Churaumi Aquarium and Ocean Expo Park

What my children (actually, myself) were most looking forward to during their trip to Okinawa was the Churaumi Aquarium in Motobu Town, near the northern tip of the main island of Okinawa . Everyone gets excited when they see a real whale shark.

I had only an image of Churaumi Aquarium = whale sharks , so I was a little surprised when I looked at the guidebook to decide the itinerary for this trip. The Ocean Expo Park (official name is Okinawa Memorial Park Ocean Expo Park ), where the Churaumi Aquarium is located , is also large.

You can enjoy the impressions of the actual visit! After seeing the Churaumi Aquarium, I let the children play on the beach, and they were very happy to pick up pieces of coral.

However, it is too wide and it is difficult to go back and forth from the parking lot to the destination. If I had known, I would have thought of a parking lot where I could park my car, and my first stay was at the Chisan Resort Okinawa Churaumi (former Okinawa Royal View Hotel), which was the closest to the Churaumi Aquarium, so I parked my car at the hotel. There was also a hand to leave it.

It took 20 minutes to walk straight from the beach where I was last playing to the parking lot where I parked my car. I went in March, so it was still good, but if I went in the middle of summer, it would be quite exhausting just to move around the park.

There is a charge for the inside of the park, but an electric bus is provided as a means of transportation. However, it doesn’t mean that they will run in the order we think.

Highlights and Playgrounds of Ocean Expo Park

Churaumi Aquarium

The main event of Ocean Expo Park! You will lose track of time in front of the large aquarium where whale sharks and manta rays swim.

Okichan Theater

A rare dolphin show where you can see the tricks of false killer whales.
Admission is free.

Manatee house

Famous for successfully breeding manatees for the first time in Japan.
Admission is also free.

Emerald Beach

A beautiful beach where you can enjoy swimming when the weather is warm.
Whales sometimes pass offshore.

Chisan Resort Okinawa Churaumi

Chisan Resort Okinawa Churaumi is a resort hotel within walking distance to the Churaumi Aquarium. I used it for my stay this time.

Nakijinjo Castle is also located nearby.