Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

Historical site   , ,
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (沖縄美ら海水族館, Okinawa Churaumi Suizokukan) is one of Japan’s most celebrated aquariums and is consistently ranked among the best in the world. Its name, “Churaumi,” beautifully combines the Okinawan dialect word “chura” (beautiful) and the Japanese “umi” (ocean).

Address:
424 Ishikawa, Motobu, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-0206, Japan.
It is located within the expansive Ocean Expo Park on the Motobu Peninsula in northern Okinawa Island. While it’s a bit of a drive (about 2.5 hours) from Naha, Okinawa’s capital, it’s a major highlight for visitors to the prefecture.

Outstanding Features:

  • The Kuroshio Sea Tank: This is the undisputed star attraction and one of the largest aquarium tanks in the world. It holds an astounding 7,500 cubic meters (nearly 2 million US gallons) of water and features a massive acrylic glass panel (8.2 meters high by 22.5 meters wide, 60 centimeters thick). This colossal tank is home to multiple whale sharks (the largest fish species in the world), several giant manta rays, and thousands of other diverse fish species, creating a truly awe-inspiring spectacle. Daily feeding shows for the whale sharks and manta rays are a major draw.
  • Pioneering Breeding Programs: Churaumi Aquarium is renowned for its groundbreaking research and successful breeding programs. It was the first aquarium in the world to successfully breed manta rays in captivity (in 2007) and has a continuous program dedicated to raising multiple whale sharks, aiming for the first successful captive breeding of the species. They also have successful breeding programs for various shark species, sea turtles, and manatees.
  • The Coral Sea Tank: This unique exhibit features a large-scale display of live coral. What sets it apart is its open-roof system, allowing natural sunlight to penetrate the water, combined with a constant flow of fresh seawater directly from the ocean. This innovative design allows over 80 species and 400 colonies of coral to thrive and grow naturally, mimicking a real reef ecosystem.
  • Deep Sea Exhibit: This dimly lit zone takes visitors on a journey into the mysterious depths of the Okinawan sea, showcasing creatures that live hundreds of meters below the surface where sunlight never reaches. It features over 100 species of rarely seen deep-sea organisms, including bioluminescent fish and Japanese spider crabs.
  • Comprehensive Marine Life Representation: The aquarium’s design takes visitors on a “virtual dive” from the shallow coral reefs to the open ocean (Kuroshio Sea) and down to the deep sea, showcasing the incredible biodiversity of Okinawa’s marine environments. Other exhibits include tanks for tropical fish, a shark research lab, and a touch pool where visitors can interact with starfish and sea cucumbers.
  • Ocean Expo Park Integration: The aquarium is part of the larger Ocean Expo Park, which was built for the 1975 International Ocean Expo. The park also includes outdoor pools for dolphins (with free shows at the Okichan Theater), sea turtles, and manatees, as well as botanical gardens (Tropical Dream Center), the Oceanic Culture Museum, and Emerald Beach.

Comparison with Similar Locations:

Churaumi Aquarium is often compared to other world-class aquariums, standing out for specific reasons:

  • Whale Shark and Manta Ray Focus: While several large aquariums globally house whale sharks (e.g., Georgia Aquarium in the USA, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan in Japan, S.E.A. Aquarium in Singapore), Churaumi’s pioneering efforts in breeding both whale sharks and manta rays in captivity, and its ability to house multiple large individuals, set it apart as a leader in the field.
  • Open-System Coral Exhibit: The Coral Sea tank’s unique open-roof, natural sunlight, and constant fresh seawater flow system for live coral cultivation is a truly innovative and highly successful approach not commonly found on such a large scale in other aquariums, which often rely on artificial light and closed systems.
  • Integration with Natural Environment: Its location on the coast of Okinawa, directly drawing seawater from the ocean and integrating with the broader Ocean Expo Park (including outdoor marine animal exhibits and beach access), gives it a strong connection to the natural marine environment it seeks to represent and protect.
  • Compared to Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan: Kaiyukan in Osaka is another massive and popular aquarium in Japan, also known for its whale shark in a central Pacific Ocean tank. Kaiyukan’s design takes visitors on a spiraling journey down through various Pacific Rim habitats. While both are excellent, Churaumi’s focus on Okinawan marine life, its pioneering breeding programs, and the distinctive open-system coral tank give it a unique edge. Its location in Okinawa also means a different travel experience than a city-center aquarium like Kaiyukan.
  • Compared to Georgia Aquarium (USA): Georgia Aquarium boasts the largest single aquarium tank by volume in the world and also houses whale sharks. While impressive in size and diversity, Churaumi’s deep dive into specific breeding and conservation efforts for large pelagic species and its unique coral display distinguish its scientific and conservation contributions.

Churaumi Aquarium is a must-visit destination in Okinawa, offering an unforgettable and educational journey into the wonders of the ocean, particularly its commitment to showcasing and preserving the magnificent marine life of the region.