Churaumi Aquarium
The Churaumi Aquarium (美ら海水族館, Churaumi Suizokukan) is widely considered Japan's best aquarium. It is the main attraction of the Ocean Expo Park on the former grounds of the 1975 International Ocean Expo in northern Okinawa Honto. The aquarium was completely redesigned and reopened in 2002.
The highlight of a visit to the Churaumi Aquarium is the massive Kuroshio Tank, one of the largest in the world. The tank takes its name from the warm Kuroshio current which plays a large part in the variety of Okinawa's of marine life. The tank contains a wide variety of species, the most striking of which are the giant whale sharks and manta rays.
The aquarium is spread out over three floors with the entrance on the third floor and the exit on the first floor. Near the entrance is a tank with a large scale exhibit of living coral. The route then leads past the Kuroshio Tank, where visitors will likely want to spend quite a bit of time. Feeding shows are held twice daily. Located just beside the tank is a high definition movie theater about Okinawa's marine life.
Past the Kuroshio Tank are a few more interesting tanks and displays including an area dedicated to sharks with live tiger sharks and bull sharks. Another area is dedicated to marine life in the extremely deeps waters of Okinawa and includes displays of bioluminescent fish.
Outside of the main aquarium building, there are a few outdoor pools near the waterfront where shows of dolphins, sea turtles and manatees can be viewed for free.
Getting there and around
The Churaumi Aquarium is part of the Ocean Expo Park on the Motobu Peninsula in northern Okinawa Honto, about 90 kilometers from Naha.
By direct bus from Naha
The Okinawa Airport Shuttle, the Yanbaru Express and bus line 117 directly connect the airport and city center of Naha with the Churaumi Aquarium. The one way trip takes a little over two hours and costs 1900-2000 yen on the Okinawa Airport Shuttle and the Yanbaru Express and 2770-2880 yen on bus 117. There are 1-2 buses per hour. In central Naha, the Airport Shuttle and Yanbaru Express are available from the Prefectural Office bus stop (県庁北口, Kenchō Kitaguchi) while bus 117 stops at the Naha Bus Terminal. Discounted round trip tickets are available through Klook.
By bus from Nago
Most buses along the lines 65 and 66 connect Nago with the Kinen Kōen-mae (記念公園前) bus stop in front of the Ocean Expo Park (50 minutes, 920 yen one way, hourly). Note that a few buses run on a slightly different route that does not serve the aquarium.
By car
By car, take the Okinawa Expressway from Naha all the way to its northern end near Nago (1040 yen one way) and then follow regular roads across the Motobu Peninsula to the Ocean Expo Park. In total, the journey takes about two hours one way (more during rush hours).
How to get to and around Okinawa Honto
Hours and Fees
Hours
Closed
Admission
Typical Visit Duration
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
Hotels around Okinawa Island
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La Passione Boutique B&BBoasting city views, La Passione Boutique B&B features accommodation with terrace, around 2.2 km from Naminoue Beach. This 1-star bed and breakfast offers a shared kitchen, luggage storage space and free WiFi. The rooms are fitted with a balcony. Each unit is fitted with air conditioning, a private bathroom and a well-fitted kitchen including a dishwasher, oven, microwave and a toaster. A fridge, a stovetop and kitchenware are also offered, as well as a coffee machine and a kettle. At the bed and breakfast, units have bed linen and towels. Continental and Asian breakfast options with warm dishes, local specialities and pancakes are available. There is a coffee shop and lounge. Tamaudun Mausoleum is 4.1 km from the bed and breakfast, while Sefa Utaki is 20 km from the property. Naha Airport is 4 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Best ever hotel -SEVEN Hotels and Resorts-Best ever hotel -SEVEN Hotels and Resorts- features accommodation within 700 metres of the centre of Naha, with free WiFi, and a kitchenette with a microwave, a fridge and a stovetop. The air-conditioned accommodation is 1.4 km from Naminoue Beach. The accommodation offers a lift and full-day security for guests. At the aparthotel, every unit comes with a desk, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom, bed linen and towels. Tamaudun Mausoleum is 4.7 km from the aparthotel, while Nakagusuku Castle is 20 km from the property. Naha Airport is 4 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Hotel CollectiveSet in Naha, 1.8 km from Naminoue Beach, Hotel Collective offers accommodation with a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, private parking, a fitness centre and a restaurant. Each accommodation at the 5-star hotel has city views, and guests can enjoy access to a sauna and a hot tub. The accommodation provides a kids' club, a 24-hour front desk and currency exchange for guests. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a coffee machine, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. The units will provide guests with a wardrobe and a kettle. Guests at Hotel Collective can enjoy an American breakfast. Tamaudun Mausoleum is 3.5 km from the accommodation, while Nakagusuku Castle is 19 km away. Naha Airport is 5 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom NahaJR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Naha offers accommodation in Naha. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant during their stay. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property and private parking is available on site for an additional fee. JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Naha is completely non-smoking and fully equipped with barrier-free facilities. Each of the hotel's carpeted rooms is air-conditioned and soundproofed. The rooms have a flat-screen satellite TV. The bed is equipped with a Simmons pocket coil mattress. Rooms are equipped with an electric kettle, clothes rack and refrigerator. The rooms have a private bathroom with a bathtub. Towels, bathrobes, slippers, toothbrushes and free toiletries are also provided. There is also a safety deposit box and a laptop safe. Free luggage storage is available at the 24-hour front desk. Drinks vending machines and a free trouser press are available on site. Paid massages and meeting/banquet facilities can be arranged for an additional fee. JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Naha is a 1-minute walk from Naha Kokusai Dori Shopping District and a 5-minute walk from Miebashi Monorail Station. Naha Airport is within 30 minutes by train.View on Booking.com -
