Junglia Opens in Okinawa With Dinosaur Adventures, Tourism Ambitions and Early Challenges

A ¥70 Billion Bet on Northern Okinawa

A Brachiosaurus rising above the treetops marks the arrival of Junglia, the theme park that opened on July 25, 2025, in Nakijin Village in northern Okinawa. Built on a former golf course, the development covers 60 hectares, or 600,000 square meters, and combines dinosaur encounters, outdoor adventure, dining and a luxury spa.

The ¥70 billion investment, approximately $470 million, carries ambitions beyond a day of entertainment. Junglia aims to draw more visitors to northern Okinawa, create jobs and spread tourism spending beyond the busier southern part of the island. Its potential audience includes domestic travelers and the two billion people living within a flight of four hours from Okinawa, including markets in China, South Korea and Hong Kong.

One week after opening, the park also faces practical and financial scrutiny. Early visitors have described long waits, difficulty moving around the grounds and inadequate shelter from the weather. Questions about developer Katana Inc. and its finances have brought attention to the business behind the attractions.

Tsuyoshi Morioka, known for helping revive Universal Studios Japan, leads the team facing those challenges. Junglia must now turn its ambitious concept into a visit that works for families, tourists and local residents.

A Theme Park Shaped Around the Forest

Junglia's setting distinguishes it from Tokyo Disneyland and Universal Studios Japan. Instead of an urban location, it occupies the subtropical landscape of northern Okinawa, in the Yanbaru region, known for its biodiversity and UNESCO World Natural Heritage status. The park integrates its attractions with the surrounding greenery and has added more than 30,000 newly planted trees.

The concept is called "Power Vacance!!", or Energy Vacation. It brings together stimulating outdoor experiences and places to relax, with the aim of awakening the senses and providing an escape from city life. Forest views are central to the rides, restaurants and spa.

At 60 hectares, Junglia is larger in area than Tokyo Disneyland, at 51 hectares, and Universal Studios Japan, at 54 hectares. Its combination of nature, adventure sports and wellness gives it a different emphasis from those established parks and connects with interest in experiential and environmentally conscious tourism.

Morioka's previous work includes introducing the Wizarding World of Harry Potter to Universal Studios Japan. Many members of Junglia's team also bring substantial theme park experience. Their approach could influence other projects in Japan and beyond, although the immediate task is making the Okinawa operation run smoothly.

Dinosaurs Lead the Adventure

Dinosaur Safari is Junglia's headline attraction: a journey of 17 minutes in rugged vehicles through a landscape populated by as many as 20 animatronic dinosaurs. These moving models include a Brachiosaurus standing 19 meters tall and a T-Rex positioned among the foliage.

The experience mixes a vehicle ride with live performance. At points, visitors get out and join park rangers in a staged escape from the dinosaurs. The aim is to make guests feel part of a cinematic adventure, rather than simply passengers watching models along a route.

Finding Dinosaurs provides a gentler alternative for families with younger children. Visitors travel through the forest to help reunite lost baby dinosaurs with their parents. Together, the two attractions draw on the enduring fascination with prehistoric animals and the worldwide popularity of franchises such as Jurassic Park.

The dinosaurs also give Junglia an immediately recognizable identity. A giant animal visible above the trees serves as a welcome for arriving visitors, while the forest setting supplies the backdrop for the encounters inside.

Twenty-Two Attractions, From the Sky to the Spa

Junglia has 22 major attractions, with experiences for visitors seeking excitement, family activities or a slower pace. Horizon Balloon takes guests 200 meters above the jungle for panoramic views of the forest and coastline. Visitors can enjoy sparkling wine while taking in the scenery.

Sky Phoenix sends riders along a fast zipline through the forest canopy, while Titan's Swing sweeps them over the treetops. Buggy Voltage offers an adventurous drive on an all terrain vehicle course. Gravity Drop, Bungee Glider and Human Arrow combine elements of bungee jumping, ziplining and elastic launches.

Tam Tam Tram offers a scenic ride through the park for visitors seeking something gentler. Yanbaru Friends, an interactive theater experience, introduces Okinawa's ecology through local animal characters and storytelling. These attractions broaden the park's appeal beyond its most physically demanding activities.

