1-Day Nakijin Adventure: Aquarium & Kouri Island

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by Maya

May 7, 2024 · 1 min read

Nakijin 1 Day Itinerary

Embark on a one-day journey to Nakijin, where the marvels of the ocean and the charm of island life await you. Begin your adventure at the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, one of the largest aquariums in the world, where you can immerse yourself in the underwater world for approximately 3 hours. Witness the majestic grace of whale sharks and manta rays, and experience the vibrant coral ecosystems that make this destination a must-see. After delving into the aquatic wonders, take a scenic drive to the tranquil Kouri Island. Spend 2 hours soaking in the panoramic views of crystal-clear waters and the island's serene atmosphere. This itinerary promises a day filled with awe-inspiring marine life and peaceful island vibes, perfect for travelers seeking a blend of education and relaxation.

Top 6 Hotels in Nakijin
TOP 1
Hotel Oceans Nakijin
Hotel Oceans Nakijin
hotelStar
3/5
24 reviews
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TOP 2
Resort Hotel Bel Paraiso
Resort Hotel Bel Paraiso
hotelStar
3/5
41 reviews
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TOP 3
Wood Pecker Nakijin
Wood Pecker Nakijin
hotelStar
3/5
25 reviews
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Roof Balcony with BBQ and Jacuzzi Projector Equi
Roof Balcony with BBQ and Jacuzzi Projector Equi
hotelStar
3/5
1 review
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Kaya Resort Kourijima
Kaya Resort Kourijima
hotelStar
0/5
5 reviews
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Cottage Star House Nakijin
Cottage Star House Nakijin
hotelStar
3/5
15 reviews
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Itinerary at a Glance
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1 Day in Nakijin Itinerary: Day 1

1

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

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Kickstart your Nakijin adventure with a splash at the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, a marine sanctuary nestled within Kaiyohaku Park. As the first stop on your itinerary, allocate around 3 hours to be mesmerized by the vibrant aquatic life. The aquarium is a marvel of biodiversity, showcasing the rich underwater ecosystems of Okinawa. From the majestic whale sharks gliding through the massive Kuroshio Sea tank to the delicate coral reefs teeming with colorful fish, the Churaumi Aquarium offers an immersive experience that's both educational and enchanting.

Attraction Info

  • 424 Ishikawa (inside Kaiyohaku Park), Motobu-cho, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa
  • Suggested tour duration: 3-4 hour
  • Open from 04/04-12/31,8:30am-6:30pm;Closed all day on 04/03,Wed

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

cafe CAHAYA BULAN
cafe CAHAYA BULAN
4.9/5 · 7 reviews
0.9 km from attraction
Ocean Blue
Ocean Blue
4.8/5 · 17 reviews
0.0 km from attraction
Breeze
Breeze
/5 · 0 reviews
2.2 km from attraction
Steak House 88 Chura Beach
Steak House 88 Chura Beach
/5 · 0 reviews
2.4 km from attraction
Inoh
Inoh
4.6/5 · 31 reviews
0.1 km from attraction
Cafe Restaurant La Tilla
Cafe Restaurant La Tilla
4.7/5 · 3 reviews
1.0 km from attraction
38 min,22.21 km
2

Kouri Island

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After delving into the depths of the ocean, emerge to the sun-kissed tranquility of Kouri Island. A 2-hour visit to this picturesque isle provides a perfect contrast to your morning underwater escapade. Connected to the main island by a scenic bridge, Kouri Island is a haven of white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters. The island's laid-back atmosphere is ideal for a leisurely stroll or a quiet moment to soak in the panoramic views of the Pacific. It's a slice of paradise that captures the essence of Okinawa's natural beauty.

Attraction Info

  • Kouri Island, Kouri, Nakijin, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-0406, Japan
  • Suggested tour duration: 2-5 hour

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Yoshika
Yoshika
/5 · 0 reviews
1.3 km from attraction
Ryukyu Dolce, Kourijima Terrace
Ryukyu Dolce, Kourijima Terrace
/5 · 0 reviews
1.2 km from attraction
RESTAURANT Ocean Blue
RESTAURANT Ocean Blue
/5 · 0 reviews
1.0 km from attraction
Toraku
Toraku
/5 · 0 reviews
1.0 km from attraction
REST LE SACRO
REST LE SACRO
/5 · 0 reviews
1.0 km from attraction
Kouri Shrimp
Kouri Shrimp
5/5 · 1 review
1.2 km from attraction

Where to Stay Tonight

0/50 Reviews
Kouri Island
Nakijin
|349-2, Kunigami-Gun
4.4/58 Reviews
4.4/5Excellent8 Reviews
Kouri Island
Nakijin
|0.15km from Charmus

