Dec 29, 2013 - 1 min read

Okinawa Zoo Christmas Fantasy 2013

A popular holiday-themed illumination in Okinawa City

By Naomi Flemming

Community writer

The Christmas Fantasy is an annual event at the Okinawa Zoo

There are many performers and presentations on the main stage, but the area is always very crowded

Tunnels of love are romantic if you walk through it with the right person

The Christmas theme starts once leaving the parking lots

There are many festival style game and food booths throughout the zoo grounds during the Christmas Fantasy

What would Christmas be without reindeer and Mickey Mouse

There isn't any snow to be had in Okinawa but these snowmen help to capture a kind of white Christmas for Okinawans

There were lights along every pathway around the zoo

Festival food at Christmas Fantasy 2013 was on par with most food at similar events across Okinawa - greasy, pre-prepared, delicious

Each year the Okinawa Zoo transforms itself for one week in late December into an illuminated Christmas Fantasy. The 2013 event ran from 22 ~ 28 December from 16:30 ~ 21:30 each evening. When the sun sets the areas of the zoo with animals and Wonder Land are closed off and the rest of the spacious park in Okinawa City becomes a Christmas festival complete with lights, Santa, musical acts and other performances, festival food, kids rides, and carnival games. Bring a lightweight tri-pod to take advantage of the best photography opportunities - my husband and I somehow forgot ours. The cost of admission for 2013 was 1,700 yen for adults, 1,000 yen for 4 ~ 15 year-olds, and free for 0 ~ 3. Park at the Okinawa City Hall or the Okinawa City Athletic Stadium and take the shuttle as the zoo lots are small and usually full.

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By Naomi Flemming

Community writer

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Michael Flemming 11 years ago

This is an annual event. I'd like to go again next year earlier in the festival to beat the crowds and without my lovely children who were running in all directions. Naomi and I really were challenged to stop and take photos as the small boys went nuts upon every stand, attraction, light and ride.