I just realized that though several other posts refer to the Nago Pineapple Park, we don't actually have a post on it. So here's my chance to fix that!
We went again yesterday afternoon with visiting family. It's definitely a HUGE tourist trap as can be guessed by the buses lined up outside. I generally shy away from these types of places, but I have to admit, I like it — especially on a rainy day.
Your first stop on the park tour is the "Pineapple Truck" (as my son calls it), an automatic little car ride that takes you out to see growing pineapples, bromeliads (same family evidently), spathiphyllum & anthuriums. Entrance fee is 500Y for adults, 250Y for kids (under 5 are free).
When you get off the little car, you then begin the feast! First, there is a chance to try their 3 kinds of pineapple wine, then you head into their food area and get to try other juices (lime, pineapple, goya (ACK!), mikan) as well as vinegars that they make from pineapple juice and brown sugar. THEN come the treats!! Pineapple pound cake, pineapple wine cake, pineapple chocolate, pineapple pie… you get the idea. Then there is a little area with beauty products made with pineapple and pineapple charcoal. Next is the all you can eat fresh pineapple area, followed by the truly tourist trap area — t-shirts, habu awamori, more boxed foods, shisa dogs, goya fans, etc, etc, etc. As you leave, there is ice cream (pineapple as one option, of course), some jewelry vendors and my favorite little guy who sells those wooden dragonflys that balance on your fingers!
All in all, it's a great place to take visitors because they get a chance to buy a lot of fun stuff to take home, it's a great place to stop if you didn't get a chance to have dessert before, and the kids LOVE the "Pineapple Truck"!
Extra options: For a full day of activities also consider lunch at Ufuya or Pizza in the Sky, and Mikan Picking, the Butterfly Park, Neo Park and/or the Aquarium.
Directions: Take the expressway all the way north til it ends. Continue driving north on 58. Turn left on 84 heading through Motubo penninsula. Look for the giant pineapple a little ways up on your right. And it's open 9am-6pm daily.
Thanks for this info….in all the years I have lived on this island, I have never been to the Pineapple Park but I just might have to make a trip up there now…sounds fun.
We just got back from rainy Okuma- and the Ufuya noodle restaurant. So amazing!!! WE LOVED IT!!! So worth the trip!!! Thanks for the directions, Kaho!
I thought I followed these directions, but the pineapple was on the right side of the road. It was obvious either way.
Thanks, Bethany!! BIG OOOPS. I fixed it in the directions!
We went yesterday for like the millionth time and the lady gave me a gift of pineapple charcoal. However, the directions are all in kanji so I have no idea what to use it for (the only thing I can read is pineapple charcoal). Does anyone else know what to do with the stuff?
Bambi – not sure if you are still looking for that info but on their website under the picture of the pineapple charcoal it says “A source of minus ions this charcoal is great for getting rid of odors, and protection against mold and mites.” Hope that helps!
Does anyone know if they take Visa in the gift shop at pineapple park?
They do, Jaime
Planning to do the Pineapple Park with visiting family. How much time should I plan for in the park?
I think the park is a half day kind of thing. MCCS tours+ does the Fruits park & Pineapple park together in their tour (they are right next to each other).
Also make sure you go ready to EAT and DRINK!! They have so many samples and the fresh pineapple is so good. They try to fill you up with liquids first so keep in miind there is a lot of food to try so keep the liquids to a minimum! LOL!
Can you only by the pineapple park products at the park, or do they sell them anywhere locally?
We went in March with a friend visiting from the states. All in all it was a good time with lots of yummy samples but there was major downer — I got my first (very VERY rude) arms crossed in X over chest “No Americans” while there from a vendor. It really did take me aback with just how rude the lady was about it especially as she is trying to sell me something else. Oh well.
Tara — a reader (Marc) had some good insight into what may have happened to you there — I’m posting his comment here:
The arms crossed in an ‘X’ does not only mean “No Americans”.
It can mean many things depending on the situation. I do not think the vendor would just make that sign for an American shopping, especially at a place that is popular and has many American customers.
You mention the vendor did this as she was “trying to sell” something else to you. I think you need to provide more detail about the situation so that other people can learn what may have triggered the vendor to do this.
Did the vendor actually say “No Americans” to you? Did she say anything?
If this happens at a popular place such as the Pineapple Park, you should have gone to an employee of the park to ask a supervisor or manager what the problem was. I am sure there are some English-speaking people working at the place.
Some vendors/shops do not like people taking photographs which can result in the X-arm sign.
The “X” sign for the Japanese is simply a way of communicating “no” or some version of that to you (stop, we don’t have any etc…). Having just lived in mainland Japan for 2 years it is common practice and has nothing to do with communicating “No Americans”. It is not intended to be offensive – it is simply a nonverbal method of communication. Hope this helps!!
