Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

About this sight

Most famous for its Kuroshio Tank which houses the rare whale shark, the Churaumi Aquarium (which means “Beautiful Aquarium” in the local dialect) is considered as one of the best aquariums in the world.

The 4 storey aquarium’s main attraction, the Kuroshio Tank, named after the Kuroshio current that flows past the Okinawan islands, was the biggest aquarium tank in the world when built in 2002, containing over 2 million gallons of water, with an acrylic window two feet thick. The manta rays in the tank are also an impressive star of the show.

There are also interactive sections where you can touch corals, sea cucumbers and starfish. Other exhibits include the coral reef lagoon, with the largest display of live coral in the world, and a room of exhibits tracing the growth cycle of coral. Dolphins, sea turtles, manatee and such are also on hand to delight, and shows are scheduled throughout the day. Free audio guides are available in English, and there is a shop and café that specializes in food and drink made using local and tropical fruits.