Kouri Bridge
A must-see in Okinawa, the famous Kouri Bridge links one island to another. It stretches about 2 kilometers and is the longest bridge over the sea in Okinawa.
Since it’s the only way to reach Kouri Island, visitors can park at the observation deck parking lot at the southern end of Kouri Bridge on the Yagaji Island side, then look out from the bridgehead at the magnificent, perfectly straight bridge drawing a beautiful line across the sea. This view is a photo spot no traveler to Okinawa should miss. In local legend, Kouri Island is also the very place where Okinawa’s Adam and Eve descended from the heavens and began raising their descendants!
Address: Kouri Bridge, Kouri, Nakijin Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-0406
Map Code: 485 632 757*28
Nakijin Castle Ruins
Nakijin Castle sits in northern Okinawa, about a 1.5-hour drive from Naha City. It was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2000 and is one of Okinawa’s nine World Heritage properties.
Nakijin Castle was once the stronghold of Hokuzan, the power that dominated the north during Okinawa’s Three Kingdoms era alongside Chuzan and Nanzan. One of its signature features is the tall, winding stone wall that encircles the castle like a miniature Great Wall, which earned it the nickname “the castle that cannot be taken.” If you’re planning a trip through northern Okinawa, the Nakijin Castle Ruins are well worth a visit!
Hours: 8:00–18:00
Address: 5101 Imadomari, Nakijin Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa
Map Code: 553 081 414*17
Churaumi Aquarium
Churaumi Aquarium is located inside Ocean Expo Park in Motobu Town, northern Okinawa, and is the largest aquarium in Asia and the second largest in the world. As one of Okinawa’s landmark attractions, it draws more than 3.4 million visitors and has long been hugely popular.
From tiny clownfish to whale sharks measuring 8.6 meters long, the aquarium is home to close to 30,000 marine creatures, so you can experience Okinawa’s underwater world without ever diving in.
Apart from the Churaumi Aquarium, which requires a ticket, Ocean Expo Park has plenty of free facilities open to visitors, including the adorable dolphin theater, which you can enjoy at no cost. The park offers a rich variety of attractions, so first-time visitors should set aside at least half a day. If you’re short on time, the Churaumi Aquarium and the dolphin show at the dolphin theater are the two things you absolutely can’t miss!
The aquarium’s biodiversity is also fascinating. It houses all kinds of marine life, from beautiful fish to magnificent sea turtles, from cute starfish to curious octopuses. Here you can learn more about how these animals live and behave, and how to protect these precious creatures.
Finally, the aquarium staff are friendly and welcoming, happy to answer your questions and share any information about the marine life and the aquarium itself.
All in all, Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is an attraction you shouldn’t miss and an unforgettable ocean journey. It comes highly recommended for anyone who wants to experience the charm of the marine world.
Ocean Expo Park hours:
| Area | Summer (March–September) | Regular season (October–February) |
| Ocean Expo Park (areas other than those below) | 8:00～19:30 | 8:00～18:00 |
| Ocean Expo Park (aquarium areas) | 8:00～20:30 | 8:00～19:00 |
Ocean Expo Park admission:
| Adults | High school students | Elementary and junior high students | Under 6 | |
| Regular admission (8:30–16:00) | 1,880円 | 1,250円 | 620円 | Free |
| 16:00–last admission (after 4 p.m. twilight ticket) | 1,310円 | 870円 | 430円 | Free |
Address: 424 Ishikawa, Motobu Town, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-0206
Map Code: 553 075 797*74
This article was translated by AI from the original Chinese version.
