Japan · AQUARIUMS
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 10 aquarium visits worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Review of a full-day North Okinawa bus tour from Naha, with Churaumi Aquarium, Kouri Island, 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!!)”
See goldfish transformed into living art at Tokyo’s Art Aquarium Museum GINZA, with light, music, scent, and seasonal displays.
“This experience was amazing. It was definitely worth the money. I would highly recommend it!”
See Okinawa’s top sights by bus, from Churaumi Aquarium and Ryukyu Village to Manza Cape and a sea-view cafe.
“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!”
See penguins, eels, and goldfish at Sumida Aquarium, a calm Tokyo retreat with cafe seating, keeper chats, and flexible one-day entry.
Review of Okinawa’s 12-hour HIP-HOP BUS B tour, with Churaumi Aquarium, Cape Manza, Bise Fukugi Road, Tropical Dream Center, and American Village.
“It was a great comprehensive experience , we probably could have skipped the last pottery village as many shops were closed . But we were able to see much of the island”
See penguins swim above Tokyo at Sunshine Aquarium, a rooftop escape with tropical displays, greenery, and easy QR-code entry.
See Cape Manzamo, Churaumi Aquarium, Bise Fukugi trees, and American Village on an 11-hour Okinawa bus tour for $61.
“L'excursion s'intitule visite en bus de l'aquarium de Churaumi et le billet d'accès à l'aquarium n'est pas inclus, c'est dommage même si c'est précisé. À la place, nous avons certains visites qui n'ont aucun intérêt, en tout cas, des explications sommaires données par la guide au niveau culturel et touristique , si ce n'est nous amener à dépenser dans les commerces. C'est indiqué en anglais mais la guide parle japonais pendant 5minutes en japonais et une en anglais... Et on a droit à un lecteur de poche pour les informations touristiques qu'on a du mal à tout comprendre.”
Explore Okinawa by private car with Jan, visiting castles, Cape Manza, Kouri Island, Churaumi Aquarium, and American Village in one flexible day.
“Jan’s tour was very flexible, and included Northern island sites to suit our interests. As a foreign academic researcher, he has great English and provides a unique perspective about his adopted Okinawa home. Jan picks you up from your hotel in a cute Japanese car (a little scrunchy for tall adults), and drives carefully even when the weather is rainy. Excellent driver and good guide for a wonderful tour.”
Snorkel Miyakojima’s clear sea with coral, tropical fish, and possible sea turtles, with guide support, gear, and free underwater photos included.
“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!”
Review of Enoshima Aquarium, with Sagami Bay life, jellyfish, deep-sea creatures, seasonal exhibits, access, hours, and value tips.
“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.”
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