Northern Okinawa: the Churaumi Aquarium, Manzamo and Kouri Island

How to choose a tour

How to get there and what to fit into a day

Northern Okinawa is the Churaumi Aquarium, Cape Manzamo and the bridge to Kouri Island. Tourists search for “Churaumi Aquarium tickets”, “Churaumi Aquarium”, “Manzamo” and “Kouri Island”.

• Bus. Express buses run from Naha to Ocean Expo Park, where the aquarium stands, and the journey takes about two hours. It is better to check the routes and timetable the day before, as there are few services.
• Car. Russian licences and the 1968 international permit are not accepted in Japan, so Russians cannot rent a car. That is why the easiest way to the north of Okinawa is by tour.
• A tour. A bus tour from Naha in 7–11 hours covers the aquarium, Cape Manzamo, Kouri Island and American Village. If you want to be on the water, there is a tour to Tokashiki Island with snorkelling in the programme.

Churaumi, Manzamo, Kouri

The Churaumi Aquarium is located in Ocean Expo Park. The main exhibit is the huge Kuroshio tank with whale sharks and manta rays, which you look into through a window about 20 metres wide. The aquarium is usually open from 8:30, and closing depends on the season: from 18:30 to 20:00; see the exact time in the card. Entry is paid separately or included in the tour, so check this before buying.

Cape Manzamo is named for a rock resembling an elephant’s trunk; from the cliff you can see the clear sea. Kouri Island with its bridge about 2 km long is famous for its turquoise water and a beach with a heart-shaped rock. In American Village in Chatan you can have lunch and watch the sunset on the embankment. Tokashiki Island is in the Kerama zone, with crystal water and snorkelling.

Which tickets and tours there are

Prices are as of 10 October 2026. Check the contents, language and conditions on the page of the offer you choose.

What else

In Naha see Shuri Castle. All offers: excursions on Okinawa.

Restrictions and tips

• Typhoons. The typhoon season lasts from August to October: services and ferries are cancelled and tours are rescheduled. See the cancellation conditions in the tour card.
• The sea and jellyfish. Swimming is safe in the fenced zones of the beaches, where nets against venomous jellyfish are set (from spring to autumn). Do not go into the water outside the nets and do not touch the corals.
• Sun. On Okinawa UV is very strong even in winter, so bring cream, a hat and glasses. In the water use reef-safe cream.
• Photography. Flash is banned in the aquarium. Drones are not allowed over the beaches and capes.
• Best time. Warm from April to October, with the beach season from May. In winter the sea is cool, but the aquarium works all year.
• Passport. Bring the original for issuing ferry and aquarium tickets.

The description is based on Trip.com cards; opening hours and the contents of offers may change.