Introducing recommendations for sightseeing in Okinawa. Okinawa Prefecture is a fascinating tourist destination with many things to do, such as snorkeling on spectacular beaches, visiting classic sights and tourist attractions such as Shuri Castle and Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, touring remote islands such as Ishigaki Island and Miyako Island, popular scenic drives around Kouri Island and underwater roads, island gourmet foods such as Okinawa soba and taco rice, ocean cafes overlooking the beach, and power spots such as Hisakajima and Saiba Gogaku. The island is an attractive tourist destination that offers many ways to enjoy sightseeing.
To enjoy sightseeing in Okinawa Prefecture
Okinawa Prefecture is famous for its blue sea and white sand beaches! One of the most beautiful beaches in the world can be seen at Yonaha Maehama Beach and Sunayama Beach on Miyako Island, Kabira Bay on Ishigaki Island, Kaiji Beach on Taketomi Island, and Hate no Hama on Kume Island.
The main island of Okinawa is also full of beautiful beaches such as Sesoko Beach and Namiue Beach! The main island of Okinawa is also full of beautiful beaches such as Sesoko Beach and Namiue Beach, as well as Manzamage with its spectacular view from the cliffs and the ocean seen from the Kouri Bridge.
In addition, on the main island, Ishigaki Island, and Iriomote Island, there are still virgin mangrove forests where you can enjoy kayaking and trekking, and on Miyako Island and the Kerama Islands, you can enjoy snorkeling in the coral reefs of the sea. There are also a variety of sightseeing spots, including Shuri Castle in Naha, the ruins of Gusuku in Nakijin Village in the northern part of the island, Churaumi Aquarium, Tamasendo Cave, Saiba Utaki, and Gangara no tani (Valley of the Gungaras).
At night, drinking and eating in downtown areas such as Kokusai Street, Misaki Town on Ishigaki Island, and Nishizato Main Street on Miyako Island are recommended. Also, a visit to Yonaguni Island and Hateruma Island, located at the westernmost tip of Japan, will allow you to spend time away from everyday life.
History of Okinawa Prefecture
Okinawa Prefecture includes the northernmost island of Iwotorishima, the southernmost island of Hateruma, the easternmost island of Kita Daito, and the westernmost island of Yonaguni, and if these four islands were connected in a straight line, the prefecture would include a vast sea area measuring 1,000 km from east to west and 400 km from north to south. There are 160 islands in this sea area and about 50 inhabited islands, including the main island of Okinawa.
The Ryukyu Kingdom flourished in ancient times, and because of its active trade with China, Japan, and other countries at that time, a unique culture, different from that of Honshu, was formed. The ruins of castles (gusuku) built during that period still remain on the main island of Okinawa, and in 2000, nine sites were registered as World Heritage sites as "Castles and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu". It is recommended for those who want to experience the history of Okinawa.
Local Gourmet, Food Culture, and Specialties of Okinawa
Okinawa is famous for its unique soba noodles, including Okinawa soba, a specialty of the main island of Okinawa, Yaeyama soba, which is eaten throughout the Yaeyama Islands, and Miyako soba of Miyako Island. Other famous dishes include stir-fried goya (bitter melon) and agu pork stir-fried with eggs, which can be found throughout the prefecture.
Mimigar, rafte, tibiti, juicy, and hilayachi are also local delicacies, as well as a treasure trove of rare ingredients such as gi-mami tofu, tofu yo-yo, sea grapes, island cucumbers, and island peppercorns.
In addition, Okinawa Wagyu beef, including Ishigaki beef, is widely raised and can be enjoyed as yakiniku (grilled beef). In terms of seafood, you can enjoy unique southern-sea seafood such as Ilabucha, Gurukun, tiger prawns, and coconut crabs.
There are also many B-class gourmet foods such as tacos and hamburgers, and popular souvenirs include sata andagi, chinsuko, Orion beer, and awamori.
