Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

This is by far the most famous aquarium in Okinawa, and possibly one of the most famous aquariums in all of Japan. The main highlight — and true signature of this aquarium — is the massive whale shark, which is absolutely breathtaking to see up close. It alone makes the visit unforgettable. Beyond the whale shark, there are many other impressive marine exhibits that showcase the rich ocean life of Okinawa. The overall scale and quality of the displays are outstanding. In addition, the walk leading to the aquarium is also very enjoyable, surrounded by open space and beautiful scenery, which adds to the entire experience. It’s not just an aquarium visit, but a full, memorable outing that is highly recommended.

Wow! Public holiday the place was crowded with people. Sadly this attraction has alot of amazing fish and animals is boring pools of water, blue concrete bottoms. Sad place indeed. Left half was through! Never again, unless they were to change the aquarium layouts.

I am not a fan of aquarium but this was amazing. Highlights of this aquarium is the whale shark and the manta ray. It is a magnificent view! There are a lot of interesting fishes and sea mammals I have never seen before. Worth a visit. Admission tickets are available on site and I think going on weekdays is better. Not too crowded. Parking is a little distance away from the aquarium. There is no direct parking there.

The giant, mesmerizing viewing tank is absolutely stunning. The turtle feeding experience was fun and engaging. The service truly stood out—maintenance responded quickly and went above and beyond to help me retrieve a ring I accidentally dropped into a sewage gutter. They arrived with a special grabber tool and carefully clawed my ring out of the (surprisingly clean) gutter. Top-notch service!

I visited Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium and found it absolutely worth seeing. The highlight for me was the massive manta rays gracefully gliding through the water—truly spectacular and mesmerizing. As for the whale sharks, they didn’t impress me as much because I’ve previously swum with whale sharks in Cebu, but first-time visitors would still find them impressive. The aquarium features a wide variety of unique and unusual marine creatures, making the visit both surprising and educational. It’s a great experience for anyone interested in marine life. The only downside was the aquarium’s restaurant, where the food was mediocre and overpriced, but this didn’t significantly affect the overall experience. Overall, Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is a must-visit spot in Okinawa. Whether you’re with family, friends, or alone, it offers a wonderful opportunity to get up close with marine creatures. The manta ray display, in particular, is truly unforgettable.

This aquarium is so much more than just an aquarium. It’s such a fun experience and there’s a whole section attached with more information about whale sharks and other animal species. We thought it was really cool that they offer a wall of information about species discovered by the aquarium with the year of the discovery! The dolphin show was really cool and fun, the manta rays and whale shark are huge and really puts into perspective just how small we are but how big of an impact we have on the ocean and marine life. We will definitely be coming back in the future!

A good visit if you have the time. I was most impressed by the variety of species they have and, of course, the whale shark. We went on a Friday and it was PACKED though we didn’t need to purchase tickets ahead of time. There was a lot of patience practised with waiting turns to see some of the exhibits. Would definitely get there first thing to avoid crowds. Lots of bathrooms throughout and in October there were many food trucks at the exit.

Far and away the best aquarium I've ever seen. So many amazing tanks including the biggest one in the world with a whale shark. Mesmerisng. Such a cheap price to see a major world class sight - it would be 5X that in Europe. With zoos, you worry if the space is sufficient for some of the animals but with fish so I don't think it's a concern. This place is clearly doing serious conservation research so you are supporting a good thing. Take your time and savour each creature and every tank.

Whale shark looming overhead, smarter dolphins here than Sea Life Park. Wear comfy shoes. Prepare for wind as locatin is next to the ocean, very windy the day we attended. The have a bus to take for a fee. They also have a handivan as the park is too vast for those injured or unable to walk great distances.

