The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (沖縄美ら海水族館, Okinawa Churaumi Suizokukan) is one of Japan’s most celebrated and impressive aquariums, located within the Ocean Expo Park on the Motobu Peninsula of Okinawa. Its name, “Churaumi,” combines the Okinawan word chura (beautiful) with the Japanese word umi (ocean). Opened in its current, redesigned form in 2002, the aquarium is renowned for its massive scale, particularly its main tank, and its focus on recreating the rich marine ecosystems of the surrounding Okinawan waters. It is a world-class institution dedicated to marine research, conservation, and public education.

Name and Address

• Name: Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium.
• Address: 424 Ishikawa, Motobu, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-0206, Japan. It is the central attraction of the larger Ocean Expo Park.

How to Get There

The aquarium is located in northern Okinawa, and reaching it from the main city of Naha requires some travel time.

• By Car: This is the most flexible option. The drive from Naha takes approximately 2 hours, utilizing the Okinawa Expressway to the Kyoda exit in Nago, followed by local roads. Free parking is available at the Ocean Expo Park (the North Gate parking lot, P7, is the closest).
• By Bus: Several express bus services, such as the Yanbaru Express and the Okinawa Airport Shuttle, run directly from Naha Airport and the Naha Bus Terminal to the Ocean Expo Park. The journey takes about 2.5 to 3 hours.
• Guided Tours: Many tour operators in Naha offer day trips that include round-trip transportation and admission to the aquarium, often bundled with visits to other northern Okinawa attractions.

Landscape and Architecture

The aquarium is designed to take visitors on a journey from the shore deep into the ocean.

• Architectural Concept: The building is laid out over four floors, with the entrance on the third floor. The visitor route is designed to descend through different marine zones, starting with the shallow coral reefs and gradually moving down into the deep sea, mimicking a diver’s descent into the Okinawan ocean.
• The Kuroshio Sea Tank: This is the architectural and experiential centerpiece of the aquarium. It is one of the largest aquarium tanks in the world, holding 7,500 cubic meters (1.98 million US gallons) of water. Its most impressive feature is a massive acrylic glass panel measuring 8.2 by 22.5 meters (27 by 74 feet) with a thickness of 60 centimeters (2 feet), which offers a breathtaking, panoramic view of the marine life within.
• Ocean Expo Park Setting: The aquarium is not a standalone building but part of the sprawling, beautiful Ocean Expo Park. The park stretches for three kilometers along the coast and includes other attractions like Emerald Beach, the Tropical Dream Center (botanical garden), and the Oceanic Culture Museum, all set in a lush, seaside landscape.

What Makes It Famous

The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is world-famous for its spectacular main tank and its success in keeping and breeding large pelagic species.

• Whale Sharks in Captivity: Its primary claim to fame is being one of the few aquariums in the world that successfully houses multiple whale sharks, the largest fish species on the planet. Seeing these gentle giants glide effortlessly through the Kuroshio Sea tank is an unforgettable experience.
• The Kuroshio Sea Tank: The sheer scale of the main tank is a massive draw. It is designed to replicate the Kuroshio Current, a warm and powerful current that flows past Okinawa, and it contains a stunning diversity of large species swimming together, including giant manta rays, sharks, and schools of migratory fish.
• Manta Ray Breeding Program: The aquarium was the first in the world to successfully breed giant manta rays in captivity, a significant achievement in marine biology and conservation.
• Large-Scale Coral Cultivation: The “Coral Sea” tank is an open-roof exhibit that uses natural sunlight and a constant flow of fresh seawater to cultivate 800 colonies of nearly 80 different species of living coral, creating a vibrant and authentic reef ecosystem.
• Deep Sea Exhibits: The aquarium provides a rare look into the mysterious deep-sea environment of Okinawa, showcasing bioluminescent creatures and other species that live at depths of over 200 meters.

Differences from Other Wonders

The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium stands out from other aquariums and attractions through its specific focus and monumental scale.

• Focus on a Specific Ecosystem: Unlike many aquariums that display animals from all over the world, Churaumi is intensely focused on recreating the specific marine environment of Okinawa and the Kuroshio Current. This gives it a unique and cohesive regional identity.
• Scale of the Main Tank: While other aquariums have large tanks, the Kuroshio Sea tank is legendary for its size and, more importantly, for the size of the animals it can support. The presence of multiple whale sharks and giant manta rays swimming together is a spectacle few other facilities can offer.
• Pioneering Research and Breeding: The aquarium is a global leader in the research and captive breeding of large, difficult-to-keep species like whale sharks and manta rays. This strong scientific and conservation mission distinguishes it from attractions that are purely for entertainment.
• Integration with a Larger Park: Being part of the Ocean Expo Park means a visit can be a full-day experience combining the aquarium with beautiful beaches, botanical gardens, and cultural museums, offering a much broader experience than a standalone aquarium building.