Okinawa » Naha, Southern Okinawa Main Island
Naha, home to the World Heritage Site of Shurijo Castle and Kokusai Dori, the prefecture's largest shopping district, is the base for sightseeing in Okinawa. The southern part of the main island is also rich in power spots such as Gangara Falls, Saiba Utaki, and Kutaka Island.
Naha and southern Okinawa are home to such tourist attractions as Kokusai Street, Shuri Castle, Umikaji Terrace on Senaga Island, Uminoue Beach, and Yachimun Street.
Shuri Castle, the royal castle of the Ryukyu Dynasty, has flourished as the political and cultural center of the Ryukyu Kingdom since the end of the 14th century, and is the largest gusuku (castle) in Okinawa Prefecture. Before the war, the main hall of the Okinawa Shrine and other buildings were d...»
A Chinese-style garden built in 1992 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of Naha City and the 10th anniversary of the Friendship City Agreement with Fuzhou City, China....»
The shrine is located on a steep cliff overlooking Naha Harbor.The shrine used to be the chief guardian of the Ryukyu Kingdom, and was popularly called "Namminsan" or "Nammin. The shrine enshrines Kumano Sansho-gongen, and has been revered for safety of marine traffic, good catches, and fertility. ...»
The deep forest and caves that you can only enter by signing up for a tour. At the entrance of the valley, a large 150-year-old banyan tree creates an atmosphere as if you have time-traveled to a prehistoric world. The tour will visit stalactites that are believed to be beneficial for children and...»
Nami no Ue Beach, an urban man-made beach located in Naha City, is popular as an urban beach because of its convenience: 15 minutes by car from Naha Airport and a 15-minute walk from Kokusai-dori Avenue. This beach is the only bathing beach in Naha City and is often used by travelers as a "last sto...»
Senaga Island is known as "the nearest remote island from Naha Airport. Currently connected to the main island by an underwater road, it can be easily visited by bicycle or on foot. Since the island is adjacent to Naha Airport, airplanes take off and land overhead, and from the hilltop observatory,...»
There are six gates in Shuri Castle, and this is the "Second Gate" or the main gate of Shuri Castle in Japanese castle architecture. At first, it was named "Waitenmon" (Gate of Waiten), but later it began to display the character for "Shuri" and was called "Shurimon" (Gate of Shuri). Then, during ...»
There is a beautiful castle ruins with stone arch gates at the main gate and the back gate, which is sung in the song "Omorosaushi". Outside the castle are scattered stone-paved old houses, and at the foot of a cliff about 300 meters northwest of the main gate is the tomb of Chinen Anji. Nearby is...»
Itoman is a popular tourist spot due to its easy accessibility, being only 20 to 30 minutes by car from Naha City. It is an artificial beach with beautiful white sand and clear emerald green waters. During the on-season from April to October, visitors can enjoy not only swimming but also various m...»
Mibaru Beach, located in Tamaki, Nanjo City, in the southern part of Okinawa's main island, is a pristine white sand beach. Unlike resort beaches, this is a relaxing place to spend time. Among them, the glass boat is a must-see!The bottom of the boat is made of glass, allowing you to observe the m...»
Chinen Cape, located in the southern part of Okinawa's main island, is a sightseeing spot that should not be missed. Located behind the Nanjo City Regional Products Museum, Chinen Cape Park is equipped with a walking trail and pavilion that are perfect for strolling. The beautiful Pacific Ocean str...»
Okinawa World is a huge theme park that is like everything Okinawa has to offer, featuring Okinawa's nature, history, and culture! Visitors can enjoy the natural monument "Gyokusen-do," a large limestone cave, as well as participate in various craft experiences in the "Ryukyu Kingdom Castle Town," ...»
This stone-paved road was built in 1522 during the reign of King Shojin, starting from the entrance of Shuri Castle. The 340-meter-long cobblestone road, which runs through Kanagusuku-zaka, Kanagusuku-bashi, Shikina-zaka, and ends at Shin-Oh-bashi, has been polished by the footsteps of generations ...»
Shikina-En is one of the Ryukyu Gardens, which was a villa and guest house of the Sho family, the King of Japan. Unfortunately, it was closed due to the war damage, but it was restored in the fall of 1995, and Chinese-style buildings and lanterns were revived around a pond surrounded by beautiful su...»
The Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum is a rare facility in Japan that combines a museum and an art museum. The museum exhibits materials in various fields such as geology, biology, humanity, archaeology, folklore, history, and arts and crafts. Also on display are the origins of the Ryuk...»
Okinawa Peace Memorial Park is located on a hill overlooking the sea in Okinawa Battle Site National Park, and the symbol of the park is the "Tower of Peace," a symbol of hope for lasting peace. The park is also home to the National Okinawa War Cemetery, the Cornerstone of Peace, Reimei no To, memo...»
Tamaudun is a mausoleum where successive kings of the Ryukyu Kingdom are buried. It was originally built in 1501 by the 3rd King Sho Shin to bury his father, King Sho Yen. The building is divided into three chambers: the Middle Chamber, East Chamber, and West Chamber, and the Middle Chamber was use...»
Ryukyu Glass Village has the largest glass studio in Okinawa Prefecture, filled entirely with glass tiles and pieces. Visitors can watch up close as glassblowers work in the hot 1,300 degree Celsius air, creating colorful Ryukyu glass products. There are also many hands-on courses where you can cr...»