I've been to a few aquariums before in Osaka, Toronto, and maybe another one but I can't quite remember. I say Okinawa's is probably my favourite though it is a 2hr drive from Naha where most people stay in Okinawa. We rented a car to get there but there's also tour buses as well. I highly recommend to check out the tourist booth at Naha airport where you can score discount tickets instead of buying it at the door. This aquarium includes more detailed research findings and better for adults I say compared other aquariums where I feel like it's more catered to kids (petting creatures and kid activities etc). But kids can definitely enjoy this as well and we see so many people bringing children to the aquarium. We stayed for like probably ~4 hrs because we also enjoyed the cafe and read the text. Some displays are a bit more text heavy showcasing their research and findings and many of the species are truly unique, discovered by the team from this aquarium for the first time. Some deep water creatures that are unique to Okinawa and first discovered are showcased which is super cool. There's also a display of a creepy deep water shark that hasn't been captured live before. And how can you forget the gigantic aquarium with the shark whale. Truly mesmerizing to see how HUGE it is compared to us. We added ourselves to the waitlist at the cafe and you get a ticket to come back later which is about 45 mins. I think it's totally worth it to enjoy a snack while getting a prime spot to enjoy the shark whale swimming next to you. We also saw divers cleaning the tank next to us. Lots of plush and trinkets at the souvenir shop. I bought a mini knife, fork and spoon that is shaped like a fish or sea creature and made with Japanese steel to give away to relatives. It's super kawaii (each utensil is about $5CAD) but now I kind of regret that I didn't buy some for myself as a souvenir. Also be sure to check outside the aquarium where you can check out tortoises, manatees and dolphin shows on schedule, which seems to be completely free to the public.

I have visited this island or prefecture several times and never made it to the aquarium. My recent trip, my friend and I finally made the trip to this amazing aquarium. Situated on a large plot of land with varying attractions like the botanical garden, old Japan world, and many more, one of the main attraction is the aquarium. Situated about 2 hours north of Naha and near Nago so you would need a rental car or a shuttle there. The ticket costs a little around $2,200 yen per adult and you get to go into the aquarium. The other attractions have different ticket prices and some outdoor attractions are free. Service: with most places on the island or Japan, all the employees are extremely nice and helpful if you have questions or need some help. The main fish is the whale shark which was amazingly huge and beautiful. The whale shark is surrounded by many different varieties of shark and other tropical fishes. A must see if you're visiting Okinawa.

This aquarium is amazing!! So much to see!! I would definitely consider this to be a tourist destination if you are visiting the island of Okinawa. It's great for all ages and families. I've been to the aquarium in Monterey Bay, Hawaii and this one is the best.

I usually like going to aquariums when it's scorching hot but this time around the weather was the complete opposite, rainy and windy so the aquarium provided nice shelter. But when I heard that they had a whale shark, I didn't care what elements I had to overcome, I drove my happy ass for over an hour to see my new best friend I never met. I tried to wait patiently and take my time with the rest of the exhibits but the only thing on my mind was the whale shark so I blew past everything and saw the majestic beast. OMG the tank, if you want to call it that, was gigantic and made the huge manta rays sharing the space look tiny. The whale shark itself will keep you watching it's every movement for hours if you let it. After an hour or so, I did manage to leave and wander the rest of the premises and I was so impressed! I would definitely come back here again and spend more time and love with the rest of the wildlife. But only after I visit my best friend again!

There is only a handful of aquariums in the entire world that house whale sharks, and one of them just happens to be Churaumi in Okinawa! My sister is a HUGE fan of aquariums, so this is definitely one of the top attractions when we visited my sister and brother-in-law in Okinawa. Our kids had an awesome time here - they love aquariums in general & it's not everyday that they get to visit one! Not to mention the cafe that we ate lunch at is right next to their giant tank with the whale sharks and other sea life. Highly recommend and will definitely come back again if we ever go back to Okinawa!

Inexpensive aquarium! Family friendly and a great environment to hangout with friends. It was the perfect place to end our day adventures. We came at the end of the day but totally worth it!

Wow. This one was a bucket list item I didn't even know I had. Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is absolutely massive, with so much to see and explore. If you think you've seen it all, just come here. So fun for all ages and you will easily spend hours in here. Absolutely worth the price, which is so affordable it's probably less than the tolls! You'll definitely get your steps in, up and down tons of stairs, down below ground level to see Sea Turtles up close, and back up to the dolphins. There are even stairs leading down to an absolutely gorgeous beach, so you can see just where these fish are from. Tons of deep sea fish, mantarays, even the skin of a shark! You will not be bored! Make sure to hit their nice little gift shop on the way out!

