Japan · AQUARIUMS
10 reviewed
Japan runs on reservations, so start here: the 10 aquarium visits worth your dates, with what each one costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Read the top three, then book whichever fits your calendar.
Full-day bus tour from Naha to North Okinawa, including Churaumi Aquarium, Kouri Island, Nago Pineapple Park, and Cape Manzamo.
“Guide was super nice and gave lots of food recommendations to try! Decent amount of stopovers for quick snacks, souvenirs, and toilet breaks. (Got to see sea turtles in passing thanks to our guide’s sharp eyes!!)”
A one-hour goldfish art show in Ginza Mitsukoshi with light, music, and scent. Photo-friendly, easy to reach, and great value.
“Nice museum exhibition! It’s pretty compact so you can spend at least 45 mins to an hour. The presentation is amazing.”
Okinawa by sightseeing bus with phone audio. See Churaumi Aquarium, Ryukyu Village, Manza Cape, and a sea-view cafe stop with drink included.
“The tour guide was barely understandable, partly because of the mask he always wore. His English skills were pretty poor. His monotonous way of speaking was also a pain. We didn't get any important info!”
Calm, chair-friendly Sumida Aquarium entry in Tokyo, with breeder chats, cafe time, and relaxed views of penguins, eels, and goldfish for $17.
Full-day bus tour from Naha to Churaumi Aquarium, Cape Manzamo, Bise Fukugi Namiki, and American Village, with tickets included.
“Saw a lot in one day! The guide was very nice making a lot of effort to keep us informed, sine we are the only people on the bus that don’t speak Japanese and he doesn’t speak English either. Though weather made the boat ride cancelled but we got to see the red panda, so it’s all good.”
Visit rooftop Sunshine Aquarium in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. See Penguins in the Sky and a water-and-green oasis feel, with QR entry.
One Okinawa day trip with Churaumi Aquarium, Cape Manzamo, Fukugi Tree Road, and American Village, plus audio guide.
“Il y avait trop d’endroit à visiter pour la même excursion. J’aurai préféré avoir plus de temps à chacune des activités et avoir moins d’activités. La visite du village et l’endroit des vieux arbres devrait être retiré à mon avis. J’ai apprécié les autres endroits. Le bus était propre et ponctuel. La guide était gentille.”
Private Okinawa full-day car tour with Jan, featuring Shurijo Castle, Manza, Kouri, Churaumi Aquarium, and American Village, with flexible pickup.
“I can totally recommend this tour! The guide was super friendly, really listened to what we wanted, and knew the area well. Our hotel is up north, so we changed the tour a bit and only visited spots in the north. He even picked us up from the hotel. It was such a great day, and we’d definitely book this tour again!”
Snorkel Miyakojima in a natural aquarium, spot sea turtles and colorful fish, and get free waterproof photo data on an eco-friendly tour.
“We could see a turtle and clown fish during the snorkeling! The guide could speak both Japanese and English and his English was good! He was friendly to my little son. We were really happy!”
Explore Enoshima Aquarium’s Sagami Bay and Pacific Ocean exhibits, from jellyfish to deep-sea creatures, with shows and seasonal events.
“Good exhibits but they were apparently closing early for a private event and this wasn’t shared in advance so we had to leave early before seeing all the exhibits.”
