Asunaro Children’s Park

CONTRIBUTED BY KARA PIERACCINI

Okinawa parks are amazing. Many times, the playground equipment is its own art form. I’ve seen Shisa Dogs, treehouses, elephants, dolphins, and this park has an octopus. Surprisingly, this isn’t the first such playground structure I’ve seen on-island.

The octopus is an orange-red color and full of nooks and crannies to explore. Kids can climb to the top to look over the park or slide down one of the many slides. I know we counted them and I don’t remember the exact number, but there are more slides on this octopus than tentacles. The octopus also has tunnels to crawl through and walls to climb.

The park also has swings, a jungle gym, monkey bars, and a few animals for the kids to sit and rock on. The park also has shade and bathrooms. There isn’t really any parking, but it’s in a neighborhood, so it can be found.

Directions: From Foster – Go out the Legion Gate. At the light, make a right onto 330. At the light when 330 turns left and 81 goes straight, make the left onto 330. You’ll pass Futenma on the right. Take a left at the first street after the Ginowan City Offices, the street is at a stoplight. You’ll see the park a block ahead on the left.

From Kadena – Go out Gate 2. Make a right onto 330. Pass Plaza Housing and the Legion Gate of Foster. At the light when 330 turns left and 81 goes straight, make the left onto 330. You’ll pass Futenma on the right. Take a left at the first street after the Ginowan City Offices, the street is at a stoplight. You’ll see the park a block ahead on the left.

GPS coordinates: 26.280143,127.779343