Urasoe City in Okinawa Prefecture is located between Naha and Ginowan, making it a very convenient location for transportation.

However, many people probably think, "It's convenient for transportation, but there aren't any places to have fun, are there?"
Actually, Urasoe City has a special park where you can enjoy both night views and fun activities. That park is "Urasoe Grand Park"!

Urasoe Grand Park is bustling with families during the day, and at night, its observation deck, offering views of the nightscapes of Ginowan and Urasoe, is a popular spot for enjoying the city lights.

If you're someone who thinks that parks aren't very enjoyable just because they're called "parks," or if you've never visited one before, you might be missing out.

So let's take a closer look at what makes it so appealing!

Table of contents
1. What is Urasoe Grand Park?
2. Introduction to spots within Urasoe Park
2-1. History Learning Zone
2-2 Interaction Plaza Zone
2-3 Relaxation Area Zone
3. Night view from Urasoe Grand Park
4. Cafes near Urasoe Grand Park
5. Access to Urasoe Grand Park
6. Conclusion

1: What is Urasoe Grand Park?

Located adjacent to Ginowan City, Urasoe Grand Park can be seen after passing through the Iso Tunnel when driving along National Route 330 from the Naha direction.
The large, long roller slide is a landmark.

The park is centered around three main areas: the "History Learning Zone," the "Interaction Plaza Zone," and the "Relaxation Plaza Zone."
The park covers a massive 37.4 hectares, making it so large that you can't explore the entire area without a car.

The observation deck, where you can enjoy the night view, is fully barrier-free and offers a 360-degree panoramic view of Ginowan and Urasoe.

2: Introduction to spots within Urasoe Grand Park

2-1: History Learning Zone

The history learning zone, where you can learn about the history of Urasoe, includes the ruins of Urasoe Castle, Urasoe Yodore (the tomb of the Ryukyu Kingdom), the tomb of Iha Fuyu, and the Urasoe Gusuku Yodore Museum. Just by visiting this area, you can learn a lot about history.

At the Urasoe Gusuku Yodore Museum, in addition to old photographs and excavated artifacts, you can also see a life-size replica of the west chamber of Urasoe Yodore!

You can thoroughly learn about the history of Urasoe Gusuku and Yodore, so I think it will be enjoyable for history buffs as well as those who aren't, as they will make many discoveries.

At Urasoe Yōdore, you can see the tombs of King Eiso and King Shōnei of the Ryukyu Kingdom, and a little further away is the tomb of Iha Fuyū, who is called the "father of Okinawan studies."

In addition, this area is rich in nature, so you can enjoy beautiful scenery and animals that can only be seen here.
While it's certainly good to have a specific purpose in mind when you go sightseeing, I think you can also enjoy yourself by simply wandering around freely and visiting places you like.

This is a place I especially recommend to those who don't have many opportunities to connect with nature.

2-2: Interaction Plaza Zone

Now, moving on to a different area, the Interaction Plaza Zone has plenty of playground equipment for children to enjoy, such as slides and athletic equipment!

The large, long roller slide, a landmark of this park, is also located here, and on sunny days you can see children taking turns sliding down it.

Besides the roller slide, there are countless other play structures, including a slightly longer slide, a giant obstacle course, combination play equipment for younger children, springs, and more!

The play area is covered with safe rubber, which helps prevent injuries and allows children to play with peace of mind.

In addition to having plenty of playground equipment, there's also a grassy area, making it a great spot for picnics.

There are also parlors and vending machines that are open on weekends, making it convenient for grabbing a quick snack or staying hydrated.

Also, the observation deck, which will be introduced in more detail later, is located right next to this interaction plaza zone, and during the day you can enjoy plenty of beautiful views of the sea and the cityscape.
On the first floor of the observation deck is "Ishigufu," an Okinawan soba restaurant that's very popular according to reviews, so I recommend having lunch there!

It's a perfect playground for families, as it can be enjoyed by both children and adults.

2-3: Relaxation Area Zone

The relaxation area is surrounded by trees, so rather than being a place to play on playground equipment, it's popular as a place to get plenty of exercise in a natural setting.

The Yuntaku Plaza and Multipurpose Plaza are popular venues for field trips and small events, and their spaciousness makes them ideal for activities like playing catch.

There are plenty of cool, shady spots, so you can take a break under a tree after playing.

The walking paths within this park are gently sloping, making it a popular spot for walking, running, and nature observation.
If you get tired of playing, it's a good idea to take a stroll around the park.

Further away from the plaza, there is the "Toyama Stone Pavement" and the "Toyama Bridge," which also lead to a place where a river flows.

The riverbank is known as a place where fireflies can be seen, and they can be spotted from late April to June, so it might be a good idea to go firefly hunting during that time.

