Choosing the Right Parking is Key for Your Visit to Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is about a 2-hour drive from Naha and is one of the most popular tourist attractions, with many visitors arriving by rental car.
However, once you get there, it’s common to wonder, “Which parking lot should I use?”
Ocean Expo Park is vast and has multiple entrances. If you choose the wrong parking area, you may end up walking a long distance to the aquarium, making your visit less convenient.
This article will help you avoid that mistake by clearly explaining the most convenient parking options near Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, along with practical tips for using them.
9 Free Parking Lots! Understand Their Locations in Relation to Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is one of the facilities within Ocean Expo Park. There is no parking lot exclusively for the aquarium. Instead, visitors use one of the 9 free parking lots in the park and walk to the aquarium.
First, let’s look at how these parking lots are spread across Ocean Expo Park and their relation to the aquarium. Below is a map showing the free parking lots in Ocean Expo Park and the location of Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium.
| Number | Parking Lot Name | Nearby Facilities | Capacity | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Cars | Accessible | Motorcycles | Large Vehicles | |||
| P1 | South Gate Parking Lot | Tropical & Subtropical Urban Greening Botanical Garden Banko Forest | 68 | 3 | 5 ※Bicycles only | 3 |
| P2 | P2 Parking Lot | Oceanic Culture Museum Okinawa Native Village Okichan Theater Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium | 175 (General Use) | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| P3 | Central Gate South Parking Lot | 169 | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
| P5 | Central Gate North Parking Lot | 101 | 3 | 10 | 0 | |
| P6 | North Gate Front Parking Lot | Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium | 71 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| P7 | North Parking Lot (Multistory) (Height limit 2.3m) | 1,083 | 63 | 0 | 0 | |
| P8 | Tropical Dream Center Front Parking Lot | Tropical Dream Center Sunset Square | 60 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| P9 | Emerald Gate Parking Lot (Height limit 2.3m) | Emerald Beach Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium | 153 | 12 | 5 | 0 |
| p4 | East Parking Lot (Bus Only) | - | 66 | |||
As shown above, the 9 free parking lots are spread across the north and south ends of Ocean Expo Park. Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, however, is located on the northern side of the park.
Since the park is quite large, parking far from the aquarium means you’ll have to walk a considerable distance to get there.
In short, if your main destination is Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, it’s best to choose one of the lots closest to it.
The Closest Option: North Parking Lot (P7 Multistory Parking)
The closest parking lot to Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is the North Parking Lot (P7 Multistory Parking).
If you park here, it only takes about 2 to 3 minutes on foot to reach the aquarium. In fact, it feels almost as if the lot is located right next to the aquarium.
Entrance to North Parking Lot (P7 Multistory)
To use the North Parking Lot (P7 Multistory), you must enter through the North Gate. Please note that this parking lot is only accessible from the North Gate. You cannot reach it from other gates.
If you want to park as close as possible to Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, head to the North Gate and use the P7 Multistory Parking Lot.
About a 10-Minute Walk from the Central Gate — Return Trip Includes an Uphill Walk
If you enter from the Central Gate, the main entrance of Ocean Expo Park, it takes about 5 to 10 minutes on foot to reach Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium.
From the Central Gate, the return walk back to the parking lot involves an uphill path (or stairs). Considering the physical effort, P7 Multistory Parking is generally the easier choice.
Aim for the North Parking Lot (P7) When Visiting Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
Ocean Expo Park has 9 free parking lots, but if your goal is to visit Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, the North Parking Lot (P7 Multistory Parking) is the most convenient. You’ll be inside the aquarium in just 2–3 minutes on foot, without worrying about the weather or physical strain.
P7 Multistory Parking can accommodate over 1,000 standard cars, making it a reliable option even during peak travel seasons.
To make the most of your Okinawa trip and enjoy one of its top highlights, plan to enter from the North Gate and head straight for P7 Parking.
