30 things to do in Okinawa and experience the unique natural environment of Kyushu

Okinawa Prefecture is located at the southern end of Kyushu Island, Japan. It has a unique natural environment. In addition to the folk architecture of Southeast Asia, China, and Japan, it has a more unique American style than mainland Japan. Okinawa's unique geographical location gives it a rare subtropical scenery in Japan. The palm trees, beaches, and seawater on the island form a beautiful scenery, which makes it known as the "Hawaii of the East" and a famous holiday resort. You can go to the sea to play all year round from the end of March to mid-October. In the following article, we will introduce you to 31 things worth experiencing in Okinawa according to the region. When you visit Okinawa, you may wish to use it as a reference.

01 World Heritage "Shuri Castle" and Touring the Castle (Naha City)



Shuri Castle was built in the late 13th century and early 14th century. It was the capital and royal palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom from the 15th century to the 19th century, and was therefore the center of politics and power in the Ryukyu Kingdom. Its layout was based on the Forbidden City of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Shuri Castle was destroyed four times, and was rebuilt for the last time in 1992. It was recognized as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage in December 2000. Shuri Castle holds lantern activities every day, and Ryukyu dance performances are held three times a day on Wednesdays, Fridays, weekends and holidays, which tourists can watch for free. In addition, the "Shuri Castle Festival" held every year and the "Kim Gwi-In Castle Cherry Blossom Festival" held in the "Kim Gwi-In Castle" are very popular.




Shuri Castle Park (Shuri Castle)
place: Okinawa Pref. Nahashi Shurikinjouchou 1-2
phone: 0988862020

Nakijin Castle Ruins
place: Okinawa Pref. Kunigamigunnakijinson Imadomari 5101
phone: 0980-56-4400

02 Naha's main street "Kokusai-dori" (Naha City)



Okinawa was almost reduced to ruins due to the destruction of the war during World War II, but the locals still lived optimistically in the reconstruction. Kokusai-dori was born out of this optimistic attitude towards life. Today, there are shops of all sizes on both sides of the street, where you can buy all the popular products and delicacies of Okinawa, such as Okinawan steak, brown sugar, and sea salt ice cream with local characteristics, as well as souvenir shops such as the Little Lion and the Salt House selling Okinawan salt.




International Street
place: Okinawa ken Naha city

03 Go to a local supermarket with reasonable prices (Naha City)



"SAN-A Naha main place" is a large supermarket in Naha and a major shopping place for locals. The store has a wide variety of goods at affordable prices. In addition to shopping, you can also enjoy watching movies and eating. In addition, "Don Quijote" on Kokusai Street is also a good shopping place. The store has a variety of daily necessities, as well as many gifts and delicacies with Okinawa characteristics. "Kinchu Cake" and "Sweet Potato Tart" are good choices.




SAN-A NAHA MAIN PLACE
place: Okinawa Pref. Nahashi Omoromachi 4-4-9
phone: 098-951-3300

Don Quijote Kokusai-dori
place: Matsuo 2-8-19, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture
phone: 0989512311

04 Naha City’s Kitchen “Daiichi Makishi Public Market” (Naha City)



From Kokusai-dori, walk along the main street of the market and you will reach the "First Makishi Public Market", where all kinds of Okinawan ingredients are gathered, including meat, fish, dried goods, etc., as well as Okinawan specialties such as bitter melon, turmeric, loofah, pig's trotters, etc. In addition, there are many local specialty food stores here. You can taste Okinawan specialty pork and egg rice balls at the "Pork and Egg Rice Ball Main Store", and walking on the paths in the market is also a unique experience.





First Makishi Public Market
Place: 2-10-1 Matsuo, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture

Pork and Egg Rice Ball Makishi Market Store
Place: 2-8-35 Matsuo, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture
Phone: 098-867-9550

05 Enjoy Okinawan cuisine



Okinawa has a rich food culture. In addition to the famous pork and egg rice balls, there are many local delicacies worth trying. For example, sea grapes are a type of seaweed, named after their grape-like appearance. They are rich in fiber and minerals and are known as plant caviar. Okinawa soba noodles are not made of buckwheat flour, but wheat flour, and have a unique taste. Braised pork is one of Okinawa's local dishes, which is fat but not greasy, and the meat is tender. There are also desserts such as peanut tofu.




