Okinawa World, Okinawa

At “Okinawa World”, you can experience Okinawa’s traditions and gourmets at once. It is packed with activities and attractions such as walks in the village that reproduced the Ryukyu Kingdom, shows by Eisa, which is a traditional performing arts, and experiences of making “shiisa” (Okinawan guardian lions).
Located in the southern part of Okinawa Prefecture, Okinawa World is a popular tourist attraction with many tourists from overseas. It is divided into three major areas: a cave called “Gyokusen-do”, an Okinawa theme park called “Kingdom Village”, and a “habu” (snake) natural park. There are three types of tickets available: one for admission to all areas, one for Kingdom Village only, and one for Kingdom Village & Gyokusen-do.
The Kingdom Village has facilities that allow you to experience not only the inside tour but also Okinawa culture, so it can be enjoyed by children as well. A must-see is the traditional entertainment Super Eisa, one of the highlights. Let’s check the schedule in advance.
Gyokusen-do is a cave with a total length of about 5,000 meters, and it is about 890 meters open for about 20 minutes. Stepping in one step, cool air is flowing even in midsummer, and you will feel as if you were in a different space. The crystal clear water pools created by stalactites over many years have a mysterious atmosphere. A stalactite that is said to grow only 1 mm in 3 years. If you look at Gyokusen-do, which has become a big cave over 300,000 years, you will be moved by the grandeur of the earth. The tour follows a well-maintained passage, but on the way there are many stairs and slippery places, so sports shoes are recommended. In Okinawa World, all areas except Gyokusen-do are barrier-free.
The nostalgic buildings with orange roof spread out in the kingdom village that reproduced Shurijo Castle town. Here you will fall into the illusion of being lost in a different world.
Super Eisa is held four times daily at Eisa Square, which is at the exit of the Kingdom Village. Super Eisa, which has original arrangements added to Okinawa’s traditional performing arts Eisa, is a special version that can only be seen in the Kingdom Village. Dances such as Lion dance and Yotsudake are included in the performance for about 20 minutes, and you can enjoy a colorful show. Eisa’s programs change regularly, so it’s nice to be able to enjoy it even if you’ve seen it before.

The event are substantial

To Okinawa World, It takes about 30 minutes by car southeastward from Naha Airport. The limestone cave “Gyokusen-do” is the most famous. The photograph of the white stalactite and the pond which praises blue water may have been seen. Facilities with the different charm gather like “the habu natural history park” having only one, the “Ryukyu Kingdom castle town” which can experience the Ryukyu culture in the old private house of the reconstructed genuine article, the brewing place etc. which are performing manufacture of habu alcohol or microbrewing, in the world other than Gyokusen-do Cave in the site. In addition, there is show every day, and an event is substantial like an unusual limited plan.

The largest stalactite cave in Japan

It is “Gyokusen-do” of the stalactite cave to have opened first in Okinawa World. After being discovered by the research group of Ehime University, the passage etc. were improved for sightseeing. There are the most kinds of the stalactite in the stalactite cave in the whole country, and there is the stalactite of 37 kinds. In addition, not only there are many numbers, but also the density of the stalactite is high, too. In 890 meters in total length, 1 million stalactite exists. The length of the cave which is opened to the public is 890 meters, but the full length of it is approximately 5,000 meters and is the largest stalactite cave in Japan.

The tangible cultural properties of the country

If you comes out on the ground from the exit of “Gyokusen-do”, you will arrive at the very back of Okinawa World. Furthermore, when it progresses, there is a Ryukyu Kingdom castle town. This zone is lined with old folk houses of red tiled like Okinawa, and, in the Meiji, and early Showa era, the building where person actually lived in was removed and rebuilt. It is registered with the tangible cultural properties of the country, and the beauty is genuine.

The late maestros’ precious shisa

Much shisa (a lion shaped amulet commonly found in Okinawa) is exhibited by the kingdom historical museum in the castle town, and the late maestros’ precious shisa can be seen there.

The coolness of popular entertainment show “Super Eisaa”

You cannot miss the coolness of popular entertainment show “Super Eisaa” (Eisaa is Okinawa’s traditional dance that uses native drums) so that repeaters appear one after another, and the fun of “the show of a habu” of the habu natural history park.

Information(Access, Price/Charge, Tel, Address, Official site, etc.)