Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium Museum

Address: 424 Ishikawa, Motobu, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-0206, Japan

Website: https://churaumi.okinawa/

Hours: Daily 8:30am-6:30pm (seasonal variation; last admission typically 30-60 min before close)

Admission: Adults ¥1,850, high school ¥1,230, elementary ¥610 (approx.)

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is a major public aquarium on the Motobu Peninsula in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, located within the Ocean Expo Park. It is internationally known for its large exhibits that showcase Kuroshio Current marine life.

The aquarium’s principal attraction is the Kuroshio Tank, a very large display that houses whale sharks, manta rays, and schools of other pelagic fish and is presented through a large front viewing panel. Additional galleries present coral reef habitats, local Okinawan species, and touch exhibits geared to families and school groups.

The facility opened as a modern aquarium facility in the early 21st century and was developed to highlight Okinawa’s marine environments and promote marine science and conservation. It operates public feeding demonstrations and educational programs focused on the Kuroshio Current and reef ecosystems.

The aquarium sits on the northwest coast of Okinawa Island in Motobu, within the Ocean Expo Park complex, roughly an hour to 90 minutes by car from Naha depending on traffic.

• Setting: Part of Ocean Expo Park on Okinawa’s Motobu Peninsula and commonly described as one of Japan’s largest public aquariums.
• Visitor tip: Noted for its public feeding demonstrations of large pelagic species, timed sessions are popular and useful for planning a visit.

What to See#

• Kuroshio Tank: The Kuroshio Sea tank is the aquarium’s main display and is designed to replicate the warm Kuroshio Current; it is known for housing whale sharks and large manta rays in a single large tank.
• Coral and local marine galleries: Interactive exhibits and smaller tropical galleries focus on coral reef ecosystems and local Okinawan marine life, supporting education and conservation work.

From Naha Airport the aquarium is roughly 80-100 km north and is most easily reached by car (about 90-120 minutes depending on traffic) via the Okinawa Expressway and Route 58. If using public transport, take the Yui Rail (monorail) to Naha Bus Terminal and catch an express highway bus toward Motobu/Ocean Expo Park (bus numbers vary seasonally; ask at the terminal). The park has ample parking and is signposted as ‘Ocean Expo Park / Churaumi Aquarium’.

• Arrive at opening for the Kuroshio Tank front-row experience; the viewing area fills quickly.
• Stay for the dolphin show schedule - times posted daily at the park entrance - it's shorter but charming and less crowded than the tank.
• Visit the surface-level coral exhibits first; the deep-water Kuroshio Tank is busiest at midday.
• Combine the aquarium ticket with a stroll through the adjacent Ocean Expo Park - the banyan trees and coastal walks are often overlooked.