originally uploaded by okinawa hai.
CONTRIBUTED BY MEREDITH NOVARIO
Hark! A kid's pool. A FREE kid's pool. This pool rules. And don't forget a bathing cap.
I'm not sure when exactly it opens for the year but I'm guessing the beginning of May during Golden Week. Click on the picture above for more flattering images.
How to get your feet and knees in the pool:
North on 58 out of Kadena Gate One. Pass two lights. The second light will have a Lawson's and KFC to keep you oriented. Take first left after the second light. Navel Kadena will be on your left. This street will dead end at the park but you will not see the pool just yet. I recommend taking a left behind Navel Kadena and parking along that road. There are a couple of parking lots nearby but they are often manned by police and don't look welcoming to the public but I may be wrong. When you enter the park walk left and towards the sea-wall. You'll see baseball fields and playground equipment but keep going left and towards the water. In the other pictures of this pool you'll see an octopus-shaped slide. The head of the octopus is visible from various points in the park. Navigate according to the octopus head!
And while you're in the neighborhood, how about some soba with a view?
This pool is amazing it opened for the year on May 5th, and is closed on Mondays. I love taking my 3 kids (5,4,&16mo) there because it is the perfect size for them to roam free.
i have been to this pool many, many times and always parked on the street. today, another woman there told my friend that she got a ticket last year after parking on that street. as i left today, i did notice no parking signs (only visible when you are going away from the dead end, not driving in). i have parked there a lot with no trouble, but it may be safer to park in the navel kadena shopping center and walk out through the back.
Just a reminder that the pool has wierd hours. Opens 1-8 pm so its not open till the afternoon!
You can see the hours and schedule in the picture above. The afternoon opening is a bummer for sure! It actually closes at six not eight. He’ll let you in pretty late though. And don’t forget a bathing cap!
Does anyone know if this pool is now open? We managed to find it and it looked fantastic but was closed? On a Tuesday? Would love to know if anyone has been this summer.
I happened to walk by it a couple of weeks ago and there were a few parents and kids in there. We weren’t out to go swimming at the time, so I didn’t go in to check into it more.
Do you really need a swim cap to swim there?
Has anyone been there yet this year??? is it open yet ? and do u really need to wear a swim cap?
Yes, you really have to wear swim caps. The man that works with little booth will come out if you aren’t wearing one. He’ll make you get out – they have some there for you to borrow – but that’s kinda gross! The BX has them as well as the 100 yen stores. It’s our favorite place to go in the summer!
Does anyone know when this closes for the season?
the limit per adult is 2 children. So if you have 3 kids, make sure you come with another adult with 1 kid, or your husband, etc.