Annual Summer Event "Chinatown's Beautiful Sea Exhibition 2026" to be Held

Event Poster

China Square Co., Ltd. (Location: Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Representative: Tetsuro Koizumi) operates "Yokohama Fortune Aquarium" and will hold the summer special exhibition "Chinatown's Beautiful Sea Exhibition 2026" from July 16, 2026 (Thu) to August 30, 2026 (Sun).

This exhibition, themed around the seas of Okinawa, has been held annually since 2024 as a summer-limited event.

In its third year, the exhibition will feature a limited-time display of a one-year-old green sea turtle born at the aquarium in September 2025, in cooperation with Kushimoto Underwater Park (Wakayama Prefecture), as well as a special display of Takasago fish (Okinawan name: Gurukun), the prefectural fish of Okinawa. Additionally, the exhibition will include the "Coral Seed Parent Program," a program linked to coral conservation efforts in the village of Kunigami, Okinawa, a program to support free research by allowing direct questions to marine experts, and a screening event where visitors can experience the seas of Okinawa through 3D images. These hands-on content programs are designed to be enjoyable and educational for both children and adults.

While in Yokohama's Chinatown, visitors can experience the charm of Okinawa's seas and deepen their understanding of marine life, providing an opportunity to re-examine the connection between human life and marine life.

Overview of "Chinatown's Beautiful Sea Exhibition 2026"

Name: Chinatown's Beautiful Sea Exhibition 2026

Event Period: July 16, 2026 (Thu) ~ August 30, 2026 (Sun)

Location: Yokohama Fortune Aquarium

Admission: Free * Separate admission fee required. Some paid programs are available.

Organizer: Yokohama Fortune Aquarium

Co-sponsored by: Yokohama Convention & Visitors Bureau, Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau, Kunigami Village, Kunigami Fisheries Cooperative Association

Exhibition Cooperation: Kushimoto Underwater Park

Planning Cooperation: OSC Co., Ltd.

1. Display of Okinawa's Prefectural Fish "Takasago (Gurukun)"

The symbol of 2026 is the appearance of "Takasago (Gurukun)", the prefectural fish of Okinawa. Gurukun is a fish that has been familiar to Okinawans for a long time, and its beautiful school of fish is one of the symbolic scenes of the sea of Okinawa. Visitors can observe the rarely seen Gurukun up close.

[Exhibition Period] July 16, 2026 (Thu) ~ August 30, 2026 (Sun)

[Exhibition Location] Cylindrical Tank (Near Health Fortune)

Okinawa's Prefectural Fish "Takasago (Gurukun)"

2. Display of "Green Sea Turtle"

In cooperation with Kushimoto Underwater Park (Wakayama Prefecture), a one-year-old green sea turtle born at the aquarium in September 2025 will be displayed for a limited time. During the period, "Turtle Mini Talk" by the breeding staff will be held, introducing the ecology and characteristics of sea turtles in an easy-to-understand manner while actually observing the sea turtles.

[Exhibition Period] July 16, 2026 (Thu) ~ August 30, 2026 (Sun)

[Exhibition Location] No. 54 Tank (Near Coral Fortune)

[Turtle Mini Talk]

Every Monday and Saturday ① 11:00 ~ ② 15:00 (Each session approximately 10 minutes)

Special Exhibition "Green Sea Turtle"

3. Connecting the Sea of Okinawa to the Future: "Coral Seed Parent Program"

The aquarium has been involved in the "Coral Seed Parent Program" as part of its coral conservation activities since 2024. In this program, after learning about corals and listening to explanations about the relationship between corals and marine life, participants will write a message to the sea on a plate to fix the coral seedlings. The completed coral seed plates will be delivered to the aquaculture facility in Kunigami Village, Okinawa by the aquarium staff after the event, where the coral seedlings will be attached and replanted in the sea of Kunigami Village, Okinawa. Currently, part of the coral seedlings raised in the marine special zone of the aquarium, which participated last year, are on display, brought from the sea of Okinawa. This is an experience-type program unique to the aquarium, where you can feel that the activity is connected to the sea of Okinawa.

