Spots I'd like to visit for Okinawa Beginner ~

Spots I'd like to visit for Okinawa Beginner ~
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OkinawaTraveler editorial department

"Okinawa Traveler" has carefully selected recommended sightseeing spots. From the classic system visited by many Okinawa tourists to the topical ones that are rapidly gaining popularity, spots with reduced acupoints should be able to fully enjoy Okinawa. Also, be sure to stop by the recommended spots and shops around each sightseeing spot.

Okinawa Memorial Park (Ocean Expo Park) Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium | Motobu-cho

The world's largest aquarium that recreates the Okinawan sea as it is, displaying about 710 species of sea creatures in 75 large and small aquariums. The huge aquarium with a wide variety of fish, including whale sharks and nanyoumanta, the largest fish swimming pool, is an overwhelming scale, making it as if you were in the world of cobalt blue. It is fresh no matter how many times you visit, not just once. Creatures that can only be seen here are also on display.

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. This is one of Japan's leading aquariums in Motobu-cho, where whale sharks are bred in a huge aquarium.Photographs provided: Okinawa Memorial Park (Ocean Expo Park): Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

Recommended points

You may be able to see the scene where whale sharks stand and eat while swimming!

There are plenty of facilities outside the aquarium, and there are many rest spots and facilities where you can visit popular seas for free.

■Operating hours: Normal period 8:30-18: 30 (admission deadline 17:30) / Please check the website for the extension period.
※Please check the official website for the setting period of normal and busy periods.

■Access ：
(In the case of car) About 2 hours from Naha Airport
(In the case of bus) You can enjoy a comfortable bus trip with the Okinawa Airport Shuttle for about 2 to 3 and a half hours!

■Admission fee: Adults 2,180 yen / high school student 1,440 yen / elementary school / junior high school students 710 yen

■Estimate of tour time: If you want to visit the main spots quickly, you can take about an hour, but if you want to enjoy each aquarium carefully, plan 2 hours.
If you want to look around facilities outside the aquarium, you want to go out with plenty of time.

Watch the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium article
Buy a ticket
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium Official Website

Recommended Spots in Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

Okinawa Memorial Park (Ocean Expo Park) ・ Dolphin Lagoon

Northern | Motobu-cho
You can watch the dolphin show for free. I want you to go after the aquarium.

See the details of the Okichan Theater
A row of Fukugi trees in Bise. Located in the Bise district near the Okinawa Memorial Park in Motobu-cho, this popular spot with cafes and restaurants scattered around the house as a wind forest stretches for about 1 km and dotted with cafes and restaurants.

A row of Fukugi trees in Bise

Northern | Motobu-cho
Fukugi, which has been used as a windbreak forest since ancient times, surrounds the village, and you can enjoy the traditional rural scenery of Okinawa.
The nostalgic atmosphere is about 1.5 km. If you take a stroll along the Fukugi tree-lined road, you will surely be able to enjoy Okinawa time!

See the details of Fukugi trees in Bise

Okinawa Memorial Park Shurijo Castle Park | Naha-shi Shuri

Shuri Castle, the center of Kingdom of ryukyu, which lasted about 450 years, is a place where Kingdom of ryukyu's politics, diplomacy and culture flourished. The main hall is one of the largest wooden building in Kingdom of ryukyu with two floors.

※In October 2019, Shurijo Castle Main Building was destroyed by fire. At present, the restoration site and process of the main hall, which is scheduled to be completed in 2026, are open to the public.

Shuri Castle. It is a symbol of Okinawa in Naha City and is a castle from the Ryukyu Dynasty. Although it was destroyed by fire, it is expected to be completed in 2026. Currently, you can observe the state of the restoration site.
Shuri Castle. It is a symbol of Okinawa in Naha City and is a castle from the Ryukyu Dynasty. Although it was destroyed by fire, it is expected to be completed in 2026. Currently, you can observe the state of the restoration site.
Photographs provided: Kokuei Okinawa Memorial Park Shuri Castle Park

Recommended points

You will be surrounded by a fantastic atmosphere, such as the illuminated Shuri Castle wall after sunset!

