Tempozan Harbor Village is built on one of Osaka's many man-made islands to provide a place for city growth. The site features six main elements: the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, Tempozan Marketplace, the Giant Ferris Wheel, the Naniwa Kuishinbo Yokocho food court, LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Osaka, and several cruise boat options. You can also visit Japan’s smallest mountain, Mt. Tempozan, standing just 14.8 feet (4.53 meters) above sea level.
Tempozan's biggest attraction is the aquarium, featuring 30,000 creatures and 620 marine species, including the aquarium's famous whale sharks. The Ferris wheel is also popular, reaching 367 feet (112 meters) in height, providing panoramic views of Osaka Bay. Tempozan Marketplace is a mixed-use shopping mall with fashion boutiques, souvenir shops, restaurants, a petting zoo, an indoor LEGO® playground, and LEGOLAND Discovery Center Osaka. The Marketplace also houses Naniwa Kuishinbo Yokocho, a 1960s-themed food hall featuring Osakan foods such as *takoyaki *(octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (savory pancakes).
Visitors to the aquarium should plan to spend about 2.5 hours to see all the exhibits.
The aquarium features a suggested route (starting on the 8th floor) that guides you on a downward spiral through the 14 themed areas, all focused on regions within the Pacific Rim.
The aquarium and marketplace are both free to access, but some of the other attractions require admission.
At the end of the village, you can take a ferry to Universal Studios Japan or cruise around the bay on the Santa Maria, modeled at twice the size of the ship Columbus sailed to America.
While wait times for the four glass-bottom Ferris wheel gondolas are understandably longer than the standard gondolas, you'll enjoy unique views of Osaka and the harbor below.
Tempozan Harbor Village is located in western Osaka, and is easily accessible by the Osaka Metro. The trip takes less than 30 minutes from Umeda and Namba. The closest stop, Osakako Station on the Chuo line, is just a 5-minute walk to the village. As you exit the station, look for the signage to guide you to the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan.
Most attractions open in the morning (when crowds are lightest), and stay open at least until the early evening. The aquarium and the Naniwa Kuishinbo Yokocho food court are open later, and so is the Ferris wheel, which lights up at night. Given its harbor location, Tempozan Harbor Village can get very windy, so be sure to take along a jacket to stay warm, regardless of the season.
Consider purchasing the Osaka Amazing Pass to save money on your Tempozan Harbor Village visit. This pass includes free entrance to the Ferris wheel, LEGOLAND Discovery Center, and the Santa Maria cruise, as well as other attractions in the city. The pass can also be used for free bus, train, and Metro use.
