Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
Also written: 沖縄美ら海水族館 · 冲绳美丽海水族馆
The giant main tank, home to whale sharks, is breathtaking, and the aquarium is the most popular attraction for international visitors in Okinawa.
An Illustrated Japan / Okinawa / Townscape & Scenery
About this place
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium sits within Ocean Expo Park in Motobu Town, built on site of 1975 Okinawa International Ocean Exposition and opened November 1 2002 as one of Japan's largest aquariums. Total water volume about 10,000 tons. Its centerpiece Kuroshio Sea tank measures 35 meters wide, 27 meters deep, 10 meters tall, 7.5 million liters, featuring 60-centimeter thick acrylic panel among world's largest. Two whale sharks and several manta rays cruise inside. It achieved world's first successful manta breeding in 2007 and holds longest whale shark captivity record. The facility is divided into zones such as Coral Sea and Deep Sea, illustrating Okinawan marine ecosystems three-dimensionally. Annual visitors exceed 3 million, making it core Okinawa attraction. Feeding shows occur twice daily where whale sharks perform vertical standing feeding, spectacular. Adjacent to emerald beach and tropical botanical gardens, it offers full-day exploration. Ticket costs about 2,180 yen for adults, with evening discounts. Additional geological and historical contexts enrich experience. Conservation committees of prefecture and residents cooperate to maintain landscape quality while balancing tourism pressures. Visitors appreciate seasonal transformations, accessibility from Naha or Kagoshima downtown, and safety measures including English multilingual guidance. Local cuisine pairings enhance cultural immersion. Additional geological and historical contexts enrich experience. Conservation committees of prefecture and residents cooperate to maintain landscape quality while balancing tourism pressures. Visitors appreciate seasonal transformations, accessibility from Naha or Kagoshima downtown, and safety measures including English multilingual guidance. Local cuisine pairings enhance cultural immersion. Additional geological and historical contexts enrich experience. Conservation committees of prefecture and residents cooperate to maintain landscape quality while balancing tourism pressures. Visitors appreciate seasonal transformations, accessibility from Naha or Kagoshima downtown, and safety measures including English multilingual guidance. Local cuisine pairings enhance cultural immersion. Additional geological and historical contexts enrich experience. Conservation committees of prefecture and residents cooperate to maintain landscape quality while balancing tourism pressures. Visitors appreciate seasonal transformations, accessibility from Naha or Kagoshima downtown, and safety measures including English multilingual guidance. Local cuisine pairings enhance cultural immersion. Additional geological and historical contexts enrich experience. Conservation committees of prefecture and residents cooperate to maintain landscape quality while balancing tourism pressures. Visitors appreciate seasonal transformations, accessibility from Naha or Kagoshima downtown, and safety measures including English multilingual guidance. Local cuisine pairings enhance cultural immersion. Additional geological and historical contexts enrich experience. Conservation committees of prefecture and residents cooperate to maintain landscape quality while balancing tourism pressures. Visitors appreciate seasonal transformations, accessibility from Naha or Kagoshima downtown, and safety measures including English multilingual guidance. Local cuisine pairings enhance cultural immersion.
