must-visit in OkinawaZoo & Aquarium

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

📍 424 Ishikawa, Motobu, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-0206, Japan

1 photos

4.6/ 5.0

★★★★★

Introduction

The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, inside Ocean Expo Park in Motobu, is famous for Kuroshio Sea — one of the world's largest tanks at 35 m long, 10 m deep and 7,500 tonnes, behind a 27-metre acrylic panel. Two whale sharks and several manta rays cruise among groupers and golden trevally; it was the first aquarium anywhere to keep whale sharks long-term. The Coral Sea hall grows 70+ reef species in natural light, the Deep Sea zone recreates life at 200 metres, and touch pools let kids handle starfish and sea cucumbers. Outside, Ocean Expo Park adds Emerald Beach, tropical botanical gardens and an Okinawan heritage village. Okinawa's top family sight — allow half a day.

✨ Highlights

Kuroshio Sea

Whale sharks and mantas glide over your head.

Coral Sea Hall

Living reef under natural light.

The Deep Sea Zone

Mysteries of the 200-metre dark.

Touch Pools

Starfish and sea cucumbers at your fingertips.

🛈 Practical Info

→Duration：1-2 hours minimum; half a day to do it justice.

→Getting There：2 hours by car from Naha, or highway bus to Kinen-koen-mae.

→Best Time：The first hour after opening; feeding talks are the highlight.

→Tickets：Adults about 2,180 yen; under-16s free or discounted.

→Nearby：Chain with Kouri Bridge and Cape Manzamo for a north-Okinawa day.

💡 Tips

• Kuroshio feeding talks run three times daily — check times on entry.

• Indoor air-con is strong — pack a light layer for kids.

• Emerald Beach sits inside the park — bring swimwear too.

• Summer night openings offer a different mood.

• The whale-shark breeding programme is world first — don't skip the talks.

FAQ

Any practical tips for visiting Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium?

Kuroshio feeding talks run three times daily — check times on entry. Indoor air-con is strong — pack a light layer for kids.

Information on this page is compiled from public sources. Opening hours, ticket prices and other details may change — please verify with official sources before your visit.