See Shurijo Castle article
Buy a ticket

Recommended spots around Shuri Castle

Cobblestones in Kanagicho. A 300m historical walking path near Shuri Castle, miraculously escaped the war.

Cobblestones of Kanagicho

Naha | Naha-shi Shuri
A historical walking path of about 300m miraculously escaped the war. Even today, it still retains the impression of those days. On the way, "Okagi in Kanagicho" is also famous as a power spot.

 

Free to visit, no parking lot
A 20-minute walk from Yuiruru Shuri Station
※Cobblestones made of Ryukyu limestone are slippery, so be careful when it rains!
See the details of the cobblestones in Kanagicho
Shuri Ryuzen. Visitors can visit the colorful traditional craft "Red-shaped" workshop near Shuri Castle, experience coral dyeing, and purchase.

Shuri Ryuzen

Naha | Naha-shi Shuri
Visitors can visit, experience, and purchase the colorful traditional craft "Red-type" workshop. "Coral Dyeing", which can be used everyday, has a beautiful gradation. You can also experience it. You can choose your favorite one from all four types of materials (backs, T-shirts, etc.).

 

The coral dyeing experience is held five times a day (9:30/1:00/12:30/14/15:30)
The travel time is about 50 minutes each time.
Reservation required (if available on the day if available)
Address: 1-54, Shuriyamagawacho, Naha-shi
Operating hours: 9am to 18pm
Parking lot: 5 units
See the details of Shuri Ryuzen

Kokusai Street | Naha-shi

The main street of Naha. Naha's entrance to Naha, which condenses various charms of Okinawa while retaining its history and culture. On both sides of the 1.6km road, you can find Okinawan confectionery, awamori, and T-shirts. It is about a 30-minute walk from the end to the end. Kenchomae Station on the west side of Kokusai Dori and Makishi Station on the east side are convenient for starting a walk. If you're a car, use a paid parking lot. There are many one-way traffic, so it is recommended to go around on foot.

Kokusai Street. The main street of Naha. On both sides of the 1.6km road, you can find Okinawan confectionery, awamori, and T-shirts.

Recommended points

Many shops are open until late at night, so you can enjoy shopping slowly after dinner! There are also local manholes in Naha, and 4 locations are set up in the Tsuboya area! If you find it during a walk, be sure to take a picture!

Recommended spots around Kokusai Street

Daiichi Makishi Public Market. It is located in Naha City. Small shops are lined up, and colorful fish, Shimano vegetables, pork lumps, etc. are lined up.

Dai-1 Makishikosetsu-ichiba

Naha | Naha-shi
Small shops are lined up, and colorful fish, Shimano vegetables, pork lumps, etc. are lined up. It is also fun to have a conversation with the people in the shop.

 

See the details of Daiichi Makishi Public Market
Tsuboya Yachimun Street. Tsuboya is located in Naha City, which has been around for 300 years since the Ryukyu dynasty.

Tsuboya Yachimun Street

Naha | Naha-shi
Tsuboya has been around 300 years since the Ryukyu Dynasty as a town of pottery. Let's go to look for Yachimun (pottery) on the tasteful cobblestone street.

 

See the article on Tsuboya Yachimun Street

Toshima, Furuu | Nakijin-son

A sea bridge with a total length of about 2 km connecting Yaga Jinoshima and Kouri Island. The view of the sea, which reflects various gradients with the reflection of light, is truly a superb view. There is also an observation space and a sidewalk where you can walk across.

Toshima, Furuu. The view from the sea bridge, which is about 2 km long in Nakijin Village connecting Yaga Jinoshima and Kouri Island in Nakijin Village is superb.

Recommended points

Kouri Island is also famous as the "Koi no Shima" with the legend of the Okinawan version of Adam and Eve. Power spots are also dotted!

See an article on Kouri Island

Recommended spots around Kouri Island

Kouri Ocean Tower. This is a tourist facility located on Kouri Island, and you can overlook the nature of Yanbaru from the observation tower, 82 meters above sea level. There are also cafes and shops.

