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Okinawa World blends caves, culture, snakes, and hands-on crafts into one family-friendly park.
A Unique Start to Our Okinawa Trip
Okinawa World is a one-of-a-kind park that combines nature, culture, and history in a single destination. Located in Nanjo City, it’s part underground cave, part Ryukyu village, part snake museum, and part brewery.
Habu Museum Park: For the Brave
We started at the Habu Museum Park, which features Okinawa’s infamous native snake habu. These venomous snakes have long been part of local medicine and folklore. The museum also showcases bats, tortoises, and other reptiles
Don’t Miss the Habu Show
The Habu Show runs multiple times daily from 11:00 AM to 3:30 PM and lasts about 20 minutes. It introduces several species, including cobras, and demonstrates their infrared-sensing skills using heated balloons.
At the end, guests can take a photo with a giant python. I gave it a try for the first—and probably last—time. But the kids were thrilled.
Gyokusendo Cave (玉泉洞): A Natural Wonder
Next, we walked into Gyokusendo, Japan’s largest limestone stalactite cave. It formed over 300,000 years ago and stretches about 5 kilometers, though only 890 meters are open to the public.
The path winds through glowing pools and jagged rock formations. The lighting adds to the dreamlike feel, and handrails make the walkway safe and easy to follow.
Tropical Orchards and Snack Stops
Once we exited the cave, we found ourselves surrounded by tropical orchards. Sugar cane, vanilla vines, and exotic fruit trees lined the path. We stopped to try a shiikwaasa (Okinawan citrus) ice and a refreshing goya (bitter melon) slush.
Ryukyu Craft Village: Try Something New
The craft village offers hands-on experiences like glassblowing and pottery painting. Our kids loved watching artisans work, and we picked up a few handmade souvenirs. One of the most impressive sights was a giant Shisa (lion-dog guardian) made entirely of sculpted greenery.
Okinawa Culture Center
This indoor museum-style space gave us a deeper look at Ryukyuan history. Exhibits explained old rituals, religious practices, and the meaning behind the iconic Shisa guardians. It was a helpful way to connect everything we’d seen throughout the day.
Nanto Brewery (南都酒造所)
We ended at Nanto Brewery, which produces local beer and habu snake liquor. Since I was driving, I skipped the tastings, but we picked up a few beers to try after dinner.
How to Get to Okinawa World
Bus
- From Naha Bus Terminal, take bus #54 or #83. Ride the bus to the Gyokusendo-mae (玉泉洞前) bus stop.
- Total travel time: 60–75 minutes.
Taxi or Car
- From central Naha, expect a fare of around ¥4,500–¥5,500. The ride takes about 30 minutes.
Pro Tip: Renting a car is the easiest way to explore Okinawa World and nearby attractions at your own pace.
Our Final Take on Okinawa World
Our family had such a great time at Okinawa World, and the kids especially couldn’t get enough of the snake experience. The park strikes a nice balance between fun, education, and cultural immersion.
We appreciated that it wasn’t just another theme park—it felt like a true window into Ryukyuan heritage, Okinawan nature, and island life. We spent about three hours exploring, which turned out to be just the right amount of time.
More to Explore Nearby
After exploring Gyokusendo Cave and the craft village at Okinawa World, here are more places in southern Okinawa to discover history, culture, and local flavor.
- Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Park – A moving tribute to lives lost in the Battle of Okinawa, this peaceful clifftop park overlooks the sea and includes a powerful memorial museum.
- Himeyuri Peace Museum – Learn the story of the Himeyuri student nurses in this sobering museum dedicated to a little-known part of Okinawa’s wartime history.
- Kokusai Dori – Head to downtown Naha for souvenir shopping, local eats, and live sanshin music along this lively “International Street.”
- Yomitan Pottery Village – A bit farther north, this peaceful hilltop village is home to traditional Okinawan pottery studios and scenic coastal views.
