Okinawan Theme Parks: Best Five this Summer!

Despite being the southernmost island of Japan and having unique characteristics different from the rest of the country, Okinawa is home to plentiful intriguing theme parks that you may need to be aware of. Join us to explore the top five captivating Okinawan theme parks.

Nago Pineapple Park

Did you know that Okinawa was once fertile farmland dedicated to pineapple cultivation for 100 years? However, because Japan imported abundant pineapples from many parts of the world at lower prices, Okinawan pineapple farms became uncompetitive in this fruit market.

Thus, the farmer here came up with the beautiful idea of ​​​​renovating their field into a recreational land for tourists coming to Okinawa, and we have Nago Pineapple Park as it is today.

Right from the entrance of the park, pineapple-shaped characters will wave to you and be ready to pose with you to get commemorative photos. Moreover, near the entrance, there are also some tiny food stalls selling ice cream and snacks. 

Coming to Nago Pineapple Park, you will have a great chance to admire the entire wild pineapple land and huge tropical garden in a cute jeep ride. Inside the park, you will quickly see interesting photo spots such as shaped trees, the lovely giant pineapple statue, a beautiful little house with a tiny pineapple friend, and countless models of prehistoric dinosaurs and surreal dinosaur eggs.

In addition, visitors are always surprised to discover a museum displaying various fossils, corals, and seashells. Among them are the corpses of horseshoe crabs, prehistoric and long-lived creatures on this planet.

Before leaving the park, remember to stop by the souvenir shop. There will always be many options to bring back to your friends and family, such as pineapple cakes, pineapple-flavored chocolate, pineapple wine, or fresh pineapples harvested right from this field. Many products here have typical pineapple-shaped packaging, like pretty little wine bottles. 

Okinawa Fruits Land 

Unlike the wildness of the Nago Pineapple Park above, Okinawa Fruits Land looks much more colorful and lively, just like a natural tropical fruit forest. This theme park is based on the magical world in the popular children’s picture book “Tropical Kingdom Tales.” Indeed, this miniature tropical world’s fun and vibrant vibe suits small kids.

In addition to admiring a fresh tropical fruit forest, you also have an opportunity to experience eating unique fruits directly, such as dragon fruits, mangoes, guavas, and lychees. Okinawa Fruits Land specially prepared a fruit meal packed in half of an actual pineapple for visitors.

During your forest tour, you’ll encounter a lot of birds of all sizes and colors. You can fully interact with them as quickly as feeding them and letting them rest on your shoulders and arms. Besides, visitors will feel lost in the wonderland when visiting the butterfly zone of Okinawa Fruits Land. 

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Ryukyu Mura 

The people of the ancient Ryukyu Kingdom once inhabited a part of the island of Okinawa. So, if you’re a history buff and love the traditional atmosphere, going to Ryukyu Mura is a must.

This place is called Ryukyu village, a gathering place of many traditional houses of the Ryukyu people in the past. Ryukyu Mura genuinely recreates the village gate, Ryukyu old folk house, and an old watermill. Furthermore, the artists here vividly perform Eisa dance and traditional music activities of the Ryukyu period. 

Also, diverse, fun activities and unique attractions will make you linger here for a bit longer to experience them. You can practice pottery, color the little shisa (Okinawa lion guardians) statues, and make folk crafts by hand. Additionally, Ryukyu Mura also provides you with the Ryukyu costume rental service. You’ll have around 60 minutes for many memorable poses with your friends.

Okinawa World 

The Okinawa World theme park is the perfect destination to indulge in wildlife while learning about Okinawan cultural traditions. Just prepare for a fantastic journey through the breathtaking Gyokusendo Cave, a stunning underground world filled with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. The cave has magical lights that make it feel like a fairytale. And you don’t want to miss the charming pond with its crystal-clear waterfalls. 

Aside from the magnificence of nature, you’ll have a chance to step into the lively traditional village and fully immerse yourself in the colorful Okinawan culture. You can participate in fun activities where you can try traditional crafts like weaving, dyeing, and pottery.

Treating yourself to the delicious flavors of Okinawa by enjoying fresh fruits and trying the foamy buku buku tea is also a good idea. The traditional setting creates an engaging atmosphere for an unforgettable experience.

Don’t forget to drop by Habu Museum Park, where you can explore the fascinating wildlife of Okinawa. It’ll make you get close to the famous habu snake and discover the diverse reptiles on display here. 

Manza Ocean Park

Manza Ocean Park is inside the ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort area near the beach. During the summer, many visitors come here to enjoy the pristine beach. The beach is ideal for swimming and admiring the coastal view. 

Therefore, finding a peaceful spot to relax alone is also possible. Then, visitors can rent kayaks or participate in underwater activities such as snorkeling and jet-skiing. After sunbathing, you can dine at the resort’s restaurants or indulge in spa treatments for your best relaxation.

Whether you like pineapple adventures, tropical forests, traditional villages, magnificent cave systems, or beautiful beaches, Okinawa offers many delightful experiences. Explore these Okinawan hidden gems and create cherished memories that will last a lifetime.