Kokuei Okinawa Memorial Park and Ocean Expo Park

Okinawa Commemorative National Government Park—Ocean Expo Park is a national park located in Motobu Town, Kunigami District, Okinawa Prefecture, where visitors can enjoy Okinawa’s marine culture, history, nature, flora, and fauna. It was developed on the former site of the Okinawa International Ocean Expo, held from July 1975 to January 1976. Part of the park opened in August 1976, followed by its official opening in September of the same year. Spread across a vast area facing the East China Sea, the park is home to a wide variety of facilities, including the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, Okichan Theater, where dolphin shows are held; the Chura Shima Botanical Garden, also known as the Tropical Dream Center, where visitors can admire tropical plants; and the Oceanic Culture Museum, which introduces the maritime cultures of the Pacific region. Surrounded by beautiful seas and lush natural scenery, the park attracts many visitors from Japan and abroad as one of the leading tourist attractions in northern Okinawa Island.

The history of Ocean Expo Park began with the Okinawa International Ocean Expo, held from July 20, 1975, to January 18, 1976. The expo was organized as one of the projects commemorating Okinawa’s reversion to Japan, under the theme “The Sea—Its Desirable Future.” After the expo ended, the site was redeveloped into a park designed to deepen visitors’ understanding of marine culture and nature. Okinawa Commemorative National Government Park consists of two areas: the “Ocean Expo Area,” where Ocean Expo Park is located, and the “Shuri Castle Area” in Naha. Today, Ocean Expo Park serves as an important center supporting tourism development in northern Okinawa Island.

The park features areas where visitors can enjoy marine life, learn about the history and culture of Okinawa and the Pacific region, and experience tropical and subtropical plants. Each area offers its own distinctive attractions. The park’s most popular facility, the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, introduces the diverse creatures that inhabit the waters around Okinawa. Inside, exhibits recreate a variety of marine environments, from shallow coral reefs to the deep sea, allowing visitors to experience the richness of Okinawa’s oceans. In particular, the massive Kuroshio Sea tank is famous for its impressive view of large marine animals, including whale sharks and manta rays, swimming gracefully through the water. Looking at the underwater world through the enormous viewing panel is breathtaking and gives visitors the sensation of being beneath the sea.

At the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, visitors can also learn about coral ecosystems and the diversity of tropical fish. In the “Coral Sea” exhibit, corals are raised in a tank that uses natural sunlight, recreating an environment similar to Okinawa’s coral reefs. Exhibits featuring deep-sea creatures allow visitors to observe rare fish and other animals that are not often seen. The aquarium also conducts marine-life conservation and research, making it an appealing place to deepen one’s understanding of the marine environment while having fun.

At the nearby Okichan Theater, dynamic dolphin shows are held. Visitors can watch dolphins leap high above the water and perform perfectly synchronized movements, making the shows popular with people of all ages. At the adjacent Dolphin Lagoon, visitors can observe dolphins from relatively close range and learn about their behavior and characteristics. The Sea Turtle Pavilion features sea turtles found in the waters around Okinawa, while the Manatee Pavilion offers the chance to observe manatees, known for their gentle nature. These facilities provide opportunities to learn about the ecology of marine animals and the importance of their conservation.

Emerald Beach, located in the park’s marine area, is another popular attraction and one of Ocean Expo Park’s signature sights. This beautiful artificial beach faces the East China Sea and features white sand and crystal-clear emerald-green waters. It was developed inside a lagoon surrounded by coral reefs, offering calm seas and a tropical landscape. The beach is divided into three sections: Play Beach, Rest Beach, and View Beach, allowing visitors to enjoy swimming, strolling, and other activities according to their preferences. View Beach is intended for walking and sightseeing. Emerald Beach was selected as one of Japan’s 88 Best Swimming Beaches in 2001 and as one of the 100 Best Swimming Beaches in 2006. Since the swimming season and conditions of use vary from year to year, visitors are advised to check the latest information in advance.

