Ocean Expo Park

The basics

The park is home to a number of sights, including the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, Traditional Okinawa Village, Tropical Dream Center, and Oceanic Culture Museum, as well as the Tropical and Subtropical Arboretum and the Dolphin Show. Exploring the whole place on foot could be tiring, especially with young kids, but there are electric shuttle cars circulating, which visitors can hop on for a small fee.

You can see the park independently, or opt for a day trip from Naha to north Okinawa that includes the Churaumi Aquarium. For many travelers, the aquarium is the highlight of a visit here.

Things to know before you go

• Dedicate a day to visit all the attractions of this large park.

• There is no main admission fee to the park, though most of the attractions have entry fees.

• There are ramps and elevators around the park for visitors with reduced mobility; wheelchairs and strollers can also be borrowed free of charge.

• Drivers will find plenty of free parking, with dedicated disabled parking bays.

• On-site amenities include a wide choice of restaurants and souvenir shops.

How to get there

The park is about 56 miles (90 kilometers) from Naha, or about a 2-hour drive. By car, take the Okinawa Expressway toll road to Nago, then follow the local roads through the Motobu Peninsula to the site, where there’s free parking. By public transit, you can take the local bus #117, the Okinawa airport shuttle, or the Yanbaru Express from Naha; or the local bus #65 or #66 from Nago.

When to get there

Open from morning to early evening, the park is pleasant to visit any time of year, with its mix of indoor and outdoor attractions. You can see the site’s Emerald Beach between April and the end of October, and if you’re traveling in July, you can catch the Ocean Expo Park Summer Festival, a 1-day event with family-friendly activities, culminating in a fireworks display on the beach.

The Traditional Okinawa Village

Compared to the aquarium, the Okinawa Village sees fewer visitors, making it a peaceful spot to visit. Here, you’ll get a snapshot of a traditional island village, complete with water wells, houses, spiritual sites, and even sanshin displays that show off the Okinawa three-stringed guitar. Entry to this attraction is free, and there is English information about the different sights.