Kyoto · Kyoto Station
Kyoto Aquarium
Kyoto Aquarium opened in March 2012 at the east end of Umekoji Park, the first large aquarium in the city of Kyoto. Its theme is the water of Kyoto Prefecture: the 'Kyoto River' zone recreates the upper, middle and lower course of the Yura River, and it is home to the Japanese giant salamander, protected as a Special Natural Monument of Japan. 'Kyoto Sea' is the largest tank in the place, with about 50 species.
The dolphin stadium holds a program called 'Dolphin School' several times a day, and the exact schedule is updated daily on the website. There are also African penguins, seals and fur seals, a jellyfish hall with about 30 species and a round 360-degree tank, and a corner with a real rice paddy.
Good to know
- An annual pass costs ¥5,800 for adults, so it pays off from the third visit. A pass holder also gets 10% off a companion's ticket at the ticket office.
- From Kyoto Station you walk about 15 minutes from the Central Exit (Chuo-guchi), west along Shiokoji Street.
- Before you arrive, check the daily schedule on the website and time your visit for the dolphin program or the feeding of the penguins and salamanders.
What is nearby
Approximate walking minutes from the entrance of Kyoto Aquarium.
- HereKyoto Aquarium
- ~2 min
Umekoji Park Cafe Cafe
A cafe in the middle of the park, on the path between the aquarium and the Railway Museum. Pizza and curry with Kyoto vegetables, udon with Kujo green onion and desserts, and you can take almost everything for a picnic on the lawn.
- ~3 min
Shiden Hiroba Umekoji Cafe
Old cars of Kyoto's city streetcar turned into a cafe and a streetcar souvenir shop. Soft-serve ice cream made with milk from Miyama and a bun shaped like a streetcar hand strap.
- ~9 min
Shizuya Shichijo Food
A branch of Kyoto's local bakery chain, with 38 seats and breakfast and lunch. The best sellers are Karune, the chain's signature bun, and a cutlet sandwich.
- ~10 min
Kobushi Ramen Food
A ramen shop that made Tabelog's list of the 100 best ramen shops in western Japan every year from 2017 to 2025. The best-known dish is ramen in a broth of Kyoto duck and nodoguro fish. Cash only.
- ~11 min
Nishi Hongan-ji More to see
The head temple of the Jodo Shinshu Honganji-ha school, whose two main halls, Goei-do and Amida-do, are National Treasures. Entry is free, and four times a day (10:00, 11:30, 13:45 and 15:30) a tour of about half an hour sets out, with no fee and no registration.
More in Kyoto Station
Appears in: Kids' day in Kyoto: the Railway Museum, the Aquarium, To-ji and Kyoto Tower