Been looking forward to visit the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium since I first found out about it, and it was on my bucket list of must-visit places in the world ever since! I've heard so many great things about this aquarium... one being the largest one in Japan (and 2nd to the world?)! I was absolutely thrilled to finally be here this winter! We arrived 10 minute before 4pm; staff reminded us that tickets are discounted for 4pm entry (Adult general is ¥2,180, after 4pm is ¥1,510, Kids general is ¥710, after 4pm is ¥490). Aquarium closes at 6:30pm, with last entry at 5:30pm. You can easily spend 3 hours there, just mesmerizing over the exotic fishes and creatures. There is also a cafe inside, where you can sit down and enjoy a drink while watching the fishies swim. This aquarium also houses the largest collection of whale sharks and manta rays in the same tank. It is absolutely beautiful inside; the blue glow is so peaceful. All the exhibits have English translations, so it makes it easy to follow. Audio tour (from your phone) is also complementary, just needed to scan a QR code before you enter). One of the exhibits that really stood out for me was the one about poisonous sea creatures! It has a model of the creature, and the poisonous part actually lights up red. Next to the model is the actual tank with the live creature! I would 1000% visit this aquarium again next time I'm in Okinawa. My visit was quite short-lived; we only spend an hour there (additionally, we also spent a quick half hour in the souvenir shop... definitely worth checking out!) because we had to rush to dinner lol. Until next time! P.S. For parking, we parked at P7, just up the hill to the entrance of the aquarium. But when you leave, you have to walk outside, and take escalator all the way back up to the top, up the hill to get to the parking lot.

The Okinawa Aquarium stands among the world's largest, offering a breathtaking spectacle of marine wonders. The sheer scale is matched by the quality of information provided, making it both an awe-inspiring and educational experience. The ambience is curated for maximum enjoyment, providing a serene backdrop to the marine marvels. The staff's passion shines through, adding to the overall excellence. From the sheer scale of exhibits to the friendliness of the people, Okinawa Aquarium is a must-visit, offering an unforgettable journey into the depths of oceanic wonders.

We arrived at the same time 4-5 busses, I was a little worried. When I walked out onto the property is so magnificent. The steps, the ocean and the island out in the middle made my first view breathe taking. ( Only in the movies). The property was very large. So by the look of things I had to ready too walk. We walked down the numerous amount of steps and arrived at the dolphin show. It was crowded but we stood off to the left on the grass. The dolphins were humongous. I have never seen dolphins that large before. And I must say the trainers did an awesome job with them, because some of the feats the did performed were amazing. When then walked over to the turtle pool. It was simple but really nice; some very big sea turtles. Afterwards we walked over to the Mantee. They were just ok. The tanks for the 3 Mantee to me, were small, I believed they need more more. Finally we made our way into the aquarium. From the outside the aquarium look like a luxurious hotel. The landscaping, architecture appearance. . Riding the escalator 4-5 flights up. Boy was it crowded. People were everywhere. The tickets per person were only 800 yen. Which was pretty good. I enjoyed the the sharks and leaped color sting rays as well as the seeing fish that are only found on this side of the world. It was so crowded though that I really could not enjoy it all to the fullest. Well, it was time to go and guess what I saw -a shuttle but it it was too late for me I was already on my way back up.

This is, without question, the most wonderful aquarium that I've been to. So many different species of sea life that one simply cannot find landlocked in United States. All the displays are very well done and easy to read in multiple languages. So many different tanks with colorful and Diversy life. The large aquarium is truly a sight to behold. To see whale sharks and manta rays as close as 2 feet through the glass is an outstanding experience. The aquarium does take a bit of time to get to from Naha but it is well worth the drive. We also watched the dolphin show which was amazing. Quite incredible that trainers are able to get those mammals to do the tricks that they do. Lastly the setting for the aquarium is quite stunning. A 180° view of adjacent islands and the open ocean from a top a very tall hill.

This review is five years overdue. I may be a bit biased but I think this is one of the most beautiful aquariums we've been to. "Chura" in the Okinawan dialect means beautiful. "Umi" means ocean in Japanese. We came here in June and although this is quite a popular tourist attraction, it wasn't too crowded. You may have more of a. Rows during the end of July when Japanese students are in their summer vacation. The main attraction is the whale shark. This aquarium is one of only a few that houses the whale shark. It's quite surreal looking up at the whale shark swimming above you in the large tank. There are a ton of smaller tanks and exhibits similar to other aquariums. But they also have exhibits outside including sea turtles and manatees, both my favorites! I would suggest you purchase your tickets online to save some time .

The aquarium is a lot of fun! It has a lot of cool exhibits and a massive aquarium wall. We have been here a few times now and always enjoyed it. Try and go early to beat the crowds. The crowds are starting to get overwhelming so try and get there early.

