Dino Park is located next to Okashigoten, the Sweet Potato Factory place on route 84 in Nago, and is basically a lush forest setting with a bunch of dinosaur figures situated throughout the forest. I honestly wasn't expecting much out of it, but enjoyed it way more than I was expecting! The forest was gorgeous, incredibly lush and full of lots of different flowers and nice resting areas. The dinosaurs were also great. Some of them moved and made noises when you walked by and little G loved it!

Once we had finished walking through the forest, we made it back to the top and were super excited to see a kids area with a stegosaurus slide and some ride on dinosaurs. We thought they were just the kind of lame ride where the kid sits on the dinosaur and it bucks up and down a little... but no! It actually walked and little G got to steer the dinosaur. It was awesome and totally made everyones day! They also had a dinosaur that you put 500yen in and it lays an egg (that has a dinosaur puzzle inside!).

The shop was also big and full of dinosaur goods including stuffed toys, figurines, shirts, cookied and T-rex skull shaped senbei (which we got, of course!).

All in all, I was pleasantly surprised by Dino Park. For the adults, it feels like walking around in Jurassic park and is a lovely setting, and for kids, it's awesome! If you're in northern Okinawa, I think it's worth checking out.

Dino Park, Nago

The misty mountains and lush forest added to the Jurassic Park feel

Dino Park

Selfie time!

Not sure what these flowers are called but they were beautiful

T-Rex!

The park wasn't all dinos.

Loved this flower

Orchid growing on the side of a tree

Brachiosaurus family

Oviraptor

Baby triceratops

I can't remember the name of this one but in Jurassic Park it killed Newman...

dragonfly

Pteranodon

In the kids play area

Stego-slide

You could actually ride the dinos! This is a total winner!

The store has the biggest range of dino goods in Okinawa

The park is open from 10:00 to 18:00 daily. The entry fee is ¥800 for adults over 18 years of age and ¥500 for children.

Even though I have been here almost 2 weeks, I feel as though I have spent all that time running around sorting out boring registration type things, like inspecting rentals, registering my residency, setting up a bank account and getting a pension book. I have, however, managed to fit in a trip to Churaumi Aquarium and lots of shopping.

 

Our view from the aquarium cafe

One of the many flower statues at Ocean Expo Park

I forced myself to spend some time winding down this weekend and did a puzzle and spent some quality time on the beach even though the weather has been miserable. Also, my Kindle arrived, so it's been hard to put it down and make myself sleep of a night.

This weekend I have also had the chance to meet some of my neighbours and everyone has been really sweet, curious and friendly about the gaijin family that has moved into the big house. 

I really hope all goes well with my first day tomorrow!