Okinawa Zoo & Museum, Zoo and children's museum in Okinawa, Japan

Okinawa Zoo & Museum is a general park in Okinawa City whose main facilities, under the Okinawa Children's Future Zone ordinance, are the zoo (Animal Center), the Wonder Museum science centre, the Children's Center and the Furusato-en garden. The zoo held 44 mammal, 29 bird and 67 reptile species in March 2015, including Yonaguni horses and Asian elephants. A wooden entrance arch is topped with painted giraffe, elephant and lion figures.

The facility first opened in 1970 as a children's amusement park before the animal section was added in 1972. This expansion made it a complete experience complex combining zoo and museum offerings.

Local Ryukyu animals are displayed here, helping visitors understand the natural diversity found across these islands. The exhibits connect knowledge about native species with their role in island life.

Free parking is available: the main lot holds 120 cars and the east gate lot 230. By public transport, take the Okinawa City循环 bus western route from in front of City Hall and get off at the Okinawa Kodomo no Kuni stop. The grounds combine the zoo, Wonder Museum, Children's Center and Furusato-en, so plan your route before arriving.

The Lion Field uses multiple levels with rocky terrain, allowing visitors to watch the big cats from different viewing angles. This unconventional setup lets you observe these animals in surprising new ways.