The Yanbaru Forest Toy Museum — Attraction in Kunigami

You have to go here if you’re in Okinawa. My husband and I went not really knowing what to expect. This place could be a Ghibli film. Hidden in a forest in the mountains this tiny museum is absolutely magical. Everyone there was so friendly and despite two barriers, one being language and the other being my husband and I being 1) awkward and 2) in our 30s and not accompanied by children, we were made to feel so welcomed. I don’t know how they did it but they brought out a childlike joy I’ve not experienced in years. Yes, the real draw is not just the beautiful toys but the magical people who work there. I hope the curators see this - I love you all and you’re amazing. Love from the girl with the soot sprite bag and the man with...

We visited back in April during our Trip to Okinawa and The Yanbaru Forest Toy Museum was a great little stop on our Trip. We had intended to visit the national park, but found things closed and it had been raining so took a detour into the Museum, it wasn't on our list but we are so glad we went! The main room isn't very big but full of a variety of toys which you get to experience and play with, and the staff definitely go above and beyond to show you how to play things (we were a group of 4 adults without children and really enjoyed spending an hour or two here) it was a really wholesome experience which transcended the language barrier and truly felt like one of those "I'm in Japan" moments that we will...

I’m 50 years old and i can’t help but smile in this place. Brought our two girls here and it seemed a bit underwhelming at first. A room with wooden toys but it’s a montessori wet dream.

Interactive toys and puzzles made of wood. Board games and challenges. A big wooden egg pit. Wooden kitchen with food.

The place is soooo clean. Shoes off and upper shelves where they clean and dry the wooden toys. Bathrooms are spotless.

I’ll admit I was caught playing a bunch and the staff were all friendly, smiling and engaging. They were regularly bringing different toys over to kids to introduce them. Really simple but there is something about touching and playing with wooden toys. Our kids didn’t...