10 Attractions in Okinawa worth your time

An iconic indoor ride based on Indiana Jones films, offering thrilling adventures at Disney parks.

What it is

• An indoor ride attraction based on the Indiana Jones film series.
• First opened at Disneyland in 1995 as 'Temple of the Forbidden Eye'.
• Second version opened at Tokyo DisneySea in 2001.
• Walt Disney Imagineering and George Lucas collaborated on its creation.

What to see

• Experience the 'Temple of the Forbidden Eye' at Disneyland.
• Experience the 'Temple of the Crystal Skull' at Tokyo DisneySea.

Getting there

• Disneyland version is in Adventureland.
• Tokyo DisneySea version is in Lost River Delta.

Read more about Indiana Jones Adventure

The Haunted Mansion is a classic dark ride with 999 ghosts and unique special effects.

What it is

• A ride-type haunted house attraction.
• Opened in Disney Parks worldwide.
• Guests ride in a three-seater Doom Buggy.
• Uses an Omnimover system for continuous loading.

What to see

• The mansion is home to 999 ghosts.
• Madame Leota, a medium in a crystal ball.
• The Hatbox Ghost, revived in 2015 at Disneyland.

Getting there

• Located in Disneyland Park.
• Also in Magic Kingdom.
• Also in Tokyo Disneyland.

Read more about The Haunted Mansion

See a massive, ancient banyan tree, a designated natural monument in Okinawa.

What it is

• A giant banyan tree in Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture.
• Its name comes from 'Hinpunshii', a stele name.
• Designated a natural monument of Okinawa Prefecture in 1956.
• Designated a national natural monument in 1997.

What to see

• A tree 19 meters tall.
• Aerial roots with a 10-meter circumference.
• Spreading branches with a 30-meter diameter.
• The Sanpu Ryumyakuhi stele placed in 1962.

Read more about Hinpun Banyan Tree

Hennasaki Lighthouse is a scenic, publicly accessible lighthouse on a beautiful cape.

What it is

• A large lighthouse established on March 27, 1967.
• It is the southernmost public lighthouse in Japan.
• Selected as one of Japan's 50 Best Lighthouses.

What to see

• The lighthouse itself.
• Higashi-Hennazaki Cape, a national scenic spot.
• The surrounding area, one of Japan's 100 Best Urban Parks.

Getting there

• About a 30-minute drive from Miyako Airport.

Read more about Hennasaki Lighthouse

A classic Disney dark ride, Pinocchio's Daring Journey offers a nostalgic trip through the beloved film.

What it is

• An attraction in Disney Parks worldwide.
• A ride based on the Disney film Pinocchio.
• Tokyo Disneyland's version opened in April 1983.

What to see

• Ride in mine cart-shaped vehicles.
• Follows the story of Pinocchio.
• Pre-ride announcement features Gepetto in Japanese.
• Pre-ride announcement features Jiminy Cricket in English.

Read more about Pinocchio's Daring Journey

An interactive show where guests talk with Crush from Finding Nemo, a unique Disney experience.

What it is

• An interactive show attraction.
• Features the sea turtle character Crush from Finding Nemo.
• Guests converse with Crush, who responds in real-time.
• Opened at Tokyo DisneySea on October 1, 2009.

What to see

• Digital puppet technology creates the character Crush.
• Located in the S.S. Columbia's stern at Tokyo DisneySea.

Read more about Turtle Talk with Crush

Nagomi Tower is a historic observation tower offering island views, currently closed for preservation.

What it is

• An observation tower built in 1953.
• Originally a broadcasting facility.
• Registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property in 2006.
• Currently closed due to aging.

What to see

• The 4.5m tall tower itself.
• Built on a 6m high hill.
• One of the highest points on the island.

Read more about Nagomi Tower

A thrilling roller coaster themed to an 1880s gold rush, worth it for the unique setting.

What it is

• A roller coaster attraction.
• The setting is the 1880s California gold rush.
• Opened at Tokyo Disneyland on July 4, 1987.

What to see

• Exterior models resemble Monument Valley and Bryce Canyon's Hoodoos.
• The Tokyo Disneyland entrance has an 1898 steam tractor.

Read more about Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Jumpin' Jellyfish: a gentle, themed ride for all ages at Tokyo DisneySea.

What it is

• An attraction at Tokyo DisneySea.
• The ride is themed after Disney's "The Little Mermaid."

What to see

• Guests ride in shell-shaped vehicles.
• Vehicles move up and down slowly.

Getting there

• Located in Mermaid Lagoon.

Official site

disneyland.disney.go.com

Read more about Jumpin' Jellyfish

Soarin' is a flight simulator offering a hang-gliding experience over global landmarks.

What it is

• A flight simulator attraction.
• Simulates hang gliding over six continents.
• Opened at Tokyo DisneySea on July 23, 2019.

What to see

• Images projected on a 24-meter concave dome screen.
• Experience combines artificial scents and wind.

Read more about Soarin'