Located in the northwest of Ishigaki Island, it is the most scenic spot in Ishigaki Island.It is one of the 100 scenic spots in Japan and designated as a national scenic beauty. The spectacular view of white sandy beach and clear emerald green sea changes its appearance from moment to moment depend...»
This very popular aquarium is home to more than 20,000 marine creatures of 700 species.Based on the concept of "Encountering the Okinawan Sea," the aquarium introduces a variety of marine life, including ino (Okinawan dialect for shallow waters at the edge of coral reefs), coral reefs, the Kuroshio ...»
It is the second largest island in Okinawa Prefecture after Okinawa Island, and is mostly covered with subtropical jungle. Three mountains, Mt. Komi, Mt. Tedou, and Mt. Gozadake, are the highest in the Ryukyu Islands, and are home to many animals with their own unique ecosystems, including the Irio...»
Located on the southwestern tip of Miyako Island, this beach is representative of Miyako Island in terms of both beauty and name recognition. The 7-km stretch of pure white sandy beach stretching as far as the eye can see into the azure sea is said to be "the most beautiful beach in the East. It h...»
Sunayama Beach, with its unique landscape created by nature, is one of the most representative beaches in Miyakojima, along with Maehama Beach. It is regularly ranked among the top beaches on word-of-mouth websites in Japan. Located on the west coast of Miyako Island, about a 15-minute drive north...»
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...»
Taketomi Island is a small island located in the Yaeyama Islands with a circumference of about 9 km. Accessible by a 10-minute high-speed boat ride from Ishigaki Island, it is surrounded by beautiful cobalt blue sea and white sandy beaches. The island's villages retain the ancient Okinawan landscap...»
Tokashiki Island is located at the eastern end of the Kerama Islands, 30 km west of Naha. The island is blessed with mountains and forests, and its topography is rich in variety. Along the coastline are Tokashiku Beach and Abaren Beach, both known for their beautiful coral reefs, and the Hinakushi ...»
Yubu Island is a small island located on the east side of Iriomote Island, with a circumference of about 2.1 km and an elevation of only 1.5 m above sea level. The sea between Yubu Island and Iriomote Island is shallow, and the depth is only about 1 m at high tide. Therefore, when the tide is low, ...»
There is a long, narrow sandbar that is said to be the most beautiful in the East. It stretches 7 to 11 kilometers off the coast of Okutake Island and Aoha Island on the east side of Kume Island. With its pure white sand and cobalt green sea, it is like a dreamlike world! This wonderful sandbar is...»
This is the ruins of a gusuku (castle) where one of the powerful masters of the Ryukyu Kingdom, Ahmawari, used to live.(Amanushi: local rulers in the Ryukyu Kingdom period)It is said that Amawari resisted the king to the end and fought bravely until the castle fell. The castle is located at the sou...»
Located northwest of Miyako Island, Irabu Island is now accessible by car from Miyako Island via the Irabu Bridge, Japan's longest bridge, which opened in 2015 and is toll-free. This bridge is 3,540 meters long and has a unique shape with a mountainous center section, making it ideal for driving. ...»
Kouri Island is a small island surrounded by emerald green waters a short distance from the main island of Okinawa, and is famous as the "Island of Love. It is also called "God's Island" because of the myth of the birth of mankind, which is handed down in a myth similar to the legend of Adam and Eve...»
At the eastern tip of Miyako Island, there is a beautiful cape jutting out into the azure sea for 2 kilometers. In the spring, the flowers of the teppo lily bloom, creating a beautiful scene. This cape, called Higashiheannana Cape, faces the Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea, and is one of the r...»
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....»
Kohama Island is about 25 minutes away from Ishigaki Island by regular boat. This island is characterized by beautiful sea, sugar cane fields, and a laid-back atmosphere, and is also called "Tembusu of Yaeyama". It is famous for being the setting of NHK's drama series "Churasan. Kohama Island is ...»
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. ...»
