Okinawa World

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Okinawa World

Nature, culture, history... Okinawa's charms are all here!

3.50 10

Last update :
Supervised by :  Nanto Inc. 

This theme park condenses the charms of Okinawa and is very popular among tourists from both inside and outside Japan. The largest limestone cave in Okinawa, Gyokusendo Cave, was created over 300,000 years ago, and it's more than one million stalactites reaffirm the mystery and grandeur of nature. In addition to Gyokusendo Cave, there are many other attractions such as "Ryukyu Kingdom Castle Town," where old houses registered as national tangible cultural properties stand side by side, and "Tropical Fruit Garden," where rare tropical fruits such as Shikuwasa and lychee are cultivated.

Visitors can observe and experience traditional Okinawan crafts such as weaving and dyeing called "Bingata" at an old private house. Traditional costume rentals are also popular, allowing visitors to stroll around the castle town area dressed in gorgeous costumes—the "Super Eisa Show," "Hub and Mongoose Show," and other popular shows.

Since Okinawa World is full of spots of interest, we recommend that you plan where to start and how to get around. Referring to the model course on the official website will help you enjoy it efficiently.

Highlights

  • The theme park offers visitors a chance to enjoy Okinawa's history, culture, and nature fully.
  • The largest limestone cave in Okinawa, "Gyokusendo Cave," and the "Ryukyu Kingdom Castle Town," where old houses have been relocated, have many attractions.
  • The park also offers a wide variety of original show events.
  • There are also many other hands-on activities, such as Ryukyu glass, dyeing, and traditional costume rentals.
  • It is recommended to follow the recommended route on the official website.

Photos

  • Gyokusendo Cave, where you can feel the mystery of nature

    Gyokusendo Cave, where you can feel the mystery of nature

  • Enjoy the feeling of time travel in the "Ryukyu Kingdom Castle Town."

    Enjoy the feeling of time travel in the "Ryukyu Kingdom Castle Town."

  • "Super Eisa Show," a daring twist on traditional performing arts

    "Super Eisa Show," a daring twist on traditional performing arts

  • The Tropical Fruit Garden is full of rare tropical fruits!

    The Tropical Fruit Garden is full of rare tropical fruits!

  • Observe and experience traditional Okinawan crafts, such as Ryukyu glass making

    Observe and experience traditional Okinawan crafts, such as Ryukyu glass making

  • The "Hub and Mongoose Show" is also popular for its Spicy talk

    The "Hub and Mongoose Show" is also popular for its Spicy talk

Official FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions have been vetted and answered directly by each listing.

Q

Can you provide services in foreign languages? (If so, please also inform us of the supported languages)

A

Multilingual brochures available (English, Traditional Chinese, Korean). No staff support is available.

Q

Is it possible to re-enter the premises?

A

Yes, by re-presenting the admission ticket of the day.

Q

Is free WiFi available in the facility?

A

Yes, it is.

Q

Are coin lockers available?

A

Yes

Reviews

10

Some reviews are AI-translated.

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    As soon as I entered the cave, I was stunned by the spectacular stalactites before me. It’s really hard to imagine that nature could create such an extraordinary landscape!

    Gyokusendo Cave is a natural limestone cave formed over an immense span of time. Inside are stalactites in all kinds of unusual shapes, some hanging down from the ceiling and others extending upward from the ground. Combined with the lighting in the cave, they look both mysterious and spectacular. Walking slowly along the designated path, admiring nature’s handiwork while taking in the cave’s unique atmosphere, was truly special!

    The scenery inside was even more varied than I had imagined. As I walked, I couldn’t help but stop to admire it, and I was also able to take quite a few unique photos. The entire visit felt like an underground adventure and made me appreciate the incredible power of nature.

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    I visited Gyokusendo Cave in Okinawa in October. I originally thought it would just be a place to see some stalactites, but once I went inside, I realized it was much more spectacular than I'd imagined.

    The temperature inside the cave was much more comfortable than outside. As I slowly followed the path deeper in, there were stalactites in all kinds of shapes overhead and on both sides. Some looked like stone pillars, while others looked like icicles hanging from the ceiling. I couldn't help stopping again and again to look at them. The Blue Fountain area was especially striking, with the lights shining on the water and creating a completely different atmosphere.

    Gyokusendo Cave has been forming for hundreds of thousands of years. Seeing these stalactites made me feel that nature is truly patient, slowly shaping them little by little into what they are today. Okinawa was still fairly hot in October, but inside Gyokusendo Cave, it felt cool and peaceful instead. It was a very special part of this trip.

