This blog, run by @owncolorstravel , based in Okinawa, focuses on travel and lifestyle both in Japan and abroad, capturing the journey through photos and videos. Whether you’re visiting Okinawa for the first time or you’re a local, you’ll find plenty of helpful and enjoyable information here.
This time, it’s all about an outing spot in Okinawa!
With the temperatures finally cooling down, Okinawa is enjoying a string of perfect days for outdoor adventures. While it’s no longer swimming season, it’s the ideal time for a day out. I visited a zoo in Okinawa City that’s fun for both kids and adults. Here’s a report on my experience exploring the zoo!
In late November, Okinawa’s temperatures range from a high of 25°C to a low of 15°C. The mornings and evenings are starting to feel a bit cooler, so it’s a good idea to bring a light jacket!
・Okinawa zoo ＆ museum
Okinawa zoo ＆ museum 5-7-1 Goya, Okinawa City, Okinawa Prefecture 904-0021
Okinawa Zoo & Museum, located in Okinawa City, is a large complex featuring an Animal Zone and a Park Zone, spread across a vast area. It’s a great place to enjoy both nature and wildlife in one visit!
The Okinawa Zoo & Museum is open from 9:30 AM to 9:00 PM, with the last entry allowed one hour before closing. It’s closed on Tuesdays. Admission is ¥1,000 for visitors aged 16 and older, while those 15 and under can enter for free. You can save a bit by purchasing tickets online in advance, as discounts are available!
Isn’t it huge?
You’ll definitely spend a good amount of time walking to see everything, but with so many animals to meet, you’ll never get bored! There are also fun photo spots like a giant gorilla statue and swings, as well as plenty of rest areas, so you can explore at your own pace.
・I came to see chimpanzees in Okinawa.
The main reason I visited was to see the chimpanzees, so I’ll focus on introducing them!
This little guy is Mokoichi, a 5-year-old mischievous male chimpanzee with plenty of energy!
Mokoichi’s mother is Moko, and his father is Gin.
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw Suguru’s birth year—1978! That makes him 46 years old!
Chimpanzees typically live around 40 to 50 years, so Suguru is quite the elder statesman.
I found myself endlessly watching the playful interactions in the chimpanzee enclosure. Knowing that humans and chimpanzees share about 98.8% of the same DNA made me even more curious about their behavior and connection to us. It’s fascinating to think about how closely we’re related!
The chimpanzee enclosure is divided into outdoor and indoor exhibition areas.
They are incredibly agile, using their long arms to swing from ropes and move from one rope to another with ease.
Like humans, chimpanzees sleep at night and are active during the day. On this day, Mokoiichi was particularly energetic, moving around with great enthusiasm.
Chimpanzees have a behavior known as “display behavior,” where they assert their strength by banging on walls or rolling objects to show off. On this day, Mokoiichi even charged at the reinforced glass, which was so intense it made me instinctively recoil in awe.
Even just watching them from behind the glass might be stimulating for them, so we should try to observe quietly and respectfully.
At Okinawa Zoo & Museum, you can currently meet five chimpanzees. However, there used to be a chimpanzee named Natsumu, who was around the same age as Mokoiichi. Natsumu had hip joint abnormalities from birth and couldn’t walk on two legs. Despite undergoing training, she sadly passed away before turning two. You can still see videos of a lively Natsumu playing with Mokoiichi on the zoo’s official YouTube channel.
My fascination with seeing chimpanzees up close started with the Planet of the Apes series. Since then, I’ve been hooked, watching YouTube videos and documentaries to learn more about their behavior and lifestyle.
By the way, the zoo with the most chimpanzees in Japan is Tama Zoological Park in Tokyo, which currently houses 19. I’d love to find an opportunity to visit and meet them someday.
・Ryukyu Arc, Yakushima Monkey
The Ryukyu Arc, part of the subtropical oceanic climate zone, stretches from Tanegashima in Kagoshima Prefecture to Yonaguni Island in Okinawa Prefecture.
One species native to the northern Ryukyus is the Yakushima macaque. These macaques are a subspecies of the Japanese macaque that inhabit Yakushima Island. At Okinawa Zoo & Museum, you can observe them grooming each other and playfully interacting, offering a glimpse into their social behavior.
The Yakushima macaque is a subspecies of the Japanese macaque that inhabits Yakushima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture, making it the southernmost species of Japanese macaques. They closely resemble typical Japanese macaques, making it hard to distinguish them. However, Yakushima macaques have darker, longer, and slightly coarser fur.
At Okinawa Zoo & Museum, they are kept in groups, with each individual given a name, allowing visitors to observe their unique personalities and social interactions.
After observing them for a while, you start to notice the differences in their faces and movements. While they all move around quite actively, I found myself focusing on a particular one, following it with my eyes to observe its actions more closely. It’s fascinating how each individual has its own unique traits, and spending time watching them really brings out their distinct personalities.
They search for food, groom each other, play together, and sometimes even have little squabbles. Watching them, you can feel the sense of family love among them, which is truly heartwarming. Their interactions bring a sense of peace and comfort, reminding us of the bonds that exist even in the animal world.
It’s truly heartbreaking to hear about Yupa, the baby born this year. I had just seen Yupa energetically running around with the group, so it’s especially sad to learn that Yupa passed away at the end of October due to toxoplasmosis. Losing such a lively member of the group is always difficult, and it’s a reminder of how fragile life can be.
・The animals you can meet at Okinawa Zoo & Museum and other facilities
Let’s take a look at other animals as well.
The mandrill is a striking species found in countries like the Republic of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea. Known for their vibrant facial coloration and unique social structure, they stand out in the animal kingdom.
The Geoffroy’s spider monkey, native to Panama and Costa Rica, is another fascinating species. With their long, prehensile tails and agile movements, they are well-adapted to life in the forest canopy. These monkeys are known for their playful behavior and intricate social bonds.
The zoo houses about 150 species and 1,000 animals, including crocodiles, lions, and many more. It’s a great opportunity to explore and discover animals that pique your interest. You can enjoy seeing a wide variety of species, each with its own unique behaviors and traits. Whether you’re fascinated by the strength of lions or the mystery of crocodiles, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
In the park zone, you can enjoy a variety of activities such as visiting museums, riding attractions designed for children, and even trying out fishing experiences. It’s a great place for families to explore, offering both educational and fun activities for visitors of all ages.
At the Splash Park, where water shoots up to a depth of about 20 cm, children were having a great time playing in the water.
The park also features restaurants, kiosks, and souvenir shops, so you can easily spend the entire day there.
It’s rare to find a facility where admission is free for children under 15, making this an ideal place for learning about animals and nature while having fun. It’s definitely a place where both kids and adults can enjoy and learn together.
Okinawa Zoo & Museum also holds a Night Zoo, offering a completely different experience from the daytime. You can observe nocturnal animals in action up close, and enjoy the nighttime illuminations and various events leading up to Christmas and the New Year. It’s a fantastic option for family outings or even a special date night, filled with unique activities and a magical atmosphere.
