Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
4.6
(68.7k)The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is a massive public aquarium within the Ocean Expo Park, famous for its enormous tanks housing whale sharks, manta rays, and a diverse array of marine life. It aims to reproduce the sea of Okinawa and its creatures, offering an educational experience for visitors.
Address
424 Ishikawa, Motobu, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-0206, Japan
Website
Opening Hours
8:30 AM – 6:30 PM (Wed)
Phone
+81 980-48-3748
Worth it?
Worth it for the sheer scale of the main tank and the variety of marine creatures
Skip if you dislike crowds, especially on public holidays
Location
424 Ishikawa, Motobu, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-0206, Japan
Highlights
The Kuroshio Sea tank is a spectacular highlight, offering mesmerizing views of massive manta rays and whale sharks.
Beyond the main tank, you'll find a wide variety of unique and unusual marine creatures, making the visit surprising and educational.
The turtle feeding experience is fun and engaging for visitors.
Who it's for
This aquarium is ideal for families with children and anyone fascinated by marine life, especially those who haven't seen whale sharks or manta rays up close before.
Know before you go
It pays to visit early in the day to avoid crowds, as the site is very popular among Japanese visitors.
Parking is available, but it's a little distance away from the aquarium itself.
Nearby stays
Reviews
4.6
Exceptional
5 ReviewsVisitors are consistently impressed by the spectacular views of whale sharks and manta rays in the massive tanks, as well as the variety of other marine creatures. Many highlight the impressive size of the tanks and the opportunity to see feeding times and dolphin shows. Free parking and stroller rentals are also appreciated.
Fun facts
The aquarium's Kuroshio Sea tank was the largest in the world until 2005.
The name "Churaumi" was chosen by public vote, with "chura" meaning "beautiful" or "graceful" in Okinawan and "umi" meaning "ocean" in Japanese.
The aquarium has successfully kept whale sharks in captivity for over 29 years and holds a record for the longest-kept manta ray.
