Osaka Bay, Osaka
Photo: Daniel Ramirez / Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Neighbourhood guide

Osaka Bay

An aquarium, a Ferris wheel and a replica sailing ship

Osaka Bay is two areas that share a waterfront. Tempozan has the Kaiyukan aquarium, a Ferris wheel and a mall, and Universal Studios Japan sits further along the coast in Konohana Ward. It suits families and rainy days, and it's the one area where a full day is easy to fill.

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan follows a spiral route down past tanks of marine life from around the Pacific. Prices change by date, so check the calendar on the official site, and buy e-tickets there. Weekday mornings are the quietest. The Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel is 112.5 m high with 60 cabins, and one turn takes about 15 minutes. Fare is ¥900 and there's no fixed closing day.

The Santa Maria, a replica sailing ship, leaves from the Kaiyukan West Pier. The day cruise takes about 45 minutes and costs ¥2,000 for adults from 1 October 2026, and the twilight cruise is ¥2,300. Sailings can be cancelled for weather. Universal Studios Japan prices depend on the date, so check the calendar and buy early.

Getting there

Osakako station on the Osaka Metro Chuo Line serves the Tempozan area, and the Ferris wheel and marketplace are about 5 minutes on foot. Universal City is the station for Universal Studios Japan, and Trade Center-mae on the Nanko Port Town Line is the stop for the Cosmo Tower.

8 places
Osakako (Osaka Metro Chuo Line) · Universal City stations
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Eating, and where to stay

Tempozan Marketplace sits next to the aquarium and has shops, restaurants and a food hall called Naniwa Kuishinbo Yokocho. It's a handy stop after the aquarium or on a wet day.

Where to stay: Osakako station is the base for Tempozan, and Universal City station is the base for the theme park. For other sights you'll ride back into the city, so some visitors split a trip between a bay stay and a central one.

Nearby neighbourhoods

Amerikamura, Osaka Amerikamura Vintage shops, live houses and takoyaki around a triangle of grass 13 places · 6.9 km away Namba, Osaka Namba Curry, pork buns and a comedy theatre around the big station 16 places · 7.1 km away Dotonbori, Osaka Dotonbori The canal strip with the crab sign, the runner and a lot of takoyaki 13 places · 7.2 km away Shinsaibashi, Osaka Shinsaibashi A 600 m arcade, department stores and basement food streets 11 places · 7.3 km away

The best of Osaka Bay

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Best for families Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan A spiral route around the Pacific. Go on a weekday morning.
Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel
Best ride Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel 112.5 m high, ¥900, and best at dusk. It's a 5-minute walk from Osakako.
Santa Maria Osaka Bay Cruise
Best on the water Santa Maria Osaka Bay Cruise A replica ship with a day cruise of about 45 minutes and a twilight cruise of about 60.
Sakishima Cosmo Tower Observatory
Best view Sakishima Cosmo Tower Observatory Entry is ¥1,200, open until 22:00 and closed Mondays. It's about 3 minutes from Trade Center-mae.

Things to do in Osaka Bay

Museum · ¥¥ Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan A large public aquarium on the Tempozan waterfront, built around a Pacific Ocean theme. You follow a spiral route down past tanks of marine life from around the rim of the Pacific.
Landmark · ¥ Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel A 112.5 m Ferris wheel with 60 cabins at Tempozan. One turn takes about 15 minutes.
Shopping · Free Tempozan Marketplace A waterfront mall next to the Kaiyukan aquarium, with shops, restaurants and a food hall called Naniwa Kuishinbo Yokocho. It's part of the Tempozan Harbor Village complex.
Landmark · ¥¥ Santa Maria Osaka Bay Cruise A replica sailing ship that cruises Osaka Bay from the Kaiyukan West Pier. The day cruise takes about 45 minutes and the twilight cruise about 60.
Landmark · ¥¥¥ Universal Studios Japan A film-themed amusement park on the Osaka waterfront in Konohana Ward. It's the Osaka Bay area's biggest draw for families and one of the main reasons people stay in the city.
Viewpoint · ¥¥ Sakishima Cosmo Tower Observatory An observation deck at the top of the Osaka Prefectural Government Sakishima Building on the Nanko waterfront, with views across the bay.
Park · Free Osaka Nanko Wild Bird Park Japan's first artificial tidal flat, opened in 1983 on reclaimed land in Nanko. An observation tower looks over the flat and the green space around it.
Nightlife Zepp Osaka Bayside A large live hall near the bay with a standing floor on the 1st floor and reserved seats on the 2nd.

What's on in Osaka Bay

Local events in the next 30 days, read from the ward, park and organiser pages each one links to.

  • Anime World Trigger Exhibition Reboot Exhibition

    14 Nov to 6 Dec · ATC (Asia and Pacific Trade Center)

    An exhibition for the anime World Trigger at ATC.

    ¥2,300 adult advance, ¥2,600 on the day · 10:00 to 20:00 · Map · Source: ATC Asia and Pacific Trade Center · Anime WORLD TRIGGER Exhibition “REBOOT”

More local events around Osaka

Stay in Osaka Bay

Browse live availability and compare prices around the neighbourhood.

See hotels near Osaka Bay on Booking.comPrices are for the night of Saturday 24 October. You can change the dates on Booking.com. If you book, Roam Osaka earns a small commission from Stay22 at no extra cost to you.