Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

What Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium does

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is a public aquarium and marine research institution located within Ocean Expo Park in Motobu, northern Okinawa, Japan. It opened in November 2002 and is operated by the Okinawa Churashima Foundation (一般財団法人沖縄美ら島財団), a non-profit foundation; no private equity, venture, or individual ownership is indicated in the source materials. The institution serves general-public tourists, families, school groups, and the marine conservation research community, and has reached a cumulative visitor count of approximately 50 million as of June 2019.

The aquarium's commercial offering centers on direct-to-consumer admissions, annual passports (a subscription product priced at roughly twice the single admission), on-site gift shops, restaurants, and fee-based special programs such as backstage tours and Night Aquarium experiences. Distribution is primarily physical on-site, augmented by an official e-commerce store and third-party ticketing via asoview.com, with marketing executed across an official website, Facebook, Instagram, LINE, X (Twitter), YouTube, and recurring Japanese TV features on NHK, TBS, and TV Asahi. Pricing tiers are age-differentiated but specific numbers are not publicly disclosed.

Underlying capability is concentrated in marine biology research and husbandry rather than digital technology. Core technical assets include ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles) equipped with robot arms and suction devices for collecting fragile deep-sea organisms at 100–500m depths, pressurized water tanks capable of maintaining water pressure equivalent to 18m depth for live display of pressure-sensitive deep-sea species, and high-sensitivity cameras for capturing bioluminescence not visible to the naked eye. Research outputs include world-record husbandry durations (whale shark 'Jinta' in captivity since 1995, >30 years; bull shark captivity >40 years as of June 2018), 25 consecutive years of confirmed coral spawning in the Coral Sea tank as of 2025, the world's first captive breeding of a black manta ray in August 2024, and Japan's first captive breeding of Indo-Pacific sailfish in December 2025. Recent research partnerships include a February 2026 joint agreement with bio-venture Aiwell Inc. and Sumitomo Corporation Hokkaido for proteomics-based health indicators in cartilaginous fish, and an April 2026 multi-institution whole-genome sequencing collaboration with Tohoku University, the National Institute for Basic Biology, University of the Ryukyus, and Keio University proving horizontal protein transfer via diet in Kinme-modoki fish.

Name

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

Legal name

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

Website

https://churaumi.okinawa

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is a non-profit public aquarium in Motobu, Okinawa, operated by the Okinawa Churashima Foundation, serving general-public tourists, families, and school groups via admissions, annual passports, retail, and research-driven marine exhibits.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Aquarium and Marine Life Exhibits

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (712130), Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213)

akta.pro primary industry

Zoo & Aquarium Parks (Ticketed Wildlife Attractions) (THAJAEAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Zoos, Aquariums & Botanical Gardens (Educational Collections) (THAJADAL)

Keywords

• Public aquarium exhibits
• Marine life conservation
• Dolphin shows
• Marine biology research
• Educational programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Okinawa

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Admission Fees: Daily admission fees for aquarium visitors with tiered pricing for adults, children, and groups.
2. Annual Passports: Annual pass allowing unlimited entry for one year, offered at approximately twice the single admission price. Includes renewal bonus programs with prize drawings.
3. On-site Retail and Merchandise: Multiple gift shops selling original merchandise including educational materials, plush toys, and aquarium-branded products.
4. Restaurants and Food Service: On-site restaurant and café facilities for visitors.
5. Special Programs and Tours: Fee-based programs including backstage tours, night aquarium experiences, and educational workshops.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium operates a public aquarium within Ocean Expo Park in Okinawa, offering visitors multi-floor marine exhibits (including the Kuroshio Sea main tank, Coral Sea, and Deep Sea tanks), dolphin theater shows, fee-based special programs such as backstage tours and night aquarium experiences, and educational programs for schools. The aquarium also runs original gift shops, an on-site restaurant, and an official online merchandise store, while concurrently conducting marine conservation research including captive breeding programs and deep-sea exploration using ROVs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Aquarium General Admission Public aquarium general admission for general public visitors, families, and tourists visiting Okinawa. Provides access to themed exhibits across four floors including the Kuroshio Sea main tank (home to whale sharks and manta rays), Coral Sea, Deep Sea, and dolphin theater shows.
• Annual Passport Subscription-style annual pass providing unlimited aquarium entry for one year, targeted at repeat visitors and local enthusiasts. Sold at approximately twice the single admission price with a renewal bonus program featuring prize drawings.
• Backstage Tour ('黒潮の海' Backyard Tour) Fee-based guided tour offering visitors behind-the-scenes access to the Kuroshio Sea main tank operations and aquarium facilities.
• Summer Show 2026 - Churaumi Splash Festival Seasonal ticketed dolphin performance show featuring splash effects and themed summer festival experience at the Okichan Theater, running summer 2026.
• Churaumi Night Aquarium Special fee-based night aquarium experience offering unique after-hours access during summer 2026.
• Okinawa Churaumi Night Guide Tour Fee-based nighttime guided tour of the aquarium facility announced for 2026.
• Aquarium On-site Merchandise and Gift Shops Multiple on-site retail shops at the aquarium selling original merchandise including educational materials, plush toys, and aquarium-branded products, serving visit-day souvenir purchases.
• Restaurant Ino On-site restaurant and café facility located adjacent to the event hall, serving visitors to the aquarium.
• Official Online Store (umichurara) Official e-commerce storefront selling aquarium-themed merchandise online at umichurara.shop-pro.jp to remote customers.
• Marine Biology Educational Programs Marine biology learning programs and guided educational experiences designed for schools, educational groups, and visiting students, delivered across aquarium, surrounding-area, and Ocean Expo Park venues.

