Spots you want to visit for sightseeing in Okinawa 8-For Okinawa Beginners-

Spots you want to visit for sightseeing in Okinawa 8-For Okinawa Beginners-
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OkinawaTraveler Editorial Department

"Okinawa Traveler" has carefully selected recommended sightseeing spots. From the classic one visited by many Okinawa travelers to the topic one that is rapidly gaining popularity, the spots that hold the points 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, which displays about 710 species of sea creatures in 75 large and small aquariums, recreates the sea of Okinawa as it is. The huge aquarium where a wide variety of fish swim, including the largest fish whale sharks and Nanyoumanta, is an overwhelming scale, as if you were diving into the world of cobalt blue. Not only once, but also fresh no matter how many times you visit. There are also creatures that can only be seen here.

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. This is one of Japan's leading aquariums in Motobu-cho, and the breeding of whale sharks with huge aquariums is a highlight.Photo provided: National 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 other than the aquarium, and there are many rest spots and facilities where you can visit the popular sea for free.

■Business hours: Regular 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 seasons.

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

■Admission fee: Adults 2,180 yen / High school students 1,440 yen / Elementary and junior high school students 710 yen

■Visiting time: If you want to visit the main spots at an early stage, you can take about an hour, but if you want to enjoy each aquarium carefully, you can plan 2 hours.
If you are looking around outside facilities other than the aquarium, you want to go out with plenty of time.

See the article of the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
Buy a ticket
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium official website

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium Recommended Peripheral Spots

National Okinawa Memorial Park (Ocean Expo Park) Dolphin Lagoon

Northern | Motobu-cho
You can watch the dolphin show for free. I hope you will 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, Fukugi, planted around the house as a wind forest, continues for about 1 km, and is a popular spot dotted with cafes and restaurants.

A row of Fukugi trees in Bise

Northern | Motobu-cho
Fukugi, which has long been used as a windbreak forest, surrounds the entire village, and you can enjoy the traditional rural scenery of Okinawa.
The nostalgic atmosphere is about 1.5 km. There is no doubt that you can enjoy Okinawa time if you stroll along the Fukugi Namiki Road!

See the details of Bise's Fukugi tree-lined trees

National Okinawa Memorial Park Shuri Castle Park | Shuri Naha-shi

Shurijo Castle, the center of Kingdom of ryukyu, lasted for 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 buildings in Kingdom of ryukyu, with two-story and three-story buildings.

※In October 2019, Shuri Castle Main Hall and others were destroyed by fire. Currently, 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 a castle from the Ryukyu Dynasty period. It was burned down in a fire, but aims to be completed in 2026. At present, you can see the restoration site.
Shuri Castle. It is a symbol of Okinawa in Naha City and a castle from the Ryukyu Dynasty period. It was burned down in a fire, but aims to be completed in 2026. At present, you can see the restoration site.
Photo provided: Kokuei Okinawa Memorial Park Shuri Castle Park

Recommended points

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

See the Shuri Castle article
Buy a ticket

Recommended spots around Shuri Castle

The stone pavement of Kanagicho. Near Shuri Castle, a 300m historical walking path that miraculously escaped the war.

Cobblestones in Kanagicho

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

 

Free tour, no parking lot
A 20-minute walk from Yuireru 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. You can visit the workshop, experience coral dyeing, and purchase the colorful traditional craft "Red type" near Shuri Castle.

Shuri Ryuzen

Naha | Shuri Naha-shi
Visitors can visit, experience, and purchase the colorful traditional craft "Red-style" workshop. "Coral dye" which can be used everyday has a beautiful gradation. You can also experience it. You can choose your favorite material from 4 types (bags, T-shirts, etc.).

