Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium Complete Visitor Guide 2027: Whale Sharks, Manta Rays and Ocean Expo Park

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium — tucked inside Ocean Expo Park on the Motobu peninsula — holds the world's second-largest aquarium tank at 7,500 cubic metres, with three Rhincodon typus whale sharks living together (a world first), four manta rays, and an acrylic viewing wall once holding the Guinness record at 8.2 x 22.5 m.

Quick facts: Churaumi 2027

How to get there

• ●From Naha Airport (rental car) — Okinawa Expressway north 2 hours ¥1,100 tolls
• ●Yanbaru Express bus — Naha Airport to Churaumi, 2h30m ¥2,800
• ●Resort hotel shuttle — all Motobu/Nago resorts run free shuttles
• ●From Nago town — local bus 65 or 70, 45 min ¥950
• ●Taxi — ¥16,000+ from Naha, not economical

Which ticket to buy

• ●Online [ticket](https://www.klook.com/en-US/search/?query=Japan&tp_sub=japan) — ¥1,890 (¥290 cheaper), book 30 days ahead
• ●After 16:00 Sunset Discount — ¥1,510, less crowded + night tank lighting
• ●4-attraction Combo (Churaumi + Ocean Expo attractions) — ¥2,500
• ●Annual Pass — ¥4,100, breaks even with 2 visits
• ●Group discount — ¥1,860 (20+ pax pre-booked)

What's inside — the spiral

• ●4F Shark Research Lab — 11 shark species including sand tiger
• ●3F Coral Garden — 800 corals under natural sunlight
• ●2F Kuroshio Tank — the main event: 7,500 m³, 3 whale sharks, 4 manta rays
• ●Kuroshio Cafe behind the glass — ¥1,500 lunch beside the whale sharks
• ●1F Deep Sea — bioluminescent fish, abyss zone

Feeding times

• ●Whale shark feeding — 15:00 and 17:00 daily, 15-min show, must-see
• ●Manta ray feeding — included in whale shark feeding (same tank)
• ●Dolphin show (free, Ocean Expo Park) — 10:30, 11:30, 13:00, 15:30, 17:00
• ●Manatee pavilion feeding — 14:00 (free)
• ●Sea turtle pavilion — rolling, keeper on-site

The free Ocean Expo Park

• ●Dolphin show (free) — 5x daily at Okichan Theater, world-class dolphins
• ●Manatee pavilion (free) — rare manatees up close
• ●Sea turtle pavilion (free) — breeding + release program viewing
• ●Emerald Beach (free, swimming Apr-Oct) — one of Okinawa's best

When to visit

• ●Best weather — April-May (before rainy season), October-November
• ●Rainy season — June, avoid outdoor dolphin show
• ●Typhoon risk — August-September
• ●Winter (Dec-Feb) — 18C, uncrowded, cheaper flights
• ●Avoid — Golden Week (May), Obon (Aug), Christmas week

Bookable Churaumi experiences

• ●Churaumi + Nakijin Castle + Pineapple Park day [tour](https://www.klook.com/en-US/search/?query=Japan&tp_sub=japan) from Naha — ¥7,500
• ●Churaumi + Kouri Island combo day [tour](https://www.klook.com/en-US/search/?query=Japan&tp_sub=japan) — ¥8,500
• ●Behind-the-scenes aquarium [tour](https://www.klook.com/en-US/search/?query=Japan&tp_sub=japan) (early access) — ¥5,500 adult, 90 min
• ●Private van Naha-Motobu-Naha — ¥32,000 for 4 pax

FAQ

• ●Churaumi or Kaiyukan [Osaka](https://www.booking.com/searchresults.html?ss=Osaka&aid=8095781&label=auto-osaka-autolink&nflt=review_score%3D80&order=popularity)? Churaumi has the bigger tank + Okinawa setting. Kaiyukan is easier to reach.
• ●Can I visit without a car? Yes via Yanbaru bus but 1-day tours from Naha are better value.
• ●How long is a visit? 3-4 hours for aquarium + dolphin show + lunch.
• ●Can I swim with whale sharks? No, but behind-the-scenes tour includes top-of-tank catwalk.
• ●Stroller/wheelchair? Fully accessible, elevators.
• ●Credit cards? All major cards + IC + QR.
• ●Food? Kuroshio Cafe inside; nearby cafes in Ocean Expo Park.
• ●Lockers? Free lockers at entrance.
• ●Open on New Year? Yes — closed Dec 31 only.
• ●Pet-friendly? Service dogs only inside aquarium.