Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

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Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

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Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, Public aquarium in Motobu, Japan

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is a public aquarium in Motobu, Japan, displaying a series of tanks that recreate marine environments from the surface waters to the deep sea around Okinawa. The tanks are designed so visitors can walk through different levels and view marine habitats from various angles, including coral reefs, rocky shores, and dark deep-sea zones.

The facility opened in November 2002 within Ocean Expo Park and later received the Public Buildings Award for its architectural and educational contributions. The site was chosen to commemorate the Okinawa International Ocean Exposition held in 1975 and to advance regional marine research.

Th e na me co mes fro m th e Ok inawa n wo rd 'chura,' me ani ng be au ti ful o r cl ea n, ref lec ti ng th e isla nd's co nn ec ti on to it s surround ing wa ters. Vi si to rs oft en pa us e at th e ac ry li c pa ne ls whe re sc hoo lg ro ups an d fa mi li es ga th er to wa tch fe ed in gs an d li st en to st af f ex pl ai na ti ons ab ou t lo ca l ma ri ne li fe.

The facility is accessible for wheelchair users, with ramps and elevators connecting all main areas. Visitors should plan around three to four hours to view the exhibits comfortably and catch feeding times.

The main tank, Kuroshio Sea, measures 35 meters (115 feet) long and holds whale sharks and manta rays swimming among thousands of fish. The acrylic panel at the front weighs over 100 tons and ranks among the largest of its kind worldwide.

Location: Motobu

Inception: 2002

Official opening: November 1, 2002

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Fee: Yes

Charge: 2180 ¥;1440 ¥; 710 ¥

Operator: 一般財団法人 沖縄美ら島財団

Address: 字石川424

Opening Hours: October-February Monday-Sunday 08:30-18:30; March-September Monday-Sunday 08:30-20:00

Phone: +81980483748

Website: https://churaumi.okinawa

GPS coordinates: 26.69439,127.87794

Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:03

Marine museums worldwide

Marine museums present the history of seafaring, scientific exploration of the oceans, and the diversity of marine life. These institutions display ship models, nautical instruments, aquariums with living sea creatures, and exhibitions about oceanography. Visitors learn about historical voyages of discovery, modern ocean research, and the protection of marine ecosystems. Notable examples include the Oceanogràfic in Valencia with its various marine biotopes, the National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam with its collection on Dutch naval history, and the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, founded in 1910. The Maritime Museum of San Diego preserves historic vessels, while the Museum of Oceanography in Sopot documents Baltic Sea research. These museums combine scientific education with the fascination for seas and oceans.

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« Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium - Public aquarium in Motobu, Japan » is provided by Around Us (aroundus.com). Images and texts are derived from Wikimedia project under a Creative Commons license. You are allowed to copy, distribute, and modify copies of this page, under the conditions set by the license, as long as this note is clearly visible.

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