 

The coral dyeing experience is held five times a day (9:30/11:00/12:30/14:00/15:30).
It takes about 50 minutes each time.
Reservation required (if available, it is also possible on the day)
Address: 1-54, Shuriyamagawacho, Naha-shi
Business hours: From 9:00 to 18:00
Parking lot: 5 units
See the details of Shuri Ryuzen

Kokusai Street | Naha-shi

The main street of Naha. The entrance of Naha, which condenses various charms of Okinawa while retaining a rich history and culture. On both sides of the 1.6km road, you can enjoy Okinawan sweets, 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 starting points for a walk. If you are a car, let's use the paid parking lot. There are many one-way streets, 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 enjoy Okinawan sweets, awamori and T-shirts.

Recommended points

Many shops are open until late at night, so you can enjoy shopping slowly even 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, please take a picture!

Recommended spots around Kokusai Street

Dai-ichi Makishi Public Market It is located in Naha city. There are small shops lined the eaves, and colorful tropical fish, Shimano greens, pork lumps, etc. are lined up.

Dai-1 Makishikosetsu-ichiba

Naha | Naha-shi
There are small shops lined the eaves, and colorful tropical fish, Shimano greens, pork lumps, etc. are lined up. The conversation with the people in the shop is also fun.

 

See the details of Dai-ichi 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 a pottery town for 300 years since the Ryukyu dynasty. Let's look for Yachimun (battery) that you like on a 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 gradations due to the reflection of light, is truly spectacular. There is also an observation space and a sidewalk that can be walked across.

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

Recommended points

Kouri Island is also famous as the "Koi Island" with the legend of Okinawan version of Adam and Eve. Power spots are also dotted!

See an article about Kouri Island

Recommended spots around Kouri Island

Kouri Ocean Tower. It is a tourist facility located on Kouri Island, with a panoramic view of the nature of Yanbaru from the observation tower at 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 82m above sea level, you can see the nature of Yanbaru.

 

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

Kori Beach

Northern | Nakijin-son
Located under Kouri-ohashi Bridge, it has a high transparency and a shallow and relaxing time.

 

See the details of Kori Beach

Mihama American Village | Chatan-cho

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

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. At last, the lights up at night make it look like Las Vegas.

Recommended spots around Mihama American Village

Depo Island. It is a theme park-like street in Chatan-cho, and is crowded with locals and tourists both day and night.

Depo Island

Chubu | Chatan-cho
Depo Island, which has a cityscape like a theme park, is also a must-see! It is full of locals and tourists both day and night.

 

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

Chatan Park Sunset Beach

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

 

See the details of Sunset Beach

Theme park | The entire Okinawa Island

The theme park of the whole pineapple. You can easily explore the large tropical garden with a cute pineapple. Taste the pine, learn the history, observe the winemaking process, etc.

[Nago Pineapple Park | Nago City]

Nago Pineapple Park. The theme park of the whole pineapple is located in Nago.

Recommended points

After going down the pineapple, take a stroll through the promenade in the park. You can feel the subtropical nature such as ananas and locusts on your skin, and your mood is refreshing!

See the details of Nago Pineapple Park
Buy a ticket

Other recommended theme parks

The hill of Bios. A botanical garden located in Uruma City (Chubu) where you can interact with nature in an oasis surrounded by subtropical plants.

The hill of Bios

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

 

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

OKINAWA Fruits Land

Northern | Nago-shi
You will be greeted by tropical fruits, colorful butterflies and birds. The "Tropical Kingdom Story", a facility experience-based picture book that allows you to explore while playing the leading role in the story, is very popular.

 

See the details of OKINAWA Fruit Land
Buy a ticket

Manzamo | Onna-son

A scenic spot once loved by poets. The beautiful scenery of the white waves rushing to the cliffs of the raised coral reef, the emerald sea, and the natural grass that spreads all over the area still attracts many people.

A popular scenic spot in Onna Village, Manzamo.
See the details of Manzamo

Seiba Utaki | Nanjo-shi

It is said to be the highest sacred place in Okinawa, and is one of the first Mitakes in the country created by Amami Mikiyo, the founder of Ryukyu. It was used as a place for the Shinto ritual of the Ryukyu dynasty. The place of worship made of two giant stalactites is very mysterious. It is also popular as a power spot.

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

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