My second visit in 3 years. It's far from the Airport, most based and hotels...but worth the long drive. + Parking- Free! Several parking areas available. + the park- looks new/well kept. Beautiful fountains, shrub sculptures and playground. Food trucks and Food courts. + the Aquarium- Amazing! I could sit here all day and watch the fish go round and round. Fresh/saltwater, Shallow or deep sea....this aquarium has a lot of exhibits. My top three exhibits- 3. Petting the star fish and sea cucumbers. At the beach I see sea creatures and not sure you can touch them. I don't have any allergies so I was able to feel their texture. Hand washing stations are nearby. #2- The Lobster tank. Huge lobsters just chillin without a worry. There's one in particular that looks like a 10 pounder. I love lobster but won't ever be tempted to snatch one from the tank lol. #1- The main tank. Enormous! Whale sharks, manta rays, various large fish. My last visit I got to watch the whale sharks at feeding time. Breaks their pattern of going in circles. If you're not on a time crunch take a seat at one of many viewing areas. Bonus: Dolphin show is 15-20 mins long. Free and worth it! Enjoy!

We had the chance to visit the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in September, and had a fantastic time. We heard stories about how good the aquarium was, including taking ownership to one of the largest tanks in the world (3rd largest). The complex is big. We had people tell us they expected it to be larger, but we were quite pleased with its size. There are sections outside which do not cost money, including a dolphin show, a manatee tank and a sea turtle tank. You have a lot more creatures to see when you go inside however. If you want to save a few bucks on admission, you have several options. First, you can wait until 4:00 pm when they reduce admission at the aquarium. As far as I know, this is every day of the week. In contrast, you can purchase tickets from an outside vendor where you can get discounted tickets that are good any time of the day. We spent several hours at the aquarium. Being a tourist attraction, it was busy, but not overrun. The layout is nice, and you are able to see things as the tanks are quite large. I don't think we had to wait long to get right up to any of the exhibitions to see them up close and personal. Good for all ages, this is a place that would be worth adding to your list in Okinawa. A bit of a haul from Naha, you would need to be heading up to this area of the island for a reason - and this aquarium may be that reason. We rented a car, however, there are buses that will take you from the city. It's about a 2 hour car ride, and almost a 3 hour bus ride, so you may want to consider staying the night in the area if you plan on exploring. We stayed in a hostel - Guest House Hamaca 117. We spent some time in this area as we considered creating a tour for this region. It's a stunning location. In addition to our scouting mission, we also created a YouTube video about our time in the aquarium which you may enjoy watching as well. This video, and others from the area, can be found directly on YouTube or on our website at www.joshthetravelguy.ca

One of the main attractions in Okinawa and it did not disappoint. Of course the highlight was the huge main tank with the whale sharks and manta rays. The dolphin show was also quite nice so make sure you schedule that in. The other nice thing about the Aquarium is that it's located in the Ocean Expo Park with many other attractions. You could spend a few days there exploring everything. For those who want to save money, many of the outside areas featuring the turtles, manatees, and even dolphin show can be accessed for free.

Three huge whale sharks, but oh boy oh boy, I had to take a long bus ride to get there from downtown Naha. Yanbaru Express bus stops near the Kencho-mae, and takes about 2 hours bus ride to the Marine Park. Aquarium is located inside the Marine Park. Bus fare was 1,900 yen one way. I highly recommend coming early as this place gets really crowded. Marine Park has several restaurants but I recommend eating at the cafe inside the aquarium right in front of the whale sharks tank. Food served here is nothing fancy, portion size is rather small, but where else in the world you can eat your lunch while watching whale sharks swim by? I could just sit there for hours and hours to watch the fishes swim. I also enjoyed their dolphin show. Show is about 25 mins. People arrive one hour before the show time to secure the seat. If you have time, I recommend allocating enough time to enjoy the show. Some of the cafe/restaurants accept US dollars. Changes will be given in yen but since my yen supply was getting low (I still had to pay for the bus fare home), it was very helpful as they didn't accept credit card. There are lots to do at the marine park besides the aquarium. Come early, bring yen and enjoy!

One of the best aquariums I've been too! The attractions are in great shape. The cost was very reasonable. And my kids also loved this aquarium. The giant tank was the biggest hit. Made me want to go diving in the tank to help them clean. The only down side is the distance from the hotel I stayed at. The aquarium is at the northern most area of Okinawa. So it did take a bit of a drive. But the drive was so worth it. I can't wait to go again!! Defiantly if you are in Okinawa don't miss the opportunity to go here and see the aquarium.

