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Located in the northern part of Okinawa’s main island, the “Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium” offers an extraordinary experience.
The sight of whale sharks gliding gracefully in a massive tank and schools of tropical fish swimming in vivid colors creates the feeling of stepping directly into the ocean.
In this article, we share our firsthand impressions, walking through the exhibits with plenty of photos to capture the atmosphere.
For detailed information on highlights and access to Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, see the links below.
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Right after passing through the entrance, you will find the ticket counters. Both staffed windows and automatic machines are available for purchasing admission tickets.
The vending machines allow smooth cash payments, helping reduce waiting time even during busy hours.
Once you have your ticket, proceed directly through the adjacent gate into the aquarium.
After entering, the first exhibit is “Journey to a Coral Reef.” Designed to resemble Okinawa’s seas, this bright area greets visitors with colorful marine creatures.
Inside, spacious galleries feature large tanks that draw crowds eager to catch a glimpse.
Tropical fish swim across the tanks, vividly reflecting the brilliance of Okinawa’s ocean.
Other tanks showcase schools of yellow and blue fish, simply delightful to watch.
Moving further, visitors find individual exhibits with coral rooms and smaller tanks, offering a calmer atmosphere for closer observation.
One of the most popular sights here is the garden eels stretching out from the sand, endlessly entertaining to watch.
Up close, their charming expressions are full of personality.
The blue-lit jellyfish tanks, with their gentle drifting movements, create a mesmerizing and dreamlike scene.
Deeper inside awaits the “Kuroshio Tank,” measuring 10 meters deep and 35 meters wide. Here, whale sharks, manta rays, and about 60 other species swim majestically. The scale is breathtaking.
Behind the tank, seating allows guests to relax and take in the view. Looking up from the seats enhances the immersive effect.
From this angle, the slow passage of fish schools becomes clear and captivating.
Standing at the front of the tank, visitors feel the direct impact of the fish swimming at eye level, stopping many in their tracks.
When a whale shark glides by, its immense size is overwhelming. Watching it swim above evokes the sensation of diving into the sea.
From other perspectives, the tank’s vastness is even more striking, resembling a direct view into the ocean itself.
Next comes a space where tanks extend all the way to the ceiling. Fish swim overhead, giving visitors the surreal feeling of standing on the ocean floor.
The entire room is enveloped in water, with fish gracefully swimming across above.
Light streaming from above illuminates the tanks, creating the impression of walking beneath the sea.
Many visitors stop to gaze upward, fully immersed in the scale and ambiance of the exhibit.
After exploring, stop by “Blue Shop Manta,” the large souvenir store. With an extensive product lineup, it’s an ideal finale to the visit.
Inside, rows of T-shirts and goods let guests take home a piece of the aquarium’s magic.
A plush toy section attracts families and tourists, creating a lively atmosphere.
The spacious store layout makes browsing comfortable and enjoyable.
A highlight is the aquarium’s exclusive awamori liquor, “Drops of Kuroshio,” aged 20 years and highly sought after as a special souvenir.
Walking through Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, it becomes clear that this is more than just an aquarium—it’s a place to experience Okinawa’s sea in its entirety.
From the vivid coral reef fish to the massive Kuroshio Tank and the ceiling-wide exhibits, every scene leaves a lasting impression.
The layout leads visitors deeper as though descending through Okinawa’s waters, starting with coral reefs and tropical fish, followed by creatures of the deep. This progression naturally enhances immersion.
Families with children, couples, and friends can each enjoy the exhibits in their own way, a testament to the aquarium’s enduring popularity.
As one of Japan’s leading aquariums, home to one of the country’s largest tanks, Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is a must-visit destination when traveling in Okinawa.
