Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium changes group rules on 1 October

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Motobu changed group reservations on 1 October 2026; overseas groups of 20 or more can now apply.

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Motobu changed its group reservation process on 1 October 2026. The new arrangement ends fax applications and allows international general groups of 20 or more people to apply through a reservation form or by email.

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium changes group reservations

The change applies to several categories of organised visitors. Domestic general groups of 100 or more people and international general groups of 20 or more people must make a reservation, while smaller groups in those categories do not need one. School groups from outside Okinawa, preschools, kindergartens and some other organised visits also use the revised process.

The aquarium's group reservation notice states that applications can be made from six months before the intended visit until 5pm seven days before arrival. The reservation form is available in Japanese, while the aquarium says that confirmation and later changes are handled by email. Fax applications ended on 30 September 2026.

The new process fits the aquarium's large-scale layout

The rule matters particularly to visitors planning an organised trip around the aquarium's main exhibits. The building begins at the Coral Lobby on the third floor, with the aquarium itself starting on the fourth floor before the route descends through the lower levels.

The attraction is arranged as a journey through Okinawa's marine environments. Visitors encounter a naturally lit Coral Sea tank, the Kuroshio Sea tank and a deep-sea section. The Kuroshio Sea tank holds 7,500 cubic metres of water and is presented with a large acrylic viewing panel and an Aqua Room. It contains whale sharks, manta rays and other migratory fish, although displays can change when animals require care.

The reservation change therefore affects planning rather than the exhibits themselves. A group leader travelling from Western Europe must now match the group's size and category with the correct application route before arranging a visit to the large tank and the lower-level displays.

Visiting Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• The group reservation change took effect on 1 October 2026. International general groups of 20 or more people now apply through the reservation form or by email.
• Fax applications ended on 30 September 2026. Groups of fewer than 20 international visitors do not need a reservation under the general-group rule.
• The aquarium is at 424 Ishikawa in Motobu, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Access options from Naha Airport include a hire car, highway bus, route bus or taxi.
• The visitor route starts on the fourth floor and descends towards the first floor. The operator states that the passages have ramps, while the route also includes an uncovered path between the car park and the aquarium.
• Japan's official language is Japanese and its national currency is the yen.
• Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.

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Frequently asked questions about Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

When did the group reservation change take effect?

The new process began on 1 October 2026. Fax applications ended on 30 September 2026.

What is Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium?

It is a marine-life attraction in Motobu with coral reef, Kuroshio Sea and deep-sea exhibits. Its main tank holds 7,500 cubic metres of water.

Where is Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium and how do you get there?

It is at 424 Ishikawa in Motobu, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Visitors can travel from Naha Airport by hire car, highway bus, route bus or taxi.