Such a beautiful aquarium with a breathtaking view! I went in December/January timeframe and the weather was just right. Their fish tanks are amazing to look at, especially with how big the sharks are within. I think my favorite thing was the dolphin show because it was right on the water and everything together was just amazing. There is a steep hill to wall to get down to more attractions & of course there's quite some walking. Only negative would be the food options. To be such a grand place, I feel like the restaurants could have been more up to date/upscale.

Cliché alert... Cliché alert... If you come to Okinawa and don't come here, you've missed out. Hands down the most awesome aquarium on earth. Beats Scripps's and Monterey easily. Massive clear wall with tables to eat at the foot of it. Hours of possibility of things to see. Massive grounds outside of the actual building, which in and of itself is massive. Beyond belief in some aspects. Staff is very friendly to Americans.

This aquarium is really mind blowing. It has the 2nd biggest aquarium next to the Atlanta, GA aquarium. The fish tank in the main viewing area is an eye opener and mouth dropper. They even have a whale shark in this main viewing area! Makes you realize how small you really are in this big world lol. They have shows with dolphins and smaller whales and have a lot to see. And of course they are very family friendly! They are positioned right on the western coast so a nice breeze on a hot day is always good here. Definitely can't wait to go back again with my family. We really enjoyed this experience and this place can rival any in the world!

Very nice Aquarium. The giant tank houses 2 whale sharks. Very fascinating and the marine life that they have are HUGE! I am used to seeing reef fish the size of your hand but these buggers are as big as your torso. They all so delicious. Very informative and good experience. The one thing I wish they got rid of is the dolphin show. After seeing that movie "The Cove" where they capture and kill all of those dolphins in Taiji, I am opposed to these cruel side shows. We only had time to go through the main aquarium itself and not the rest of the park of the dolphin show.

If you live in the area, there's no reason not to get an annual pass. At just double the entry cost, you can go an unlimited number of times throughout the year and have a few discounts at the eating facility. I imagine a lot of people who come here are tourists, so it's a one time experience, but getting a pass is quite easy and they print you out a card in a matter of minutes. Then entry is very simple every time you go and you don't have to feel like seeing everything on each visit. Although the first time, I looked at all the little tanks on the pathway to the largest tank, its also very easy to bypass those on another trip. They have a number of rotating movies they play in the theatre with translating audio units for rent. I've watched the movies without translation and the pictures are interesting enough. I have to say that those large tanks with the whale sharks could never get boring to me. Each time I have been, they have been just as impressive. They are incredible, beautiful creatures and definitely worth seeing. It's worth getting a snack at the café and sitting by the windows to watch all the animals go by. During lunch time it can get a little hectic, as tables fill up quickly. There's also free outdoor activities, like looking at the turtles and the manatees in the tanks outside. Also, the dolphin show is impressive with a gorgeous view of the East China Sea behind it. If you have the time, the Okinawa traditional village is quite nice. There's audio explanations for each scene and I think there are staff that dress up and walk around the houses. Its quite a large village with a number of specialized buildings that give an idea of what it looked like in the older days. There's also a planetarium and a whole other section with a botanical garden (which has a separate entrance fee). There's a public beach on the edge and a couple eating facilities inside. There are a generous amounts of parking lots, depending on which part of the park you are visiting. There's also a parking garage closest to the aquarium side. All parking is free. The architecture and expanse of the area is quite impressive and it seems to handle the flow of people traffic reasonably. If you come later in the afternoon, they offer discounted tickets as well. There is plenty of shops and souvenirs to buy. Definitely a highlight of Okinawa, especially if you did not get to go snorkeling or scuba diving in the area.

Huge aquarium. I enjoyed my time at Churaumi Aquarium. They have many rooms and multilingual guides to each room. The variety of fish are endless. Each room exhibits fish found in specific environments in Okinawa's waters. I came primarily for their whale sharks. Entering the room and seeing the whale shark(s) swim by for the first time was surreal. The glass in that room is huge and you can also see other fish in there. There is a cafeteria/cafe next to the tank, but I think you have to reserve seats if you want to sit right next to the tank. The only thing I disliked were the giant tourist crowds and how sometimes I could be held up in a room because of the pace people were moving. I'd probably come here earlier next time to avoid hoards of people. There's lots to explore outside of the aquarium including the rest of the Expo park. I'd probably spend a day here if you wanted to see everything the park offers.

