Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

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The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (沖縄美ら海水族館, Okinawa churaumi suizokukan), located in Okinawa, Japan, is the world's second largest aquarium behind the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta.

Contents 1 Aquarium 2 Other Activities 3 Location 4 Transport Information 5 See also 6 External links

[edit] Aquarium

The aquarium is a part of the Ocean Expo Commemorative National Government Park located in Motobu, Okinawa. The main tank called the 'Kuroshio Sea' holds 7,500-cubic meters (1,981,290 gallons) of water and features the world's largest acrylic glass panel, measuring 8.2 meters by 22.5 meters with a thickness of 60 centimeters. Whale sharks and manta rays are kept amongst many other fish species in the main tank.

On 16 June 2007 at 10:25 PM a manta ray was born at the aquarium after a gestation of 374 days [1]. The manta ray was soon after killed by its father.

The aquarium is one of very few that keep whale sharks in captivity, and is currently trying to breed them.

[edit] Other Activities

The Aquarium has a selection of activities ranging from a museum to a historic village. In addition to the Aquarium there are two different dolphin shows in which you can touch them and watch them perform in a show. There is also a manatee exhibit featuring rescued manatees from mainland Japan. A recently closed exhibit featured assorted sharks. There is also Emerald Beach which is accessible by the 300 Yen Tram. The Botanical Gardens is just a little walk away from the Aquarium.

[edit] Location

• Mailing Address:

424 Ishikawa
Motobu Okinawa, Rk 905-02 Japan

[edit] Transport Information

• Bus Stop:

KINEN KOEN (Commemorative Park) Bus Stop

• Bus Route Number:

Expressway Bus No.111 and Bus No.70 etc. from the Asahibashi (Sun Rising Bridge) Railway Station via Nago city. (see the following External Links.)

[edit] See also

• Tropical & Subtropical Arboretum (nearby)

[edit] External links

• Homepage in English
• Bus Time Table: from Asahibashi Sta. to the Aquarium

• Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is at coordinates 26°41′40″N 127°52′41″E / 26.694388, 127.877941 (Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium)Coordinates: 26°41′40″N 127°52′41″E / 26.694388, 127.877941 (Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium)