Okinawa Nago Day Trip | Okashi Goten × DINO Dinosaur Park — Souvenirs × Subtropical Forest Adventure, All in One Stop
When you’re planning a self-drive trip to Okinawa with a northern Okinawa leg, the Nago area is one of the best stopover spots to add to your route. Today we’re introducing «Okashi Goten Nago Branch» and its neighbor «DINO Dinosaur Park» — a classic combo where one side has Okinawa’s most iconic souvenirs, and the other lets you wander through a subtropical forest meeting 80+ dinosaurs. A course both adults and kids can enjoy together.
Getting There | How to Reach Okashi Goten × DINO Dinosaur Park
・By Rental Car (Most Recommended)
For exploring northern Okinawa, a rental car is by far the most convenient option. From central Naha, the drive takes about 1 hour 30–40 minutes (depending on traffic). Take the Okinawa Expressway, exit at «Kyoda IC», and continue another 15 minutes to arrive.
The site has a large free parking lot (about 100 cars + 15 buses), shared between Okashi Goten and DINO Dinosaur Park. Park once and you can walk to both spots.
If you haven’t decided on transportation yet, we recommend GO!GO!TOUR Car Rental — English support, transparent pricing, and an easy way to plan your northern Okinawa road trip.
・Public Transport
If you’re not driving, you can also reach the area by bus, but service is less frequent and timing matters. Take a highway bus from Naha bound for Nago, get off near Nago, then transfer to a local bus or taxi. Total travel time is about 2 hours or more — better suited to travelers with extra time or no plans to drive.
Address: 1024-1 Nakayama, Nago, Okinawa | 沖縄県名護市中山1024-1
Before You Go | Hours, Prices & Payment at a Glance
Okashi Goten and DINO Dinosaur Park share the same site, but the way you “enter” each is a little different — Okashi Goten’s souvenir shop is free admission, while the dinosaur park requires a ticket. Here’s a side-by-side overview:
| Item | Okashi Goten Nago | DINO Dinosaur Park |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Souvenir shop (factory-style) | Forest-trail-style dinosaur theme park |
| Hours | 9:00–18:00 | 9:00–18:00 (last entry 17:30) |
| Price | Free admission | Adults ¥1,000 | Kids (4–15) ¥600 |
| Time needed | 30–60 min | 30–40 min one loop |
| Payment | Cash, credit card, e-money (PayPay, Alipay, etc.) | Cash, credit card |
| Closed | Open year-round | Open year-round (occasional closures) |
(Please refer to the official site for the most up-to-date hours and pricing.)
👉 Plan around 1.5–2 hours total for both — perfect as a midway stop on a northern Okinawa itinerary. Group discounts are available for 15+ guests (Adults ¥900 / Kids ¥500).
Okashi Goten Nago | More Than Just Beni-imo Tart
Okashi Goten is one of Okinawa’s most iconic souvenir brands, and its signature item is undoubtedly the beni-imo tart (a sweet purple-sweet-potato tart). But beyond the famous tart, the store carries a wide range of sweets — everything looks delicious!
The beni-imo tart is so popular they even released a beni-imo plush toy! (lol)
The Nago branch is sizable — not only does it sell every imaginable souvenir, but it also has a bit of a working-factory atmosphere, and if you’re lucky you can catch the production process in action. The building itself is in Ryukyu-style architecture, with a spacious white interior where you can see the subtropical forest through the windows — a rare sight for a souvenir shop, and great for photos too.
Boxed sets are great for gifts, but if you just want to taste, the individually packaged options are incredibly handy — perfect for travelers who want to try a bit of everything. Payment is also flexible: in addition to cash and credit cards, PayPay, Alipay, Suica and other e-money are all accepted, so paying is easy for international travelers.
DINO Dinosaur Park | A Subtropical Forest Adventure
Right next door, «DINO Dinosaur Park» is actually a trail-style attraction set inside a forest. The whole site is surrounded by lush subtropical vegetation, including the giant tree fern Hikagehego, which you’ll spot throughout the park. Combined with the dinosaur installations, the atmosphere really feels like “stepping into Jurassic World.”
Once you head inside and follow the trail, you’ll come across all kinds of dinosaur figures (over 80 in the park), some of which move and produce sounds. The vibe really feels like adventuring through a subtropical jungle — dense trees, dinosaurs appearing from time to time, and a strong sense of presence.
The trail is roughly a loop, and one full circuit takes about 30–40 minutes. The slopes aren’t steep, but some sections can be a little slippery — comfortable shoes are recommended. Signs are placed along the way so getting lost isn’t really a concern, and there’s a rest area mid-route if you need a break.
There’s quite a variety of dinosaurs — Tyrannosaurus, Stegosaurus, Triceratops, the long-necked Brachiosaurus, all the classics. Some have sound effects and motion, which can feel a bit intense up close. There’s even a dinosaur egg hunt hidden along the trail — a small game that makes the visit even more fun for kids.
👉 If your child is young or sensitive to loud noises and surprise reveals, they might get startled.
👉 If your child is a dinosaur lover or a Jurassic World fan, they’re usually going to have a blast.
Overall, how much you (or your kids) enjoy this spot really depends on personal taste for dinosaurs.
After the Trail | Dinosaur Merch + a VR Experience
Once you exit the forest, there’s another souvenir shop with tons of dinosaur figures to choose from — from cute SD-style characters to highly realistic models. Dinosaur-loving kids will be spoiled for choice.
There’s also a paid VR attraction where it feels like time-traveling back to the dinosaur era — a nice bonus to wrap up the visit.
DINO Dinosaur Park vs. Nago Pineapple Park | Which One Should You Pick?
Near Okashi Goten, there’s actually another popular spot — Nago Pineapple Park. The two are close, and many travelers struggle to choose between them. Here’s a quick style comparison:
| Item | DINO Dinosaur Park | Nago Pineapple Park |
|---|---|---|
| Theme & Vibe | Realistic, subtropical forest adventure | Cute & cartoonish, easy to photograph |
| Movement | On foot (loop trail) | Driverless park cart + walking |
| Time needed | ~30–40 min | ~60–90 min |
| Best for | Dinosaur fans, adventure-seekers | Families, couples, leisurely photo time |
| Adult ticket | ¥1,000 | ~¥1,200 |
(Please refer to the official site for the most up-to-date hours and pricing.)
For a quick visit with strong atmosphere, choose Dinosaur Park. For a relaxed photo trip with the cart ride, go with Pineapple Park. If you have time, visiting both is totally doable — they’re really close.
Recommended For
- Families with kids — Dinosaur-loving kids won’t want to leave
- Self-drive travelers — A perfect stop on the way back from Churaumi Aquarium or Kouri Island
- One-stop souvenir shoppers — Skip the detour and stock up here
- Travelers who avoid heat & sun — Lots of shade in the forest, much easier than beach spots
Wrap-Up | Add Okashi Goten + DINO Dinosaur Park to Your Nago Itinerary
All in all, Okashi Goten + DINO Dinosaur Park works beautifully as an “easy stopover” on a northern Okinawa trip.
Other nearby spots you can pair with this stop:
- Nago Pineapple Park — Cute vibes, easy photo ops
- Kouri Ocean Tower — Sweeping views of Kouri Bridge
- Churaumi Aquarium — One of northern Okinawa’s signature attractions
