What are the Best Things To Do in Okinawa, Japan? Here is the ultimate guide with tips and information of how to enjoy your trip, and bucket list including beautiful beaches, islands, views, historical places, local food, etc. that have you get memorable experiences!
Castle in Okinawa
These castles below are a part of World Heritage “Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu”.
Shuri Jo Castle : World Heritage
Shuri jo is a beautiful castle and symbol of Ryukyu kingdom (1429 to 1870, 450 years) in Naha city. The castle and other stuff related Ryukyu kingdom were added to the list of World Heritage in 2000.
It was burnt during WW2 and also in 2019, unfortunately.. it’s on process of recovering from the fire as of now (2022).
Shuri jo Castle Park – Official Website (English)
Katsuren jo Castle Site & Amawari Park : World Heritage
Katsuren jo castle was built by Katsuren around 12th -13th century.
Amawari was the 10th owner of Katsuren castle and leader supported by a lot of people. The king of Ryukyu was scared of his (Amawari’s) power, and decided to let the princess of Ryukyu (king’s daughter), Momotofumiagari marry to Amawari. She got to know that Awamari had a plan to attack Ryukyu kingdom, and let the King (her father) know. The king attacked Katsuren and conquered.
However, there is another theory that it was all planned by the King of Ryukyu, there was no “plan” by Amawari.
Katsuren jo Castle Site – Official Website (English)
Chura Umi Aquarium
It is a very popular place to visit in main island of Okinawa, and often ranked for “The best spot in Okinawa”. It takes 2h by car from Naha area,
The Whale shark is a must see! Highly recommended to go if you have kids!
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium – Official Website (English)
Makishi Public Market
Makishi Public Market is feeling nostalgic.. it was developed as a black market after the war.
There are a lot of shops like seafood, processed food, veggies & fruits, liquor, restaurant, sweet, etc! One of interest things for me is fishes! You’ll find fishes that you have never seen!
You can do “Mochiage” that means buy foods at ground floor and eat them at upstairs.
Makishi Public Market – Official Website (English)
Drive on The Bridge With Amazing View
Henza Mid-Sea Bridge
The view from the bridge is the best ocean view I’ve ever seen while i’m driving on bridge! There are parkings, beach, restaurants, cafes, information center, museum, shops and etc on the middle of bridge. Highly recommended!!
Nirai Kanai Bridge
Nirai Kanai Bridge is 80 meters high x 660 meters long. The best part might be when you see the ocean through the tunnel. The meaning of Nirai Kanai is “utopia over the sea”.
Kouri Bridge
Kouri bridge is 1960 meters long and connects to Kouri island (details below). It impresses you when you just get to the point where you can see the bridge between beautiful ocean!
Trip to Islands
There are a lot of islands in Okinawa. I recommend you to go some of them. My favorite islands are Ishigaki island and Taketomi island. I’d love to visit Miyako island, too.
Ishigaki island
Ishigaki island is located between main island of Okinawa and Taiwan. There used to be a ferry between the main island of Okinawa and Ishigaki island, but not anymore.. so now you need to fly. In my opinion, it’s worth visiting! 😉
Taketomi island
Taketomi island is very small island, and only 15 minutes away from Ishigaki Island. Have you ever heard / seen star-shaped sand? That’s what you can see at beach in Taketomi island!
Taketomi Island Guide : Things to Do & Food to Eat – Beaches, Star sand, etc
Kouri island
If you don’t have time to go to the different islands, don’t worry, you can go to Kouri island in main island easily by driving a car with using the Kouri Bridge as I mentioned earlier. It’s a very small island that you can drive around quickly.
Beautiful Beach
You should enjoy beautiful beaches with clear blue water and white sand in Okinawa.
- Emerald Beach (Okinawa Main island)
- Kouri Beach (Okinawa Main island)
- Sesoko Beach (Okinawa Main island)
- Kaiji Beach (Ishigaki island)
Visit Se-fa Utaki : World Heritage
Se-fa Itaki is also a part of World Heritage “Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu”. It has been sanctuary for long time for Ryukyu and Okinawan people. There are 6 places to pray. People say it’s a power spot where you can get much power from. For me, I felt much gratitude towards this beautiful nature and people who have been cherishing and protecting it.
Cape Manzamo
Manzamo is known for the interesting cliff (rock) which looks like an elephant nose! The contrast of blue (sky & ocean) and the cliff is very beautiful. Also the water in this area is amazingly clear so that you can see the coral too.
Get Amazed by Sunset View
Umikaji Terrace Senagajima
Umikaji Terrace is a mall in Senaga island where you can access by a car from Main island of Okinawa. There are a lot of restaurants and shops. You can enjoy food, shopping, and also sunset view!
Cape Zanpa Lighthouse
I recommend this place for sunset if you want to feel nature more with quietness. You can also go there at daytime for beautiful blue sky & ocean and white lighthouse!
Be careful not to go to the edge of the cliff.
Walk on Kokusai Dori Street
Kokusai Dori (street) is the most bustling street in Okinawa and a mile long. It was developed very fast from a burn-out field after the war. There are events holding there, too such as festival.
You can find anything around Kokusai Dori Street in Naha, for restaurant, cafe, bar, nightclub, shops for both souvenirs and normal uses, etc. There is also Don Quijote which is a famous discount shop where you can find foods, beverages, cosmetics, daily use items, etc.
Wish For World’s Peace
I am not going to discuss about wars here, however learning history is very important and i try to learn things that happened in past where i visit. And this was one of things I wanted to do since I was a little.
Peace Memorial Park
There are a place to pray, a place to learn, etc. This place is not for only Japanese people, also Chinese people, Korean people, and American people who lost their lives during WW2.
Himeyuri Tower
Himeyuri is a name of group of 240 women (students + teachers) who took care of injured soldiers. There was a shelter called Gama in Okinawan, and it was attacked and 87 people died. Also, other people died by other reasons.
There are Himeyuri Cenotaph (Tower) and Himeyuri Peace Museum. You need to pay the entrance fee for the museum, however it’s free to visit Himeyuri Cenotaph (which is not a big monument nor a tower since it was built when there were not many materials to use after ww2), you can buy a small bunch of flower for a couple of yen in front of it. Please take a moment to visit if you pass by.
Eat Okinawan Food as Local
Okinawa has unique foods with local ingredients that you rarely find outside of Okinawa, besides at Okinawan restaurants. There are Okinawan food and Ryukyu food.
Okinawa has a lot to offer, you will