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Living Inn NahakoumaeIdeally located in the Naha City Centre district of Naha, Living Inn Nahakoumae is situated 22 km from Sefa Utaki, 23 km from Nakagusuku Castle and 30 km from Zakimi Gusuku Castle. It is set 5.4 km from Tamaudun Mausoleum and offers free WiFi plus a lift. The property is 1.2 km from the city centre and 1.3 km from Naminoue Beach. Some units come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, washing machine and a kettle, as well as a fully equipped kitchenette. At the aparthotel, units come with a private bathroom. Katsuren Castle is 32 km from the aparthotel, while Maeda Cape is 34 km from the property. Naha Airport is 4 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Hotel GrandConsort NahaWell set in the centre of Naha, Hotel GrandConsort Naha is within 1.5 km of Naminoue Beach and 4.2 km of Tamaudun Mausoleum. This 4-star hotel offers a shared lounge, a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi. Private parking is available on site. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a kettle, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. All units include a wardrobe. Sefa Utaki is 20 km from Hotel GrandConsort Naha, while Nakagusuku Castle is 21 km away. Naha Airport is 5 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Rihga Royal Gran OkinawaOffering direct access from Asahibashi Monorail Station, Rihga Royal Gran Okinawa features spacious Western-style accommodations with free WiFi. Guests can ask for concierge services at the front desk. All rooms are non-smoking and feature air conditioning, a flat-screen satellite TV, safety deposit box and fridge. Guests can make green tea using the electric kettle and wear the provided sleepwear. The en suite bathroom comes with a hairdryer and toothbrush sets. Currency exchange and photocopying services are offered at the front desk. Laundry services are provided and on-site parking is available at an extra charge. The lobby is located on the 14th floor. A breakfast buffet and Western a la carte dishes are served at Dining 19, which offers beautiful sunset views from the top floor. Okinawa Gran Rihga Royal is a 10-minute walk from Kokusai Street and a 25-minute drive from Shuri Castle. Naha Airport is just a 10-minute drive or train ride away. A 24-hour convenience shop can be found next door.View on Booking.com -
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Hotel Little Island Okinawa MatsuyamaConveniently located in the centre of Naha, Hotel Little Island Okinawa Matsuyama offers a balcony, air conditioning, free WiFi and flat-screen TV. This 3-star aparthotel offers a lift and luggage storage space. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. The kitchen is fitted with a microwave, a fridge and a stovetop and there is a private bathroom with slippers and a hair dryer. For added privacy, the accommodation features a private entrance. Naminoue Beach is 500 metres from the aparthotel, while Tamaudun Mausoleum is 4.7 km from the property. Naha Airport is 4 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Condominium GOLF GOLF TsuboyaOffering city views, Condominium GOLF GOLF Tsuboya is an accommodation located in Naha, 2.9 km from Tamaudun Mausoleum and 19 km from Sefa Utaki. This property offers access to a balcony, free private parking and free WiFi. The accommodation provides a lift, full-day security and luggage storage for guests. Accommodation is fitted with air conditioning, a fully equipped kitchenette, a TV and a private bathroom with bidet, slippers and a hair dryer. A microwave, a fridge and stovetop are also provided, as well as a kettle. The units include a desk. Nakagusuku Castle is 19 km from the aparthotel, while Zakimi Gusuku Castle is 28 km away. Naha Airport is 5 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Daiwa Roynet Hotel NAHA-OMOROMACHI PREMIERConveniently located in Naha, Daiwa Roynet Hotel NAHA-OMOROMACHI PREMIER offers a buffet breakfast and free WiFi throughout the property. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space. Guests can enjoy city views. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. Tamaudun Mausoleum is 2.8 km from Daiwa Roynet Hotel NAHA-OMOROMACHI PREMIER, while Nakagusuku Castle is 17 km from the property. Naha Airport is 7 km away.View on Booking.com
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Experiences around Okinawa Island
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Mangrove Kayaking and Trekking with Outdoor Cooking in Iriomote IslandExprole quiet Mangrove river and Waterfall / Jungle streamView on Klook -
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2N3D Meditation & Fasting Treatment PackageEnjoy meals with fresh vegetables made in Okinawa and it’s all Vegan.View on Klook -
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Fly Zipline Experience at Matayoshi Coffee FarmEnjoy 5 different Zipline courses with a professional guide.View on Klook -
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ATV Adventure in Okinawa From Itoman or Higashi VillageLearn how to ride an ATV with the guidance of a professional coachView on Klook -
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Yukata and Kimono Rental in OkinawaCompletely immerse yourself in Japanese culture by dressing up with a kimono or a summer yukataView on Klook -
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Blue Cave Snorkeling and Diving in OkinawaExplore the glowing wonders of the Blue Cave on a snorkeling or diving experienceView on Klook -
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Mangrove Kayaking and Fishing Experience in OkinawaGrab your paddles and head to Okinawa to try mangrove kayaking, and immerse in the calmness of the mangrovesView on Klook -
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