Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Center, which displays over 2,000 types of orchids, and the Tropical & Subtropical Arbor-
etum.
Ie Jima, as seen from the Churaumi Aquarium.
To be perfectly frank, I'd give them all a miss and just stick with the aquarium. But that
naturally is up to you. Everyone has different tastes and what appeals to some doesn't always
appeal to others and vice-versa. Since you're already all the way up here, you can have a look
around and decide for yourself. If you are at all interested in tropical plants, the one addition-
al attraction you might wish to consider is the Tropical & Subtropical Arboretum (
熱帯•亜
熱帯都市 緑化植物園
; Nettai Anettai Toshi Ryokka Shokubutsuen). It's a 22-acre (9-hectare)
arboretum and botanical garden featuring some 30,000 plants covering more than 300 spe-
cies. It's the only such park on Okinawa and it's free. Of course, if you like plants, then maybe
the orchid display is worth a look too, but it's not free. It costs about $10 per person (half for
students).
Churaumi Aquarium and Ocean Expo Park
Located at the end of Okinawa's Motobu Peninsula and overlooking scenic Ie Island, the Churaumi
Aquarium (
美ら海水族館
; Churaumi Suizokan) is the second largest aquarium in the world after the
Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. Churaumi means “beauiful ocean” in the Okinawan dialect. In addiion
to the two million gallon Kuroshio Tank pictured here, and a large shark tank, there are over 70 other
specialized tanks, sealife exhibits, an outdoor dolphin theater, manatee pools and a sea turtles dis-
play. It's one of the most popular tourist atracions of Okinawa.
