It is the only zoo located within Okinawa Prefecture.
The facility was established on the site of a former golf course in 1970.
The Wonder Museum uses a 'hands-on' philosophy, encouraging children to touch and manipulate all displays.
It hosts a significant collection of animals native to the Ryukyu Islands, such as the Okinawa rail and various venomous snakes.
The park grounds contain a large lake that serves as a habitat for migrating waterfowl during the winter months.
The zoo participates in international breeding programs for endangered species.
Okinawa Zoo & Museum, known locally as Okinawa Kodomo no Kuni, functions as a dual-purpose educational facility featuring a zoo and the Wonder Museum. The zoo houses approximately 150 species of animals, including white lions, Bengal tigers, and various tropical birds and reptiles. The Wonder Museum is an interactive science and art center designed specifically for children to learn through tactile exhibits and workshops. The grounds include a petting zoo area and a small amusement park section with classic rides like a carousel and ferris wheel. The facility is situated within a large park area that provides expansive green space in the urban center of Okinawa City. It serves as a regional hub for environmental education and wildlife conservation efforts. Visitors can observe local Okinawan fauna alongside exotic species in habitats designed to replicate diverse natural environments.
The elevated observation deck overlooking the zoo lake with the amusement park ferris wheel in the background.
Bring a portable fan or cooling towel during summer months, as humidity in the park can be intense.
Check the daily schedule at the entrance for interactive animal feeding sessions and bird flight demonstrations.
Allocate extra time for the Wonder Museum, as it is a separate building that often requires significant engagement for children.
Do not feed the animals outside of designated interactive zones or with non-approved food items.
Closed on Tuesdays; occasionally closed for maintenance during severe weather events typical of typhoon season.
Maintain a quiet volume near animal enclosures to avoid disturbing the residents; refrain from using flash photography at night exhibits.