This was a great day trip during my recent Okinawa vist. Could have stayed much longer, and I found the vendors very friendly and helpful. We were encouraged to try everything, and it was a great experience! Love the pineapple song, my grandson and I try to sing it. (or our English version
BTW, the pineapple vinegar was AMAZING!
hey guys i am going tomoroww to the pineapple park its my mom’s Birthday and i was wondering of any of you people knew if the directions are good. I wonder baceause i live on Lester Base were the Navy hospital is. So if u guys can plaes help me if out if there are better Directions it would mean alot to me
Thanx a bunc
In response to the comment by Alle for directions.
From Camp Lester, get on the Expressway, it is toll-free now (you still have to take a ticket at the entrance and give it to the attendant when you exit). The closest Interchange is 4, the one on Route 23/85, located between Kadena Air Base Gates 5 and 2.
On the Expressway go NORTH to NAGO. Go all the way to the last exit and then follow signs again for NAGO, ROUTE 58 NORTH.
This will take you through Nago City. Be sure to stay on ROUTE 58, as there is a sharp right-curved intersection when Route 449 starts on a left lane split.
You will then go only about 1.5kms to the left turn onto ROUTE 84 (there is a Lawson at this traffic signal intersection). The road winds up hill and the big Pineapple at the park entrance will be easily visible on the right hand side after about 1.5kms.
As pointed out at the end of the original article, you can easily combine a visit to the Nago Pineapple Park with other activities in the Nago or Motobu area. Or you could just drive around in the northern Okinawa roads admiring the beautiful lush green hills and mountains and the tropical blue/green ocean waters.
However, you should know that from mid-July to the beginning of September is the peak tourist season in Okinawa, with many places crowded and heavy traffic on the roads, especially on the weekends. Just plan on a little more time driving and possibly waiting in some lines at popular sights and venues.
In case you missed it in the first sentence of the article, here is the Nago Pineapple Park (ナゴパイナップルパーク) homepage website link. This portion of their website is in ENGLISH, and has a lot of information and photographs, all nicely presented and well-written.
http://www.nagopain.com/english/index.html
You may think that the website page address has an odd name, http://www.NAGO PAIN.com.
The Japanese word for pineapple is . . . pineapple (パイナップル). However it is pronounced [pa-ee-na-poo-roo] and thus the shortened version [pa-in] is pronounced [pa-ee-n] (not like the English word ‘pain’, meaning to hurt, which is pronounced the same as window ‘pane’).
The park includes: the cart tour through a Pineapple Field and Tropical Garden, a Shell Gallery and Shop, a small Pineapple Factory (where they show the processing activities) and Gallery with information, the Wine House with its unique Spanish-style influenced architecture, Souvenir shop (where, of course, you get to shop and taste various cakes and sweets, along with eating juicy chunks of freshly cut pineapple), and the Palm Tree Restaurant. You can see information on all these areas on the website.
There is a comment (Posted by: Kay|June 21, 2010) about the ‘Pineapple Song’. On the Japanese section of the webpage there is a video (YouTube link) where you can watch kids dancing at the park to this song, for more than six minutes! This is sort of the ‘official’ song for the Nago Pineapple Park.
http://www.nagopain.com/free91.html
A shortened version of that catchy ‘Pineapple Song’ video is occasionally used for the background on a local Okinawa TV weather forecast. The TV station also sometimes uses a different video with the same song and it can be viewed here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64K75F1zRhE
The song lyrics in Japanese are shown on the top of the screen with local weather forecast for various portions of Okinawa shown on the bottom.
If now you (most likely it is your kids) are really hooked on that song, there is a CD with three songs on it available to purchase for 500yen. It has all the lyrics (in Japanese) on the insert. You can buy it at the park.
http://www.nagopain.com/free93.html
http://shop.nagopain.com/itemcd0001.html
After hearing the song (over and over), you are probably humming the music trying to determine how to sing-a-long! ?? Maybe not….
For those hooked on the addictive chorus/refrain here are the lyrics to that portion of the song:
パパパパパパパ パイナップール
パパパパパパパ パイナップール
パパパイナップルパーク
pa pa pa pa pa pa pa pa ee na poo roo (pineapple)
pa pa pa pa pa pa pa pa ee na poo roo
pa pa pa ee na poo roo pa-a-ku (pineapple park, with long ‘ah’ to fit the music)
Hmmmm, I think I need to run to the store now and buy a fresh mango or bunch of bananas!
Thank you very much Marc!!! I did go today and it was actuly not crowed and there was no traffic on the way! I was such a fun time there!! Thanx again for the directions they really worked out for me!! I know this may sound a little Gushy but I think with out your directions I think I would have not the oppertunity to take My Mom to the Park, I have only been here for about 3 Weeks! I dont know much. So thanx again and take care
Bye, Love Alle
My family and I really enjoyed the pineapple park. The free samples and information were really great. These directions were easy to follow. Will definately go again with visiting family and friends!!
I ate a ton of samples today. Will def go back for more.
I Would like to take my hubby this Weekend. But its suppose to Rain. Is it okay to go when its rainy?
@Jessica R:
It’s indoors for the most part – the pineapple cart is covered and has rain curtains too.
I’m just wondering… is everything included in the admission price? All of these foods and drinks everyone is talking about?