Contents(7)
Okinawa-Exclusive Marine Souvenirs — How Can Any Ocean Lover Pass These Up!
A trip to Okinawa offers far more than soaking up its laid-back atmosphere and pristine white-sand beaches. You'll definitely want to plan a perfect dive trip as well. High-quality dive shops are scattered across both the main island and the outlying islands. In addition to Japan's famously attentive and meticulous service, some shops even offer service in Chinese, so you can enjoy your diving holiday without a worry!
Soaking up the healing power of Okinawa's ocean
This time, though, the Editor isn't taking you diving — instead, we're going on a hunt for all kinds of Okinawa-exclusive marine keepsakes. Fellow ocean lovers, get your wallets ready!
1. Churaumi Aquarium Exclusive Cup-Edge Figurines (Fuchiko)
The Churaumi Aquarium's limited-edition cup-edge figurines are basically miniature versions of the aquarium's underwater stars. They're perfect for gifting and selfies alike — a solid five-heart rating on the healing scale. There are 7 designs in total: Whale Shark, sea turtle, Stingray, Clownfish, walrus, a hidden-edition giant squid, and Miss Fuchiko herself in a white bikini diving alongside a Napoleon Wrasse.
Each turn costs ¥400. There's a bill-change machine right next to the capsule machine, handy for anyone trying to collect the full set — since they're random, just close your eyes and pray before you pull the handle! In addition to the "Blue Manta" shop near the exit, there's also a capsule machine at the entrance kiosk. If you get home and realize you're missing one, don't panic — the Churaumi Aquarium official store Umichurara on Kokusai-dori gives you a second chance.
There's something deeply satisfying about collecting these — like hunting down all seven Dragon Balls
A complete set of underwater cup-edge figurines — a little slice of office joy to brighten even the gloomiest winter day
2. Churaumi Observation Guide Cards
Why are these exclusive? Because they can only be picked up inside the aquarium itself. The cards are spread across different zones throughout the museum — 10 in total — and it's easy to get distracted by the fish and accidentally walk right past them. Each double-sided guide card features detailed information about the aquarium's marine life. The text is in Japanese, but the comprehensive information and illustrations are more than worth taking home to sleep with. Once you've collected the full set, head to the "Blue Manta" shop at the exit to purchase a dedicated folder. A true ocean lover, of course, will want to give them a proper home.
Just look at how gorgeous this folder is — too vibrant to ignore
3. Origami Stationery Sets
These star origami sets, tracked down with great effort at the entrance gift shop, contain five designs per pack — five sheets of each design — priced at ¥324 per pack. The designs include sea turtle, Whale Shark, Stingray, walrus, and garden eel in two different patterns (black-and-white polka dots and yellow-and-white stripes). The back of each sheet includes step-by-step folding instructions; just follow the dotted lines and numbered steps and you'll feel a genuine sense of accomplishment. These make wonderful gifts for kids, and each design includes a blank message area where you can write a note to a colleague, a friend, or that special someone who shares your love of the ocean. Heartfelt words paired with charming stationery — guaranteed to leave a lasting impression.
Even the least crafty among us can feel proud of the finished result
4. Postcards / Stickers
The Whale Shark tank is the centerpiece of the aquarium, with all manner of fish gliding gracefully through the water. For postcard collectors, this is an iconic souvenir — it captures just how small we are beneath those enormous Whale Sharks. The image may not be flashy or colorful, but that deep blue says everything about the ocean. Another item well worth collecting is the sticker set! Two designs are available, with the names and descriptions of various fish in Japanese on the back — essentially an all-star lineup of the aquarium's most famous residents. The slightly three-dimensional, waterproof design adds a wonderful feel and quality that makes them a real standout when stuck in your travel journal.
Simple, fuss-free marine keepsakes
5. Compact Mirrors
These pocket mirrors, priced at around ¥750 each, make ideal gifts for the women in your life. There are six different themes, each featuring hand-painted watercolor artwork in soft macaron tones that harmoniously highlight the main subject of each design. The lineup includes a dolphin mother and calf swimming together, sea turtle siblings playing, a Clownfish gathering, a Stingray on an adventure, and two Whale Shark designs — one paired with warm-toned, vibrant hibiscus flowers, and one with cool-toned, colorful sea anemones. One side is a regular mirror; the other is a magnifying mirror — highly practical and guaranteed to bring a smile the moment you see it. She absolutely won't be able to put it down.