06 The world's largest water tank "Churaumi Aquarium" (Motobu Town)



Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium displays the mysterious marine life world of Okinawa. The display window of the aquarium is 8.2 meters high, 22.5 meters wide and 60 centimeters thick, which is the largest tank in the world. The world's largest fish, whale sharks, swim in the Kuroshio Sea. The Deep Sea reproduces the mysterious deep sea world of Okinawa, and you can further experience the charm of the Okinawa Sea. In addition, walking in Ocean Expo Park is also a good way to relax your mind and body.




Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
Place: Okinawa Pref. Kunigamigunmotobuchou Ishikawa 424 (inside Ocean Expo Park)
Phone: 0980-48-3748

07 Japan's largest "Gyokusendo Cave" (Nanjo City)



Gyokusen Cave is the largest stalactite cave in Okinawa and the second largest in Japan. It is also the largest stalactite cave in Southeast Asia, about 5 kilometers long. It is said that there are more than 1 million stalactites in the cave, and the number is still increasing. Gyokusen Cave is a work of art created by nature over 300,000 years. The "Blue Spring" and stalactites are arranged just right, spectacular and beautiful. The stalagmites and stalactites in the cave create a fantastic visual feast under the projection of lights.



Okinawa World (Culture Kingdom・Gyokusendo)
Place: Okinawa Pref. Nanjoushi Tamagusuku Maekawa 1336
Phone: 098-949-7421

08 "Kouri Bridge" and "Kouri Island" (Nakijin Village)



Kouri Island is about 1.5 kilometers away from Okinawa Island. The whole island is a very spiritual place. The legend of the origin of the Ryukyu people is spread here. It is famous for its secret places and superb scenery. It is the island of gods in Okinawa. Kouri Island is not large in area and can be visited in 20 minutes by car. Another must-see attraction is the Kouri Bridge, which spans the beautiful blue ocean and connects Kouri Island in Nakijin Village and Yagaji Island in Nago City. It is 1,960 meters long and is the second longest bridge connecting outlying islands in Okinawa Prefecture. It is free to pass and is a great choice for a drive. In addition, don't forget to take photos near the famous "Heart-shaped Rock"!



Kouri Island
place: Okinawa Pref. Kunigamigunnakijinson Kouri

Kouri Bridge
place: Okinawa Pref. Kunigamigunnakijinson Kouri

09 Enjoy the fun of nature in Yanbaru (Higashimura)



Yanbaru is located in the northern part of Okinawa, and is a place where you can fully enjoy the charm of nature, with many rare plants and species. You can go canoeing in the valley and explore the mangroves. If you want to experience nature at night, don't miss the night mountain tour experience. Walking in the dark with only flashlights can inspire your adventurous heart and experience the different charm of Okinawa.





Yamahara National Park
place: Okinawa Prefecture Kunigami-gun Kotohira Village, Ogimi village

Uwaga Jungle
place: Okinawa Pref. Nanjoushi Tamagusuku Maekawa 1336 Okinawa World Visitor Cabin
phone: 09045154489

10. Head to the island’s stunning beaches



One of the most fun parts of Traveling in Okinawa is going to the beach to soak up the sun and relax. There are many beaches on the main island, with vast sea areas and very convenient transportation. You can choose different beaches according to your preferences. If you don't like crowded places, you can go to Beach51 or Hyakuna Beach; if you want to swim, Niihara Beach and Ikei Beach are good choices; if you like beaches with beautiful natural environments, then we recommend you to go to Kouri Beach, etc.

Niihara Beach・Hyakuna Beach
place：Okinawa Pref. Nanjoushi Tamagusuku Hyakuna
phone：0989481103

Sunset Beach
place：Okinawa Pref. Nakagamigunchatanchou Mihama 2

Sesoko Beach
place：Okinawa Pref. Kunigamigunmotobuchou Sesoko

Emerald Beach
place：Okinawa Pref. Kunigamigunmotobuchou Ishikawa 424 Ocean Expo Park
phone：0980-48-2741

11. Kerama Islands: Day Trip



The Kerama Islands are composed of about 20 islands, some inhabited and some uninhabited. Among them, Aka Island was selected as one of the "100 Best Beaches in the World" by the American media, and the "Furuzamami Beach" on Zamami Island was selected as one of the recommended Travel options for Japanese beaches in 2018. At the same time, the waters of the Kerama Islands are very transparent and clear, and are a well-known diving destination in the world, and are also a very suitable place for whale watching.




