Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium changes group bookings on 1 October

Visitors to Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium and its group reservation process will see a change from 1 October 2026 at the marine attraction in Motobu, Japan. The operator will end fax applications for eligible groups and introduce applications by reservation form or email.

The aquarium is also known locally as Okinawa Churaumi Suizokukan, while its English name is used throughout its visitor information. The change matters particularly to Western European group organisers planning a visit after 1 October 2026.

Group reservation process changes at the aquarium on 1 October

The operator announced the change on 10 September 2026. From 1 October 2026, applications will no longer be accepted by fax, and the method will depend on the type and size of the group.

International general groups of 20 or more people will become eligible to make reservations from 1 October 2026. Groups below that threshold will not need a reservation under the published arrangement. Domestic general groups of 100 or more people will also be included, alongside school groups from outside Okinawa, pre-visit school groups, preschools and kindergartens.

The reservation form will be available from 1 October 2026 on the group rates page, but the operator says the form will be available in Japanese only. Confirmation and communication about changes will take place by email after submission. The application period runs from six months before the visit until 5pm seven days before the visit, as set out in the official reservation notice.

How the reservation change relates to the aquarium

The revised process concerns organised access rather than a new exhibition or a closure of the main attraction. Individual visitors and smaller groups can therefore distinguish the new group arrangements from the general visit.

The attraction is part of Ocean Expo Park at 424 Ishikawa in Motobu, Okinawa Prefecture. The park authority lists the aquarium among the facilities remaining available during its 2026 to 2027 partial-opening period, while separate areas elsewhere in the park are closed for inspection and maintenance. The park facility information identifies the aquarium and its surrounding visitor facilities.

The building presents Okinawa marine life through a sequence of areas. The naturally lit Coral Sea tank introduces coral reef life, followed by the Kuroshio Sea tank with whale sharks and manta rays. A deep-sea section completes the route by recreating the darker marine environment around Okinawa. The four listed visitor levels run from an upper arrival area down towards the deep-sea displays.

That layout gives the reservation change a practical connection to the place: groups arranging access are planning for a large indoor aquarium route, not simply an outdoor park stop. The revised process affects how some organised parties secure entry before reaching the exhibits.

Group access now covers overseas parties from 1 October

For Western European organisers, the most significant new point is the explicit inclusion of international general groups of at least 20 people. The operator does not say that every visitor must reserve, and groups below 20 people are excluded from the new international reservation requirement.

Applications for eligible groups must use the reservation form or email from 1 October 2026. Fax remains available only for arrangements made under the previous process by 30 September 2026, when changes to an existing booking are handled through the dedicated contact route.

Visiting Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• The group reservation process changes on 1 October 2026. Eligible international general groups of 20 or more people must use the reservation form or email rather than fax.
• The change affects organised access to the aquarium. Groups of fewer than 20 international visitors do not need a reservation under the published arrangement.
• The venue is at 424 Ishikawa in Motobu, Okinawa Prefecture, within Ocean Expo Park. The visitor route includes Coral Sea, Kuroshio Sea and deep-sea areas.
• The reservation form is available in Japanese only. Confirmation and changes after submission are handled by email.
• Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.

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Frequently asked questions about Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

When does the group reservation process change at Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium?

The new process starts on 1 October 2026. Eligible applications will use a reservation form or email instead of fax.

What changes for international groups at Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium?

International general groups of 20 or more people become eligible to make reservations from 1 October 2026. The reservation form is available in Japanese only.

Where is Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium and how do you get there?

The aquarium is at 424 Ishikawa in Motobu, Okinawa Prefecture, within Ocean Expo Park. Its visitor areas cover coral reef, Kuroshio Sea and deep-sea exhibits.