10月 8, 2017
Top 10 Tourist Attractions & Best Things to Do in Naha, Okinawa
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Naha city, the gateway to the wonderful tropical islands of Okinawa, has unique and popular touristic places. You can lightly enjoy everything from the ocean and nature to world heritages. Here is for you a list of some very fascinating touristic sites in Naha.
1. Ryukyu Glass Village
photo by taku_3357 / embedded from Instagram
Ryukyu Glass is a typical product of Okinawa. An attraction for many people, all hand-made products with a unique color shade and texture. At the Ryukyu glass village (Ryukyu garasu mura), you can see how those traditional handicrafts are made.
Moreover you can have an opportunity to experience it in first person. Make your original and unique glass for an excellent gift to make happy an important person!
Name: Ryukyu Glass Village
Address: 169, Fukuji, Itoman city, Okinawa
Business hours: 9:00 – 18:00
TEL: +81-98-997-4784
Website:http://www.ryukyu-glass.co.jp/
2. The Tower of Lillies
photo by yuichi_03 / embedded from Instagram
The tragic histories of Okinawa are still visible and coexist with its beautiful nature. The Tower of Lillies (Himeyuri no tou) was built for the ultimate victims of World War II who worked in the army hospital and died by concentrated fire.
This is now a place where we can see this island from a different angle, thinking about the importance of life and the horror of war.
Name: Tower of Lillies
Address: 671-1, Ihara, itoman city, Okinawa
Business hours: 9:00 – 17:25
Access: 30 minutes by car from the Naha airport
TEL: +81-98-997-2100
Fee: 310 yen for adults, 210 yen for high school students, 110 yen for junior high & elementary students
Website:http://www.himeyuri.or.jp/
3. Ashibinaa
photo by ___9trip5___ / embedded from Instagram
Tourism means also shopping. There are outlets all over Japan, but in Okinawa you can find one of the biggest; the “Ashibinaa – Okinawa outlet mall”. Here you can choose your souvenirs, swim suits, Okinawa shirts.
Good for families with children and couples, here is the perfect touristic venue when bad weather hits during your vacation.
Name: Ashibinaa – Okinawa outlet mall
Address: 1-188, Toyosaki, Tomigusuku city, Okinawa
Business hours: 10:00 – 20:00
Regular holiday: None
Access: 15 minutes by car from the Naha airport
TEL: +81-98-891-6000
HP:http://www.ashibinaa.com/
4. T Galleria Okinawa
photo by tomomix1977 / embedded from Instagram
Do you want to purchase branded goods at low prices? T Galleria Okinawa by DFS is popular in Okinawa for shopping lovers and it is also the only place in Japan where you can do shopping without passport.
No problem if your hands are already busy with shopping bags! The T Galleria Okinawa is directly connected with Naha airport by monorail. Moreover purchased products will be given to you at the airport, so no need to carry bulky bags.
Name: T Galleria Okinawa by DFS
Address: 4-1, Omoromachi, Naha city, Okinawa
Business hours: 9:00 – 21:00
Regular holiday: None
Access: 1 minutes from the Omoromachi station (Yui rail)
TEL: +81-120-782-460
Website:http://www.dfs.com/
5. Naminoue beach
photo by kuang_do / embedded from Instagram
Even if Okinawa is famous for its wonderful beaches, this is the only one in Naha. It is anyway great to have a possibility to swim in this beautiful ocean in a city full of touristic sites and shopping venues.
Very close to the airport (only 10 minutes!) it is the perfect destination to reach when you have a little time, on your arrival or on your departure day, or if you want to enjoy a beautiful sunset. Do not miss this occasion.
Name: Naminoue beach
Address: 3-10-12, Tsuji, Naha city, Okinawa
Swimming hours: 9:00 – 18:00
Swimming season: April – October
Regular holiday: None
Access: Naminoue beach bus stop (No. 19 of Shinai sen) , Nishinjyo bus stop (No. 1, 2, 3, 5, 15, 45 of Shinai sen)
TEL: +81-98-863-7300
Fee: Free
Website:http://www.naminouebeach.jp/
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→Top 10 Tourist Attractions & Best Things to Do in Okinawa, Japan
6. Tsuboya Yachimun Street
photo by syugiko / embedded from Instagram
In the Tsuboya Yachimun Street (Tsuboya Yachimun Dori) you will find unique workshops for traditional potteries existing from the Ryukyu era and whose name is Tsuboya. This is also an interesting place for window shopping.
