What other travelers are saying about Okinawa Zoo and Museum
I recently visited this zoo and it was an absolutely heartbreaking experience. The animals were clearly not well taken care of — many of them looked extremely stressed, lethargic, and unhealthy. The enclosures were shockingly small, with hardly any space for the animals to move around, let alone behave naturally. It was devastating to see majestic creatures trapped in such tiny, barren spaces.
One of the most upsetting parts was the otter enclosure. The poor otter was crying out nonstop, sounding distressed and anxious. It was obvious that the animal was suffering, either from loneliness, boredom, or simply from the lack of proper care and environment. It was painful to watch, and it made the entire visit feel incredibly uncomfortable.
Overall, this zoo felt more like a prison than a sanctuary for animals. There was a complete lack of enrichment, compassion, and respect for the animals’ basic needs. I strongly urge others to avoid supporting this place until major changes are made. Animals deserve better than this.
The tickets are incredibly inexpensive. To support them and for the happiness of my child, I let my child feed every animal she can. It charged 300 to 500 yen each time, cash only. Also, don't miss the horse riding; it was safe for little ones.
Super cute little museum with some pretty great animals to see. Lions, monkeys, bears, hippos, etc. lots of animals I don't usually see at home. There's not a ton of animals and I might have gone during off season but they were doing a lot of extra work and the entrance has clearly been allowed to wear down a bit.
Fun little place to take kids.
Cool zoo that brings you through different levels and angles of the exhibit. When you follow the foot path, you’ll go from looking from top down, to coming to eye level with the animals. There’s even little tunnels on the path that the animals can walk through beneath you! Bathrooms were very clean!
I visited for the first time in over 6 years. A lot of drastic changes since the last time.
The price of admission for kids under 15 is free for the summer.
There are cooling rooms around the Zoo which are needed.
The chimpanzee area is air conditioned and improved.
The entire Zoo has a lot of upgrades but there should be more shaded areas in the main areas.
If you do go, make it a weekday and cloudy.
The best time to visit is during the spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) months when the weather is pleasant. However, the facility is open year-round, so visitors can enjoy its offerings in any season.
The Okinawa City Zoo and Museum frequently hosts special events, educational programs, and temporary exhibits throughout the year. These can range from animal encounters and feeding sessions to cultural exhibitions and holiday celebrations. Keep an eye on their official website or social media channels for the latest updates.
Admission fees can vary depending on age, with discounts available for children, seniors, and groups. There might also be combined tickets for both the zoo and museum sections. Please refer to the official website or contact the facility directly for the most current pricing.