Yanbaru is located in the northern part of the main island of Okinawa. Cape Heto is located at the northernmost tip of Okinawa Island, at the northern end of Yanbaru. From this location, you can see Izena Island and Iheya Island to the west, and Yoron Island and Okinoerabu Island in Kagoshima Prefe...»
This is one of the most unique ocean play spots on Miyako Island. This is not a vast white sand beach, but a beach park created by nature, with a coastline and inlets unique to southern Miyako Island. The park consists of a peninsula stretching east to west along the coastline and a portion of the ...»
Kondoi Beach is one of the longest beaches in Okinawa with a beautiful crescent shape located on the west side of Taketomi Island. The white sand and clear blue sea make it one of the must-visit places when you visit Taketomi Island. There are almost no waves and the shallow water is ideal for swim...»
This is a 5.2-kilometer road connecting Katsure Peninsula and Heianza Island. The road is not a bridge, but a causeway built on top of an embankment, and has one bridge for vessel navigation and two channels for securing the tidal currents. This road has a straight alignment, four lanes, and has be...»
Through Pond, located on Shimoji Island in Miyakojima City, is a mysterious place where two circular ponds, one large and one small, are connected underground. The first pond is 75 meters in diameter and 45 meters deep. The second pond is 55 meters in diameter and 25 meters deep. From the ground, th...»
Nishihama Beach is located about a 10-minute walk from Hateruma Port.This beach is also written as "Nishi-hama," but "nishi" means "north" in the local dialect, and as such, this beach is located on the north side of the island. Down the hill, the blue sea and pure white sandy beach spread out.The ...»
This beach is known as one of the most popular snorkeling spots on the island. As you enter the crystal clear water from the white sand beach, you will see a fantastic world of coral reefs of various shapes spreading out intricately like a three-dimensional labyrinth within three steps. At high ti...»
Daiseki Rinzan is a trekking spot with sharp rocky peaks and subtropical forests located in Yanbaru National Park in the northern part of Okinawa's main island. This tourist facility is a whopping 11 times the size of the Tokyo Dome and is famous as a filming location often used in dramas, movies, ...»
Nagama Beach is located on the west coast of Kuruma Island, southwest of Miyako Island. This beach is a very beautiful place, with clear blue ocean and white sandy beaches where beautiful nature remains intact. Coral reefs can also be seen in some places, and it has recently become a popular snorke...»
Kouri Ohashi is a 1,960-meter-long bridge connecting Kouri Island and Yagaji Island, a remote island famous as the "Island of Love" in the legend of Adam and Eve in Okinawa. Yagaji Island is connected to Motobu Peninsula by a bridge, and can be reached by car from Naha. Crossing the bridge, you wi...»
Kori Island, or "Island of Love," in Okinawa Prefecture, is a small island with a radius of about 1 km and surrounded by emerald green waters. In 2005, the Kori Ohashi Bridge was opened, making it possible to visit the island by car. Passing over the bridge will make you feel as if you are driving ...»
Kushima Island, located southwest of Miyako Island, can be reached by crossing the 1690-meter-long Kushima Ohashi Bridge. Go straight for a while, cross the village, and on your right is the "Ryugu Observation Deck," built in the image of Ryugu Castle. From this three-story observatory, you can enj...»
Lined with amusement facilities, stores, restaurants, movie theaters, and live music venues, this popular area is crowded with tourists and locals day and night. The spacious layout of the buildings and the design of the townscape are full of a West Coast atmosphere. Depot Island, a large commerci...»
Emerald Beach is located in Ocean Expo Park in the northwestern part of the main island of Okinawa, close to popular tourist spots such as Churaumi Aquarium, making it an ideal stopover. This beautiful beach faces west and has been selected as one of the "100 Best Beaches for Pleasant Bathing". It ...»
Toguchi-no-hama is located in the southwestern part of Irabu Island, northwest of Miyako Island. This beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Miyako Islands, along with "Yonaha Maehama. The 50-meter wide natural sand beach made of fine white sand stretches for about 800 meters. The clear...»
