The Yanbaru Forest Toy Museum, which reopened in 2026 after renovations, is an interactive museum where visitors can experience the rich nature and culture of Yanbaru, a World Natural Heritage site, through play.
The facility features a warm and inviting atmosphere thanks to the abundant use of wood sourced from Okinawa Prefecture, and offers a variety of activities incorporating Okinawan motifs.
This time, I actually visited the facility with my 2-year-old daughter and will provide a detailed report on the renovated interior, the attractions of the play area, and the crowd situation.

1. The renovated building now features a warm, inviting atmosphere thanks to the use of wood.

In the 2026 renovation, a new area was created in addition to the existing "Baby Wood Play Area."

▲Go through the tunnel at the back of the Baby Wood Play Area to reach the new building▲

Passing through the wooden tunnel at the back of the Wood Education Plaza, you'll find yourself in a spacious and open area that makes extensive use of Okinawan timber.

▲A wooden slide inspired by a banyan tree▲

The facility offers a wide variety of activities suitable for different age groups, including a wooden ball pit, a large slide, pretend play areas for running a shop, house play areas, building blocks, and board games.

▲Wooden toys you'll want to pick up right away▲

With areas featuring different themes such as "Okinawa Play Farm," "Yanbaru Forest," "Toy Town," and "Good Toy Plaza," children can enjoy playing however they like.
The building isn't too large, making it easy for even young children to find a place to play, and also easy for parents to keep an eye on them. The gentle, tree-filled space makes you feel comfortable just walking around.

▲Infused with Okinawan culture▲

What was particularly impressive were the various games inspired by the creatures of the Yanbaru forest and the lifestyle of Okinawa. Even tourists can experience Okinawa's nature and culture through these games, which is a unique charm of this facility.

My 2-year-old daughter was captivated by "Okinawa Gokko Farm".

My daughter was most engrossed in the "Okinawa Play Farm" area.

At the corner where visitors could harvest Okinawan vegetables and fruits such as island bananas, mangoes, pineapples, loofahs, and mushrooms, they happily placed what they picked into baskets and enjoyed themselves with smiles on their faces, saying, "Next, this one!"

The harvested ingredients are placed on a counter similar to the greengrocer's next door. Children can experience the entire process of "picking, arranging, and selling" through play, such as cutting with wooden knives and playing shopkeeper.

A young elementary school girl who happened to be visiting called out "Welcome!" and that's how my daughter started playing with them. At first she was a little nervous, but before I knew it she had completely warmed up to them and was having a great time going back and forth between the two girls.

What particularly impressed me as a parent was how natural communication was developing between the children through playing with toys. Seeing children of different ages becoming friends through play made me feel that "bringing them here was truly the right decision."

A pretend play space that recreates an Okinawan village.

The greengrocer isn't the only place where children can enjoy playing shop. The village, designed to resemble traditional Okinawan houses, is lined with adorable, child-sized shops.

There were ice cream shops, pizza shops, sushi shops, and even Okinawan-style street food stalls selling Okinawan soba noodles, and the children were excitedly interacting with the shops, pretending to be shopkeepers. They could be seen calling out "Welcome!" to adults walking by nearby.

One of the unique charms of this facility is that it fosters natural interaction among children and with adults through play, helping to cultivate social skills and communication abilities.

It's not just for kids. A wood-based educational space that adults can enjoy too.

What I particularly liked was the view of the Yanbaru trees seen through the wooden ball pit. It's a unique space in this facility where you can feel connected to nature even while indoors.

Also impressive were the building blocks made from leftover materials from the reconstruction of Shuri Castle. I even saw a father playing with his elementary school-aged child, who soon became engrossed in stacking them himself.

We also have a wide selection of toys that adults can enjoy and relive their childhood, such as the nostalgic kendama (cup-and-ball game).
The charm of this facility is that not only children, but also parents and grandparents can enjoy it together. My daughter was captivated until the very end, and even as closing time approached, she was so engrossed that she said, "I want to play more!"

I myself was reminded of how comfortable it is to be in a space surrounded by trees. This is a spot I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a place to experience nature during their trip to Okinawa.

2. Yanbaru Forest Toy Museum Q&A

Are there any discounts or coupons?

Admission fees are 1,400 yen for adults (junior high school age and older), 1,000 yen for children (ages 1 to elementary school age), and free for children under 1 year old. There are no coupons for the general public, but groups of 15 or more receive a 200 yen discount per person (reservations required).

In addition, there are discounts and multi-ride tickets available for Kunigami village residents (6,000 yen for adults, 4,000 yen for children), as well as free entry for holders of various disability certificates. Electronic coupons for travel tax payments to Kunigami village can also be used, so it's a good idea for tourists to check in advance to save money.

Up to what age can it be enjoyed?

Before actually visiting, I thought it would be suitable for children up to elementary school age, but that impression was pleasantly overturned.

From a wooden play area for babies to pretend play sets, building blocks, and board games, there's a wide variety of toys to choose from—enough to try them all in one visit. From infants to adults, everyone can enjoy age-appropriate play.
This facility allows children to play enthusiastically, while parents can either play along or simply relax and watch over them.

How crowded is it?

We visited on a weekday in late July, around 1:7 PM. The facility was bustling with a group of elementary school students, but we were still able to play with the toys we wanted.

During peak seasons such as Golden Week and summer vacation, there may be days when entry is restricted. Also, on some dates, there may be a two-hour time limit. The crowd situation is posted on the official Instagram account, so it's a good idea to check it before visiting.

Is it possible to eat and drink?

Food and drinks are only permitted in the entrance area, and only unsweetened beverages such as tea and water are allowed.
Since meals are not permitted inside the building, it is recommended to plan your lunch before or after your visit, or to leave the building and use nearby restaurants.
The entrance area also has restrooms and a nursing room.

What is a reasonable length of stay?

We entered the museum around 1:2 PM and played for about two and a half hours until near closing time. Even then, my daughter was so engrossed that she didn't want to leave, saying, "I want to play more!"
Since there's usually no time limit, you can enjoy playing at your leisure from the morning, have lunch, and then come back. It's a great spot for families to enjoy a full day out, and highly recommended for sightseeing in Yanbaru.

Yanbaru Forest Toy Museum

Address

1094 Hentona, Kunigami Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa Prefecture

HP

https://art-play.or.jp/ytm/

HP

https://www.instagram.com/yambaru.f.toymuseum/

Business hours

10:00-16:00 (Last entry 15:30) Closed on Thursdays and during the New Year holidays.
*The museum may be temporarily closed due to bad weather or other reasons. Also, admission restrictions will be in place, mainly on weekends, during long holidays.

Remarks

Admission fees: 1,400 yen for junior high school students and older, 1,000 yen for children aged 1 to elementary school age, free for children under 1 year old.