Whale Shark with cool-toned, colorful sea anemones
6. Plush Keychains
Hmm… these are simply adorable. The large plushies are a bit overwhelming — you can hug them and then reluctantly put them back — but the smaller ones come with a keychain function, which suddenly makes them feel almost practical. Beyond the Whale Shark plush, there's a whole range of marine life designs to choose from. Personally, the sea turtle, Stingray, and Whale Shark all feel like must-haves. A small, indulgent nod to your inner child is entirely forgivable.
Cute from every angle — sideways, upside down, you name it
If you still haven't had your fill of shopping at the aquarium, head to the Churaumi Aquarium official store Umichurara on Kokusai-dori in Naha city to keep the fun going!
-
Show your Churaumi Aquarium ticket stub at the counter to receive one free capsule machine pull. Different capsule colors yield different prizes; the consolation prize is a set of ocean stickers.
-
Purchases totaling ¥5,000 or more are tax-free.
-
You can also watch the wonderfully soothing garden eels swaying back and forth～
Related links:
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a BlueTrend dive trip different from an unknown, no-name dive group?
Choosing us means full peace-of-mind protection and a smooth experience from start to finish. Every trip we run holds to three things.
First, full legal protection and a professional dive leader: we strictly follow Taiwan's travel regulations and provide complete travel-agency liability insurance, travel insurance, trip-inconvenience insurance and dive insurance. Every group is accompanied by a certified, foreign-language dive leader who joins you on both the dives and the land itinerary, liaising seamlessly with local dive shops and operators on your behalf to keep things running smoothly — the person our travellers trust most.
Second, fully licensed with secure payments: every payment goes into a licensed travel agency's account, with multiple safe payment channels (bank transfer, credit card and more) and a legal collect-and-remit receipt, so every transaction is open, transparent and protected, avoiding the fraud and dispute risks of transferring money privately to an individual.
Third, hand-picked quality we vet in person: every trip, dive site and partner shop is scouted on the ground by our own team, from the guides' professionalism and safety standards to the food, lodging, environment and service details on land, all vetted by us so you don't get caught out.
I want to sign up for a dive trip. Are there certification-level or logged-dive requirements?
Each dive site is different, so the entry bar varies. 'Bali Tulamben', for instance, is relatively beginner-friendly. 'Malapascua in the Philippines' is also beginner-friendly, but since thresher sharks tend to cruise between 20 and 30 metres, we recommend AOW certification with 20+ logged dives to enjoy this trip comfortably. For 'the Maldives' or 'Palau', we suggest AOW with 50+ logged dives for a more relaxed experience. If you're not sure whether your experience fits the trip you want, message us and our dive editors will assess it and help you find the trip you'll feel safest on.
Can I join if I'm signing up alone? How are rooms arranged?
Plenty of our travellers sign up solo! For rooms and beds, we prioritise pairing you with a same-gender traveller, and if you'd rather have your own space you can pay the difference to upgrade to a single room. For the diving, our professional leader will pair you with a suitable buddy, and with the happy vibe on our trips you'll quickly make a great group of dive friends. Many people sign up alone, make new friends, and end up organising the next trip together!
Does the trip fee include dive insurance, gear rental, taxes and instructor tips?
It depends on the trip, the destination's regulations and the local operators. Every BlueTrend dive trip has a detailed web page with a clear 'included / not included' list, transparent and with no hidden charges. All payments are collected by a licensed travel agency, with a standard-form contract for your protection.
I'm a new diver / haven't dived in a long time — will I fall behind the group?
Before you complete your booking, our team assesses a suitable trip based on your certification level and experience. Before departure, we strongly recommend taking time to refresh in Taiwan with an instructor, or a fun dive to get your feel back. On the trip itself, our professional dive leader groups and pairs everyone by experience, keeps a close eye underwater on travellers who need extra care, and steps in to help right away.
Will the photos and videos taken during the trip be shared with us?
During the dives, 'safety' is always the leader's top priority, so whenever it's suitable and safe the leader will capture great shots and record the best moments. During or after the trip, we compile a cloud album for all travellers to download, so you go home loaded with memories!
Besides your scheduled trips, can you arrange a private group charter or independent travel for me and my friends?
Absolutely! Besides group trips, we also arrange private group charters and independent travel. We can communicate, enquire and coordinate services with local operators based on your needs, saving you time and effort and taking the language barrier off your plate, to tailor the smoothest, most reassuring dive trip just for you. Contact our LINE support and our editors will arrange it for you!
