Japan’s Okinawa Launches Innovative Junglia Nature Adventure Park Poised to Ignite Tourism Growth and Set New Standards for Adventure Travel Across Asia

Japan’s Okinawa is launching the groundbreaking Junglia Adventure Park to capitalize on the nation’s soaring tourism surge and meet the growing demand for unique, immersive travel experiences. With international visitor numbers hitting record highs and rising affluence across Asia, Junglia aims to offer unforgettable attractions that will strengthen Japan’s position as a top destination while driving significant economic growth in the region.

Japan’s Okinawa Set to Launch Junglia Nature Adventure Park Aiming to Ride Tourism Boom and Expand Across Asia

Japan’s southern island of Okinawa is preparing for the grand opening of Junglia, a vast new nature adventure park designed to capitalize on the country’s booming tourism industry. The ambitious project, set on a sprawling 60-hectare site that was once a golf course, promises visitors over twenty exciting attractions, including hot air balloon rides, buggy adventures, treetop walks, and a unique “Dinosaur Safari.” Scheduled to open on July twenty-fifth, Junglia is poised to become a fresh highlight in Japan’s diverse tourism landscape.

The brainchild of Tsuyoshi Morioka, CEO of the entertainment company Katana, Junglia represents a significant investment valued at approximately seventy billion yen (around six hundred thirty-four million U.S. dollars). Morioka, an experienced theme park innovator credited with revitalizing Universal Studios Japan in Osaka by introducing the immensely popular Harry Potter-themed areas, is confident that Junglia will tap into the growing demand for high-value, immersive tourism experiences.

Japan’s tourism sector is currently experiencing historic growth, driven in part by a weaker yen and increased international interest. Last year alone, the country welcomed nearly thirty-seven million foreign visitors, a forty-seven percent rise from the previous year, marking an all-time high. Tourist spending soared by fifty-three percent, reaching eight point one trillion yen (about fifty-five point six billion U.S. dollars). These figures place tourism as Japan’s second-largest export sector, trailing only behind automobile exports in GDP rankings.

Domestic enthusiasm for theme parks remains robust, with Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea consistently attracting visitors, and Universal Studios Japan maintaining strong popularity despite initial financial challenges. However, the amusement park sector in Japan is not without risk, as numerous ventures have struggled or failed. Yu Shioji, chairman of the Amusement Park Society of Japan, voiced skepticism about Junglia’s long-term prospects, highlighting competition from existing nature-focused parks and the relatively high admission prices—six thousand nine hundred thirty yen (approximately forty-eight dollars) for local residents and eight thousand eight hundred yen (around sixty dollars) for international tourists.

In contrast, Morioka maintains an optimistic outlook, basing his confidence on detailed analysis and projections. He estimates that Junglia has more than a seventy percent chance of success, expecting to attract several thousand guests daily. Even if the park captures only half the annual attendance of the nearby Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium—approximately three million visitors per year—it could still operate profitably. Morioka sees sustained growth potential in Japan’s theme park and premium tourism sectors, bolstered by rising affluence across Asia, which is expanding the market for luxury and unique travel experiences.

Supporting this vision, the Japanese government aims to increase inbound tourists to sixty million annually by 2030, continuing to drive demand for innovative attractions like Junglia. Morioka foresees the park as a potential model for expansion into other Asian markets. Unlike the mega-theme parks such as Disney and Universal Studios Japan, Junglia’s more modest scale and budget—below one hundred billion yen—could allow for easier replication in countries like Taiwan and Indonesia, where tourism infrastructure is rapidly developing.

To finance future growth, Katana is considering a public listing, which could provide capital for launching additional parks. Morioka also envisions leveraging Japan’s rich cultural assets, particularly anime, to create theme parks centered around popular intellectual properties. If content creators agree to license their works, such parks could tap into global fanbases and strengthen Japan’s cultural tourism appeal.

Junglia’s launch reflects a strategic blend of nature, adventure, and entertainment designed to meet evolving traveler expectations. By combining outdoor exploration with themed attractions, the park aims to offer a fresh alternative to traditional amusement venues. As Japan’s tourism boom shows no sign of slowing, ventures like Junglia could play a pivotal role in shaping the region’s travel landscape over the coming decade.