Osaka Prefecture’s amazing aquarium—NIFREL

NIFREL, located in the EXPOCITY complex right across the street from Expo ’70 Commemorative Park, is a wonder-filled “interactive aquazoo”. The name comes from the Japanese words ni fureru, which means to touch or experience. The idea is that visitors will encounter aquatic creatures using the various human senses and experience the many wonders of the natural world.

Opened in 2015, the museum continues to thrill visitors young and old with artful displays and unique animals. It currently has 9+ different zones where guests can view and, in some instances, interact with aquatic creatures from all over the world.

■COLORS

The very first zone you’ll encounter is the COLORS zone. Colorful lighting and artistic aquarium displays bring out the uniquely beautiful colors of the ocean creatures.

Purple Sea Anemones, orange and white Clownfish, shocking blue Palette Surgeonfish, and the impressive striped, spotted, and almost iridescent Banggai Cardinalfish make up an enchanting rainbow of creatures among the 13 tanks. waiting to impress visitors with their otherworldly looks.

This room is where it really sunk in. NIFREL is not your typical aquarium. Everything is displayed so beautifully and with such care, it feels like stepping into an interactive art exhibit.

■ABILITIES

Next up is the ABILITIES zone and this one is absolutely delightful. Highlighting the wonders of nature, this zone is full of unique creatures with unique abilities that will steal your heart and your imagination. This is the kind of place that makes you really awe at the wonders of evolution!

You can see Green Brittle Stars known to prop itself up on 5.5cm long spindly legs and drop down onto unsuspecting prey who wander beneath, pointy Razorfish that seem to be suspended vertically in mid-water from their tails, Epaulette Sharks who are found in coral reefs and are known to walk on their fins when tides are dangerously low, and Spotted Archerfish who hunt by spraying water up to 150cm into the air to knock prey into the water.

I won’t spoil everything, but their is much, much more to be amazed at in this zone.

■SWIM

The SWIM zone is dark and artsy like a film noir flick. Signage is etched into the aquarium walls and reflected in shadows through precisely placed lighting, creating a backdrop for fish silhouettes mirroring their movements as they wriggle through the water.

Some animals to look for are the Blubber Jellyfish, which have inhabited the earth for over 1 billion years despite lacking a brain and a heart, and the Siebenrock’s Snake-necked Turtle, which can swivel its entire neck under water and does strikingly resemble a serpent.

I particularly liked this exhibit. Compare your own shadow to a fish! It definitely adds a new perspective.

■WONDER MOMENTS

This interactive art experience is probably the most instagrammable room in the entire building. Created by Takahiro Matsuo, a huge sphere is suspended in the middle of an open ceiling. Enchanting images of stars, nature, water are projected onto the globe, which can be viewed from above and below.

■MIMIC

Search for animals under cover in this room which embodies the spirit of camouflage itself. Each display is like a mini-scavenger hunt as some of the hiding creatures are virtually indistinguishable from there surroundings.

Surprisingly, the Chameleon was one of the easiest to see, but I wouldn’t expect to find him in a thriving forest. See if you can find some of the well-concealed creatures below:

There is at least one frog hiding in this display.

These Stick Insects are native to the islands of Okinawa. How many can you see?

This room felt like a giant game of hide-and-seek. Fortunately, there are signs telling you how many of each animal are in the display cases with an illustration. Otherwise, I’m sure people would think most of the displays are empty.

■WATERSIDE

This is where you’ll find the majestic White Tiger pacing in his overhead enclosure and letting out fierce roars that fill the entire room. There are also Saltwater Crocodiles and Pigmy Hippopotami—excuse the one I photographed, she was having lunch.

Incidentally, the museum cafe is also located in this room so you can relax and recharge with a light meal or snack in this well-lit open space.

■BEHAVIOR

This is the animals’ playground. A variety of species from all over the world, like Indian Peafowl, Ring-tailed Lemur, and African Spurred Tortoises are free to roam among visitors, but maintain their own private animal side across the artificial stream.

There are also water enclosures for American Beavers and African Penguins among others. It’s a freeing room, where you get a chance to feel a little closer to the animals and watch them interact with each other and you.

■BIODIVERSITY & ATMOSPHERE

Finally the museum culminates in a theater-like experience. You find yourself in a darkened room, leaving the world of animals behind. Sit back, or for many of the kids burn off some extra energy while watching powerful images of nature juxtaposed with scenes from human society, which are divided into 4 main themes—forest, satoyama (woodlands near villages), ocean, and city.

The realistic sound of sudden rainfall and lightening storms in sync with the screen projections reminds you of being caught in a rainstorm and experiencing the world beyond four walls. It is a refreshing reminder of who we are and the role we play as actors on this earth.

■NIFREL MAKES

Before entering the giftshop, there is one more interactive section, where you can create your own hands-on craft, participate in a seasonal workshop, or take part in another participatory activity to make you feel more connected to nature.

When I visited, there were coloring stations where you could decorate your own postcard with images of animals that I had just seen in the aquazoo. This will make a fun souvenir to send to someone who couldn’t be with me on this fun day. It’s a great way to share the experience with my circle of friends and family. Hopefully you will be able to visit NIFREL too. It’s a beautiful spot that really brings the joys of the natural world right to your finger tips.

It is also worth noting that Nifrel prides itself on accessibility and family-friendliness. Service dogs are allowed inside the facility, it provides wheelchair accessible restrooms and wide corridors, and there are nursing rooms and baby-facilities inside the building. If you have luggage, you may use the coin lockers located on the first floor of NIFREL near the entrance.

Also, please follow normal Covid-19 prevention procedures. Wear a mask when you visit and be aware that the staff conducts a health screening at the entrance, including temperature checks. Enjoy your visit!

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