Approximately 1 hour and 43 minutes by car from Naha Airport. This café is located on the first floor of the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. It is an “aquarium view” café where you can have a cup of tea next to a large, powerful aquarium tank. Some cafes have an aquarium tank and penguins, but this may be the only café that has such a large aquarium! It is an must experience.
Point 1: Distant but easy to find! Directions to “Cafe Ocean Blue
Cafe Ocean Blue” is located on the first floor of the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Motobu-cho, in the northern part of Okinawa’s main island.
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is said to be one of the most popular sightseeing spots in Okinawa, so although it is far away, it is easy to access.
It takes about 1 hour and 43 minutes from Naha Airport via Okinawa Expressway. Be aware that it will take an extra 30 minutes or more via National Route 58!
If by bus, take the “Yanbaru Express Bus” and get off at “Royal View Hotel Churaumi”, then it is only a 2-minute walk to the restaurant.
It takes about two and a half hours by bus, but since you can come here without changing buses, access is relatively easy.
Incidentally, you can also take the Okinawa Airport Shuttle (OAS/RSL-RP), but you will get off at the “Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium Memorial Park Mae” stop, which is a 5-minute walk, making the walk a little longer.
Point 2: How do I get a seat by the aquarium at “Cafe Ocean Blue”?
Since you are going all the way to Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, don’t you want to see whale sharks and manta rays in a relaxed atmosphere?
Churaumi Aquarium is one of the most popular sightseeing spots in Okinawa, so it is always crowded, and you may feel tired of standing and looking around.
In such a case, we recommend “Cafe Ocean Blue” on the first floor of the Churaumi Aquarium.
Sitting at the side of the aquarium is charged at 500 yen for 40 minutes (8:30-18:00 (registration closes at 17:20) including tax), but it is worth the money!
The reception area is in front of the entrance of Cafe “Ocean Blue” on the day of the event. After receiving a plate with the available time and table number, you will be seated in front of the aquarium where large marine creatures swim around freely! I have never seen them so close! You will be excited to see the large marine creatures swimming around in front of the aquarium.
Please note that reservations cannot be made in advance.
It is no exaggeration to say that this is the only place where you can relax while enjoying a cup of tea or a sweet while gazing at the powerful aquarium. We highly recommend the experience!
Point 3: Seafood curry too! The menu of “Cafe Ocean Blue”!
What exactly is on the menu at Cafe Ocean Blue?
To name a few, there is “Churaumi Seafood Curry” (1,800 yen), Chura Tea (550 yen), and “Latte Art Coffee” (850 yen).
The Seafood Curry and Chura Tea are made from a blue tea called “Butterfly Pea,” which is often seen as a welcome drink in Okinawan hotels. It is a caffeine-free tea that is good for beauty and health, and although not unique to Okinawa, it is a tea from a plant found in southern regions such as Tire Vietnam.
The blue color of the tea may be disconcerting at first, but it is very easy to drink and addictive!
As you would expect from a cafe inside an aquarium, all the menu items are designed to resemble whale sharks and other sea creatures, making it a very enjoyable experience.
I was worried that it might be a little complicated to eat seafood curry in a place where fish are swimming right next to you. However, it is an experience that is rarely available, so we recommend that you give it a try!
