A trip to DMM Kariyushi Aquarium, a new destination in Okinawa!

Opened in April 2020, DMM Kariyushi Aquarium is located in “iias Okinawa Toyosaki,” a shopping mall about 20 minutes by car from Naha Airport. The concept of the aquarium is “the new entertainment aquarium combining the latest visual expression and spatial representation.”



After entering the facility, you can watch a movie in the theater. The image projected on the huge screen surrounding the room was very powerful with effects of wind and other sounds.


This is the exhibition area. This aquarium has no panel to describe creatures, so I felt the beauty of the creatures in water tanks, enhanced with the plain walls. By downloading a special app in advance, you can check descriptions by holding your smartphone over touchpoints in the facility.




In the “Forest” area on the 2nd floor, you can see fresh-water fish, reptiles, and amphibians. From the pathway around the trees, you can look down on the floor.




If you carefully look into the hole on a big tree…



A Humboldt penguin, one of the most popular creatures in this aquarium.



With effects of waves and sounds, this tank looks like a real cove. The effects change according to the time of day.

Try ducking, and you will feel as if you are in the ocean.



In this area, you can take off your shoes and walk on a large water tank. Schools of fish swim under your feet.


This touch pool is very popular among children.



You can see not only ocean creatures but also land creatures, such as capybaras, giant tortoises, and sloths.


Go down to the 1st floor by an escalator surrounded by a touch pool. It is the “Ocean” area, with a wavy blue illumination.






I loved the pictograms in the facility. So, every time I saw them, I took photos.



Pretty ocellaris clownfish.



Colorful corals and sea anemones are just stunning.



Under the illumination slowly changing the color, jellyfish floating up and down in a cylindrical tank create a mesmerizing sight.



A virtual water tank, which is created with projected images on the wall with water flowing down. Several kinds of creatures appeared. When a whale shark came into sight, kids got excited and reacted with cheers.



The cafe offers many Okinawan dishes, including sausages made with Agu pork.


The shop is filled with cute goods and items, such as stuffed-penguins made with a design from “bingata,” a traditional dying technique of Okinawa.

I purchased a key holder and went back to the entrance to take a commemorative photo. I had enough time to look around the aquarium at an unhurried pace, and it took about two hours.
There is an outlet mall, “Ashibinaa,” near the aquarium. You will have a great time visiting the Toyosaki area with its amazing aquarium creatures and great shopping.




The bus from the airport is convenient.


*The information herein is as of May 2021.


DMM Kariyushi Aquarium
https://kariyushi-aquarium.com/en/