Aka Island
place：Okinawa Prefecture Shimajirigunzamamison Aka

Zamami Island
place：Okinawa Prefecture Shimajiri-gun Zamami-son

Kume Island
place：Okinawa Prefecture Shimajirigunkumejimachou

12. Enjoy Okinawa's Nightlife (Naha City)



If you feel that you have not had enough sightseeing in Okinawa during the day, you can continue to enjoy the colorful nightlife. The Yatai Village on Kokusai-dori Street gathers 20 restaurants of different styles, and it is even more lively at night. There are often Okinawan song performances and various theme activities. In addition, the "1000 yen bar" in the first Makishi public market is also a good place to go at night. You can drink to your heart's content for only 1,000 yen.




Kokusai-dori Yatai Village
place: Okinawa Pref. Nahashi Makishi 3-11-16, 17

epicaokinawa
place: Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture
phone: 07038519056

13. Enjoy Ryukyu Music



If you want to enjoy the nightlife during your trip in a lively and pleasant way, then we recommend you to go to an izakaya with live performances of island songs (Okinawan folk songs). There are many such folk song izakayas in Okinawa. Island songs are traditional folk songs in Okinawa and other places. The melodies are simple and natural, and people can't help but follow the rhythm. Jisake Yokocho is one of the folk song izakayas. Here you can enjoy the island songs while tasting the food and enjoy a holiday that is only available in Okinawa.

14. Blue Cave (Onna Village)



When talking about Okinawa, one will think of the transparent blue sea, and the best way to enjoy the sea is diving. Onna Village is a famous resort in Japan, with many places suitable for diving and snorkeling, and Cape Maeda is one of them. The uplifted coral reefs formed the steep Cape Maeda and went deep into the sea, reflecting the magnificence of nature. There is also a trail that leads down to the seaside, and diving to watch tropical fish and coral reefs is an excellent experience.



Cape Maeda (Blue Cave)
Place: Okinawa Pref. Kunigamigunonnason Maeda 469-1
Phone: 098-982-5339

15. Gangala Valley



Gangala Valley is located between the forest and caves in southern Okinawa. It is an ancient and mysterious place. In 2016, the world's oldest fishhook was excavated, which suggests that primitive humans once lived here. You must make a reservation in advance to participate in the Gangala Valley tour. During the tour, you will be accompanied by a guide and will give you a detailed explanation. In addition, if you come here, don't miss the "Cave Cafe" located at the entrance.



Gangala Gorge
place: Okinawa Pref. Nanjoushi Tamagusuku Maekawa 202
phone: 098-948-4192

16. Great Scenic Spot "Mazamo"



Manzamo is located on a cliff in Okinawa Kaigan Quasi-National Park. "Manzamo" means a grassland that can accommodate 10,000 people. The natural grassland here is endless, and the surrounding plant communities are designated as natural monuments by Okinawa Prefecture. Looking from the cliff, you can not only enjoy the sea and sky, but also overlook the coral reefs under the cliffs. From a distance, the shape of Manzamo looks like an elephant's head, especially the nose part is very lifelike.

Manzamo
place: Okinawa Pref. Kunigamigunonnason Onna

17. Enjoy the traditional art performance "Eisa"



You can enjoy the traditional Okinawan art of Eisa Taiko at Ryukyu Mura and Okinawa World. The 64th Okinawa Taiko Festival will be held in August 2019. The performance teams will wear uniform costumes, beat Taiko drums, and dance to beautiful folk songs and the soul-stirring sounds of the shamisen. The drums will resound through the sky, the dances will be exquisite and gorgeous, and the scene will be magnificent and majestic, which is absolutely breathtaking.



18. Umikaji Terrace, Senaga Island



Senagajima Umikaji Terrace is a new complex shopping mall that opened in Okinawa in the summer of 2015. It is close to Naha Airport and has very convenient transportation. Here you can taste Okinawa's unique cuisine and enjoy the sea view while enjoying the food. In addition, there are specialty shops where you can buy gems and handicrafts made in OKINAWA, SPA and water entertainment facilities. The exotic white buildings of Senagajima coupled with the blue sea of ​​Okinawa make people feel like they are on the streets of the Mediterranean. After nightfall, the lights gradually light up and turn into a fantasy world different from the daytime. Holographic projection performances are held regularly in different time periods at night. The six performances start at 7:00 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8:00 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 9:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. respectively. The performances are held all year round, even on rainy days.



