Nov 11, 2013 - 1 min read

Tobaru Park's Big Slide in Chatan

83 meters of exhilaration

By Michael Flemming

Community writer

The roller slide at Tobaru Park is something to behold - so big, so long, and so high

The steps leading to the top of the slide are steep and seemingly endless

The slide can be admired to the left while scaling the steps

There's a four story tall observation tower on top of the hill at Tobaru Park

A hiking trail that starts just behind the observation tower

The slide as viewed from the top of the observation tower

The slide as seen looking down from inside the entrance

The safety cage runs along the entire length of the slide

The first half of the slide isn't steep, but the last half is

The Tobara Park slide's rollers have separated plastic pieces that allows fast movement to the bottom of the hill

The writing on the slide reads "Tobaru Koen" meaning Tobaru Park

There's other intersting equipment for children to explore at Tobaru Park

One of the most well-known treasures of Chatan Town isn't in the trendy Mihama American Village shopping district along Route 58 but is hidden in the hills high above the ocean.Tobaru Park is a mixed use recreational area with jogging and hiking trails, wide open grassy areas and lots of athletic courts a fields. It's best known for it fast 83 meter long roller slide that is a must see if visiting central Okinawa with children. The slide and nearby playground equipment will keep them excited and busy. There are restroom facilities and vending machines inside the park. Tobaru Park is very difficult to find. My best recommendation is to go south from the Lawson convenience store on Route 23 and look up past the buildings for the wooded hill and observation tower that can be seen from the roadway. The park is accessible 24 hours a day but the parking areas are cordoned off during the late evening and early morning hours.