The following are recommended ways to get around Churaumi Aquarium efficiently during your limited time at the aquarium, broken down by the length of your stay!
Contents
If your stay is very short
If you want to visit a variety of attractions, you may only have a few hours to spend at Churaumi Aquarium. For those who want to spend more time at Churaumi Aquarium, here are some pinpoint ways to enjoy the aquarium to the fullest!
After all, whale sharks!
If you only have a couple of hours to spend at Churaumi Aquarium, what you should see anyway are whale sharks.
When you think of Churaumi Aquarium, you think of whale sharks! Whale sharks are such a major attraction at Churaumi Aquarium! Whale sharks are such a major attraction at Churaumi Aquarium. There is no choice but to go all the way to Churaumi Aquarium and not see whale sharks.
The reason why the image of Churaumi Aquarium = whale sharks is so well established is because Churaumi Aquarium was the first aquarium in Japan to successfully breed whale sharks!
If you want to go to Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, the first step is to book tickets!
If you have a discount coupon online, you can make a reservation and purchase tickets here.
About the Giant whale shark tank
The large tank made of giant acrylic panels is 8.2m high, 22.5m wide, and 60cm thick.
Where are the whale sharks?
The whale shark tank is located on the second floor. If you follow the route in order, this huge tank will appear in front of you as you go down the ramp from the third floor. As you descend with the tank by your side, you will feel as if you are descending into the sea toward the bottom of the ocean.
Enter the museum at a discount with a ticket from 4:00 p.m.
For admission after 4:00 p.m., the “4:00 p.m. Ticket” allows you to enter the museum at a discount.
| regular price | Tickets from 4:00 p.m. | |
| adult | 1,850yen | 1,290yen |
| high school students | 1,230yen | 860yen |
| primary and secondary school students | 610yen | 430yen |
You save about 30% on rates.
Stay 5-6 hours
If you use bus tours or other means of transportation, there are two types of tours: those that allow you to stay at Churaumi Aquarium for 2 to 3 hours, and those that allow you to stay for 5 to 6 hours.
Whether you use a bus tour or not, the best recommendation is to spend 5 to 6 hours at Churaumi Aquarium, or about half a day.
Okichan Theater
Dolphin show.
Show times
Dolphin Show (20 minutes) – 11:00/13:00/14:30/16:00/17:30*.
Diver show (15 minutes) ・・・ 11:50/13:50/15:30
Dolphin observation (15 minutes) ・・・ 10:00/11:30/13:30/15:00
*Offered only from April to September
Stay for more than 6 hours
In addition to whale sharks, dolphin shows and dolphin lagoons, Kuroshio Expeditions and the Sea Turtle Pavilion are recommended.
Kuroshio Expedition
The Kuroshio Expedition is a water viewing course that allows visitors to see the aforementioned giant whale shark tank from above.
Sea Turtle Pavilion
You can see sea turtles at the Sea Turtle Pavilion. It is located near the aforementioned Irkala Lagoon.
How to get around Churaumi Aquarium: How to get around efficiently
Check show times
The first strategy to efficiently visit Churaumi Aquarium in the limited time you have is to check the show times.
As soon as you arrive at Churaumi Aquarium, check the show times. Alternatively, you can access the official website of Churaumi Aquarium to know the show schedule in advance.
If you can make it in time, go to Kuroshio Expeditions
This is because Kuroshio Expeditions are not held after 11:00 a.m. until the evening.
Change meal times
Churaumi Aquarium also has a restaurant inside the building. The restaurant has an ocean view where you can enjoy your meal while looking out over the Okinawan sea.
The on-site restaurant is very convenient for efficiently touring the aquarium in the limited time available. However, as is the case with any tourist attraction, the restaurant is crowded during lunchtime.
The outdoor facilities are hilly.
However, there are quite a few elevation changes to get to the outdoor facilities. The main aquarium building is on higher ground a short distance from the seaside, but the Oki-chan Theater, Dolphin Lagoon, and Sea Turtle Pavilion are all located along the coast.
The main aquarium building and these seaside facilities are all accessible by ramps and slopes, making them barrier-free. So, you will not feel inconvenienced, but you will need physical strength as you will have to climb a considerable slope.
If you want to go to Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, the first step is to book tickets!
If you have a discount coupon online, you can make a reservation and purchase tickets here.