Alongside of stone-flagged streets, there are cozy coffee shops that utilize Tsuboya potteries, so you can relax while thinking of potteries with brilliant colorations to buy as a souvenir.
Name: Tsuboya Yachimun Street
Address: Tsuboya, Naha city, Okinawa
Access: 10 minutes from the Asato station (Yui rail)
TEL: +81-98-866-1635
Website:http://www.tsuboya-yachimundori.com/
7. Manko Park
photo by daisuke33461168 / embedded from Instagram
Okinawa doesn’t mean only gorgeous beaches, there is another natural treasure; the mangroves. In more remote islands of Okinawa Prefecture, coast lines covered by mangroves are not rare, but you can actually see the mangroves in the developed city of Naha as well.
Manko Park (Manko Kouen) with its rich ecological system, is the right place to see the mangroves as well as rare wild birds and aquatic organisms. You will admire its nature. Do not miss the chance to lightly experience the nature of Okinawa.
Name: Manko Park
Address: 1-6-15, Nishizaki-cho, Itoman city, Okinawa
Business hours:8:30 – 20:30 (April to October), 8:30 – 18:30 (November to March)
Regular holiday: Tuesday
Access: 30 minutes by car from the Naha airport
Website:http://bibibeach.com/
8. Kokusai Dori Street
photo by bear_valley_ / embedded from Instagram
Kokusai Dori Street is one of the representative and best touristic places to buy souvenirs of Okinawa. Approximately 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) of shops where you can enjoy an exotic atmosphere.
Also restaurants and bars are open until late night. A touristic site visited by so many people that we strongly suggest you.
→The 10 Best Izakaya You Must Visit in Naha, Okinawa
Name: Kokusai Dori Street
Address: Makishi & Kumoji, Naha city, Okinawa
TEL: +81-98-860-2230
Access: 1 minutes from the Makishi station or Kencho-mae station (Yui rail)
Website:http://www.kokusaidori.net/
9. Shurijyo Castle Park
Now registered as a world heritage, Shurijyo, Sui Gushiku in local langage, was the castle of Ryukyu Kingdom. This King-living castle prospered as the center of politics and culture.
Built on the top of a scenic hill, this red elegant castle will immediately fascinate you. So if you love history, visit this site and bask in the afterglow of the gorgeous Ryukyu Kingdom.
Name: Shurijyo Castle Park
Address: 1-2, Shurikinjo-cho, Naha city, Okinawa
Fee: 820 yen for adults, 620 yen for high school students, 310 yen for junior high & elementary students, Free for children under 6 year old.
TEL: +81-98-886-2020
Business hours: 8:00 – 19:30 (April to June, October to Novembet), 8:00 – 20:30 (July to September), 8:00 – 18:30 (December to March)
Regular holiday: First Wednesday of July and following day
Access: 10 minutes from the Shuri station (Yui rail)
Website:http://oki-park.jp/
10. Makishi Public Market
photo by tanakatsukojp / embedded from Instagram
If you are interested in the daily diet of the locals, Makishi Public Market (Daichi Makishi Kousetsu Ichiba) is a must! Now a famous touristic spot in Naha, “the kichen of Okinawa”, as it is commonly called, was originally a market for locals to sell foods including pig’s head and ear and colorful fishes. Even if just for watching is worth to go.
In the same area there is a facility to cook what you have just bought, so you can taste fresh Okinawan dishes. Experience the local life here!
Name: Makishi Public Market
Address: 2-10-1, Matuso, Naha city, Okinawa
Fee: Free
TEL: +81-98-867-6560
Business hours: 8:00 – 20:00
Regular holiday: Every 4th Sunday (except for December), New Year’s Day & Bon Festival of the lunar calendar
Access: 10 minutes from the Miebashi station (Yui rail)
Website:http://kousetsu-ichiba.com/
Let’s fly to Naha!
What do you think about Naha? There are a lot of charming places, even if you have a short time for sightseeing or have no time to visit other more isolated islands. Make your own plan and have fun!