Snakes take center stage at Okinawa World New Year

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A picture with a white python is definitely a photo with difference.

The events being scheduled by Okinawa World for the final days of 2014 are not necessarily for the squeamish, but they’re definitely adventures.

Okinawa World, also known as Gyokusendo southeast of Naha City, has chosen five special activities to close out the year, including the White snake shrine, a handmade special shrine that enshrines a white snake that will appear. The snake is sometimes believed to be a messenger of God or incarnate of God since early times, and it’s customary to make a wish to the white snake. There will also be photo opportunities with the white snake in another booth. If you want, you can take a picture with white snake in other booth. The action is in the free area.

The events run December 27^th through January 4^th. Entry to Okinawa World is 9 a.m. ~ 6 p.m., with last admission at 5 p.m. The entrance ticket covers Gyokusendo Cave, Kingdom Village and the Habu Center. The adult fee is ¥1,650, while the child ticket is ¥830. There are no supplemental fees to enjoy events in the free areas.

There’s more for those who look for a thrill. Exploration of a snake forest in the dark is an experience with fear. People should walk ahead through an area where a number of snakes have been released in the dark. The adventure runs daily 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. and costs ¥300. There’s also a Habu show where visitors can see a handy size white-and-red snake and habu show. The white-and-red snake show runs January 1^st ~ 4^th10:30 a.m. to noon, and 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The habu shows January 1^st ~ 4^th are at 11 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

A Flower maze is open, with a large variety of flowers will be there. There are spots for photo shooting December 27^th~ January 4^th in the free area. There is also a Petting Zoo where visitors can pet sheep, the symbol of next year in the Chinese astrological calendar. The Petting Zoo is in the free area January 1^st ~ 4^th from 10:30 a.m. ~ 4:30 p.m. Visitors can also enjoy a clown Kotora performance on the 1^st through the 4^th at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. in the free area. There will also be fortune-telling booths and a Japanese halberd performance by Chinen high school students.