About Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (美 ら 海 水族館)

The Okinawa aquarium is the largest of its kind in Japan and is located in the Ocean Expo Park of Okinawa Prefecture. The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium has impressive collection of over 740 species of sea creatures. The aquarium’s mascot and most popular residents are their massive whale sharks.

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium first opened in 1975 for the Okinawa International Ocean Expo. At the time of its construction it was the largest aquarium in the world. The aquarium underwent significant renovations in August of 2002 and it reopened on November 1st of the same year. The renovations completely revitalized the old aquarium and its been an extremely popular tourist destination ever since.

The name of the Churaumi Aquarium was chosen by a vote from the Japanese people. The name pays homage to both the native Okinawan and Japanese languages. “Chura” means “beautiful” or “graceful” in the Okinawan Language and “umi” means “sea” or “ocean” in Japanese.

The Churaumi Aquarium is also known for their robust and large scale breeding program. They are internationally recognized for breeding large sharks and manta rays. A few notable species include the indo pacific bottlenose dolphin, manta ray, and whitetip reef shark.

8 Key Features of Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

The Coral Sea

The Coral Sea Tank at features several tanks that house giant colonies of reef building coral. Some of the coral reefs have been growing for over 15 years. A continuous supply of fresh seawater is pumped into the Coral Sea Tank directly from the sea. Great care was taken to replicate the exact living conditions the marine life would see in the wild. Each of the tanks have a lot of light, rocky shallows, open sandy areas, and hidden caves. Visitors can enjoy viewing schools of colorful tropical fish in their natural habitat.

Daily Feedings: 13:00, 15:30

The Kuroshio Sea

The Kuroshio Sea Tank is the largest tank at Churaumi aquarium. The tank can hold a mind boggling 1,981,000 gallons of water. Massive whale sharks and manta rays swim gracefully among a wide array of other marine life.

There are multiple ways to enjoy the Kuroshio Sea Tank. Initially guests walk down a series of switchbacks that give a great overview of the tanks size. From there, guests descend to the bottom level where the size and scale of the tank can be felt.

The aqua room provides visitors with a unique opportunity see whale sharks and manta rays from underneath. The acrylic ceiling provides an immersive experience where it feels like are swimming next to you. There is plenty of bench style seating for visitors to sit back and relax while whale sharks and manta rays peacefully swim over you.

The Kuroshio Sea Tank can also be enjoyed from a separate cafe or from a unique tunnel like viewing area. The Ocean Blue cafe serves a menu of lite food and drinks. Visitors can reserve a 40 minute time slot for a table right next to the walls of the tank. The cost of the reservation is a reasonable ¥500 and you can enjoy a lite meal while enjoying the majestic whale sharks.

Daily Feedings: 9:30, 15:00, 17:00

Deep Sea World

The Deep Sea World exhibit displays an impressive collection of over 150 different deep sea creatures. Most of the creatures in the deep sea exhibit live at depths of 200 meters or greater. The aquarium does a great job of replicating the conditions in the wild by adjusting the water temperature, pressure, and lighting of each tank. Visitors get a rare chance to view these rarely seen deep sea creatures.

Okichan Theater

The Okichan Theater is the location of the daily dolphin shows. False killer whales and bottlenose dolphins perform exciting and well choreographed shows.

Daily Dolphin Shows: 10:30, 11:30, 13:00, 15:00, 17:00

Dolphin Lagoon

The Dolphin Lagoon offers visitors a chance to see the dolphins up close.

Sea Turtle Pool

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium Sea Turtle Pool hosts a number of sea turtle species including the hawksbill, loggerhead, green, and olive ridely. The sea turtles can be viewed through either a top down viewing area, or through the underwater observation room.

Manatee Pool

View a number of West Indian Manatee on display at the Manatee pool. The gentle herbivores are in danger of extinction and are designated as a threatened species. Most of the Manatee in the Manatee exhibit were born in Mexico and were given as gifts from the Mexican government in 1997. Since then, the facility is the only one in Japan to successfully breed Manatees.

Emerald Beach

Emerald Beach is a beautiful and picturesque area with its smooth white sand and deep blue water. The beach was listed in 2006 as one of Japan’s best 100 bathing beaches. Visitors can enjoy the beach from April to October. Emerald Beach is also a place where sea turtles come to lays their eggs every year.

Other Features Include: Deep Sea Experience Room, Ocean Planetarium, Aqua Lab, Shark Research Lab, Whale Shark & Manta Ray Corner, Ocean Blue Cafe, Coral Reef Gallery, Whale Shark Sculpture, & Uminchu Gate.

Nearby Attractions in Okinawa Include

Ocean Expo Park, Tropical Dream Center, Nakijin Castle Ruins, Kouri Island, Kouri Big Bridge, & Kouri Ocean Tower.

Best Times to Visit Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

• Spring: March – April

Spring: March – April

Spring is the one of the best times to visit Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium and Okinawa Island in general. The weather is more temperate and its before the rainy season of May – June and the brutal heat & humidity of typhoon season from July – August.

Note: Spring may be the ideal time to visit Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, but its by no means the only time to go to the aquarium. Most of the aquarium is indoors, so even in bad weather visitors can still enjoy the aquarium.

Unique Reasons to Go

• Largest Aquarium in Japan
• Top 3 Thing to Do in Okinawa Prefecture
• Great Chance to See Whale Sharks

Admission Fee & Hours

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium Admission Fee

Adults: ¥2,180

High School Students: ¥1,440

Elementary & Junior High School Students: ¥710

Children 6 Years & Younger: Free

*Re-entry on the same day is possible. Show your admission ticket at the entrance.

Okichan Theater, Dolphin Lagoon, Sea Turtle Pool, & Manatee Pool Admission Fee

Free

Ocean Expo Park Hours

Free

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium Hours

Last Admission: 17:30

Off Season (October – February) 8:30 – 18:30

Peak Season (March – September) 8:30 – 20:00

Last Admission: 19:00

Okichan Theater, Dolphin Lagoon, Sea Turtle Pool, & Manatee Pool Hours

Off Season (October – February) 8:30 – 17:30

Peak Season (March – September) 8:30 – 19:00

Churaumi Plaza Hours

Off Season (October – February) 8:30 – 18:30

Peak Season (March – September) 8:30 – 20:00

Ocean Expo Park Hours

Summer Period (March to September) 8:00 – 19:30

Regular Period (October to February) 8:00 – 18:00

How to Access Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

By Public Transportation

• From the Domestic Terminal at Naha Airport, take an Okinawa Airport Shuttle bound for Churaumi Aquarium Via Onna Village getting off at Kinen Koen-Mae (Ocean Expo Park) (Regular Bus 3 hours, ¥2,000/person/way) (Express Bus 1 hour 55 min, ¥2,000/person/way) Note: Elementary school students are half the adult fare.

• From the Domestic Terminal at Naha Airport, take a Yanbaru Express Bus bound for Resort Hotel Bel Paraiso getting off at Kinen Koen-Mae (Ocean Expo Park) (Regular Bus 2 hours 15 minutes, ¥2,000/person/way)

By Car

• Kyoda IC (29 km Southeast)

Best Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium Parking Lots

• North Parking Lot (P7) (1,083 Spaces, 170m from Main Entrance, Free) *Closest Parking Lot