
School of Humpback Red Snapper
Osaka
California Sea Lion
Osaka
Ringed Seal “Yuki”
Osaka
[Arctic Exhibition]
Definitely one of the more popular exhibits in Kaiyukan, where you can see their cute Ringed Seals up close.
Especially during the feeding session where the staff will task the Ringed Seals to do sets of actions to earn their keep.
2 of the Ringed Seals even got made into a cute fluffy cushion plush, which is “Yuki” and “Arare”, you can read up more on the plush over here.
Ringed Seal “Yuki”
Osaka
Ringed Seal “Arare”
Osaka
Ringed Seal “Arare”
Osaka
Moon Jelly
Osaka
[Jellyfish Exhibition]
Very pretty and elegant exhibits of the different types of Jellyfish.
I also do feel quite tranquil viewing some of the jellyfish moving elegantly (in my opinion) which the experience is further elevated in a dark area where you can focused on their colours and patterns.
Moon Jelly
Osaka
Not sure the name, very mini jellyfish
Osaka
Not sure the name, very mini jellyfish
Osaka
Staff feeding the young Rockhopper Penguin
Osaka
[Falkland Islands Exhibition]
Just in time for the Rockhopper Penguin feeding session and this is also part of the interactive exhibits, where you could see the penguins up close and personal.
The divider height is around the stomach to the chest area of an adult (depending on your height), which you could have a clear sight and sound experience of it.
Rockhopper Penguin
Osaka
Rockhopper Penguin
Osaka
Sea Urchin
Osaka
Octopus
Osaka
Not sure what species either
Osaka
Hermit Crab
Osaka
Some type of crab? Do leave a comment if you know what crab exactly!
Osaka
Lights on of the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan 海遊館
Osaka
[Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan 海遊館]
We spent an enjoyable 3.5 hours at the Kaiyukan, I personally wished we have more time (like 5-6 hours) so we could see all the feeding session for all the different species and also at a more relaxed pace.
It is a nice and big aquarium where one starts the journey from the top via a long escalator and slowly descending down the levels. Although, if you are going to catch the different species’ feeding sessions, you will need to trackback.
Another point of interest, there’s one interactive exhibit in which you could touch the Brownbanded Bambooshark and Honeycomb Stingray. It will be interesting for both adults and kids, at least for a city guy like myself.
Probably the best aquarium I visited, but then I only went to just a few aquariums in my life so might not be the best benchmark haha!
Wife beside the penguin installation outside of the Kaiyukan
Osaka
Nice sunset
Osaka
Udon Bo
Osaka
[Dinner at Udon Bo]
Change of pace for dinner tonight, so we took the subway to Umeda area and went to Udon Bo for a lighter dinner (Sanuki Udon and Champon).
TLDR; interesting cold udon and easy to eat champion.
Do click on the link for the detailed review and photos.
Udon Bo
Osaka
Tsutenkaku Tower 通天閣
Osaka
Tsutenkaku Tower 通天閣
Osaka
[Shinsekai 新世界]
After our dinner at Udon Bo, we took the train (Midosuji “Red” Line will be your best friend for Osaka inner city travel) over and then its a short walk to Shinsekai.
This time is to experience the nighttime version of the place, and as planned we also took photos with the iconic “Giant Pufferfish” and Tsutenkaku Tower.
We definitely feel the nighttime version is the more “signature” feel for taking the “tourist” shot, to take in all the colours and vibe of Shinsekai.
Couple photo at the iconic spot with the “Giant Pufferfish” and Tsutenkaku Tower
Osaka
iconic spot with the “Giant Pufferfish” and Tsutenkaku Tower
Osaka
Yokozuna Restaurant
Osaka
Zuboraya (Puffer Fish restaurant) before they closed down in Sep 2020
Osaka
[Closing]
A more relaxed pace today, mainly just sightseeing of Kaiyukan, and photo ops with Glico “Running Man” at Dotonbori and “Giant Pufferfish” and Tsutenkaku Tower at Shinsekai.
This marks the end of Day 12, tomorrow we will be going for our 2nd day trip to Kyoto visiting Fushimi Inari, Ginkakuji, Arashiyama, and Gion District. (Another super early start of day…)
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