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    I really recommend planning a trip to Okinawa World! It brings Okinawa's nature, history, and traditional culture together in one park, and the spectacular Gyokusendo Cave is the one thing you can't miss. Okinawa has more than 600 limestone caves, and Gyokusendo Cave is one of the most iconic and impressive. About 800 meters of the cave are open to visitors, and walking the entire route takes around 50 minutes.

    Along the way, you can see stalactites that slowly formed over hundreds of thousands of years. Their unusual shapes, illuminated by the lights, add to the mysterious and magical atmosphere. Most amazingly, these stalactites are still growing and slowly taking on new forms. As you walk through and see the traces nature has left little by little, you can't help but marvel, "Nature's craftsmanship is truly incredible!"

    After leaving Gyokusendo Cave, don't rush off〜Okinawa World itself is also well worth exploring! You can experience traditional Okinawan culture and see distinctive buildings and historical artifacts throughout the park. I especially recommend seeing the taiko drum show!
    The roughly 30-minute performance is powerful, with thunderous drumming and an incredibly lively atmosphere. It has a distinctly Okinawan feel!

    The park has even more to offer than I expected, and the cave walkway was much longer than anticipated. After touring Gyokusendo Cave, there is still plenty of traditional Okinawan culture and history to enjoy as you make your way back.

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    During my trip to Okinawa, I planned an itinerary full of awe-inspiring sights and local flavor, visiting one of the area's most iconic large theme parks, Okinawa World. Gyokusendo Cave in particular, hailed as one of the greatest wonders of the East, truly left me speechless at nature's incredible craftsmanship!
    The moment I entered Gyokusendo Cave and descended into the underground limestone cavern, the temperature around me immediately became cool and comfortable. This five-kilometer-long underground cave was sculpted by nature over 300,000 years, and about one kilometer is currently open to visitors. Along the walkway, thousands upon thousands of oddly shaped stalactites and stalagmites surrounded me overhead and on all sides, along with underground rivers. Illuminated by lights, they looked mysterious and magnificent. The most breathtaking area was the “Dragon God Pond,” where the mirror-like water reflected massive limestone columns. It was so beautiful that it looked like a scene from a sci-fi movie.
    After finishing the underground tour and returning above ground, the atmosphere of the entire park instantly shifted to one rich in traditional Ryukyuan culture. In the quaint village of traditional Ryukyuan houses, you can not only enjoy spectacular traditional Eisa drum and lion dance performances, but also try various local crafts.
    I highly recommend adding Okinawa World and Gyokusendo Cave to your must-visit list when traveling to Okinawa. Whether you're seeing the magnificent natural wonders underground or experiencing the rich Ryukyuan culture, you're sure to come away with incredibly vivid and wonderful memories of the entire trip!

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    I really recommend visiting Okinawa World (Gyokusendo Cave) when you come to Okinawa! It's not just a limestone cave. The entire park brings together Okinawa's natural scenery, traditional culture, and distinctive performances, making it a great place to spend half a day exploring at a leisurely pace.

    Gyokusendo Cave impressed me the most. As you walk deeper into the underground cave and see all the unusual and magnificent stalactites, you can't help but keep taking photos. It's also very cool inside, so you don't have to worry about getting too hot in the summer!

    I also highly recommend seeing the taiko drum show. It features dragon and lion dances along with exciting traditional performances. It's about 30 minutes long, but the pace is fast, and the whole show is very entertaining.

    The park also has a reptile house, restaurants, snacks, and souvenir shops. There's plenty to see, eat, and buy, and 3–4 hours is just right.

    The ground inside Gyokusendo Cave can be quite wet and slippery, so remember to wear non-slip shoes for safety. If you haven't been here yet while visiting Okinawa, it's definitely worth adding to your itinerary!

Details

Name in Japanese
おきなわワールド
Postal Code
901-0616
Address
1336 Tamagusukumaekawa, Nanjo City, Okinawa
Telephone
098-949-7421
Holiday
Open every day
Hours
9:00am - 5:30pm(Admission allowed until 4:00pm)
Admission
Adults (15 years and older) 2,000 yen, children (4-14 years) 1,000 yen
Directions
Take the Ryukyu Bus Maekawa Line or Gyokusendo Line from Naha Bus Terminal, get off at the" Gyokusendo-mae" stop, and walk for 2 minutes.
Credit Cards
Accepted
Website
Official Website (Japanese)
Hokkaido Tohoku Kanto Chubu Hokuriku Kansai Chugoku Shikoku Kyushu Okinawa