Kouri Ocean Tower

Northern | Nakijin-son
A new attraction in Kouri Island. From the observation tower at 82 meters above sea level, you can see the nature of Yanbaru.

 

See the details of the Kouri Ocean Tower
Kori Beach. Located under the Ohashi Bridge on Kouri Island, it is highly transparent and shallow, and you can relax.

Kori Beach

Northern | Nakijin-son
Located under Kouri-ohashi Bridge, it is highly transparent and shallow, and you can spend a relaxing time.

 

See the details of Kori Beach

Mihama American Village | Chatan-cho

A popular spot with fashionable shops, gourmet spots, amusement facilities, and more on a vast site modeled on the west coast of the United States. Many foreigners can feel the foreign wind of foreign countries.

Mihama American Village. A stylish shop and gourmet spot on a vast site modeled on the west coast of the United States in Chatan-cho.

Recommended points

The atmosphere of the city changes depending on the day, dusk, night and time of day, so you can enjoy it no matter how many times you go. Eventually, the light-up at night makes the streets like Las Vegas.

Recommended spots around Mihama American Village

Depot Island. It is a theme park in Chatan-cho, where locals and tourists are crowded day and night.

Depoisland

Chubu | Chatan-cho
A must-see Depot Island with a cityscape like a theme park! It is crowded with locals and tourists both day and night.

 

See the details of Depot Island
Chatan Park Sunset Beach. Adjacent to American Village in Chatan Town, as the name suggests, you can see beautiful sunset.

Chatan Park Sunset Beach

Chubu | Chatan-cho
Adjacent to American Village. As the name suggests, it is also popular as a dating spot as a place where you can see beautiful sunset.

 

See the details of Sunset Beach

Theme park | The entire Okinawa Island

A theme park with a whole pineapple. You can easily explore the large tropical garden with the cute pineapple. Taste pine, learning history, and observing the winemaking process.

[Nago Pineapple Park | Nago City]

Nago Pineapple Park. A theme park with a whole pineapple in Nago City.

Recommended points

After going down the pineapple, take a stroll through the promenade in the park. You can feel the subtropical nature such as Annas and Hego on your skin, and you will feel refreshed!

See the details of the Nago Pineapple Park
Buy a ticket

Other recommended theme parks

Hill of Bio. A botanical garden in Uruma City (Chubu) where you can interact with nature in an oasis surrounded by subtropical plants.

Hill of Bios

Chubu | Onna-son
A botanical garden where you can interact with nature in an oasis surrounded by subtropical plants. Popular is the "Lake Appreciation Boat" that goes around lakes in the forest.

 

See the details of the Bios Hill
OKINAWA fruit rando. The facility experience-based picture book "Tropical Kingdom Story" in Nago City that allows you to explore as the protagonist of the story, is very popular.

OKINAWA Fruits Land

Northern | Nago-shi
Colorful butterflies and birds welcome you, including tropical fruits. The facility experience-type picture book "Tropical Kingdom Story", which can be explored as the protagonist of the story, is very popular.

 

See the details of OKINAWA Fruit Land
Buy a ticket

Manzamo | Onna-son

A scenic spot that was once loved by poets. The beautiful scenery of the white waves and the emerald sea against the cliffs of raised coral reefs, and the natural turf that spreads all over the cliffs still attracts many people.

Popular scenic spot located in Onna Village, Manzamo.
See the details of Manzamo

Seiba Mitake | Nanjo-shi

It is considered to be the highest sacred place in Okinawa, and is said to be one of the first Mitake in the country created by the Ryukyu god Ama Mikiyo. It was used as a place for the Shinto ritual of the Ryukyu Dynasty. The place of worship made of two huge stalactites is very mysterious. It is also popular as a power spot.

Seiba Mitake. Located in Nanjo City, it is considered to be the best sacred place in Okinawa, and is also popular as a power spot.
See the details of Seiba Utaki

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