Okinawa Churashima Foundation

Name

Okinawa Churashima Foundation

Legal name

一般財団法人 沖縄美ら島財団 (Ippan Zaidan Hojin Okinawa Churashima Foundation)

Website

https://churashima.okinawa

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Aquarium & Conservation Services

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Museums (712110)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTHAJADAL

Zoos, Aquariums & Botanical Gardens (Educational Collections)

Travel & Hospitality/Tours, Attractions & Experiences/Museums, Galleries & Cultural Institutions

SECONDARYEDAMABAB

Science Camps & Field Programs (Nature, Space, Marine, Geology)

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/STEM Enrichment & Science Programs

SECONDARYBPAGAGAE

Marine & Freshwater Conservation

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Environmental & Conservation Organizations

SECONDARYBPADALAE

Nature, Biodiversity & Ecosystem Conservation

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Climate, Environment & Sustainable Development Programs

SECONDARYBPAIAMAI

Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines)

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Environmental Protection & Natural Resources Administration

SECONDARYEDAMABAD

Environmental Science & Sustainability Programs (Ecology, Climate, Conservation)

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/STEM Enrichment & Science Programs

Keywords

• Public aquarium operations
• Marine biology research
• Environmental education
• Cultural heritage management
• Subtropical conservation

Headquarters

HQ city

Kunigami

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Aquarium Admission Fees: Revenue from Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium visitor admissions and related ticketed attractions.
2. Government Subsidies and Grants: Foundation receives public funding for facility management, research activities, and cultural preservation initiatives including Shuri Castle reconstruction support.
3. Merchandise Sales: Sale of original products including Shikuwasa financier cookies, Churaumi Gold Pine premium soft ice cream, and local liqueurs.
4. Shuri Castle Fund Donations: Donations collected for the collection, restoration and preservation of Shuri Castle cultural heritage assets, including individual membership (2,000 yen) and corporate membership (10,000 yen).
5. Facility Usage Fees: Revenue from barbecue facilities (2,000 yen/day), classroom rentals, and other facility services at Churaumi Nature School.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The foundation operates the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium and related Ocean Expo Park facilities, the Shuri Castle Park, and the Churaumi Nature School, while running a Comprehensive Research Center dedicated to marine biology, subtropical plant science, and Ryukyu cultural heritage. It sells branded original merchandise (such as Shikuwasa cookies and Gold Pine ice cream), delivers educational programs, and publishes scientific outputs for academic and public audiences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 美ら島自然学校 (Churashima Nature School): Environmental education facility offering programs for general public, school groups, university students, and researchers on Okinawa's natural environment.
• 沖縄美ら海水族館 (Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium)
• 総合研究所 (Integrated Research Center)
• 首里城基金 (Shuri Castle Fund)

Products and services

• Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium A large-scale public aquarium in northern Okinawa featuring Kuroshio-current marine life including whale sharks and manta rays; open to individual visitors, tour groups, and educational groups.
• Churaumi Nature School Environmental and nature-based education programs delivered at the facility for visiting school groups, families, and educational institutions.
• Shuri Castle Park management Management and visitor operations of Shuri Castle Park, the principal Ryukyu cultural heritage site in Naha, Okinawa.
• Comprehensive Research Center programs Research and conservation programs covering marine life, subtropical plants (including Yambaru biodiversity), and Ryukyu cultural heritage, with collaborative outputs for academic and institutional partners.
• Original branded merchandise Original Okinawan-themed merchandise (e.g., Shikuwasa citrus cookies and Gold Pine ice cream) sold at on-site gift shops and online, targeting visitors and consumers seeking Okinawan specialty items.

Quantifiable outcome

• Discovery of 'stolen proteins' evolutionary phenomenon in Kinme-modoki fish - proving they acquire bioluminescent proteins through diet rather than producing them genetically

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Tohoku UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Collaborated on whole genome sequencing research proving that Kinme-modoki (Parapriacanthus ransonneti) fish acquire bioluminescent proteins through diet rather than genetic production, demonstrating the 'stolen proteins' evolutionary phenomenon.
• Institute of Basic BiologycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Research partner in the bioluminescence genome sequencing study on Kinme-modoki fish, contributing to the discovery of 'stolen proteins' evolutionary phenomenon.
• University of the RyukyuscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Collaborating institution in the research team studying the unique bioluminescence mechanism in Kinme-modoki fish through whole genome sequencing.
• Keio UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Research collaborator in the consortium that proved through whole genome sequencing that luminescent fish obtain proteins from marine fireflies via diet.
• Rakuno Gakuen UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 March 2026Partnership agreement signed for collaborative research activities.
• Edelweiss OkinawaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThree-company joint development of Shikuwasa financier cookies. Edelweiss Okinawa is a Kobe-based premium confectionery manufacturer.
• Motobu Wellness Foods (もとぶウェルネスフーズ)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThree-company joint development partner for Shikuwasa financier cookie product, providing raw materials and product development support.
• Okinawa Meiji Dairy (沖縄明治乳業株式会社)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint development partner for Churaumi Gold Pine Premium Soft ice cream. Collaborated on product development and used 10% Gold Barrel pineapple juice.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Monterey Bay Aquarium: World-renowned research aquarium combining public exhibits with marine science and conservation programs. Closely comparable in the integration of public aquarium operations, scientific research, and conservation mission.
• Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan: One of Japan's largest public aquariums, operating a similarly scaled marine exhibit experience with whale sharks. Directly comparable as a major Japanese aquarium destination with research and education programming.
• Georgia Aquarium: One of the largest aquariums in the world featuring whale sharks and manta rays, with a research and conservation arm. Directly comparable scale, signature species mix, and scientific mission.
• Ocean Park Hong Kong: Hong Kong's combined aquarium, theme park, and conservation-focused marine institution. Comparable as an integrated marine-themed destination with educational and conservation programming.
• National Aquarium (Baltimore): Large non-profit public aquarium with active research, animal rescue, and education programming. Comparable in mission, scale, and the integration of conservation science with visitor operations.
• Shedd Aquarium: Major US public aquarium with established research, conservation, and education programs. Highly comparable as a non-profit aquarium combining visitor experience with scientific output.

Regional players

• Sunshine Aquarium: Tokyo-based urban aquarium operated within a commercial complex. Comparable as a Japanese public aquarium but smaller in scale and more urban-anchored than OCF's resort-style facility.
• Aquamarine Fukushima: Large public aquarium in Fukushima with research focus on Pacific marine ecosystems. Comparable as a Japanese aquarium combining public exhibits with significant scientific research output.
• Toba Aquarium: Long-established Japanese aquarium in Mie Prefecture with research and breeding programs. Comparable as a Japanese regional aquarium with marine conservation and education activities.

Others

• Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST): Major Okinawa-based research university with marine and environmental science programs. Relevant as a local research partner ecosystem and potential collaborator on OCF's scientific initiatives.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/churashimashizengakkou
• Facebookfacebook.com/okinawa.churashima

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Okinawa Churashima Foundation