Quantifiable outcome

• 25 consecutive years of successful coral spawning in aquarium environment
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Tohoku UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Research team proved through whole genome sequencing that Kinme-modoki (Parapriacanthus ransonneti) fish lack luciferase genes and acquire luminescent proteins by ingesting marine fireflies—a rare evolutionary phenomenon termed 'stolen proteins.' Research conducted in collaboration with other institutions.
• Institute of Basic BiologycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Collaborated with Tohoku University on whole genome sequencing research proving the 'stolen proteins' phenomenon in Kinme-modoki fish, demonstrating horizontal gene transfer through diet.
• University of the RyukyuscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Partner institution in the Kinme-modoki bioluminescence research project demonstrating the unique evolutionary phenomenon of gene acquisition through diet.
• Keio UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Collaborating institution in the Kinme-modoki research showing how fish acquire luminescent proteins from marine fireflies through horizontal gene transfer.
• Aiwell Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Bio-venture company originating from Tokyo University of Science. Signed joint research agreement in February 2026 to scientifically understand health status of cartilaginous fish such as whale sharks and manta rays. Using aiwell's independently developed protein biomarker rapid exploration platform 'aiwell IPA' for proteomics analysis on blood plasma to establish objective health indicators for improved breeding management and animal welfare.
• Sumitomo Corporation HokkaidocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Partner in joint research project for cartilaginous fish health visualization. Full-scale research beginning April 2026 targeting health indicator establishment and conservation techniques for rare marine species.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan: One of Japan's largest public aquariums and Churaumi's closest domestic peer, similarly featuring whale sharks and large pelagic tanks, year-round exhibits, and educational programming. Directly comparable in scale, business model, and target market across Japanese tourism.
• Monterey Bay Aquarium: Iconic non-profit public aquarium renowned for marine research, conservation, and educational programming. Operates a similar research-driven, education-focused model with strong brand recognition and publication output, making it a directly comparable peer.
• National Aquarium (Baltimore): Major U.S. non-profit public aquarium with large shark and reef exhibits, ticketed admission, and conservation/education programs. Comparable in mission alignment, non-profit operating model, and exhibit breadth.
• Georgia Aquarium: Largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere and a global benchmark for whale shark husbandry. Operates a non-profit model with massive tanks, ticketed admission, and significant research/conservation programs, making it a direct international comparable to Churaumi's operating model.
• Oceanário de Lisboa: One of Europe's largest indoor aquariums, focused on open-ocean ecosystems and educational programming. Comparable in exhibit design philosophy and signature single-tank presentation.
• Shanghai Ocean Aquarium: Large Chinese public aquarium focused on regional and global marine biodiversity, with high visitor throughput. Comparable in Asia-Pacific tourism-driven operating model and exhibit breadth.
• Oceanogràfic (Valencia, Spain): Largest aquarium in Europe, featuring beluga whales, shark tanks, and large-scale pelagic exhibits. Operates as a major tourism anchor with research and conservation programming, comparable to Churaumi's scale and public-attraction focus.
• Aquarium of the Pacific (Long Beach): Large public aquarium with Pacific-focused exhibits, education, and conservation programs. Comparable in non-profit operating model, exhibit IP, and tiered ticketing strategy.
• S.E.A. Aquarium (Singapore): One of the world's largest aquariums, featuring large pelagic tanks and integrated resort tourism. Comparable in scale, exhibit IP, and emphasis on tourism-driven foot traffic across Asia-Pacific.

Regional players

• Tokyo Sea Life Park (Kasai Rinkai Suizokuen): Tokyo metropolitan public aquarium operated with an educational mission similar to Churaumi's. Closely comparable in governance model (public-interest operator), exhibit programming, and educational outreach, and serves as a relevant domestic peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/kaiyohakukoen
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCXjkj8-HaOvX7o-fzhOu7Ng
• Facebookfacebook.com/kaiyohaku.churaumi
• Instagraminstagram.com/kaiyohaku_churaumi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Churaumi Aquarium