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Okinawa (沖縄)

Okinawa was a different country until the 16th century until it was conquered by the Satsuma Clan. While it is a popular resort destination in the summer due to its beautiful beaches, it is a region where it experiences many hurricanes so make sure to check the weather before going so that you can fully enjoy your time there. As It is generally warm all year round, alternatively, one can visit in the offseason as accomodation is much cheaper and the beaches are less packed.

Table of Contents

Places to visit in Okinawa

1. Shurijo Castle Park(首里城公園)

Our Recommendation
★★★★★ 4.5/5

A World Heritage castle dotted with lots of cultural treasures

Best time to visit: All year

Shurijo Park is centred on Shurijo Castle, which was destroyed by fire and some of its buildings, including the main hall, were burnt down. The park is dotted with many cultural assets from the days of the Ryukyu Kingdom, such as the Shureimon Gate,  Enkakuji Temple and Benzaiten Hall, allowing visitors to feel the history and culture of the Ryukyu Islands. If you want to take a walk, there are several Shurijo reconstruction model courses set up to help you discover the charms of Shurijo Castle anew, so whether you have visited many times before or not, why not take a tour? If you get tired of strolling, we recommend taking a break at the Shurijo Castle Park Rest Centre. There is a restaurant and shop, as well as models and panel displays where you can learn about Shurijo Castle.

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2. Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (沖縄美ら海水族館)

Our Recommendation
★★★★★ 4.5/5

Prominent aquarium visited by more than 3 million people a year

Best time to visit: All year

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is one of the most popular spots in Okinawa, visited by more than 3 million people annually. Churaumi means “beautiful sea” in the Okinawan language. Located in Ocean Expo Park, about a two-hour drive from Naha, it is a must-see tourist attraction when visiting northern Okinawa. The aquarium reproduces the rich ocean around Okinawa, which is home to a wide variety of creatures. Various elements such as light, water quality, and transparency are kept as close to the natural ocean as possible. The “Kuroshio Sea,” the world’s largest tank with 16,000 fish, is home to whale sharks, manta rays, and large schools of small fish, creating a powerful sight. The aquarium also offers many other attractions of the Okinawan sea, making it a fun place for the whole family to visit.

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3. Sefa Utaki (斎場御嶽)

Our Recommendation
★★★★★ 4.5/5

World Heritage Site where you can feel the power of nature

Best time to visit: All year

Sefa Utaki is the highest sacred site of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Utaki is a general term for sacred sites widely distributed in the Nansei Islands. It is the most sacred of the seven sacred sites in Okinawa that appear in Ryukyuan mythology, as it is the site where very important ceremonies were held for the Ryukyu Kingdom, such as the inauguration ceremony of Kikoe Okimi, the supreme deity of Ryukyu. In December 2000, it was registered as a World Heritage Site as one of the ‘Gusuku and related heritage sites of the Kingdom of Ryukyu’. There is a tour with a guide that takes about 50 minutes to show you around the spot. You will hear interesting stories about the myths surrounding Sefa Utaki and the history of the Kingdom of Ryukyu.

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4. Naha Kokusai Dori Shopping Street(覇市国際通り商店街)

Our Recommendation
★★★★★ 4.5/5

The most famous street in the prefecture with all the charm of Okinawa

Best time to visit: All year

The gateway to Okinawa tourism is the Kokusai Dori Shopping Street in Naha City. The street is lined with about 600 stores, including department stores, restaurants, service and general stores, hotels, and souvenir shops. You can find  souvenir shops selling chinsuko, awamori, Ryukyu glass, as well as a wide variety of Okinawan gourmet foods such as Okinawa soba, taco rice, sata andagi, soft-serve ice cream and so on.  If you get tired from walking, there are plenty of cafes where you can take a break. When you visit Kokusai Dori, be sure to visit the food stall village built on the adjacent Grand Orion Street. If you are lucky, you can enjoy local performing arts such as island songs, dances, and live performances and shows.