Spa Junglia adds a different reason to visit. The complex includes the world's largest public infinity bath, certified by Guinness World Records, alongside outdoor saunas, rock baths, cave baths and natural hot springs. Views across the surrounding jungle are part of the experience.

The spa requires a ticket separate from ordinary park admission, although combined tickets are available. Its policy does not welcome tattoos, a practical consideration for anyone planning to include bathing facilities in a visit.

Okinawan Food and More Than 550 Souvenirs

Junglia has 15 places to eat, comprising three restaurants with table service and a dozen food carts distributed around the grounds. The range extends from meals featuring local ingredients to tropical snacks and sweets.

Panorama Dining uses glass walls and seating inspired by bird nests to frame views of the jungle. Its menu includes hamburg steak wrapped in bacon, fresh Okinawan fish, and green harvest pizza topped with salt cured pork and seafood.

Tropical Oasis, attached to Spa Junglia, offers a more upscale meal. Dishes include tapas made with local ingredients, Iejima Hizakura beef marinated in miso, island curry and pasta. Reservations are recommended for Panorama Dining and other popular restaurants.

Village Bazaar stocks more than 550 items, including tableware, clothing, Okinawan treats and souvenirs. Dinosaur headgear and tropical flower accessories give guests ways to join the park's visual theme while they explore.

Entertainment Continues After Sunset

Junglia extends its program into the evening with nightly fireworks, live music and acrobatic performances. Junglia Night Fes and Wild Beat are among the events intended to keep visitors engaged after daylight fades.

Shows combining sound and light, together with interactive theater, add entertainment for different ages. The evening schedule supports the park's ambition to offer a full day of activities rather than a brief stop focused on a single ride.

Who Pays Which Ticket Price?

Junglia's admission system charges different prices according to residency. Adults living in Japan pay ¥6,930, about $45, while children aged four to 11 pay ¥4,950. For foreign tourists, admission costs ¥8,800 for adults, about $60, and ¥5,940 for children.

The adult price difference is ¥1,870, while the difference for children is ¥990. Foreign residents of Japan qualify for the local price when they present proof of residence. Residency, rather than ethnicity, determines eligibility.

The strategy aims to keep admission affordable for local residents while drawing more revenue from international tourists willing to pay higher prices, particularly when a weak yen makes spending in Japan cheaper in their home currencies. Similar pricing exists elsewhere in Japan, but it is unusual for a major theme park. Junglia's transparent approach has prompted discussion about fairness and the mix of visitors it may attract.

Combined tickets cover both the park and spa. Premium passes allow guests to bypass queues at selected attractions, providing an additional option for visitors concerned about waiting times.

Tickets must be bought online in advance. The park can sell out, particularly during peak travel periods, making advance planning important for both admission and transport.

Getting There Requires Planning

Junglia's position on the rugged Motobu Peninsula creates a different arrival experience from visiting a city attraction. Access is limited to two roads, each with two lanes, and there is little signage or themed decoration along the approach. For visitors unfamiliar with the area, the journey can feel uncertain until the Brachiosaurus appears above the trees.

Parking costs ¥2,000 per day and requires a reservation. Shuttle buses connect the park with locations including Naha Airport, Nago City Hall, partner hotels and the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium.

A car is recommended for travelers combining Junglia with other attractions in northern Okinawa. Visitors using shuttles need to plan their journey around their chosen departure point and the rest of their itinerary.

Inside the park, walking is a substantial part of the visit. Tam Tam Tram provides some relief, but the extensive grounds still require movement on foot. The open walkways also make weather preparation important: a parasol, sunscreen or rain gear may be needed.

Can the Park Spread Tourism Spending North?

Okinawa receives nearly 10 million visitors annually, with much of the tourism activity concentrated in southern areas such as Naha. Junglia is intended to pull more of that activity north, creating demand for accommodation, transport, shops and other local businesses.

Approximately 70% of the operating company's shareholders are Okinawan firms, including Orion Beer and Ryubo Holdings. That local ownership is intended to help keep a substantial portion of tourism revenue on the island.

Economic studies by Kansai University estimate that Junglia could generate ¥6.8 trillion, about $42 billion, in economic impact over 15 years. The estimate includes effects associated with job creation, stronger regional recognition and increased tourism. Its scope extends beyond what visitors pay at the park itself to activity generated elsewhere in the economy.

