Ocean Expo Park (沖縄県国頭郡本部町) will hold the "Kaiyohaku Churaumi Summer Special 2026" (海洋博美ら海夏休みスペシャル2026) from July 1 (Wednesday) to August 31 (Monday), 2026. The event season is packed with activities suited for summer vacation memories and independent study projects, appealing to young children and adults alike.
Virtual Feeding Experience: Become a Zookeeper!
Visitors can experience, in virtual form, the feeding of whale sharks and manta rays — something normally reserved for aquarium staff.
- Dates: July 18 (Saturday) to 19 (Sunday), July 25 (Saturday) to 26 (Sunday)
- Time: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
- Venue: Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, 4th Floor Event Hall
- Admission: Free
Mysterious Plants and Insects Exhibition — Little Jungle Exploration
An immersive exhibit exploring the miniature world of carnivorous plants and insects in a small jungle setting.
- Dates: July 18 (Saturday) to August 23 (Sunday)
- Hours: 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM (last admission at 5:00 PM); closed on Wednesdays
- Venue: Tropical Dream Center (Chura Island Botanical Garden)
- Admission: Entrance fee only (¥760 for high school students and above; free for middle school students and younger)
Cardboard Maze — Ghost Special
Navigate a cardboard maze while searching for Okinawan ghosts hidden throughout, and make your way to the goal.
- Dates: Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays from July 18 (Saturday) to August 23 (Sunday)
- Hours: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM (last admission at 4:00 PM)
- Venue: Ocean Culture Museum, 1st Floor Multi-Purpose Hall
- Admission: ¥200 for middle school students and younger; ¥190 (Ocean Culture Museum admission) for high school students and above
Churaumi Music Night
Live performances of violin and sanshin (Okinawan three-stringed instrument) are held against the backdrop of the "Kuroshio no Umi" (Kuroshio Sea) tank — home to whale sharks and 南洋マンタ (Nanyo Manta) rays swimming gracefully.
Vol. 1 — Special Performance by Violinist 竜馬
- Dates: August 1 (Saturday) to 3 (Monday)
- Times: 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM (approximately 30 minutes each)
Vol. 2 — Special Performance by りんけんバンド's 上原知子
(No video recording permitted during the performance.)
Date: August 11 (Tuesday, national holiday)
Times: 6:30 PM and 7:30 PM (approximately 30 minutes each)
Venue (both concerts): Aquarium 1F, in front of the "Kuroshio no Umi" tank
Admission (both concerts): Aquarium admission only
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium Extended Hours
| Period | Hours |
|---|---|
| July 18 (Saturday) to July 31 (Friday) | 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM (last admission at 7:00 PM) |
| August 1 (Saturday) to August 31 (Monday) | 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM (last admission at 8:00 PM) |
For details on other events during the "Kaiyohaku Churaumi Summer Special 2026," visit the official special site.
