Living Museum Nifure

NIFREL, a living museum, is an experiential museum produced by the Kaiyukan Aquarium under the concept of "touching the sensibility." It combines elements of an aquarium, a zoo, and an art museum, offering intuitive displays that allow visitors to enjoy the diversity and beauty of living creatures.

The museum consists of seven exhibition zones: "Touching Colors," "Touching Skills," "Touching Swimming," "Touching Hiding," "Touching Waterside," "Touching Movement," and "Touching Connections," along with the art space "WONDER MOMENTS," which weaves together light and sound. Each zone stimulates visitors’ five senses through installation techniques such as lighting, sound, and video, expressing the individuality and ecology of living creatures.

Approximately 150 species and about 2,000 living organisms are displayed, including impressive large animals like pygmy hippos and saltwater crocodiles, as well as capybaras and ring-tailed lemurs roaming freely in an open space, and vibrant fish. In the "Touching Waterside" zone, visitors can observe creatures living near the water up close, and in the adjacent cafe "EAT EAT EAT," they can also try the popular and fun-to-eat "eating water."

In "WONDER MOMENTS," interactive art utilizing spheres and the floor expresses beautiful moments in nature with light and sound, immersing visitors in a fantastical world that feels like viewing Earth from space.

At NIFREL, curators are present to interact with visitors, enhancing their encounters with living creatures. Additionally, by getting a transparent ink stamp on the back of the hand at the exit, re-entry on the same day is permitted. A visit combined with the adjacent large complex "Lalaport EXPOCITY" and "Expo '70 Commemorative Park" allows for a full day of fun.

Access is convenient, with direct buses operating from JR Suita Station to EXPOCITY on weekends and public holidays. On weekdays, free shuttle buses are available for members of Mitsui Shopping Park from JR Ibaraki Station, Hankyu Kitashirakawa Station, and Hankyu Minami-Shirakawa Station.

NIFREL is a new type of museum that stimulates the sensibilities of diverse generations, from children to adults, teaching the importance of "awareness" and "connection" found in everyday life.