Best things to do in Motobu-cho

Situated on the site of the 1975 World's Fair, Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium continues to attract millions of visitors with its world-class variety of marine life. Touch tanks near the entrance of the three-story aquarium allow you to get up close and personal with starfish and seashells. Daily feedings and shows are open to the public; check ahead for relevant times. Make sure you stop at the massive Kuroshio Tank to see manta rays and giant whale sharks.

Enjoy remarkable dolphin acrobatics set against the picturesque backdrop of the East China Sea at Okichan Theater. The pride of the park, the dolphins jump, play and even dance along with the local music. Best of all, the dolphins display a fun-loving attitude, and you might find yourself laughing hysterically at their antics. The relatively short, wheelchair-friendly, child-appropriate show offers a fully covered seating area to protect you from rain.

Take some time to relax and unwind on Emerald Beach, a Y-shaped coastal area that makes up part of a wider marine park. The beach's calm, bright green lagoon has ample room for paddling, a little shallow swimming, and splashing around. Separated into three distinct areas--for playing, rest, and viewing--the scenic beach provides recreation and fun for families, couples, and solo travelers.

The white sand beach of Minnajima Island offers decent snorkeling and scuba diving in a protected swimming area. Find the secluded rocky portion of the island to snorkel along, as it showcases an abundant variety of fish. Beach amenities include restrooms, showers, and equipment rental. Be sure to bring your own umbrella if you would like to escape the main beach area. Stroll around the small island; you'll discover restaurants here as well.

Next to a traditional village consisting of around 250 homes you will find Bise no Fukugi Tree Road, an exotic escape that relieves both heat and stress. Tread on the soft sandy path as a lush fukugi canopy blocks the sunlight, and distant ocean waves break against the shore. Observe the old fishers' homes, complete with traditional shoji doors and tatami matted flooring, which have utilized the surrounding trees to protect them from the typhoon season. You can also examine the green scenery by renting a bike, or better yet hitch a ride on a water buffalo-drawn cart and listen to folk stories from your eager guide.

Over 800 m (2,625 ft) of white sand and clean, turquoise waters under impressive skies make Sesoko Beach a popular spot for tourists during the season. Located on Sesoko Island, which is connected to the main island by a scenic bridge, the beach can be easily accessed by foot., with a few coral walls and underwater caves making the beach a good spot for snorkeling. You can bring your own food, or pick something up from the food stand. You can also use the showers and hire some water sport equipment at the beach, which makes a good spot for family trips and lies about 40 minutes by bus from Nago bus terminal.

Watch two huge manatees play or munch on heads of lettuce underwater at Manatee Center. A short walk from the main aquarium building of Okinawa Churaumi's Ocean Expo Park, the site offers close-up views of these graceful creatures free of charge. Observe this endangered species that spawned many mermaid legends from above the tank or from the underwater viewing room.