Where the Yanbaru Wilderness Became a Theme Park — Junglia at One Year
Deep in the subtropical primeval forests of Yanbaru, northern Okinawa, the sounds of the endangered Okinawa rail echo through moisture-laden air thick with the scent of damp earth. Then, without warning, a 19-metre brachiosaur cranes its neck above the canopy. Welcome to Junglia (JUNGLIA), Japan's first subtropical nature adventure theme park.
Opened on 25 July 2025 in Nakijin Village, northern Okinawa, Junglia has welcomed over 1.5 million visitors in its first year, rewriting the playbook for Okinawa tourism. The park was conceived by Tsuyoshi Morioka, the marketing strategist credited with USJ's dramatic turnaround, and backed by a consortium including Orion Beer, JTB, Kintetsu Group and the Cool Japan Fund with approximately 70 billion yen in combined investment.
Now in 2026, Junglia has moved past its chaotic opening period into a stable operational phase. Wait times have dropped by half, new attractions have been added, and a range of discount packages have emerged. This guide covers only the most current 2026 information, offering the most practical resource for anyone planning a visit.
Complete Attraction Guide — 2026 Update
Junglia operates more than 22 attractions, and with new experiences added in 2026, there are more choices than ever. Here is a breakdown by thrill level.
Maximum Thrill: Dinosaur Safari and Zipline
Dinosaur Safari is Junglia's signature experience. Board a 12-passenger armoured off-road vehicle and charge through subtropical jungle as 18 to 20 life-size animatronic dinosaurs appear from every direction. The 19-metre brachiosaur towers overhead while a roaring Tyrannosaurus rex lunges close enough to feel its breath — adults scream just as loudly as the children.
Sky Phoenix is a zipline that sends you soaring 280 metres across a valley at a height of 40 metres. Flying bird-like above the emerald Yanbaru canopy is an experience unique to Junglia. Riders must be at least 132 cm tall and weigh no more than 120 kg; children under 10 need an adult companion aged 18 or older.
Medium Thrill: Buggy Tour and Treetop Trekking
Buggy Voltage puts you behind the wheel (or in the passenger seat) of a two-seater buggy on forest off-road trails. Two courses are available: Adrenaline (advanced) and Fun (beginner-friendly). The Fun course is especially popular with families as no driving licence is required for passengers.
Tree-Top Trekking takes you along suspension bridges and ropes strung through the canopy, while Sky-End Trekking is a high-altitude bridge-crossing experience above the forest floor. Both attractions require full safety harnesses, so even the acrophobic can participate with confidence.
Family-Friendly: Dinosaur Hunt and Spa
Finding Dinosaurs is an interactive walkthrough experience in which visitors search for a lost baby dinosaur in the jungle. With no height or fitness requirements, it accommodates everyone from toddlers to grandparents.
Spa Junglia is a massive 26,000 m2 wellness facility home to the Guinness World Record-holding largest infinity bath on earth. Fed by natural hot-spring water drawn from 1,600 metres underground, it features 10 bath varieties for women and 9 for men. Notably, you can access the spa independently without a park ticket.
New for 2026 and Night Programmes
In 2026, the Horizon Balloon received an upgrade, now offering night flights with panoramic views from 200 metres above. Seasonal night programmes include Junglia Night Fes, Hanabi (fireworks), and the Kachashi Party — a live Okinawan music celebration rooted in the island's traditional festival dance.
Ticket and Pricing Guide — 2026 Rates
Junglia uses a base-admission-plus-individual-attraction pricing model. Here are the key rates for 2026.
Base Park Tickets
| Category | Full-Day | Afternoon (from 1 pm) | Spa Only |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult (18+) | 6,900 yen | 4,950 yen | 3,080 yen |
| Youth (12-17) | 5,500 yen | 3,960 yen | 2,530 yen |
| Child (4-11) | 3,900 yen | 2,970 yen | 1,870 yen |
| Infant (3 and under) | Free | Free | Free |
Park + Spa Combo Tickets
| Category | Full-Day Combo | Afternoon Combo |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 11,880 yen | 8,800 yen |
| Youth | 9,900 yen | 7,260 yen |
| Child | 6,600 yen | 5,280 yen |
Combo tickets include two 250-yen food coupons, effectively adding a 500-yen discount.
Individual Attraction Prices
| Attraction | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dinosaur Safari | 2,200 yen | Approx. 25 minutes |
| Sky Phoenix (Zipline) | 2,750 yen | Min. 132 cm tall |
| Buggy Voltage (Adrenaline) | 3,300 yen | Licence required |
| Buggy Voltage (Fun) | 2,200 yen | No licence needed |
| Horizon Balloon | 2,750 yen | Approx. 15 minutes |
| Premium Pass (priority boarding) | 1,870 yen each | Skip the queue |
Money-saving tip: Booking online through the official website gives you roughly 10 per cent off the Park + Spa combo. You can also purchase discounted advance tickets at Okinawa convenience stores (FamilyMart and Lawson), so always buy ahead rather than at the gate.
Seasonal Strategy — When Is the Best Time to Visit?
Based on one full year of operational data, here is a season-by-season breakdown of crowd levels and ideal visiting windows.
| Period | Crowds | Weather | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January-February | Light | Cool (15-20 C) | ★★★★☆ |
| March-April | Moderate | Pleasant (20-25 C) | ★★★★★ |
| May-June | Moderate to heavy (rainy season) | Hot and humid (25-30 C) | ★★★☆☆ |
| July-August | Very heavy | Peak heat (28-33 C) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| September-October | Moderate (typhoon risk) | Heat easing (25-30 C) | ★★★☆☆ |
| November-December | Light | Cool (18-23 C) | ★★★★★ |
Best seasons: March to April and November to December offer comfortable weather and thin crowds — the ideal combination. During these windows, wait times for major attractions drop to 20 to 30 minutes or less, making it easy to experience every highlight in a single day.
