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Ocean Expo Park commemorates the Okinawa International Ocean Exhibition which opened in 1975, and was built on the same land the following year as a national park. The basic theme of the park is “Sun, Flowers, and Ocean,” which is suggested by the Park's central location in the sight-seeing district on the northern part of main island of Okinawa.
Ocean Expo Park can be divided into 3 main areas.
The history and culture area features the Ocean Culture Museum. The exhibition of life and fishing tools shows us the connection between sea and the Oceanic peoples of Asia and Pacific region, Native Okinawan Village, which recreates the old village home and gardens of the Ryukyu Islands, and the Park Information Center (Haisai Plaza). In the Ocean Zone, you will find one of the largest Aquariums in the world - Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium - home to whale sharks and manta rays, as well as the Okichan Theater with its popular dolphin show, the Sea Turtle Pool and Manatee House, the Dolphin Lagoon and much more. At the northern peak of the park lies Emerald Beach with its pristine white coral sands.
In an area with flowers and lush greenery, there is the Tropical Dream Center with its world-class greenhouse and the Tropical and Subtropical Arboretum, where you can explore an array of plant species.
Ocean Expo Park Map
Ocean Expo Park Area
Emerald Beach
Approx. 7 min walk from Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (Approx. 3 min by Tour Car)
Here an emerald green sea meets pristine white coral sands that form a Y-shape at the northern tip of the Park. In May 1998, this beach was selected as one of the 55 best bathing sites in Japan by the Environment Agency. You can enjoy swimming in the sea here from April through October.
Sea turtles lay their eggs here every year. The Aquarium holds turtle release events in which visitors can participate.
Oceanic Culture Museum
*Exhibit hall is currently closed.
Approx. 10 min walk from Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (Approx. 6 min by Tour Car)
There are over 1,000 exhibit items that exhibit the relationships between mankind and the sea, including rare canoes of Asia and Pacific. Other special exhibits at the museum include stuffed whale shark and dugong as a specimens, and whale skeletons. Audio guide (PDA) will help you to have a self-guide tour for free. Visit the reception desk to apply. And you can also enjoy the “Tingara Planetarium” here.
| General | Group（Over 20 persons） | |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (High school and older) |
170 yen | 80 yen |
| Elementary/Junior high school | 50 yen | 30 yen |
| Under 6 years old | Free | |
Native Okinawan Village and Omoro Arboretum
Approx. 10 min walk from Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (Approx. 6 min by Tour Car)
Dwellings of the Ryukyu Archipelago during the 17th-19th centuries have been recreated in this village. Plants honored centuries ago in the “Omorosoushi” book of songs of Okinawa are also on display here. And “Hand-on experience of early Okinawan life” is available too. You can enjoy tea, sweet, a shamisen performance and traditional dancing for free so that you may experience Okinawan life.
Tropical Dream Center
Approx. 15 min walk from Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (Approx. 4 min by Tour Car)
Tropical and subtropical flowers and fruits trees abound here. More than 2,000 orchids are always in bloom at this world-famous arboretum. There is also a greenhouse. A flower tour also operates daily to introduce visitors to an array of rare floral specimens. Moreover, you can see a variety of fish leisurely swimming about, such as pirarucu and red tail catfish in the Victoria Greenhouse Pond, and arowana in the Lotus Pond. There are several services such as Flower Tour Guide is available for free twice for a day. And at the reception desk you can borrow audio guide equipment (PDA) that explains each exhibit in detail. With your Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium ticket, you can visit the Tropical Dream Center at half.
| General | Group（Over 20 persons） | |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (High school and older) |
670 yen | 530 yen |
| Elementary/Junior high school | 340 yen | 200 yen |
| Under 6 years old | Free | |
Tropical & Subtropical Arboretum
Approx. 35 min walk from Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (Approx. 9 min by Tour Car)
The Tropical & Subtropical Arboretum is a botanical garden featuring numerous green information booths that provide information about the tropical and subtropical flora in the arboretum as well as about the phenomenon of urban greening. There is an abundance of specialist information and materials available regarding the plants, which our visitors are free to browse. A number of ongoing events are available for our visitors to participate in, such as guided tours about plants and craft activities using plants.
Tropical & Subtropical Arboretum
Park Information Center (Haisai Plaza)
Approx. 10 min walk from Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (Approx. 6 min by Trolley)
The Park Information Center provides an introduction to Park facilities and events and other information regarding surrounding areas. There are also souvenir shops "Yanbaru no mori"and Cafe "Tida".
Park Information Center (Haisai Plaza)
*Please note that there are reading mistake.