Located in Motobu of Northern Okinawa, Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is a popular tourist destination, visited by more than 3 million people each year. Under the concept of “encountering the waters of Okinawa,” the aquarium is home to around 740 species and 21,000 marine life. The facility starts on the third floor, taking you through the shallow waters down into the deep sea as if you were diving. The tanks entitled, “Sea of Coral” and “Sea of Tropical Fish,” allow natural sunlight and seawater into them to depict scenes of the tropical sea without compromise. The main tank, “Kuroshio Sea,” which is impressive in size with a depth of 10 m, length of 35 m, and width of 27 m, draws the highest acclaim from visitors. In the “Kuroshio Sea,” which is one of the largest tanks in the world, 8.6-meter long whale shark as well as reef manta rays swim about leisurely. Be sure to get a clear view, not only from the front, but also the top, sides, and other angles. You will surely feel the force of the sea and life in Okinawa overflowing with diversity. From the shallow waters to the offshore waters into the Kuroshio Sea and further down into the deep sea, the various forms of life in the sea continue to captivate our hearts.

◎Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium