The Okinawa Zoo and Museum near Kadena Air Base will celebrate some of its older residents on Respect for the Aged Day on Sept. 15. (Photo courtesy of Okinawa Zoo and Museum)
Grandparents and the elderly are celebrated every year in Japan on Sept. 15. The special day is called Respect for the Aged Day. It’s common practice to prepare gifts to celebrate their grandparents and parents on the day.
The celebration even extends to pets and animals.
The Okinawa Zoo and Museum near Kadena Air Base will mark the occasion by hosting a celebration for seven of its residents.
The zoo’s 47-year-old chimpanzee, 26-year-old mandrill, 48-year-old hippopotamus, 29-year-old Jeju horses, 18-year-old Kuchinoshima-ushi (indigenous cattle of Kuchinoshima island of Kagoshima prefecture), 29-year-old giant anteater, and sheep (age unknown) will receive special treats on Monday.
It’s been a while since Okinawa gave up its title as the prefecture with the best longevity. In 2020, Okinawan women dropped to sixteenth place while Okinawan men fell to 43rd place in the country. Looking at these animals, however, you can see the island of Okinawa still has something magical to help longevity.
To commemorate this special day, the zoo will also offer free admission to those ages 65 and older.
Why not come to Okinawa Zoo & Museum and let the animals inspire you to live long?
Choju Dobutsu Iwai (Celebration of animals’ longevity)
Location: Okinawa Zoo and Museum (26.327701, 127.803037, main gate)
Date: Sept. 15 (Mon.)
Time: 10 a.m. (Suguru, a chimpanzee), 10:30 a.m. (Chakichi, a mandrill, and Momoe, a hippopotamus), 11 a.m. (Popo, a sheep), 2 p.m. (Maaru and Wally, two Jeju horses, Shinobu, a Kuchinoshima cattle, plus Esperanza, a giant anteater)
Hours for the zoo: 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (last admission at 4:30 p.m.)
Admission fee: 1,000 yen (approx. $6.81) for those 16 years old and above. Free admission for those 15 years old and below.
*On Monday Sept. 15, free admission will be granted to ages 65 and above.
AloJapan.com