February 18, 2016 • mccsokinawa.com
N Thomas Alan Smilie
ow a large part of Japanese culture, from its business mascots to its merchandise, Japan looks like it was dipped in a bubblegum vat of kawaii (cute). And in this culture of cute, loveable, fuzzable, squeezable, real-life animals fit right in. Even more appropriate are the places to get up close with cute—petting zoos. Unsurprisingly, Okinawa has plenty of these fuzzy opportunities and of course we explored them. Southeast Botanical Gardens Walk through an enclosure filled with curious squirrel monkeys, vying for your attention and your food, and one wire-haired rodent of unusual size, the capybara. There is another pet-
inside
ting zoo; this one is self-serve meaning “pay the small fee on honor-code,” and then hand-feed the animals a cup of lettuce leaves. This one has the odd, but adorable, array of rabbits, chickens and one slothful tortoise. Bios on the Hill The more-rugged pick, Bios on the Hill features an orchid paradise, a jungle cruise along a river and a ride on a buffalo cart. Take a happy goat for a walk or feed some mini pigs. Okinawa Kodomo no Kuni Located near the back of the zoo, find the soft and the sweet—goats, chicks, rabbits, turtles and
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guinea pigs to have and to hold in the petting zoo. Or to hold and to wish to have. Neo Park A cross between a zoo and botanical garden, Neo Park has many free-roaming animals. There is a separate petting zoo area with goats, pigs, a tortoise, llamas and capybaras. There is also the smaller (and thus cuter, according to the scientific rules of cute) rabbits, guinea pigs and small dogs to play with. Contact your local MCCS Tours+ office for discount tickets to these locations. Cuddle up with kawaii because technically, you’re embracing culture when you embrace that tiny llama.
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