Kori Island is a remote island famous as the "Island of Love" where the legend of Adam and Eve is told. Crossing the 1,960-meter-long Kori Ohashi Bridge, which connects Kori Island and Motobu Peninsula, you will feel as if you are driving on the sea. The Kori Ocean Tower, one of the most popular t...»
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...»
Located northwest of Miyako Island in Okinawa Prefecture, Ikema Island has been a bustling tourist destination since 1992, when it was connected to Miyako Island by the 1,425-meter-long Ikema Ohashi Bridge. The island is surrounded by beautiful beaches such as "Alashisu Hida Beach," "Ikidu Beach," ...»
Pinaisara Falls is the highest waterfall in Okinawa Prefecture.Its name means "drooping beard" in the local language. Although a large volume of water is pouring down wildly from the basin of the waterfall, the space above the waterfall is surprisingly quiet. To reach Pinaisara Falls, which is als...»
Taketomi Island is one of the remote islands in the beautiful sea of Okinawa, located about 10 minutes by ferry from Ishigaki Island. This island is easily accessible and is visited by many tourists every day. Taketomi Island is designated as an important traditional building preservation district,...»
Fusaki Beach, one of the most popular tourist spots in Ishigaki Island, is located in Fusaki Resort Village. This beach features calm waters for easy swimming, and since it is a hotel beach, there are many marine activities available. Beginners and families with children can easily enjoy the ocean...»
Kori Island is a remote island famous as the "Island of Love" where the legend of Adam and Eve is told. Crossing the 1,960-meter-long Kori Ohashi Bridge, which connects Kori Island and Motobu Peninsula, you will feel as if you are driving on the sea. Kori Beach, located immediately to the left afte...»
Located within walking distance from Hirara City on Miyako Island, Painagama is a favorite place of relaxation not only for tourists but also for local citizens. There are also restaurants, taverns, and convenience stores in the vicinity, making it a perfect place for an after-dinner stroll. Painag...»
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,...»
Star sand" is sand shaped like stars and the sun. Each of these beautiful sands is the shell left behind after foraminifera die. You can find star sand at "Hoshi-suna beach" in Iriomote Island, Okinawa Prefecture, and "Kaiji beach" on Taketomi Island, also in Okinawa Prefecture. Although overhunti...»
Mariyudu Falls, a representative waterfall of Iriomote Island, is located in the middle stream of Urauchi River and is a majestic two-stage waterfall of 20m wide and 16m high. The name of the waterfall, "Mariyudu," means "circular stagnation," and was originally the name of the waterfall basin, but...»
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 ...»
Manzamo is a scenic spot within the Okinawa Coastal Designated Park that represents Onna Village, known as one of the best resort areas in Japan. The view from the 20-meter-high cliffs, with rocks shaped like elephants jutting out into the East China Sea and rough waves lapping the shore, is truly ...»
Cape Zanpa is the last place where the sun sets at the end of the main island of Okinawa. The natural cliffs here stretch for 2 km, and at the end of the cliffs stands a huge white lighthouse. Fishing and diving are popular here, as well as the spectacular view from the top. The statue of Taisei, ...»
Ibaruma Sabichi Cave is the only limestone cave in Japan that connects to the sea. A mere 15-minute walk from the entrance, the emerald green waters of Ibaruma Bay unfold before your eyes. At low tide, you can also visit strange rocks shaped like turtles and mushrooms. This limestone cave is said ...»
This Utaki has long been worshipped by the islanders as the highest sacred site on Miyako Island. It is also called "Tsukasaya....»
It is also called "Uganzaki" or "Oganzaki" and is one of the most famous scenic spots in Ishigaki Island. It is located 27 minutes drive from Ishigakijima Airport. The wild landscape with rocky terrain and waves is very powerful and you can feel the power of nature. Especially the white lighthouse...»