Living in Okinawa brought me closer to nature. With an easy access to the ocean I quickly fell in love with it. The island life changed me as a person and introduced me to a whole new world.
From the ocean’s shore you can not only see how the waves refuse to stop kissing the shoreline, but also a world full of wonder and mystery lies underneath. A whole new universe awaits to be explored when you dive into the water.
As magical as it is to venture into the depths of the ocean, Okinawa has one of the biggest aquarium in the world, named Churaumi Aquarium.
About Churaumi Aquarium
The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium was the largest aquarium in the world when it opened on 1 November 2002. The name is a combination of the Okinawan language and Japanese. The Okinawan word “Chura” can be translated to “beautiful” or “graceful”. The word “umi” means “ocean” in Japanese.
The Churaumi Aquarium contains over 70 tanks that house over 26,000 living creatures consisting of 740 different species. You can find tropical fish, sharks, coral, and various deep sea creatures amongst the four floors of the aquarium.
Its main tank is the biggest attraction called Kuroshio Sea. It houses two whale sharks along with manta rays and other fish. Overall, the tank holds 7,5 million liters (1,9 million gallons) of water making it the third largest of the world.
Getting to Churaumi Aquarium
The Churaumi Aquarium is located in the Ocean Expo Park located in Okinawa’s Motor Peninsula. You can travel there through the following options.
Plane
The Naha Airport (OKA) is the closest the aquarium. From there you will need to take a bus or rent a vehicle.
Bus
There are numerous bus routes that can take you to the aquarium. I recommend the Yanbaru Express Bus, which provides straight routes to the Ocean Expo.
Car
It is about a two hour drive from Naha to the aquarium. I personally recommend this method because it will allow you to explore the various beaches along the way.
Admission
The aquarium is open from 08:30 to 18:30
- Adults | 1,880 yen
- High school students | 1,250 yen
- Elementary and Jr High Students | 620 yen
- Children under 6 | Free
Just be aware that visitors may be asked to show identification cards when purchasing tickets such as driver’s license or student IDs.
Exploring Churaumi Aquarium
The Churaumi Aquarium is quite a large complex that expands 3 kilometers along the coast. The aquarium has four floors, each has its own unique theme.
4th Floor – Invitation to the Great Seas
As you walk up to the entrance you will be greeted by a whale shark sculpture.
Moving past, you will enter the Uminchu (“fisherman” in the Okinawan dialect) Gate, where you can enjoy the ocean view and Ie Island. Take the escalator down to the third floor, and you will arrive at the entrance of the aquarium on the right side.
3rd Floor – Journey to a Coral Reef
There is a large coral exhibition in this floor. The Coral Sea tank, open at the top, receives strong, direct natural sunlight. Such extensive cultivation of coral is made possible by utilizing the system that continuously supplies fresh water from the sea, right in front of the aquarium. It is quite a sight to see approximately 450 colonies of 70 different kinds of reef-building coral.
Reproduction of the actual Okinawan sea with coral reef allows visitors to enjoy various aspects of the Okinawan sea: rocky shallows and strong sunlight, beautiful sandy areas and gloomy caves. The tropical fish are kept in a near-natural environment.
Detailed explanation of various creatures in the coral reef, including dangerous fish, such as the geography cone and flagtail surgeonfish, are introduced by comparing living specimens and models of them.
2nd Floor – Journey to the Kuroshio
Enjoy an Ultimate Visual Experience through High-Definition Movies at The Churaumi Theater. Here you can learn about the life and habits of various creatures living in the beautiful seas of Okinawa, ranging from coastal waters to the ocean, and the relationship of the local people with those seas through high-definition movies.
On this floor you will also see a gigantic, 7,500m3 tank, that will allow you to view the fish both through a large acrylic panel and from the Aqua Room. Special seating, from where you can enjoy this amazing tank, is also available.
Do you think sharks are dangerous creatures? Surprisingly, they have a small appetite and only a few species actually attack people. The Shark Lab will allow you discover what sharks really are through a variety of materials, such as specimens, as well as see real sharks swimming in the tank.
In the center of this exhibition you will find some skin samples from sharks and manta ray. The surface of fish skin varies by species. Shark skin feels different depending on what direction you stroke it from. Run your hand from the top to the bottom, and it will be smooth. Move your hand in the opposite direction, and the texture will be rough. Use your hands to explore the difference.
1st Floor – Journey into the Deep Sea
There is a silent world without sunlight in the deep-sea. At Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium deep-sea creatures are, for the most part, collected from deeper than 200-meter depth of the waters around the island and are quite precious.
This is the world of the deep sea with a water depth of over 200 meters. You can see rare and difficult-to-care-for marine creatures such as the blacksail snake mackerel, ruby snapper and more.
Final Thoughts
The island of Okinawa has a lot of beauty to offer. Its sub-tropical climate is ideal for many water sports almost all year round. Sometimes can be hard to explore the mysterious world under the ocean but the Churaumi Aquarium brings you closer to it. This spectacular aquarium is a must see while you are visiting Okinawa, Japan.
What are some of your favorite aquariums you have visited and where? Leave a comments and questions below and I will respond.
