By SHINYA MATSUMOTO/ Staff Writer
January 29, 2025 at 18:32 JST
Eat your heart out “Jurassic Park”—Junglia Okinawa, a new theme park opening in northern Okinawa Prefecture on July 25, will feature a Dinosaur Safari experience, stunning nature and a luxurious spa to boot.
The 70-billion-yen ($451.1 million) project aims to create a major tourist destination in Japan’s southernmost prefecture, attracting both domestic and international visitors.
Junglia is being built on the former site of a golf course spanning approximately 60 hectares in Nago and Nakijin, according to an announcement by the operators on Jan. 28.
Taking advantage of its proximity to the region’s subtropical rainforest, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, the park will offer visitors a refreshing, open-air experience unlike traditional urban theme parks.
The park will feature 22 attractions, including the Dinosaur Safari, where visitors in off-road vehicles can feel the thrill of escaping from predatory dinosaurs, and a Horizon Balloon ride offering panoramic views.
Visitors can also enjoy dining at a restaurant with sweeping views of the park.
“We’ve put our hearts into every idea to create the ultimate Okinawa travel experience,” said Tsuyoshi Morioka, CEO of marketing firm Katana Inc., one of the companies behind the project.
“The theme park offers a unique blend of excitement, luxury and freedom,” he added.
Morioka is known for his key role in reviving Universal Studios Japan in Osaka.
A one-day pass for visitors age 12 and over from within Japan will be priced at 6,930 yen, while children under 12 can enter for 4,950 yen.
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