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Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

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Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

A Must-See Spot in Okinawa! See Whale Sharks Over 8.8 Meters Long and Reef Manta Rays at This Aquarium!

4.06 20

Last update :
Supervised by :  Okinawa Churashima Foundation

“Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium” is a popular tourist spot, located in Okinawa’s Kaiyohaku Park. If you take the building’s escalator down from the 4th floor to the 3rd, you’ll find yourself at the entrance to the aquarium. The aquarium is designed as a “deep dive” into the ocean as you go down to the 2nd and 1st floors, so as you descend, a magnificent world filled with mysterious Okinawan ocean creatures unfolds before you!

Within the aquarium’s main spot, “Kuroshio Sea,” visitors can see whale sharks, which are the world’s largest species of fish, as well as the world’s first successfully bred reef manta rays. Seeing these types of fish, which can reach up to 8.8 meters in length, up close is a real thrill! The sights combined with the surrounding gentle blue light makes it feel like you’re floating through the ocean.

The “Sea of Coral” aquarium is filled with sunlight, and it hosts a large-scale coral breeding exhibition.
On the 1st floor you’ll find an exhibition of rare deep-sea creatures that have been collected from depths of 200m or deeper, giving the area a mysterious atmosphere.

The “Okichan Theater,” located right next to the aquarium, hosts dolphin shows several times a day.
Be sure not to miss these exciting and smile-inducing shows, featuring dynamic high jumps from dolphins with a blue ocean backdrop, funny dances, and choruses!

Highlights

  • See whale sharks reaching up to 8.8 meters in length and reef manta rays up close!
  • One of Okinawa’s most popular tourist spots.
  • Large-scale coral breeding helps reproduce the Okinawan ocean.
  • Relax and look out at the large aquariums at the on-site café.
  • A venue for dolphin shows and a plaza where children can play are located near the aquarium.

Videos

Photos

  • Aquarium’s main spot, “Kuroshio Sea”

    Aquarium’s main spot, “Kuroshio Sea”

  • Manta ray

    Manta ray

  • A Sea Turtle

    A Sea Turtle

  • Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

    Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

  • Exterior

    Exterior

  • Okichan Theater, dolphin shows

    Okichan Theater, dolphin shows

Reviews

20

Some reviews are AI-translated.

  • Ming Yu
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    Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is definitely a classic attraction you can't miss when visiting Okinawa!

    The most impressive feature is the enormous Kuroshio Sea tank, where you can get an up-close view of whale sharks and manta rays gracefully swimming through the blue water. In addition to the colorful schools of tropical fish in the exhibits, the outdoor area also has a sea turtle facility and a super soothing manatee facility--watching the manatees leisurely swim and rest is truly adorable. Even on a rainy day, the park's scenery and extensive exhibits are still refreshing and enjoyable, making it a great place for the whole family to visit!

  • Eddie
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    As soon as you walk in, you see local Okinawan coral and small fish. The water is extremely clear, and natural light comes in from above, making the whole tank sparkle. Watching the little fish dart in and out of the coral is really relaxing.

    But the truly impressive part is the Kuroshio Sea tank. The moment you turn the corner and see that huge glass wall, you can't help but say, "Wow." You're completely surrounded by blue. Seeing the whale sharks in person, they're unbelievably huge, slowly swimming overhead, while rays circle around them like they're flying. The immersive feeling is something photos simply can't capture. I found a seat and just zoned out, watching them swim back and forth. Time flew by, and I didn't want to leave at all.

    The deep-sea fish in the area afterward looked pretty unusual, and the dim lighting was a big contrast with the earlier sections. Overall, it was really worth the visit. Just sitting in front of the main tank and watching the whale sharks swim around was worth the price of admission.

  • 楊雅雯
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    When traveling to Okinawa, the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is definitely one of my must-visit spots! The entire park is unbelievably huge, so I recommend setting aside at least half a day to walk around and take your time without rushing through your itinerary.

    As soon as you enter the aquarium, the enormous tank is the most breathtaking sight! Huge whale sharks and manta rays glide leisurely right in front of you, and you can't help but stop in your tracks. You could spend ages just standing in front of the glass watching them swim. Photos really can't capture the awe of being surrounded by such enormous sea creatures.

    The aquarium also has a wide variety of exhibits. It's like stepping into a mysterious blue world, with every tank serving as a little stage and the fish as the stars.

    There are also sea turtles and dolphin shows outside. The dolphins are so cute when they jump and spin, and the atmosphere is very lively! When the weather is nice, feeling the ocean breeze and looking at the blue sky and sea is incredibly relaxing.

    Finally, at the gift shop, every item was calling out to me: “Buy me! Buy me! You'll regret it if you don't!”

    Even though I knew it was a trap, I still pulled out my wallet without putting up any resistance... In the end, Japanese souvenirs always get me.

    The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium isn't just about looking at fish. It feels more like a journey where you encounter the ocean. If you're visiting Okinawa, it's truly worth setting aside a day to fully experience this blue world!

  • 蕓兒
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    This was my second visit to Churaumi Aquarium after coming here in 2012. My son drove here with his daughter and grandson. The scenery along the way from American Village was beautiful. The aquarium was just as crowded as ever, and there was also a drawing for a whale plush toy.

  • 一個漸漸喜歡上慢旅的人
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    Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is breathtaking! At the aquarium café, you can enjoy a drink while watching huge whale sharks glide right by you up close—it's truly awe-inspiring. The highlight was the limited-time "Kuroshio Exploration," where an elevator takes you directly above the Kuroshio Sea tank. Looking down from above, you can experience the vastness and vitality of the ocean world. Definitely worth the visit!

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Details

Name in Japanese
沖縄美ら海水族館
Postal Code
905-0206
Address
424 Ishikawa, Motobu-cho, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa
Tel
0980-48-3748
Closed
Open every day
Business Hours
Regular: 8:30am - 6:30pm　*Last admission 5:30pm
Peak season: 8:30am - 8:00pm *Last admission　7:00pm
Admission
Adults 2,180yen; High school students 1,440yen; Elementary and junior high school students 710yen; Free for Children under 6
Parking Lot
Available (free)
Access
(1) About a 2-hour drive (by highway) from Naha Airport
(2) About 3 hours by highway bus from Naha Airport. Get off at the “Churaumi Aquarium” stop; from there, it is about a 10-minute walk to the aquarium’s entrance.
Official Website
Official Website (English)
Hokkaido Tohoku Kanto Chubu Hokuriku Kansai Chugoku Shikoku Kyushu Okinawa