Top Things to Do in Nakijin-2024

TOP 1
Kouri Island
Kouri Island
4.6/5 · 237 review
Highlights:
Kouri Island is a circular island with a diameter of about 8 kilometers that floats north of Yagaji Island. Sea urchins and sea urchins are special products here, which are well-known and the fishing industry is prosperous. There are the creation myths and legends of the Okinawan version of Adam and Eve, and ancient sacrificial events such as the Sea God Festival held after the Obon Festival in July of the old lunar calendar have been passed down.
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TOP 2
Kouri Big Bridge
Kouri Big Bridge
4.5/5 · 163 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 1,275 review
Highlights:
The Gu Yuli Bridge spans the beautiful blue sea, connecting the house to the island and the ancient Yuli Island with the Okinawa version of Adam and Eve myths. The sea in Okinawa is called the "Seven Colors Sea". When driving through the Gu Yuli Bridge, the water on both sides is like jade. The color of the sea is blue and blue, and the depths are different, but it is crystal clear, and it is a very beautiful scenery.
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TOP 3
Ocean Expo Park
Ocean Expo Park
4.8/5 · 347 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 603 review
Highlights:
Ocean Expo Park is a national park established in August 1976 at the former site of the Expo to commemorate the Okinawa International Ocean Expo held in 1975. The theme of the park is "Sunshine, Flowers and Ocean", and various facilities such as the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, dolphin show, and marine culture center in the park are very popular. Among the three areas of the park, the historical and cultural area includes the Oceanographic Museum, which displays household items and fishing gear that demonstrate the connection with fishermen in the South Asia Pacific region. The Okinawa Rural Village reproduces the old architectural style of the Ryukyu Islands. There is also the Siluo Botanical Garden, where you can enjoy 22 species of plants that appear in the collection of ancient Okinawan songs, "Omorosaushi of Siluo". In the marine area, there are the world's largest Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, which houses large sharks and rays, as well as the Dolphin Theater, Manatee House, Turtle House, Dolphin Lagoon, and Emerald Beach. The flower and plant area is full of flowers, green and lush, with a tropical dream center, a world-class greenhouse and a tropical and subtropical urban green botanical garden for tourists to explore a variety of plants.
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TOP 4
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
4.8/5 · 1,628 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 5,531 review
Highlights:
  • Recreate the deep sea world of Okinawa and watch 150 rare deep sea creatures from 200 meters deep in the sea up close.
  • Learn more about shark habits in the ocean observation room through an intense and emotional Kuroshio adventure.
  • Observe corals, colorful tropical fish, lobsters and other rich sea creatures up close, and listen to the call from the sea.


△ Whale Shark Sculpture, a huge whale shark statue is waiting for you at the entrance of Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. Stand in front of the Whale Shark Monument and take a beautiful commemorative photo with the words "Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium" on the back as the background!

After passing the Whale Shark Sculpture, Uminchu Gate awaits you. Uminchu means "fisherman" in the Okinawan dialect. From Uminchu Gate, you can enjoy the emerald-green ocean of Okinawa and the endless beauty of Ie Island. Take the escalator from Fisherman's Gate to the third floor. The entrance to Churaumi Aquarium is on your right. After entering the entrance, there is a row of touch pools. You can personally touch starfish, sea cucumbers and other marine life living in the coral reefs. They are all safe. You only need to touch them lightly, but please do not take them out of the water. There are special wash basins and hand dryers next to the touch pool. Going forward is a huge water tank called the "Coral Sea", with about 800 coral reef communities composed of 70 species of corals. There is also the "Sea of ​​Tropical Fish", where various tropical fish thrive in seawater that simulates the natural environment.


△ The huge water tank "Kuroshio Sea" runs through two floors. In 7,500 cubic meters of sea water, three whale sharks over 8 meters long swim around above your head, which is very shocking. On the first floor of the aquarium, there are areas such as the deep-sea adventure area, Happy Ocean Research Laboratory and souvenir shop. If you want to buy some souvenirs, the aquarium’s T-shirts, whale shark and manta ray plush toys, mobile phone lanyards, etc. are all good choices. Outside the aquarium, there are several venues near the sea, including the Manatee Pavilion, Turtle Pavilion, Dolphin Lake and Dolphin Theater, which can be visited together.


△ The "Aqua Room" allows people to observe whale sharks and manta rays from various angles. There is a Cafe"Ocean Blue " next to the large tank, where you can enjoy pasta, pita bread, rice tortillas, cakes, sweet potato ice cream and other delicacies while watching the fish in the "Kuroshio Sea". The cafe does not accept reservations. When there are many people, you need to queue up to get a number. In addition, there is a "Churaumi Theater" on the second floor, which screens multiple high-definition documentaries about Okinawa's ocean every day.

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TOP 5
Kouri Ocean Tower
Kouri Ocean Tower
4.6/5 · 48 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 590 review
Highlights:
The Ocean Tower on Kouri Island is 82 meters high, surrounded by a very transparent blue and emerald green ocean. Standing on the observation tower, you can look at the Kouri Bridge and the surrounding beautiful sea. There is also a shell exhibition hall, which can be visited together. There are about 1,500 varieties of more than 10,000 world shells on display. You can also see many dangerous jade snails and heart-shaped interesting shells.
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* All user reviews in this article have been translated by machine.

* The information above is subject to change at any time. For the latest information, please check the websites of hotels and attractions.

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Nakijin 1 Day Itinerary