Quick Okinawa Info
Aquariums, Zoos and Nature Parks |
Updated on : March 31, 2005 |
Nature's wonders of land and sea
The wonders and mysteries of the underwater world are on display at the newly opened Churaumi Aquarium. Perhaps the most outstanding feature of this aquarium is the Kuroshio (Japan Current) Sea tank, which enables visitors to see whale sharks and manta rays through the world's largest acrylic panoramic window (60cm or 23.62in. thick/8.2m or 26.9ft. high/22.5m or 73.81ft. long). The window is not the only thing recorded with Guinness World Records. For the first time in the world, this aquarium has successfully kept and bred whale sharks and manta rays and is also one of only three in the world to house and exhibit both creatures. Other attention-getting exhibits are the touch-pool where Ino (lagoon) creatures reside, the open-air coral sea tank, designed to exhibit and reproduce reef-building coral, and the fish tank housing colorful tropical fish in Okinawan waters. Other interesting facilities, such as sea turtle and manatee tanks and the Oki-chan Dolphin Theater, are located near the aquarium.
A facility dedicated to protecting and researching sea turtles is the Kume Island Sea Museum on Kume Island. Here visitors can see various types and sizes of sea turtles gliding in a huge tank, and also learn about these marine animals through panels and movies.
The Okinawa Kids Discovery Kingdom in Okinawa City has a zoo housing a variety of animals, a museum offering exhibits geared towards heightening a child’s curiosity and hands-on courses, and also old dwellings that display traditional Okinawan life.
At Neo Park Okinawa in Nago City, several theme zones give visitors the chance to see llamas, peacocks, flamingos and many different animals from various countries in their natural surroundings. The zoo also acts as a rescue center for wild and injured birds like the Okinawa rail and Scops owl.
When visitors come to the islands, they are amazed to see such abundant nature. The year-round warm climate allows flowers and also fruits to bloom to the fullest. The Southeast Botanical Gardens in Okinawa City and Bios on the Hill in Ishikawa City are two parks that display nature including unique trees, plants and flowers in theme zones. In northern Nago City, Yanbaru Subtropical Park shows a community of tree ferns, while Okinawa Fruits Land grows more than 30 different types of tropical fruit. At Nago Pineapple Park visitors will see pineapple fields, a tropical garden housing fruits, 100 types of pineapple, and also a special pineapple winery. At Nago Paradise Park, herbs are the theme. Here one will see many types of herbs and learn about their magical power.
On Miyako Island travelers can visit nature parks such as the Hirara City Botanical Garden and Miyako Paradise Park, which houses an herb and butterfly garden. On Yaeyama's Yubu Island, one will find Yubu Island Botanical Garden, a paradise of subtropical trees, flowers and plants. And on Tokashiki Island, one can visit the Aharen Botanical Garden near Aharen Beach. Many of these parks enable visitors to see unique trees, fruits and plants growing in a subtropical climate year-round.
The Okinawa Flower Carnival takes place from January to May and opens with a cherry blossom festival at Mt. Yae. In early February, the Flower Festa takes place at Ocean Expo Park. The whole park turns into a flower garden and many exhibitions and events take place simultaneously. At the Okinawa International Orchid Show, orchids gathered worldwide are on display. In March red, white and pink azaleas bloom beautifully and are on display at northern Higashi Village. In late April, many people visit Ie Island to see numerous lilies in bloom.
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