Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
About This Destination
Location
Prefecture: Okinawa
Address: Motobu, Okinawa, Japan
Nearest Station: Kinen Koen-mae Bus Stop
Visitor Information
Credit Cards: Accepted
Food Options: Ocean Expo Park has restaurants and cafes. Ocean Blue cafe inside the aquarium offers dining with a view of the main tank. Motobu town is famous for soba.
Access
Okinawa, Japan
Get DirectionsFrequently Asked Questions
What's the best way to get there from Naha, and what does it cost?
**Driving** (rental car) is by far the most practical: Naha → Okinawa Expressway → Route 58 → Motobu, ~2h 20min, parking on-site is free. **Bus** (no car): Yanbaru Express Bus #117 from Naha Airport (T1) direct to Kinen Koen-mae stop at the aquarium, ~2h 40min one-way, ¥2,250 reserved (sells out summer weekends, so book at yanbaru-expressbus.com). **Tour bus** day-trips from Naha cost ¥7,000 to 9,000 and bundle multiple northern Okinawa stops, efficient if it's your only day. **Admission**: ¥2,180 adult / ¥1,440 high school / ¥710 elementary to junior high / free under-6; **after-4-PM tickets are ¥1,520** (saves ~30%), perfect since you avoid peak crowds AND get the 17:00 whale shark feeding before closing. Hours: 8:30 to 18:30 Mar to Sep / 8:30 to 18:00 Oct to Feb, last entry 1 h before close. The aquarium itself is one floor of Ocean Expo Park; allow 2.5 to 3 hours inside, plus the park.
What's worth seeing beyond the main tank?
Plenty. The aquarium is one building inside the much larger **Ocean Expo Park**, almost all of which is free. **Inside the aquarium**: the Kuroshio Sea tank is the obvious headliner (whale shark feedings at 15:00 and 17:00 daily, so arrive 30 min early for front rail; the underwater viewing tunnel beneath is less crowded than the main glass wall); the Coral Sea tank with 800+ live coral colonies; the Shark Research Lab; the Aqua Room dome viewer above the Kuroshio tank (small extra wait but spectacular). **Outside, free**: **Okichan Theater** dolphin shows (~4 times daily, 20 min, no reservation, so arrive 10 min ahead); the **Manatee Pool** (only Japanese facility breeding manatees); the **Sea Turtle Pool** (year-round); **Emerald Beach** (swimming Apr to Oct, free, public showers); the **Tropical Dream Center** orchid greenhouse (paid ¥760, optional). The Bise Fukugi Tree Road is a 5-minute drive away, a 1 km path through 250+ year-old Indian-laurel trees, free, peaceful.
How do I combine the aquarium with other northern Okinawa stops?
Several strong combinations within a 1-hour radius. **Cape Manzamo** (35 min south): the elephant-trunk-shaped cliff over a coral sea; free, ~30 min stop, best at sunset. **Kouri Island** (40 min east): connected by the 2 km Kouri Bridge with shallow turquoise water below; Heart Rock natural arch at Tinu Beach, easy 20-min walk; ¥600 parking. **Ie Island** (Ie Jima): 30-min ferry from Motobu Port (5 min from aquarium), ¥730 one-way; cycle the small island and climb Mount Gusuku (172 m) in 30 min for 360° views; do-able as half-day. **Kouri Ocean Tower** (¥800): drive-up observatory with a Caribbean-blue view. **Yanbaru National Park** (60 min north): Okinawa's wild rainforest, mangrove kayaking at Hiji Falls; needs a full additional day. **Suggested 1-day plan** (rental car): Naha → Manzamo → aquarium 11:00 → Bise Fukugi Tree Road → Kouri Bridge sunset → return. Overnight in Motobu/Kouri area lets you fit Ie Island the next day.
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