Kyoto Aquarium (Shimogyo, Kyoto, Japan)

What makes this place special?

At a Glance

Kyoto Aquarium is an inland aquarium in Umekoji Park, in Shimogyō Ward near Kyoto Station. It opened on March 14, 2012, and was the first aquarium in Japan to run entirely on artificial seawater. It shows about 250 species and roughly 15,000 animals.

The Rivers of Kyoto zone recreates the upper Kamo River in a 12-meter tank, home to giant salamanders, a Special Natural Monument. Elsewhere are Cape penguins, seals, a 500-ton main tank modeled on the Sea of Japan, and a shallow touch pool laid out like a school classroom. In 2018 the aquarium's penguin relationship chart went viral online.