Manta Park's Giant Slide in Awase

A Thrilling 75 Meter Long Roller Glide

Michael Flemming Apr 12, 2013 - 1 min read

<p>The roller slide at Manta Park or Manta Kouen in the Awase District of Okinawa City</p>

<p>The slide consists of hundreds and hundreds of rubber covered metal rollers</p>

<p>The safety cage along the track helps to alleviate pre-slide jitters</p>

<p>The slide begins from the thrid story of an observation tower that is elevated about five meters above the level of the rest of Manta Park</p>

<p>Try crouching on a piece of cardboard to build up speed</p>

<p>The towering slide looks like a monorail track</p>

<p>The sloped area around the elevated observatin tower features a rope climb, rock climbing, and a fallen tree climb</p>

<p>Manta park also features large grassy fields, a basketball court, covered picnic tables, and a playground</p>

A mere playground can be an amazing find for those unaccustomed to seeing the giant roller slides that are in many of Okinawa's municipal parks. Situated in Manta Park a couple of stone throws away from Route 85 and the Pacific Ocean coastline of the Awase District in Okinawa.City, this slide is a head turner. The slide consists of hundreds and hundreds of rubber covered rollers along a half meter wide track that plunges from the third story of an elevated observation tower for a 75 meter long ride. Scale the observation tower, assume the position, and slingshot your way on a bumpy but swift journey. The park is open to the public and also features a basketball court, grassy fields, a playground, restrooms, and covered picnic tables. There are about 10 parallel parking spots along the roadway on the south side of the park.

Michael Flemming @michael.flemming

I'm a wanderer in Okinawa turning over every stone I can find. I write, photograph and blog about my favorite finds here in Japan's southernmost prefecture.