Nago Pineapple Park — Attraction in Nago

Fruitless Journey – A Pineapple Park Betrayal

We visited the Nago Pineapple Park at-least 5 times a year between the years 2009 & 2012 while stationed there as a military family and it was magical. When our oldest son joined the military and was stationed in Okinawa, we couldn’t wait to revisit this place. However, it was a complete disappointment!!!!

No mascot photo upon arrival No pineapple parfaits. No pineapple crème brûlée.(as advertised in their new distillery) No pineapple vodka. (As advertised in their new distillery) The restaurant was closed. So, no pineapple curry, no pineapple pizza, no pineapple rice. Nothing. Just a building that says it opens at 11 (it was 12) and we could see some women working inside, but they were not following posted opening times. We had no idea what was going on!!!! We were hot, tired, and hungry! The only thing staff would do is hold out their arms to usher you like cattle along the path. There was an area to display photos for purchase, (there were 3 staff members standing there) But they weren’t taking or selling souvenir pictures. They were just holding their arm out-stretched signaling to move along and don’t ask questions! There was just No joy!

They did a renovation during Covid apparently and added a winery, a distillery , and lots a giant cute pineapple dinosaurs. Sooooo much potential!!! However. It was miserable!!!! You know what was there? A sad butterfly room with barely any butterflies and a vibe of deep existential malaise. They didn’t hand out maps at the entrance, so we wandered aimlessly through what felt like a pineapple-themed mosquito breeding land. If you’re going to have sitting water everywhere, at least invest in mosquito traps. The new pineapple dinosaurs were adorable. But they didn’t sell them in merchandise at all. No Dino figurines, no Dino plush toys. And the mixture of realistic Dino’s and fantasy Dino’s was jarring and odd!

We came ready for nostalgia and fun. Instead, it felt like the hollowed-out shell of what it once was—just automated carts, boring gift shops that were a ghost of what they used to be. There was nothing that was desirable to even buy! It was just plastic statue photo ops in place of the once-lively mascots. Please… bring back the magic. Bring back the mascots. And while you’re at it, maybe bring back the mosquito control too. They spent all this money to renovate but they took away the best parts about the park and they aren’t even keeping their restaurant open or distillery stocked with pineapple vodka. The price used to be ¥600 per ticket, now they are ¥1500 per ticket, which I would have happily paid even if they changed nothing!!!!! However the changes made this a place I’ll never return to again!!! We left hungry, empty handed (mostly, I did buy a bottle of wine and a bottle of juice), and we were covered from head to toes in sweat and mosquito bites!!!! This was one of the top places we were excited to revisit all these years later. I had a budget of money to spend here. But there just wasn’t much to buy. In the photos I posted , I’m showing an original mascot photo taken in 2009 and then the new photo op that replaced it which you take yourself on your camera (you don’t purchase it in a cute pineapple folder). The next photos I’m showing a few of the realistic dinosaurs and then the cute pineapple dinosaurs. The two types kinda kill the whimsy, the realistic ones should go!!!!! The park feels like it’s all over the place. This just isn’t what...

A Pineapple Paradise in Okinawa!

If you're searching for a slice of tropical heaven in Okinawa, look no further than Pineapple Park—an absolute delight for pineapple enthusiasts and families alike!

From the moment we entered, we were greeted by the whimsical sight of pineapple-shaped cars, setting the tone for a fun-filled experience. The park's dedication to pineapples is evident in every corner, making it a unique and memorable destination.

The pineapple-themed shops offer a delightful array of pineapple-infused treats, souvenirs, and local crafts. It's a paradise for foodies and those seeking distinctive gifts to bring back home. The aromatic pineapple tastings allowed us to explore the diverse flavours of this tropical fruit, leaving our taste buds dancing with joy.

What truly sets Pineapple Park apart is its commitment to entertaining visitors of all ages. The range of activities is impressive—from interactive displays detailing the history of pineapple cultivation to distinguished pineapple alcohol tasting.

For the younger ones, the park boasts playful and educational activities, ensuring that every visit is a blend of fun and learning. The highlight for many is the chance to ride in the charming pineapple cars, creating picture-perfect moments for families and friends.

Whether you're a pineapple enthusiast like me and my friend or just looking for a day of tropical fun, Pineapple Park in Okinawa is an absolute must-visit. It's a place where the spirit of the pineapple comes alive, leaving visitors with a taste of the exotic and a heart full of joy. This unique attraction has certainly earned its place as a crown jewel in Okinawa's list of must-see destinations.

Getting there was a bit difficult as the buses in Okinawa weren't that reliable. We took bus line 120 from Ihei (Chatan) and had to change to bus 70 once in the city of Nago to take us to Pineapple Park. Unless you plan on staying from opening until closing there are no great buses for getting you from the park but we didn't mind the 15-minute walk to another bus option that took us to the Nago Bus Terminal then 120 back to Chatan where we stayed.

humongous...

This is a fun cheesy tourist destination with lots of cute photo ops.

As this was my first visit I felt it was a good flow. I was told before it was not as organized but now there is a much better flow than there was before.

You buy your ticket after parking and board the pineapple train from the parking lot. It takes you over to the main area while showing you around the park and where they grow the pineapples. There are paid photo opp here at the beginning that you can buy at the end. You can also just purchase the digital version. You then take a (max of) 4 person (you won't share with others you don't know, so if there is 2 of you, then 2 will be in one car) cart that auto drives you through more of the park (the inside portion). After you get out of the car it's a walk through of the park. There's a few things to see such as the butterfly area, restaurant where you can get some pineapple refreshments (we went with the massive pineapple shaved ice, would recommend as it's a great photo op... Like I felt it was Instagramable), dinosaur area, areas explaining plants and more. There's also a room with more photo ops. Near the end of the tour is the area where you can buy pineapple goods. With your ticket you have a chance to win items and even win your purchase. It's only at the first store though. The other store is more the drinks. They do have free samples so you can try them. They have a winery/liquor shop there as well. It's quite pretty the area that houses the alcohol. After you take the train back and get to your car. For me it was a lot of fun.

They do play this one song repeatedly. So if you can't stand it, this may not be the place for you. I'm ok with repetition and it's oddly catchy, but it is their theme song, so I guess that was the point.

The parking lot is pretty large so pretty easy. You can pay...