Senagajima Umikaji Terrace.
place: Okinawa Pref. Tomigusukushi Senaga 174-6
phone: 098-851-7446

19. Okinawa's fashionable district "Minatogawa Waijin Residence"



"Minatogawa Gaijin Residence" is located in Minatogawa 2-chome, Urasoe City. Each alley here is named after an American place name. There are many houses with fresh colors that blend Japanese and Western styles, as well as cafes, restaurants and specialty shops, forming a charming landscape. Every corner has its own characteristics, waiting for you to discover it yourself. Especially the Japanese-style shops, wherever you look, you can feel the physical and mental pleasure. In addition, there are many cute cafes here, where you can taste freshly baked coffee, handmade desserts and bread, exotic cuisine, etc., and spend a leisurely and quiet time.





Minatogawa Sightseeing
Place: 2-17 Minatogawa, Urasoe City, Okinawa
Phone: 098-941-3939

20. Stay in an art-like guest room



Located in the heart of Okinawa, Spice Motel is one of the most interesting accommodation options in Okinawa. It is not only conveniently located, but also close to major landmarks and Naha Airport. The motel was originally built during the American occupation of Okinawa and was later converted into a boutique motel. The interior of the motel perfectly reproduces the scene of the room in 1970, and is also equipped with facilities such as a terrace and a cafe, allowing you to relax while having the illusion of traveling through time.




SPICE MOTEL OKINAWA
place: 1066 Xisongchang, Beizhongcheng Village, Zhongtou County, Okinawa
Phone: 0989231066

21. Mihama American Village



Mihama American Village was originally a commercial area serving soldiers and their families at the nearby US military base. Now it has become a commercial area integrating comprehensive culture, commercial facilities, shopping and entertainment. It has entertainment facilities such as cinemas, shopping centers, bowling alleys, imported grocery stores and sports facilities, and is full of strong American style. In addition, you can also walk to the beach to watch the sunset; go to the vintage shop to find your favorite clothes; taste a variety of American-style food, especially the "Blue Seal" sea salt and brown sugar flavored ice cream is worth a try, and there is also the authentic American hamburger restaurant "A&W" that can only be tasted in Okinawa.



Mihama American Village
place: Okinawa Pref. Nakagamigunchatanchou Mihama

22. Visit a beer factory at "Orion Beer Fun Park" (Nago City)



Orion Happy Park is located in Nago City. You can see the production process of Orion beer and the brewing process in the square. After the tour, you can have a fresh beer or non-alcoholic drink for free in the beer garden. In addition, beer lovers should not miss the "WORLD BEER FEST OKINAWA OCTOBERFEST" held in October every year, which is also popular among overseas tourists.

Orion Fun Park
place: Okinawa Pref. Nagoshi Agarie 2-2-1
phone: 0980-54-4103

23. Cheers with Okinawa sake



Okinawa has many famous local liquors, such as "Awamori", "Orion Beer" and "Habu Snake Liquor", which you can taste at izakaya. Okinawa Awamori has an alcohol content of about 30%, and it tastes refreshing and sweet, easy to drink, and at the same time has a rich flavor and mellow aroma, leaving a lingering fragrance on the teeth and cheeks after drinking. Okinawa's local beer brand Orion Beer and "Habu Snake Liquor" made from the poisonous snake Honbobu are also worth trying.

24. Fukugi Forest Road in Bitase (Motobu Town)



The Fukugi Forest Trail in Bise has several Fukugi trees that are over 300 years old, surrounding about 250 households. There is also a couple tree, and couples can make a wish under the tree. When you walk through the endless Fukugi Green Tunnel, the shining blue sea appears in front of you. Friends who can ride bicycles can rent bicycles at the entrance and ride around. For those who like to enjoy the tranquility of nature, this is definitely a great enjoyment.



Bise Fukugi Forest Road
Place: Okinawa Pref. Kunigamigunmotobuchou Bise

25. Watch Okinawa's unique "Bullfighting" (Uruma City)



Bullfighting has always been a traditional entertainment in Okinawa, especially in Uruma City, Okinawa, which is not an exaggeration to call it the "Bullfighting Street". However, unlike the fights between people and bulls in Spain, bullfighting in Okinawa is a fight between bulls that still retain their fighting nature. The "All-Island Bullfighting Conference" is held regularly in spring, summer and autumn every year, and is a popular event that attracts nearly 5,000 fans and spectators.



