Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
沖縄美ら海水族館
One of the largest aquariums in the world. In the giant 'Kuroshio Sea' tank, whale sharks swim alongside manta rays. Located in Ocean Expo Park, it is the first stop on family trips to Okinawa.
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is located in Ocean Expo Park in Motobu Town, on the northern part of Okinawa Main Island. It opened in 2002. Its centerpiece, the 'Kuroshio Sea' tank, holds 7,500 tonnes of water. Through a giant 22.5-metre-wide acrylic window, you can watch 8-metre whale sharks and several giant manta rays glide past, one of the most striking aquarium scenes in the world. The whale shark feeding shows at 3 pm and 5 pm are not to be missed. The aquarium also has the Coral Sea (living corals grown under natural light), the Deep Sea Journey and the Shark Expert Gallery. Outside, Ocean Expo Park is free to enter. It has dolphin shows at the Oki-chan Theater (several a day), a dugong hall, a sea turtle hall, Emerald Beach and the Tropical Dream Center, enough to fill half a day. Adult admission is 2,180 yen. Tickets for entry after 4 pm are discounted, and buying in advance at convenience stores in central Naha saves 10%. Visitor tips: see the aquarium before the dolphin show. For lunch, eat at the Ocean Blue café beside the tank and watch the whale sharks while you dine. The Bise Fukugi Forest Trail and Nakijin Castle ruins, both about 10 minutes away by car, can be visited along the way. Getting there: driving from Naha on the expressway takes about 2 hours. The Churaumi Liner bus or Expressway Bus 117 takes about 2.5-3 hours. You can also join a day tour from Naha that includes Kouri Island and Mazeoka. Notes: the morning from 11 am to 2 pm is most crowded during summer vacation and Golden Week. Turn off flash when photographing through the glass of the Kuroshio Sea tank.
Opening hours
08:30–18:30 (until 20:00 March–September); closed the first Wednesday of December and the following day
Nearby sights
- Bise Fukugi Tree Road
- Sesoko Beach
- Nakijin Castle Ruins
- Nago Pineapple Park
- Kouri Island
- Busena Marine Park
- Cape Manzamo
- Cape Maeda (Blue Cave)