When I think aquariums, I think an aquarium is an aquarium is just another aquarium so I had reservations coming here. Well I'm glad I did. First off, this place is huge. I'm not sure how true this is but it was the world's largest until they built Atlanta. I've been to Atlanta and it has nothing on this place in my opinion. I think this one seems bigger because it offers indoor and outdoor attractions. The dolphin show was awesome awesome awesome. Better than Sea World or any other aquarium I've been to.

This aquarium is Big they got fishes I never seen before, the place is very clean and a must to go if you are in Okinawa. We had a blast and walk a lot because is a lot to see. Plus they even got a dolphin show at the end.

Awesome place. That's the best way to describe it. Awesome. Huge aquarium with a multitude of displays, including a coral reef, deep ocean, fresh water, mangroves, deadly sharks, and their centerpiece--the 1.9 million gallon Kuroshio Sea tank. This is worth The price of admission right there. The Kuroshio Sea tank is home to 2 Whale Sharks (very rare in captivity), as well as tuna, Manta Rays, and a whole bunch of other stuff. This is the 2nd largest aquarium in the world. Outside, there are dolphin shows where you canwatch them perform, and for Y500, participate in a feeding. Also, there is a manatee (dugong) tank, sea turtles, a beach, incredible views of Ie Island, the list goes on... Stop in at a Lawson or Family Mart to buy discounted tickets for admission to the aquarium. The dolphin shows and all the other outdoor exhibits are free. If you have the opportunity to visit Churaumi Aquarium, please do it!

Wow! This is by far one of the best aquariums i have ever been to. It is huge and the sea life is so impressive to see. The massive size of the animals is breathtaking. The rare species are awesome to see as well. It was packed but the crowd moved well thru the huge place. Don't forget to check out the manatees, turtles, and dolphins after you leave. The dolphin show is a must see!

Whale sharks. That's all you need to know. The giant tank is the shit and I can sit there for hours. Depending on where you are staying, it's a far drive from the airport (roughly 2 hours), but it's a nice drive since Japanese people are the most polite drivers ever. There are plenty of parking as well. We went on a Friday afternoon and the crowd wasn't too bad. Plan to spend at least 2 hours here, but it's very enjoyable so I would take your time. Outside the aquarium is a manatee tank and some honus.

This aquarium is quite large and bigger than I expected in terms of land. A major portion of it is outside with no underwater creatures, but filled with beautiful plants and beach/ocean views. Anyways, you can park in parking structures that are next to the aquarium. Then you go down a set of stairs or escalators and are led to ticket machines to purchase tickets. I believe it was around $16 US dollars per ticket, which is cheap for an aquarium that is the 2nd largest aquarium in the world. I enjoy the set up starting from the shallow waters with coral reefs and then going deeper into the ocean as you progress. The main attraction is in the middle and is a huge aquarium tank filled with dozens of different types of sea creatures along with some whale sharks. There is even a café next to it if you get hungry. I think one of my favorite parts of the aquarium is going outside to a gorgeous view of the beach and ocean. There is also an interesting outside show with dolphins. Of course, this show was in Japanese, so I couldn't understand; however, the show was nice to watch and enjoy. SeaWorld has better dolphin shows. There is also a manatee exhibit. Overall, would definitely recommend coming to the aquarium if you are in Okinawa!!

A beautiful aquarium that is part of a larger outdoor complex! This complex is located right on the water, which makes for spectacular views. It was raining the day we came (boo) so I can only imagine how it looks on a clear day. We spent about 2 hours at the aquarium, and our favorite part was getting to eat lunch at the cafe while enjoying the huge tank of whale sharks and giant sting rays. Prices at the cafe for lunch and beers were quite reasonable (you usually expect higher prices in any kind of attraction)... the food was OK...a little bland...but not bad. I recommend the taco balls! We also got a chance to catch the dolphin show- and that was super cute and entertaining! All dialogue is in japanese but it doesn't matter- the dolphins do some fun tricks. They had a lot of small tanks with some sea creatures I had never seen before. Explanations at each tank were in japanese and english. Overall a fun afternoon- and definitely a great place to be while it's raining. Only downside is that it's about 3 hours from the airport :( Quite a trek.