Fireflies are easiest to find from dusk until night, so aim for this time on a sunny day when you're looking for them!

3: Night view from Urasoe Grand Park

Urasoe Grand Park is very popular with children during the day, but one of its characteristics is that it becomes lively at night with couples and other people who come to enjoy the night view!

The observation deck, a popular spot for viewing the night scenery, is located near the Fureai Hiroba (Interaction Plaza) zone and is at the highest point of the park.
This place is completely barrier-free, with a gentle slope, making it possible for people in wheelchairs to enjoy the scenery!

If you go all the way to the top, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the nightscape from Urasoe to Ginowan.

You can also see beautiful night views from the Urasoe area, but I especially want you to take your time and enjoy the view from the Ginowan area.
The townscape along the coast is absolutely beautiful!

With sparkling, beautiful scenery everywhere you look, this is a wonderful place that I highly recommend visiting with family, friends, or your significant other.

The parking lot is very convenient as it's right next to the observation deck, but be aware that its operating hours are only from 9 AM to 9 PM, so be careful if you plan to go late at night.

Also, one more thing to be careful about, just in case, is the hub.

Because this park is rich in nature, venomous snakes (habu) sometimes appear at night.
Of course, you might encounter them during the day, but since they are nocturnal, you should generally be careful at night.

If you avoid areas with many trees or places without lights, you will rarely encounter them.
However, if you do happen to encounter one, don't panic, stay calm, and move away from the hub.

Since the Hub doesn't jump, you'll be outside its attack range if you're more than 1.5 meters away.

If you are bitten, call for help immediately and head to the hospital.
If it will take a long time to get to the hospital, it's also important to loosely tie a band around the bite site to slow down blood flow.

The most important thing is to remain calm and act rationally.

4: Cafes near Urasoe Grand Park

Next, I'll introduce some cafes that are perfect for taking a break after playing in the park.

"vine"

Located in Iso, Urasoe City, this coffee shop is easily recognizable by its slightly retro exterior.

The shop has a calm atmosphere where you can relax and unwind. The menu includes drinks such as coffee, as well as typical coffee shop items like sandwiches and gratin.

This is a rare Western-style coffee shop these days, making it a hidden gem.

Store details
■Location: 1-28-1 Iso, Urasoe City, Okinawa Prefecture
■ TEL: 098-876-0582
■Business hours: 11:00~21:00
■URL: None
■Price: Up to 1000 yen (lunch price)

"la Vous"

Next up is a shop in the Ginowan area that sells macarons and gelato.
It features a cute green exterior, and while takeout is available, you can also enjoy your meal inside the shop.

This shop is owned by Taizo Shibano, who won first place in the Japan Gelato Maestro Contest, so the taste is exceptional!

Store details
■Location: 3-19-1 Kakazu, Ginowan City, Okinawa Prefecture
■ TEL: 098-874-1125
■Business hours: 11:00~20:00
■URL: None
■Price: Macaron 250 yen each, Gelato single scoop 350 yen

5. Access to Urasoe Grand Park

Urasoe Grand Park has several parking areas divided into zones, so going by car is the best option.
Decide which zone you want to play in beforehand, and check the parking situation before you head there.

Alternatively, you can also travel by bus, so if you don't have a car, take the bus to a nearby location and then head to the park.
If you're going by bus, you need to make sure you check the schedule carefully.

[Access by car]

It's about a 15-minute drive from Nishihara Interchange.
As you drive near the park, you'll see several signs for Urasoe Grand Park, so it's best to use those as a guide.

[Access by bus]

From Furujima in Naha City (adjacent to Furujima Station on the Yui Rail), take Ryukyu Bus No. 55, Makiminato Line, bound for Ginowan Bus Depot, get off at Nakama-iriguchi, and walk for 4-5 minutes. (Fare: 260 yen)

[Parking information]

There is one large parking lot at the Fureai Plaza, one near the Play Area (40 cars from 9am to 6pm), one near the Observation Deck (9am to 9pm), one at the Relaxation Plaza, one at the Urasoe Gusuku/Yodore Hall (25 cars), and one near the Urasoe Castle Ruins (31 cars from 9am to 6pm).

We have over 200 units in total.

6. Conclusion

What did you think?

Some of you may be surprised to learn that Urasoe Grand Park has so many sights to see.

It's the perfect place for families with children, as you can enjoy a leisurely picnic, learn about history, play on playground equipment, and admire the night view.
Of course, it's a park that can be enjoyed by friends or couples.

Since the way you enjoy the park varies depending on the location, it might be a good idea to visit several times to see different areas.
If you don't have any plans for the weekend, you should definitely check it out!

Please make your hotel reservation here.

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