Rainy-day policy: Because Junglia is primarily an outdoor park, some attractions suspend operations during heavy rain or thunderstorms. However, Spa Junglia, indoor restaurants and shopping areas remain open regardless. The Dinosaur Safari typically runs in normal rain. During the rainy season (May to June), consider the Afternoon + Spa combo — sightsee in the morning and retreat to the spa when afternoon showers arrive.
Typhoon season (August to October): The park may close entirely when a typhoon approaches. Always check the official website or social media channels before departing. Allow one to two days after a typhoon passes for the park to complete maintenance and reopen.
Visiting with Children: The Family Guide
Junglia was designed around the concept of "Power Vacance for the whole family", making it especially appealing for visitors travelling with children. Here are age-specific recommendations.
Infants and Toddlers (0-3)
- Finding Dinosaurs: A stroller-accessible walking course through the jungle
- Kids Play Area: A dedicated free play zone
- Spa Junglia: Infants may enter when wearing swim nappies
Children (4-11)
- Dinosaur Safari: The ultimate experience for dinosaur-obsessed kids
- Tree-Top Trekking: Canopy adventure (minimum 110 cm tall)
- Buggy Voltage (Fun course): Parent drives, child rides shotgun
Teens (12+)
- Sky Phoenix Zipline: Open to anyone 132 cm or taller
- Sky-End Trekking: Face-your-fear high-altitude crossing
- Horizon Balloon: Once-in-a-lifetime photos from 200 metres up
Practical family tips:
- Nursing rooms and nappy-changing stations are located at three points within the park
- Stroller rental: Available at the park entrance for 500 yen per day (limited stock, first come first served)
- Coin lockers: Two locations — park entrance and outside the spa (300-600 yen)
- In midsummer, bring water, hats and sunscreen — outdoor queues can be lengthy
- Measure your child's height before arriving to speed up attraction selection on site
Getting There from Naha and Nearby Itineraries
Junglia is approximately a 90-minute drive from Naha. Driving through the Yanbaru forest roads is itself the beginning of the adventure. A rental car is by far the most convenient option, though public transport is available.
By Rental Car (Recommended)
| Route | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Naha Airport → Expressway (Kyoda IC) → Junglia | ~90 min | Toll ~1,000 yen |
| Churaumi Aquarium → Junglia | ~20 min | Same northern area — combine both |
| Central Nago → Junglia | ~15 min | Near Nago Pineapple Park |
Parking: Junglia's dedicated car park holds approximately 3,000 vehicles and is free. Even in peak season, parking is rarely an issue.
By Public Transport
Take Express Bus 111 from Naha Bus Terminal to Nago Bus Terminal (about 2 hours), then transfer to the Junglia shuttle bus (about 20 minutes). A Junglia direct limousine bus (reservation required, 3,000 yen return) also operates. For scheduling flexibility, however, a rental car is overwhelmingly more practical.
Recommended Combo: Junglia + Churaumi Aquarium
Churaumi Aquarium is just 20 minutes by car from Junglia. Both are in northern Okinawa, so pairing them in a single day or an overnight trip is the smartest itinerary choice.
- Day Trip: Morning at Churaumi Aquarium → Lunch on Nago soba street → Afternoon at Junglia (use afternoon ticket)
- Overnight: Day 1 full day at Junglia + spa → Stay at a northern resort → Day 2 Churaumi + Bise Fukugi Tree Road + Sesoko Beach
Rental car tip: The drive from Naha to Junglia is about 90 minutes, and the journey itself is part of the adventure. Follow coastal Route 58 northward and you will be treated to sweeping views of Okinawa's emerald sea on both sides of the road — one of the island's most scenic drives.
FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How much does Junglia cost?
A full-day park ticket is 6,900 yen for adults, 5,500 yen for teens (12-17), and 3,900 yen for children (4-11). Under-3s enter free. The Park + Spa combo is 11,880 yen for adults, and the afternoon ticket (from 1 pm) is 4,950 yen — excellent value. Booking in advance through the official site gives you roughly 10 per cent off.
Q2. What are the age and height requirements?
Requirements vary by attraction. The Sky Phoenix zipline requires a minimum height of 132 cm, and Tree-Top Trekking requires 110 cm. Dinosaur Safari and Finding Dinosaurs have no age or height restrictions, so infants can participate. The spa admits small children in swim nappies.
Q3. What happens if it rains?
In ordinary rain, most attractions operate normally. In heavy rain or thunderstorms, outdoor high-altitude attractions such as the zipline, balloon and trekking courses temporarily suspend. Spa Junglia, indoor restaurants and shops remain open regardless. During the rainy season, pivot to an Afternoon + Spa combo ticket.
Q4. How do I get there from Naha?
By rental car via the Okinawa Expressway, the drive takes about 90 minutes. From Naha Airport, take the expressway to Kyoda IC, then about 20 minutes on local roads. The park has free parking for approximately 3,000 cars. By public transport (bus), allow about 2.5 hours.
Q5. Can I combine it with Churaumi Aquarium?
Absolutely — they are in the same northern Okinawa area, only 20 minutes apart by car. A popular plan is Churaumi in the morning and Junglia in the afternoon (using the afternoon ticket), or a leisurely overnight trip covering both.