Popular Tourist Attractions in Okinawa where you can see whale sharks and manta rays
The Churaumi Aquarium is located in Motobu Town, about a two-hour drive from Naha Airport, where popular tourist attractions such as Kouri Island and Nakijin Castle Ruins are concentrated. As the name implies, the aquarium is filled with tanks depicting the beautiful ocean of Okinawa, where you can see whale sharks and rare creatures such as the southern blue manta ray, which lives near Okinawa. There are many attractions such as the coral sea and the deep-sea zone, not to mention the huge and powerful aquarium! There is also a café where visitors can view the giant tank. There is also an outdoor Dolphin Lagoon, a manatee pavilion, a beautiful beach, and other nearby facilities, making it a spot where visitors can enjoy themselves all day long.
Point 1: Can be visited from many angles! Giant water tank
Churaumi Aquarium is famous for its large aquarium tank. In this large tank, which represents the Kuroshio Sea, whale sharks can be seen swimming gracefully. The Churaumi Aquarium was the first aquarium in the world to succeed in breeding and keeping multiple numbers of manta rays, so you can see the typical Okinawan spectacle of manta rays swimming before your eyes. The aquarium is too large to be captured in a photograph, and at 35 meters wide, it is truly a sight to behold. The aquarium can be viewed from the front, from the side, from below in the aqua room with its acrylic ceiling, and from above in the Kuroshio Exploration Course.
Point 2: Enjoy teatime while watching fish!
At the Ocean Blue Cafe inside the aquarium, visitors can enjoy the luxury of having tea time while looking at the giant aquarium tank. 9 seats are facing the tank, and for 500 yen for 40 minutes, you can see the fish up close. Manta rays can even come right next to you! The menu also features a variety of unique items, such as latte art depicting popular Churaumi Aquarium characters. The seats are free of charge except for those by the aquarium tanks, making it a great place to stop by casually. The Ino restaurant, also located inside the aquarium, offers Okinawan-style dishes while enjoying the ocean view from all sides.
Point 3: There is a full range of nearby facilities that can be enjoyed throughout the day!
There are also many attractive spots outside the museum. The Oki-chan Theater, where you can enjoy a dolphin show, is always a popular place with families. The dolphin show under the blue sky of Okinawa is exceptional. Visitors can also encounter a variety of sea creatures after leaving the aquarium, such as the Dolphin Lagoon, where they can see dolphins up close, the Sea Turtle Pavilion, and the Manatee Pavilion. Ocean Expo Park, where Churaumi Aquarium is located, is also full of sightseeing spots such as the Tropical Dream Center, Okinawa Local Village, and Sunset Plaza! Many of these places can be reached within walking distance, so you can play all day long without getting bored.