In the History and Culture Area, visitors can learn about the cultures developed by the people of Okinawa and the Pacific region. The Oceanic Culture Museum introduces the history of the peoples of the Pacific and their lives connected to the sea. Its valuable collection includes large canoes, fishing equipment, household tools, and other materials related to the maritime cultures of the Pacific. Visitors can learn about navigation techniques, fishing, and island life, while deepening their understanding of the connections between people created through the sea. The museum also features a large map depicting the Pacific Ocean and video exhibits that offer a visual introduction to the wisdom and culture of oceanic peoples. A planetarium is also available, allowing visitors to enjoy the night sky and learn about celestial bodies.

Okinawa Native Village recreates a village in Okinawa during the era of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Traditional houses and gardens dating from around the 17th to 19th centuries have been constructed, offering visitors a sense of life in Okinawa in earlier times. The red-tiled roofs, stone walls, and household tools demonstrate how homes were adapted to Okinawa’s climate and natural environment. Events introducing traditional lifestyles and culture are sometimes held, making this an inviting place to experience the history of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Nearby Omoro Botanical Garden features representative plants mentioned in the Omoro Soshi, Okinawa’s oldest collection of songs and poems. The garden offers insight into the relationship between Okinawa’s natural environment and its long-standing beliefs and culture.

The Chura Shima Botanical Garden, also known as the Tropical Dream Center, is a leading facility for enjoying flowers and greenery. The facility contains several greenhouses displaying more than 2,000 orchids year-round, along with flowers and plants from tropical and subtropical regions. Visitors can explore a world of tropical plants, including greenhouses filled with colorful orchids in bloom and spaces where tropical fruit trees are cultivated. The facility also has an observation tower offering views of the surrounding lush greenery and the East China Sea. Strolling through the gardens surrounded by floral scents and vivid colors is a delightful experience, making the facility especially recommended for plant enthusiasts and photography lovers.

The Tropical and Subtropical Urban Greening Botanical Garden introduces plants suited to Okinawa’s warm climate and technologies for creating and maintaining green spaces. The garden offers areas where visitors can stroll among flowers and greenery and enjoy close contact with nature. The park also features spacious lawns and playgrounds where families can relax and children can play freely. Sunset Plaza, located along the East China Sea, is known as a scenic spot for watching the sun sink below the horizon. On clear evenings, visitors can enjoy the beautiful sight of the sea and sky turning red at dusk.

Ocean Expo Park also offers shopping and dining unique to Okinawa. Shops throughout the park sell Okinawan specialties, sweets, miscellaneous goods, and original aquarium merchandise, making them convenient places to look for souvenirs and mementos of a trip. Dining facilities serve dishes and light meals prepared with Okinawan ingredients. Because the park is so extensive, visitors can also use paid electric sightseeing vehicles to get around, which is convenient for those who find walking difficult and for families with young children.

Ocean Expo Park is approximately a two-hour drive from Naha Airport. The most common route is via the Okinawa Expressway toward the Motobu Peninsula, and the park can also be reached by regular and express buses. Admission to the park itself is free, and some facilities, including Okichan Theater and Okinawa Native Village, can also be enjoyed free of charge. However, admission fees are charged for facilities such as the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, the Chura Shima Botanical Garden (Tropical Dream Center), and the Oceanic Culture Museum. Since the park is extremely large, visitors should allow about half a day to see the main facilities, or a full day for a more leisurely experience. Opening hours and closing days differ by facility and may change depending on the season or special events, so visitors are advised to check the official website for the latest information before their visit.

Okinawa Commemorative National Government Park—Ocean Expo Park is a comprehensive tourist destination where visitors can experience Okinawa’s beautiful seas, abundant nature, unique history, and culture all in one place. Its many attractions include the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, where whale sharks swim gracefully; powerful dolphin shows; colorful tropical plants; a native village recreating life during the era of the Ryukyu Kingdom; and the beautiful Emerald Beach. In addition to providing opportunities to enjoy nature and encounter a wide range of creatures, the park’s great appeal lies in the chance to learn about Okinawa’s deep relationship with the sea. It is one of the leading attractions in northern Okinawa Island and is highly recommended for family trips and outings with friends, as well as for anyone interested in history, culture, or nature.