Okinawa World offers glimpse at culture, history, craft

OKINAWA, JAPAN

11.10.2010

Story by Cpl. Abigail Brown 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

OKINAWA, Japan - Okinawa World is a theme park devoted to the Okinawa culture. The park includes a shopping center, habu museum, brewery, traditional crafts village, Ryukyu glass blowing, pottery kiln, tropical orchard, Gyokusendo Cave and much more.

Gyokusendo Cave extends beneath the above-ground exhibits. Visitors enter the cave into Asia’s Grand Hall, a large underground room. From there, the room narrows into an underground trail.

The cave boasts the Golden Cup, the largest stalagmite of its kind in Japan.

Within the cave, visitors will also see gathered drapes, plate stalactites which grow on top of each other, and a speared ceiling with more than 1,000,000 stalactites - the most on any cave ceiling in Japan.

Visitors can also enjoy above-ground entertainment such as regularly scheduled Eisa dances and snake and mongoose fun shows.

Most park displays are in Japanese and English.

"I enjoyed learning about the Okinawan culture and getting a different perspective on how they live," said Jonathan Cavinee, a first-time visitor to Okinawa World. "It’s a good opportunity to learn about and appreciate Okinawans’ culture and history."

Some exhibits allow visitors to sample local foods and beverages.

"It is a way to get out and enjoy the island and learn about the culture," said Megan Jordan, another first-time visitor. "Being in Okinawa is a once in a lifetime opportunity for most, and this is a great way to take advantage of that."

There are elevators, escalators and slopes throughout most of the park.

Wheelchairs and baby strollers are also available at the front desk.

Visitors must bring yen as there is a small fee for admission.

The park is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. April through October and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. November through March.

For information, maps and driving directions to Okinawa World, contact your camp’s Marine Corps Community Services Tours+ coordinator.

• Date Taken: 11.10.2010
• Date Posted: 11.10.2010 06:41
• Story ID: 59805
• Location: OKINAWA, JP