Gyokusendo Cave was formed over 300,000 years ago from coral reefs.
The cave temperature remains a constant 21 degrees Celsius throughout the year.
The park houses a dedicated facility for breeding and showcasing habu snakes, a venomous pit viper native to the region.
Local artisans in the park produce Bingata fabric and Ryukyu glass using traditional methods.
The underground river within the cave system is still actively carving through the limestone bedrock.
The park includes the Kingdom Village, which features original historical houses relocated from various parts of Okinawa.
A botanical garden on the grounds specializes in tropical fruits and flowers.
Okinawa World is a cultural theme park built around Gyokusendo, a massive limestone cave system stretching over 5,000 meters. The cave features more than a million stalactites and is open to the public for an 890-meter walking tour. The park grounds contain a recreation of a Ryukyu Kingdom-era village, featuring traditional red-tiled houses and local craft workshops. Visitors can observe Eisa taiko drumming performances, which are a cornerstone of Okinawan folk culture. The site also includes a habu snake museum and a sanctuary dedicated to the local serpent. The park complex functions as an open-air museum preserving the architectural and artisanal heritage of the Okinawa Islands. It is located in the southern part of Okinawa main island within the city of Nanjo.
The illuminated sections of the cave's main cavern, specifically near the 'blue' lit water features.
Wear comfortable, non-slip footwear as the cave paths are consistently damp and can be slippery.
Check the Eisa performance schedule upon arrival to ensure you do not miss the main cultural shows.
Budget extra time to walk through the 'Kingdom Village' craft workshops to see artisans at work.
Attempting to photograph the Eisa performances with a flash, as it disrupts the dancers and other guests.
Stay on the designated path within the cave system and do not touch the limestone formations.