Nago is far, out of the way and far beyond the reach of most gaijin on the island of Okinawa, making this place feel authentically Okinawan, as opposed to hanging out on Gate 2 Street. But with that being said, the trek to Nago is worth the hassle, especially if you're heading to what was once the largest aquarium in the world. After a few minutes of roaming around here peeping strange sea life, one can begin to understand why the hell we crawled out of the ocean some 370 million years ago. Have you seen the spider crab? Or the spiny lobster? How about that Goliath grouper? I would have started hopping out of the water too! Those gills couldn't have evolved into lung fast enough I'm sure. But we all know how this story goes, as much bigger animals would form on land, which is probably why some animals migrated BACK into the oceans. Guess it wasn't so bad in there after all, huh? If you're on the big rock, be sure you make the journey to the aquarium so your mind can wander too. You won't be disappointed.

As the world's third largest aquarium, Churaumi Aquarium is one of the few must visit locations of Okinawa regardless of one's fondness for sea critters. The aquarium greets you with a free photo printed on a calendar and sends you off to a journey into the vast tunnel of marine life. There are several themed sections, such as the Shark Lab or the Sea Turtle Exhibition, but the main attraction is of course the massive tank located in the middle of the fascinating journey. Ticket prices are fairly reasonable considering the aquarium's reputation, being ¥1880 for adults. Discounted ticket prices can be found fairly easily at nearby convenience stores or rent-car stores. The food, however, is infamous to be underwhelming and overpriced so I'd recommend visitors to seek food elsewhere. The whole area is nice to spend a day at, as there are several other attractions (Emerald Beach, Planetarium, Dolphin Show, etc.). I recommend visiting early as there are always a huge crowd of people visiting.

Sooo...the main tank of the aquarium is super impressive. The dolphins outside, turtle area, all cool. However, if you can come out not during peak season, that'd be best...because it was so crowded in there I couldn't wait to get out. Everywhere I turned, someone sweaty was rubbing on me. I highly doubt the fire code regulations (if any) are adhered to. I imagined the giant swimming creatures getting panicked by mass chaos among the humans and crashing through the tank, drowning all within. Okay, that was dramatic but you get the point. It was hot and I couldn't breathe. Think of woodstock indoors, in half darkness with thousands of screaming children. (I almost stepped on a couple) I'd like to come back if there were some peace and quiet. The tank really is a sight to see.

I visited Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium this past Saturday and I had a blast! The aquarium is organized from shallow water to deep water fish and the layout is very easy to follow. It was really busy on Saturday so I would recommend going during the weekday if possible. Being from America, I have never seen many of the tropical fish, so the exhibits were very interesting for me. The main attraction is definitely the giant Whale Sharks. There are only two aquariums in the world that house these beautiful animals and Okinawa is one of them! I learned from another aquarium goer that the aquarium actually has 5 or 6 whale sharks in captivity, but they rotate swimming in the ocean and swimming in the aquarium. There are a bunch of other free exhibits outside such as the dolphin show, sea turtles, and manatees. Also worth noting that the view of the East China Sea is beautiful from the aquarium!

I visited this HUGE aquarium about a year ago, and had to yelp it! I have to make sure everyone checks this place out if they are in Oki! This is one of the most beautiful aquariums I've had the pleasure of visiting in my lifetime. "Chura" in the Okinawan dialect means beautiful. "Umi" means ocean in Japanese. It seemed the big staple here is the Whale Shark!!. This aquarium is one of only a few that houses the whale shark. I believe it to be the second largest Aquarium in the world, if I'm not mistaken. It's quite surreal looking up at the whale shark swimming around before you in the large tank. I had the time of my life on this island, and our drive here was very dangerous, there was a typhoon and we still made it there to see everything it has to offer! I loved this aquarium and hope to return next year. There are a ton of smaller tanks and exhibits similar to other aquariums. But they also have exhibits outside including sea turtles and manatees. The shops are cute and full of souvenirs. They of course have my favorite melon cola and pork snacks. The taco rice here is also delicious! I agree there should be more food options, but I will take what I can get! It was also very foreign friendly, the tickets are cute and there are translations all over where needed.