Ishikawa City, Ishikawa Multi-Purpose Restaurant
place: Ishikawa, Okinawa Prefecture, Ishikawa City
phone: 098-965-5634

26. "Ryukyu Village" and "Okinawa World" (Onna Village)



Ryukyu Village is a theme park where you can experience Okinawan culture such as traditional handicrafts in a landscape that retains the old style of Okinawa, while Okinawa World is an experience-based park that combines history, culture, nature, and food, and has Japan's largest stalactite cave. In both theme parks, you can experience Ryukyu costumes and take photos, enjoy the Eisa drum dance, and visit the Habu Snake Museum Park.



Ryukyu Village
place: Okinawa Pref. Kunigamigunonnason Yamada 1130
phone: 098-965-1234

Okinawa World (Culture Kingdom・Gyokusendo)
place: Okinawa Pref. Nanjoushi Tamagusuku Maekawa 1336
phone: 098-949-7421

27. Pray at the Peace Memorial Park (Itoman City)



The Okinawa people, who suffered heavy casualties in World War II, established the Peace Memorial Park to warn future generations of the disasters that war brings to mankind. The park is divided into the Peace Area, the Spiritual Area, the Peace Ceremonial Area, and the Garden Path Plaza Area. The Okinawa Prefecture Peace Memorial Museum in the park records the history of the war, the war itself, and the reconstruction of Okinawa Island. The monument "Peace Foundation" is engraved with the names of all the fallen soldiers and civilians.




Peace Memorial Park
Place: Okinawa Pref. Itomanshi Mabuni 444
Phone: 0989972765
Opening-hour: Open every day

28. Bring home traditional crafts



Okinawa has many unique traditional crafts, such as little lions, Ryukyu glass, red-shaped and yakimono, which are all crafts handed down from the Ryukyu Kingdom era. "Guma Guwa" is a very cute craft shop. The pottery in the shop is mainly made by young female craftsmen from Ikutoen, and each piece is unique. In addition, the general store "MAXI MARKET" near Makishi Station also has many exquisite crafts.




Ryukyu Glass Village
place: Okinawa Pref. Itomanshi Fukudi 169
phone: 098-997-4784

Gala Qinghai
place: Okinawa Pref. Nakagamigunyomitanson Takashiho 915
phone: 098-958-3940

Tsuboya Pottery
place: Okinawa Pref. Nahashi Tsuboya

29. Island hopping in Ishigaki Island (Yaeyama Islands)



The Yaeyama Islands are a beautiful archipelago located at the southernmost tip of Japan. With Ishigaki Island as the center, the outlying islands are scattered in the world's most beautiful coral reef waters, and are also a world-famous stingray viewing spot. Ishigaki Island is an important gateway to the Yaeyama Islands and a connecting point to other islands. Because major LCCs (low-cost airlines) in Japan have opened routes to Ishigaki Island, you can go there at a relatively low price. There are 20 domestic flights from Naha to Ishigaki, and it only takes 1 hour to arrive. Then you can go to Taketomi Island, Kohama Island, Iriomote Island, Hateruma Island, etc. via Ishigaki and enjoy the fun of island hopping.





Ishigaki Island
place: Ishigaki, Okinawa Prefecture

30. Add Miyakojima to your travel list (Miyako Islands)



Miyakojima is the main island of the Miyako Islands, located in the Pacific Ocean about 300 kilometers southwest of the main island of Okinawa. You can take a domestic flight from Naha to Miyakojima, with a total of 15 flights to the island. Miyakojima is made up of raised coral reefs, so the island is low-lying and the sea is clear, which is the best place for various marine sports including diving. Here, triathlon competitions are held in early summer every year, and professional baseball camping activities held in spring are also quite famous. Yonaha Maehama Beach on Miyakojima is known as the best beach in the East Asia and is selected as the best place for driving in Japan. You are also likely to encounter cute turtles.




Miyakojima
place: Okinawa Pref. Miyakojimashi

Yonaha Maehama Beach
place: Okinawa Pref. Miyakojimashi Shimoji Yonaha 1199