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5. Miyakojima (宮古島)

Our Recommendation
★★★★★ 4.5/5

A remote island with beautiful coral reefs, mangrove forests, and untouched nature

Best time to visit: July~September

Miyako Island, located about a 50-minute flight from the main island of Okinawa, is a popular island with a mild climate and beautiful nature throughout the year. The world of “Miyako blue,” a mixture of various shades of blue, attracts the hearts of visitors. In particular, Naha Maehama Beach is a representative beach of Miyako Island, said to be the most beautiful beach in the East. On the other side of the beach, you can see Kurima Island and the Kurima Ohashi Bridge extending from Miyako Island. Yonaha Maehama Beach, which stretches about 7 kilometers in length, has shallow waters with few big waves. It is recommended for small children making their beach debut. The sand is fine and smooth, and does not contain much coral. The same sand continues into the ocean, so be sure to feel the nature of Okinawa with your bare feet!

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6. Bios Hill (ビオスの丘)

Our Recommendation
★★★★★ 4.5/5

A botanical garden where visitors can enjoy the subtropical nature of Okinawa by lake viewing boat

Best time to visit: All year

Bios Hill is a facility where visitors can enjoy interacting with the flora and fauna of the subtropical zone of Okinawa. The spacious park offers a variety of activities for visitors to use their bodies and interact with animals and plants. The lake viewing boat is especially popular. This is a cruise across the lake where you can see subtropical plants and orchids. It is also fun to get as much exercise as you can by canoe or SUP. If you get tired, we recommend taking a walk around the park in a buffalo cart that moves at a leisurely pace. There are also restaurants where you can enjoy local delicacies such as Okinawan soba noodles and taco rice, so you can fully enjoy yourself all day long.

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7. Gyokusendo (玉泉洞)

Our Recommendation
★★★★★ 4.5/5

Mysterious limestone caves spread out beneath the ground in Okinawa

Best time to visit: All year

Located within Okinawa World, a 30-minute drive from Naha Airport, Gyokusendo is a limestone cave created over a period of 300,000 years and is designated as a natural monument. With a total length of 5,000 meters and more than 1 million stalactites, it is one of the largest caves in Japan. With the various types of stalactites that can be seen in the caves grow at a rate of 1 mm in 3 years, you might feel the sound of dripping water that has passed tens of thousands of years beneath the ground. Other than the underground trip at Gyokusendo, there are many other attractions such as a tropical fruit orchard, traditional crafts, a super eisa show, and a habu natural history park.

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8. Ishigaki Island (石垣島)

Our Recommendation
★★★★★ 4.5/5

An island where you can enjoy beautiful nature and activities

Best time to visit: July~September

Ishigaki Island is located approximately 400 km southwest of the main island of Okinawa, and is the third largest island in Okinawa Prefecture after Okinawa Island and Iriomote Island. There are many ways to enjoy Ishigaki Island, such as swimming in the beautiful coral reef ocean, diving, enjoying a relaxing resort atmosphere, and sightseeing in remote islands further away from Ishigaki Island such as Iriomote Island and Taketomi Island. In particular, Kabira Park located on the island is one of the 100 most scenic spots in Japan. Kabira Bay is one of the most famous places in Ishigaki Island with the view from the observatory and glass boats. The area around the park is also well known as a healing spot surrounded by lush greenery. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll through the park while viewing Kabira Bay, one of the most famous scenic spots in Yaeyama.

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Potential Itineraries

A day trip to Osaka (大阪)

Our Recommendation
★★★★★ 4.5/5

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A day trip to Shibuya (渋谷)

Our Recommendation
★★★★★ 4.5/5

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Best things to do in Shibuya
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A day trip to Kamakura (鎌倉)

Our Recommendation
★★★★★ 4.5/5

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Getting to Tokyo

Getting to 〇 by Train

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Getting to 〇 by Bus

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