[Event Period] Late August 2026 (Tentative)

[Participation Fee] 4,000 yen per person (tax included)

* Details such as the start of recruitment will be announced on the official website.

Planting Scene in Kunigami Village ① Planting Scene in Kunigami Village ②

4. Supporting Summer Vacation Free Research! Two Days to Directly Ask "Sea Teachers"

During the summer vacation period, experts active on the front lines of marine research and conservation activities will be invited to hold a free research support program. By providing opportunities to directly hear from them, visitors can deepen their understanding of marine life and also learn about the current state and environmental conservation of the sea of Okinawa.

<DAY 1>

"Ask the Sea Turtle Doctor! About the Sea and Sea Turtles"

Dr. Tsutomu Kawazu (OSC Co., Ltd. / Director of the Japan Sea Turtle Association) will visit the aquarium. Visitors can ask questions freely in the aquarium, and depending on the timing, they can also listen to the talk while observing the green sea turtle up close.

[Date] August 7, 2026 (Fri) 14:00 ~ 17:00

[Location] Near No. 54 Tank

[Participation Fee] Free (Separate admission fee required)

<DAY 2>

"Ask the Sea People! About the Sea and Corals"

Hideo Moritomo, who is involved in coral aquaculture in Kunigami Village, Okinawa, will visit the aquarium. Visitors can directly hear about the current state of the sea of Okinawa and the efforts in coral aquaculture, which only sea people active in the field can talk about.

[Date] August 8, 2026 (Sat) 10:00 ~ 18:00

[Location] Near Cylindrical Tank

[Participation Fee] Free (Separate admission fee required)

Dr. Tsutomu Kawazu Hideo Moritomo

5. Experience the Sea of Okinawa in 3D! "3D Okinawa Underwater Walk"

Underwater images shot off the Kerama Islands, Yaeyama Islands, and Kumejima will be screened in 3D.

This popular content allows visitors to experience the sea of Okinawa, where various marine life lives, with the immersive presence unique to 3D images.

[Event Period] August 11, 2026 (Tue) ~ August 23, 2026 (Sun)

[Location] China Square 2nd Floor Special Venue (Outside the Aquarium)

[Screening Time] 3D images are approximately 11 minutes long and will be screened repeatedly

[Price] 300 yen (100 yen for aquarium visitors, free for preschool children)

3D Okinawa Underwater Walk Experience Image

6. Summer Limited Fish Stamp "Turtle" for Sale

A special design featuring "Turtle" as a limited-time fish stamp will be sold. The design incorporates the traditional Chinese art of "Flower Characters" by craftsman Ding Ping of Zuyin Hall. The design combines the illustrations of Turtle, Fish, and Dolphin to express the character "Turtle."

[Sales Period] July 16, 2026 (Thu) ~ August 30, 2026 (Sun) * Ends when sold out

[Price] 350 yen (tax included)

[Sales Location] Fortune Shop (Inside the Aquarium)

* Admission is required for use.

Fish Stamp "Turtle" with Flower Characters

7. Display of Approximately 50 Types of Marine Life from the Sea of Okinawa

During the exhibition period, in addition to the special exhibition, approximately 50 types of marine life inhabiting the sea of Okinawa will be introduced in the permanent exhibition.

Through various marine life such as Balloonfish, Hanamino Kasago, White-breasted Anemonefish, and Nishiki Teguri, visitors can feel the richness of the sea of Okinawa.

Marine Life from the Sea of Okinawa in Permanent Exhibition

8. Creating an Okinawan Summer Atmosphere Throughout the Facility

During the exhibition period, Okinawan music "Icharibajun" will be played throughout the facility, and the staff will wear "Karishu Wear" to welcome guests with a full Okinawan atmosphere.

Notes

* Opening Hours: 10:00 ~ 17:00 (18:00 on weekends and holidays) * Last admission is 30 minutes before closing

* During Obon Period (August 8 ~ August 16), business hours will be until 18:00 even on weekdays.

* Opening

Keyword: