Naha: Must-Do Activities

Kokusai-dori is located in the center of Naha and is one of Okinawa’s busiest avenues. After WWII, the area saw a speedy recovery among all the rubble and destruction. This 1.6 km long shopping street has now been called the miracle mile. Here you can find department stores, restaurants, and shops selling American army gear, souvenirs and clothing. You can shop while experiencing Okinawan culture at the same time.

Fukushūen is a Chinese garden built in 1992 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of friendship between China’s Fuzhou and Japan’s Naha. The planning here is done entirely according to traditions seen in Chinese gardens, coupled with landmarks seen in the city of Fuzhou. Here you’ll find yourself in China, quite literally. Here you can see Fuzhou’s famous scenes of “three mountains, two towers, one river”. You can also see the elegance typically found in Chinese gardens in the south. The Fukushūen has gorgeous sceneires and is a great place to walk around or take photos.

The First Makishi Public Market is Okinawa’s biggest agricultural goods market. It has evolved from a post-war black market seen to a public establishment. Today it is now called Okinawa’s kitchen, since almost all of the ingredients found in Okinawan cuisine can be found here. Its variety and quantity is astounding. The market is very popular and filled with locals and tourists alike. On the first floor you can buy fresh seafood, local goods and other products; on the second floor you will find an area where you can try out Okinawan cuisine and Chinese cuisine, and there are quite a few famous restaurants. You can bring items bought from the first floor to the second floor’s food court and ask them to cook for you.

Shintoshin Park is a newly developed area in the north of Naha. There are a number of large shopping centers and this is one of Naha’s biggest shopping and commercial areas. It’s a great place to walk around. You’ll find Ryubo, sanA, Coop - these are all department stores - and Yamada Denki, etc. They also have lots of food and entertainment options and you can spend your whole day here.

Tsuboya Yachimun Pottery Street is an area filled with lots of cool and interesting shops, as well as workshops where you can learn how to make ceramics. There are shops selling the Ryukyu iconic lion head and antiques and there are cafes where you can take a break. It has kept up that ambience seen in Okinawa and is very fresh to see. It’s a very enjoyable thing to walk around in the area.

Shurijo Castle is located in Naha in Okinawa, and used to be the capital, and it is where the royal castle is built. Back then, the emperor of Ryukyu would look after his affairs, meet with other countries’ ambassadors and host important ceremonies here. This is a UNESCO world heritage site. The Shurijo Castle was built after WWII and is an emulation of Tang Dynasty architectural style. Unlike traditional Japanese castles, Shurijo Castle looks like buildings from China’s coastal Minnan region in the south. There are many gates to the castle and not far away from the entrance is the Shureimon. On the door it is marked “a kingdom of etiquette” - this was a gift bestowed by the Chinese King to the Ryukyu Kingdom. There are 3 floors to the main building of the castle. On one floor, above the king’s throne, there is a plate which says “Zhongshanshitu”, which was penned by Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty in China.

Naha is Okinawa’s metropolitan capital with great views all around. There are many palm trees, straight and tall Ryukyu pines, colourfal flora, deep blue skies and white, fluffy clouds. Here, it’s all about that southern charm, something that is a rare sight in Japan’s sub-tropical tourism area. The only rail traffic in the city is the monorail which soars high above Naha. It’s usually built of 2 cars and crosses through Naha’s busiest districts, connecting the Naha airport and the city. Take the monorail and change your angle to see Naha’s city from above.

Naminoue Shrine is located inside Naha and is built on a coral reef cliff where you can look out to the sea. It’s one of Ryukyu’s eight main shrines. The name means that when the waves come up, from far away the building looks like it’s riding the waves. We are not sure when this structure was built. The shrine pays homage to Gongen Kumano, Hayatama (on the left holy seat), Kotosa Kaonomikoto (on the right holy seat). On the right of the entrance, you have the Confucian temple and the Gokoku-ji. Every year lots of pious people come here to revere the gods. The red rooftop of the shrine is very visually tied to Okinawan culture.

Shikina-en used to be a summer palace for the royal family, and it is where Chinese ambassadors would stay when visiting the kingdom. This is a very scenic circular garden. As you walk you’ll see something different at every step. There are not too many tourists here and you’ll get to really relax when you walk around the garden. Shikina-en’s style is a mix of China’s ancient gardens and Ryukyu traditions. There is greenery everywhere with birds and flowers abundant at every sight. The garden looks different across various seasons; in Spring it is very aromatic and you’ll see plum flowers blossom. In the summer, you’ll get fresh breezes and purple wisteria wiltering away into the pool below. In summer, balloon flowers come into full bloom and winters are washed with a layer of silence and calmness.

Located in Okinawa’s Naha, it’s very easy to get to with just the monorail. There are over 120 luxury brands inside the shopping center, selling cosmetics, perfume, branded goods, watches, bags and suitcases, wine and other local souvenirs. Most brands are sold at tax-free prices which is a lot cheaper than what you’ll see inside China. Brands that do not offer tax-free shopping include Chanel, Gucci, Godiva and local souvenirs.

Blue Seal is a famous ice cream chain in Okinawa and is apparently a legacy of American troops stationed here. It’s very popular among locals with many chain locations. You’ll be sure to run into one. There are lots of flavour to choose from. The purple yam and black sugar are two typical and unique Okinawan flavours loved by adults and kids alike.