Nago

I came here to see the sand cats and red pandas. The sand cats were sleeping the whole time, but their cute sleeping faces were soothing. The rare animal exhibits were also worth seeing. Sakura-chan the red panda was so cute I couldn't leave. You can feed her treats. I was very happy that I was able to purchase tickets at a discount.

Because of the distance and long travel time, I was able to catch up on sleep on the bus since I woke up early. The tour leader was Japanese, mainly speaking Japanese, but we could also communicate in English. The weather was great, so the itinerary went smoothly. The tour leader clearly explained the meeting time at each stop, so be sure to be on time. After the guided tour at the Tropical Dream Center, those who had ordered Okinawa noodle sets would be provided with lunch before the tour ended. I recommend paying extra for the meal included; the portions were generous, and I personally thought it was quite delicious. After lunch, you can take the shuttle bus to the Churaumi Aquarium. If you don't want to wait for the shuttle bus, it's not too far to walk. Since I had been to the aquarium twice before, I had a general idea of the layout. For those who haven't been before, I suggest looking at a map beforehand, as the park is very large. Make sure you know where the parking lot is and allow time to walk to it so you don't rush.

I tried a small group activity once. I initially thought it would be a large group going together, but it turned out to be a group of 5 including the instructor. The other Japanese couple we were with were also very nice, so it was a great experience.

The activity only lasts about 15 minutes, and there aren't many opportunities to participate. But it's still worth a try.