What other travelers are saying about Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
It was a bit of a road trip from where I used to live but the Okinawa aquarium is definitely worth it. It’s the perfect thing to do on a rainy day when there’s not much happening outdoors. The staff are super nice, everything is well organized and there’s a huge variety of fish and sea life to see 🐡
It’s especially a must visit if you have little ones they’ll absolutely love it. Even as an adult, it’s really impressive and relaxing to walk through. Totally worth the drive.
More about Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium from our blog
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, photography for personal use is allowed inside the aquarium. However, the use of flash and tripods is prohibited in certain areas to ensure the well-being of the animals and the comfort of other guests.
Yes, the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium has several dining options within its premises, offering a variety of meals and snacks. Options range from quick bites to sit-down restaurants that serve local Okinawan cuisine as well as international dishes.
Yes, the aquarium is designed to be accessible for visitors with disabilities, featuring ramps, elevators, and accessible restrooms throughout the facility. Wheelchair rental is also available.
While direct interaction with marine animals is generally not permitted to ensure their safety and well-being, the aquarium offers educational programs and feeding demonstrations where visitors can learn about marine life and observe the animals up close.
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.
I visited it the aquarium because of the whale shark but wasn’t impressed with the aquarium itself. Price wise its pretty affordable but the aquarium itself is very small especially for the size of the animals inside. Its extremely sad because they can only go in circles for so long. The enclosure itself seems a bit dirty so very sad to the animals. The enclosure for the turtle definitely waaaay to small for them. There was no shuttle bus for people to go the parking area and its a bit far because it was super crowded and i think the direction for the enclosure as well weren’t super clear. Other than that i had a good time in there but would it be worth to visit again? I don’t think so. Due to the facility and the distance from the city center
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!
