Kyoto Aquarium 京都水族館

Unlike many aquariums that are brightly lit and that feel as large as the ocean, the conceptual pathways and subdued colors give this facility a uniquely Kyoto atmosphere.

You can take a taxi or walk to the aquarium from Kyoto Station . From JR Umekoji-Kyotonishi Station, it takes about 7 minutes to walk to the museum.

The aquarium is located in Umekoji Park, a 15-minute walk west from the station.

The aquarium opens with a section dedicated to creatures native to the rivers of Kyoto, featuring the Japanese giant salamander. The charms of this cute, strange critter always draw a crowd.

There are also penguins, seals, fish, and other marine life to see. In 2020 they opened the new Jellyfish Wonder area, a 360-degree panoramic water tank where visitors can immerse themselves in the wolrd of jellyfish.

Dolphin performances are held several times a day in an outdoor stadium. The performance is in Japanese, but the beautiful elegance of these creatures needs no translation. Bringing a lunch from home and having a picnic in the stadium before the show is a popular option, but you can buy aquatic-themed treats to eat as well.

This is probably the only place in the world where you can get a photograph of a dolphin jumping out of the water with the greenery of the park and the Kyoto cityscape in the background.

Kyoto Aquarium has frequent themed events. These change regularly, so be sure to check which event is being hosted during your visit.

The latest information may differ, so please check the official website