Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

Overview

The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is one of the world's premier marine facilities, located in Ocean Expo Park on the Motobu Peninsula. Its centerpiece is the Kuroshio Sea tank — one of the largest aquarium tanks on Earth — where whale sharks and manta rays glide past floor-to-ceiling acrylic panels.

Highlights

• Kuroshio Sea Tank: A 7,500-cubic-meter tank housing whale sharks, manta rays, and schools of tuna behind a massive acrylic panel.
• Coral Sea Room: Open-roofed tanks filled with living coral reefs under natural sunlight.
• Dolphin Show: Free outdoor performances at the adjacent Okichan Theater with ocean views.

History

Opened in 2002 as part of the Ocean Expo Park (originally built for the 1975 International Ocean Exposition), the aquarium quickly became Okinawa's most visited attraction. The facility was the first in the world to successfully breed and exhibit whale sharks in captivity. It draws over 3 million visitors annually.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: Located ~2 hours north of Naha by car; consider renting a car or booking a bus tour.
• Tip 2: Buy discounted tickets at convenience stores (¥1,880 vs ¥2,180 at the gate).
• Duration: 2.5–3 hours.