Guide

With its theme of “meeting Okinawa’s seas”, the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium introduces you to “Inoo” (the shallow edge of coral reefs), coral reefs, the Kuroshio Sea, the deep sea, and various types of sea creatures. The whale sharks and manta rays elegantly swimming around in its big fish tank- the world’s largest- are a must-see.

There is a popular spot in Chatan-cho in the mid-southern region of the main island of Okinawa that is about 40 minutes by car from Naha Airport. This is a popular area among young people where, in an American atmosphere, you can enjoy shopping and leisure at various shops, restaurants, and movie theaters. Sunset Beach is close by there as well.

In the southern part of the main island of Okinawa you can see the hills of Mabuni, Itoman-shi to the south, and on the southeastern side there are plateaus that give you an unbroken view of the coastline.
In the park there are things like: the Peace Memorial Museum, the Cornerstone of Peace, a peace memorial statue, and a national Okinawa graveyard for fallen soldiers. This park is used as a place to pray for permanent world peace.

(Naha-shi) Shuri Castle is in the heart of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Japanese and Chinese architectural styles are used inside of its central building and it is Okinawa’s largest wooden building. The Shuri Castle Ruins as well as the Tamaudun and the Sonohyan-utaki Shimen around the vicinity of the ruins are all registered as World Heritage sites and have become tourism the destinations for representations of Ryukyu culture.

Kokusai Street is the representative downtown area of Okinawa and is lined up with restaurants and souvenir shops and is teeming with tourists. Close to the street there is a public market that has rows of brightly colored seafood and rare foodstuffs as well as restaurants- this makes it a popular spot where you can experience Okinawa’s food culture with both your eyes and your stomach.

Yachimun Street in the Tsuboya district has a Ryukyu-Kingdom-era feel to it that was left behind with its “akagawara” (red roofs). It is about a 10 minute walk from the busy Kokusai Street. Along its stone-paved streets made from Ryukyu limestone are rows of ceramic and pottery studios, direct sales shops, and galleries. You will want to give this place a visit if you come to Okinawa.

This garden was registered as a World Heritage Site in 2000 and was used by the Ryukyu royal family for welcoming the Chinese emperor’s accredited envoys who went to neighboring kingdoms. Why not go there and enjoy traces of the Ryukyu Kingdom era by strolling around the pond and enjoying the change of scenery at this open park?

Nami-No-Ue Beach, Umi-Sora-Koen-No-Ue Beach and Umi-Sora Koen are the only swimming beaches in Naha. They are in the city, so you can make your way over to them easily. It is perfect for people who want to enjoy both the tourism spots and the sea in Okinawa. They also have complete facilities like changing rooms, etc., so you can swim until it is time for you to leave and catch your flight.

You can enjoy tax-free shopping here without a passport. T Galleria Okinawa by DFS is the country’s only tax-free store that is on the street. You can purchase the latest collections selected by the store as the best of the best from all over the world as well as items only found at the T Galleria at bargain tax-free prices up to 30% cheaper than domestic retail prices.