Local governments and other stakeholders have worked with the development, with expectations that it could encourage further attractions and infrastructure improvements. The broader ambition is to make northern Okinawa a larger part of visitors' travel plans.

Junglia's combination of local ownership, tourism investment and a nature setting could provide an example for regional revitalization elsewhere in Japan. Whether it fulfills that ambition will depend on the operation delivering experiences that visitors consider worth the journey and expense.

Opening Week Brings Frustration as Well as Praise

Early reactions have included praise for Junglia's visual design, immersive concept and distinctive attractions. Visitors have also criticized long queues, crowded conditions and the difficulty of navigating the large site.

A survey of guests during the opening days found that 74% experienced only two or fewer attractions during a full day at the park. The highest number experienced by a respondent was four. Half of those surveyed placed their experience at the lowest levels of a scale running from one to five.

Complaints included insufficient shelter from rain and wind and a need for more efficient operations. For a destination built around open spaces and forest views, exposure to weather is part of the practical challenge of managing a comfortable visit.

Management has acknowledged the need to improve the movement of guests through the park and protection from the weather. New theme parks commonly face operational problems, but Junglia's ambitious promises make the pace and effectiveness of those improvements central to its reception.

Visitors planning a trip have several decisions to make before arrival: which attractions matter most, whether to buy premium passes, where to eat and whether to include the spa. Advance bookings, appropriate clothing and realistic expectations about walking and queues can help organize the day.

Financial Questions Surround the Developer

Katana Inc., Junglia's developer, has faced scrutiny over its financial position and governance. Investigative reporting raised questions about its relationship with consulting firms linked to CEO Tsuyoshi Morioka and about payments to related entities.

Katana reported a net loss of ¥2.4 billion for fiscal 2024. The questions surrounding related entities concern how money moves between businesses connected through their leadership, an issue that places attention on financial oversight as well as operating performance.

Katana and the government backed Cool Japan Fund, which invested ¥8 billion in the project, have publicly denied misuse of funds. They say all investments were directed to the operating company managing Junglia.

Some financial details remain confidential. The company's ability to achieve lasting profitability will be closely watched alongside the park's attendance, visitor experience and contribution to northern Okinawa.

The Opening in Context

Junglia's first week brings together a major tourism investment, a distinctive collection of attractions and the immediate demands of running a large outdoor destination. The key dates place the opening and the early concerns close together:

• Fiscal 2024: Katana reported a net loss of ¥2.4 billion.
• July 25, 2025: Junglia opened in Nakijin Village, northern Okinawa.
• Opening days: Visitor feedback highlighted long waits, limited numbers of attractions experienced and inadequate weather protection.
• August 1, 2025: One week after opening, the focus includes operational improvements, financial scrutiny and the park's tourism ambitions.

The park offers a combination uncommon among Japan's major theme parks: dinosaurs, adventure sports, forest scenery and a luxury spa on one site. Its scale and investment make it a substantial addition to Okinawa's tourism industry, while the early response shows how much the everyday experience matters.

For northern Okinawa, the concrete opportunity is more visitors staying, eating, shopping and traveling in the region. For guests, the immediate priorities are simpler: reaching the park, experiencing the attractions they paid for and staying comfortable in the subtropical weather.

Key Points

• Junglia opened on July 25, 2025, on a former golf course in Nakijin Village, with a ¥70 billion investment.
• The 60 hectare park has 22 major attractions, including Dinosaur Safari, Horizon Balloon and activities above the forest canopy.
• Spa Junglia includes a Guinness certified public infinity bath, with separate admission or combined tickets available.
• Adult admission costs ¥6,930 for residents of Japan and ¥8,800 for foreign tourists; foreign residents can qualify for local pricing.
• Tickets and parking require advance arrangements, and visitors should prepare for walking and exposed outdoor spaces.
• Early feedback praised the concept but identified long queues, weather exposure and difficulty navigating the grounds.
• Kansai University studies estimate ¥6.8 trillion in economic impact over 15 years.
• Katana and the Cool Japan Fund deny misuse of funds amid scrutiny of the developer's finances and related business relationships.