The Southeast Botanical Gardens in Okinawa

Okinawa is so full of pretties and wonderful things to do. Sometimes the most underrated places are the best. The Southeast Botanical Gardens are a hidden gem in the middle of the island. If you like nature, petting animals, and organic food, then this awesome outdoor park is for you. Check out this site and see what amusement awaits.

Featured Okinawa Itineraries & Tips

• The Ultimate Okinawa Travel Guide – If you’re trying to figure out the best things to do on this gorgeous island and how to travel easily, then you need to check out this guide.
• The Ultimate Tokashiki Guide – Tokashiki is my all time most FAVORITE island destination on Okinawa. Located an hour ferry ride from Naha, you can miss snorkeling with sea turtles on her natural beaches.
• The Ultimate Ishigaki Guide – (Coming Soon)
• How To Survive Summer in Okinawa – If you’re traveling during the summer… I shit you not, Okinawa is super brutal. These are tips from me as a local on how I survived the summers in Okinawa. 
• How To Prepare for Typhoons in Japan – Typhoons happen… And they happen quite freuquently on Okinawa. When you experience one for the first time, you may feel like the world is ending. Fret not, read this post on tips for how to prepare and chillax.
• Alluring Sakura Spots in Okinawa – If you’re visiting Okinawa in January, then lucky you! It’s the first prefecture in the county to get cherry blossoms! These are the top picks from myself and other bloggers who have lived on the island.

Peace Restaurant

I recommend going for lunch. The package price for lunch and garden admittance is ¥2,500. At the Peace Restaurant you can sink your teeth into traditional Okinawan food like pig feet, in addition to Japanese cuisine like shabu shabu. Most of the food items are organic and there are plenty of vegetarian friendly options. They also make fresh juices for your palatal pleasure!

Make a Reservation at Peace Restaurant

If you make one, ask for the seats in the back of Peace so you can get a lovely view of the garden. After all, there’s nothing like lunch and a view. Summer in Okinawa is incredibly hot; therefore, visiting the gardens during late October is prime.

Pet Exotic Animals

The capybara is the largest rodent in the world and probably the friendliest giant rat around. They have webbed feet, feel like hay, and roll over like a dog so you can rub their belly. For ¥100 you can buy cabbage to feed the capybaras and squirrel monkeys. While the capybaras are calm and collected, the monkeys are not. Be aware they will jump on you and it can be alarming.

While the capybaras and squirrel monkeys are the best, the goats and pigs are also friendly and welcome treats. The time I went, there was even a contest to name the piglets. What I enjoyed most about the gardens is there isn’t hoards of people around. You can easily enjoy a stroll without the crowds. This place is amazing for friends, family or social events!

Recommendations

You need to have a strong selfie game because the monkeys will dig through your cabbage cup, and with their precise fingers, grab the bread crumbs. I recommend this selfie stick if you wanna get the best angles while taking photos. You don’t have very long until they move onto their next victim so be quick! Even though I’m giving fair warning, nothing compares to the experience of this soft fuzzy animal leaping on your shoulders. It’s definitely unexpected and you don’t see it coming.

As for the capybara, this gentle beast will slowly come up to you and wait to munch on the cabbage. All loose items should be put away because the capybara could eat it and the monkeys might take it.

Website

If you’re interested in the Southeast Botanical Gardens, visit their website here. They offer guidance in Chinese, English and Korean. Their staff and friendly and can speak English.

How To Get There

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