This place is AWESOME!! I have been here numerous times, with the latest trip coming last week. It is well worth the drive from wherever you are on Okinawa. We always come here every time we visit the island. Before the kids, we'd sit for hours and watch the big tank. Now we don't sit there as long, but we still spend plenty of time taking it all in. Our most recent discovery is that you can go upstairs above the tanks and see the reserve/bench fish and sharks, see how they're all delivered and inserted into the tanks, and stand on a glass platform above the main tank. It is up here where I noticed the Mahi swimming on top of the water. To get there you must take the elevators that are in the room directly in front of you right before you turn to leave the main viewing room. One of these days we will get a table in the café right beside the glass and enjoy that, but the place always seems to be full regardless what day of the week it is. In addition to this display, there are several smaller tanks showcasing the various sea creatures local to Okinawa. Outside of the aquarium is also a dolphin pool, dolphin show, manatee pool, and sea turtle pool. I recommend parking at the last lot as you're approaching the park from the south, as its closer to everything and covered part of the way in the event it rains. This is one of my favorite spots on Okinawa.

This place was huge, clean, and full of interesting aquatic life. We took the kids to see the dolphin show as well, which was entertaining. We will have to come back to see all the other attractions nearby; it was too much to take in all in one day!

My wife and I loved this aquarium! The dolphin show is free and worth every minute. We also loved seeing all of the sea turtles outside in the sand.

Nice place and a must if you're going to the Ryukyu Islands in Japan. Of course the main event is always the whale sharks but there are also a lot of cool stuff to see. The place is usually pretty pack so plan accordingly.

I love aquariums! And I love this one! It's a really good deal too! Parking is free. Tickets are cheap. Whale shark!!! Dolphin shows! Sea turtles! Shark museum! Ocean culture museum! Planetarium! Beach! Wow :) wish I lived closer...

I am a huge aquarium lover so I was super excited when I learned about this place. It's a decent drive up but it's definitely worth it for us to drive 1 1/2 hours. The tickets are affordable, and we are planning on buying year round tickets for next year. The grounds are well kept, and I loved seeing the bushes made into specific species from the sea. The whale sharks are what attracted us mainly. The large tank does not disappoint. You can also go into the restaurant on the lower level and enjoy the view while eating. Plus, the prices for restaurant are very reasonable. Personally, I wasn't too thrilled with my taco rice, but I didn't come there for it. I think we will try the buffet upstairs next time then visit the lower restaurant for a snack. We enjoyed the dolphin show even though we had no clue what they were saying. =) My boys loved watching the sharks swim in their specific tank, and I loved seeing the large sea turtles. The manatees were an extra plus since we used to see them in FL every once in a while. Our boys loved to finish off our visit with some time on the ropes course as you walk back to the cars. This is definitely a must see if and when you are on the island.

I don't even know where to begin with this aquarium. I am from San Diego California so we have sea world but this is so different the whale shark is enormous and it's sort of surreal to be drinking coffee and having it swim past you. They have so many different other species of fish among other beautiful marine animals. I had an absolute blast.

This place has an awesome array of aquatic life. I have been there twice and still have not seen everything. the ONLY downside is that it's a rather far drive from the more populated parts of the iland. But you can can make it a fun road trip if you have a group! As a bonus try going during the beginning of the Nago Cherry blossom festival which is only a short drive away.

Without comparison. Simply the greatest collection and they call it an AQUARIUM. A great day out try to take in all you can but don't hate yourself if you missed something. You can always return. Besides it is on a tropical island what is not to like. They have really special exhibits. Sharks all manner and even a once live caught giant squid the kind Moby Dick eats, and others only show mock ups.

The pin on this map is incorrect!!!! This pin takes you to the zoo park which is 30min away from the actual aquarium! Please do not follow the directions from this post, there is another post of the aquarium that has the correct address! This aquarium post needs to be deleted !!!

This place man..... I went here damn near 15 years ago and I still talk about it today! The types of marine life that they have are unlike anything i've ever seen outside if a national geographic program on TV. I'm talking crustaceans the size of an 18 wheeler truck, dark rooms full of bioiluminecent creatures, weird sea snakes, and so on. I don't want to tell you everything they have, because that would ruin the surprise, hell even if i did you'd still be surprised because my words cannot do any justice.

This place is amazing. As a foreigner that does not speak the language, I still found the exhibits very easy to understand and this place easy to navigate. Most of the exhibits offer an English version which really helped. I think this is a must go on the island! The biggest attraction are the whale sharks. You don't realize how little we really are on the this earth until you see these beautiful animals. They also have a cute little cafe that offers some food and drinks by the whale sharks, so it's a great resting place to watch. Unfortunately, the weather prevented us from seeing some of the side exhibits like the turtles and dolphins but that's okay. One side note, the only wifi they offer is at the information center.