Must-go places when you visit Okinawa! Recommended sightseeing spots by area, carefully selected by our staff in Okinawa!

Carefully selected by our staff living in Okinawa! Introducing recommended sightseeing spots in Okinawa that you should know about in advance.

Okinawa is a travel destination with beautiful nature and many historical sights.
When you decide to go on a trip, you may be wondering what places to visit.
In this issue, we would like to introduce some of the recommended sightseeing spots in Okinawa, carefully selected by our Okinawa-based staff.
We have compiled a list of tourist attractions and sightseeing tours by means of transportation and area.

 

How do I get to the tourist attractions?

In Okinawa, the "Yui Rail" monorail is convenient for sightseeing spots near Naha Airport.
However, if you want to visit outlying areas, a car is a more comfortable way to get around.
Here we have compiled a list of ways to get around by rental car, cab, or bus.
Choose the means of transportation that best suits your travel plans and enjoy sightseeing in Okinawa.

 

rent-a-car

In Okinawa, where there are many beautiful landscapes and tourist spots, getting around by rental car is very convenient.
Enjoying a drive with family and friends against the backdrop of the emerald green sea will allow you to fully enjoy the tropical atmosphere.
Popular cars in Okinawa are compact cars, wagon-type cars, and fuel-efficient hybrid cars that can turn in small circles.
Convertible cars are available for rent, but they are not suitable for long drives due to weather conditions and strong sunlight.
During the summer season, reservations can be booked up to two months in advance, so it is important to book early.
We recommend this means of transportation so that you can enjoy sightseeing at your own pace and be comfortable even if the weather turns bad.

 

cab

If you do not have a driver's license or if driving is tiring, we recommend taking a cab to visit tourist attractions.
Cab companies in Okinawa offer free plans and charter plans to visit various tourist spots.
Since they are often hourly on a per-vehicle basis and with experienced drivers, you will be able to enjoy sightseeing with peace of mind, even if you do not know the area well.
Please note, however, that highway, parking, and entrance fees are not included.
This is a recommended means of transportation, as you can enjoy visiting sights as you wish within the time frame.
You can enjoy Okinawa in comfort without the hassle of returning a rental car or having to worry about waiting for a bus.

 

bus

Buses available for sightseeing in Okinawa include sightseeing buses and public transportation buses.
Sightseeing buses are sightseeing tours that meet at a bus company to visit major sightseeing spots.
Free time will be available at each attraction for sightseeing and shopping.
Although the sightseeing route is defined, it is a relatively inexpensive way for those who wish to visit major sightseeing spots, and is a recommended mode of transportation for solo travelers.
Public transportation buses have become a means of transportation used by Okinawan citizens as well.
There are many bus routes, which can be combined with the Yui Rail to visit various sightseeing spots.
A free pass for unlimited rides on the Yui Rail and buses is also available, so those who wish to visit many tourist spots during their trip should purchase this free pass.
The use of buses is also a popular method of sightseeing, as it is a means of transportation that allows visitors to feel as if they are living on the island while on vacation.

 

Popular attractions in the southern area

The southern area is relatively easy to access from Naha Airport.
Many people use this area as a base for their sightseeing tours, as it is the center of Okinawa.
This is a place where sightseeing, shopping, and dining are all available, so you can enjoy sightseeing without inconvenience.
For those who want to enjoy sightseeing with a sense of Okinawa's history and culture in a casual atmosphere, the southern area is recommended.

 

International Street

Kokusai-dori is the main street for sightseeing, with its mixture of exoticism and Okinawan-ness.
Many visitors come here to enjoy a complex of shopping, dining, souvenirs, and workshops.
With lodging facilities nearby and many people using it as a base for their trips to Okinawa, it is a busy place both day and night.
Not only the main street, but also the back streets leading to Kokusai-dori have developed, and some people say they can fully enjoy Okinawa just by visiting this area.
It will look even more spectacular on Sundays from 12:00 to 18:00, when it will be a pedestrian zone.

Business hours: 24 hours
Closed: No
Budget: around 10,000 yen for souvenirs and gourmet food
Address: 3-2-10 Makishi, Naha City, Okinawa, Japan
Parking: Coin-operated parking is available in the vicinity.

 

Shuri Castle (in Kyoto)

Shuri Castle, one of Okinawa's most popular tourist attractions, was registered as a World Heritage site in 2000, and there are a number of attractions within the park.
Due to the fire that occurred in 2019, some areas where restoration and reconstruction work is taking place are inaccessible and should be noted.
Shurijo Castle, an essential part of the history of the Ryukyu Kingdom, is a place where a unique culture was born through trade with Southeast Asia.
The bright red exterior of Shuri Castle is a photogenic tourist attraction, and there are also stores and restaurants.

Business hours: 8:00-18:30 (free area) 9:00-17:30 (fee-based area)
Closed: No
Budget: Adults 400 yen, High school students 300 yen, Children 160 yen, Children 6 and under free
Address: 1-2 Shuri Kinjojo, Naha City, Okinawa, Japan
Parking space available: Yes

 

Himeyuri Tower

Himeyuri Tower, an essential place in the history of Okinawa, is a memorial to the Himeyuri Students.
Many of you may know this cenotaph as it has appeared in school textbooks.
The place where the cenotaph is erected is called Ihara 3rd surgical bunker, which is believed to be the last place where the student corps spent their last days in 1946.
Many visitors from abroad come to pray and reflect on the place.
As a place where visitors can experience the cruelty of war, they will be able to spend time thinking about what peace means.
Nearby is the Himeyuri Peace Memorial Museum.
A visit to this area is also recommended for a more fulfilling sightseeing experience.

Business hours: 9:00-17:25
Closed: No
Budget: Adults 450 yen, High school students 250 yen, Children 150 yen, Free on June 23, Memorial Day
Address: 671-1 Ihara, Itoman City, Okinawa, Japan
Parking space available: Yes

 

Ryukyu Glass Village

Ryukyu Glass Village is located in Itoman City, the southernmost part of the southern area.
This tourist spot is the largest handmade Ryukyu glass studio in the prefecture, and is popular for indoor sightseeing that can be enjoyed even on rainy days.
Glass making, which many people experience at this spot, is an original Okinawan souvenir.
The variety of experiences other than glass making is also well received, with gel glass, photo frames, accessories, shisa coloring, fragrance blending, natural stone accessories, leather engraving, and other experiences using glass being the attraction of this tourist attraction.
In addition to the hands-on experience, visitors who are interested in Okinawan craftsmanship are encouraged to visit, as they can watch a glass-blowing artisan demonstration and learn through free study of glass.

Business hours: 10:00-17:30
Closed: No
Budget: Free admission, paid for hands-on workshops (prices vary depending on what you make)
Address: 169 Aza-Fukuji, Itoman City, Okinawa, Japan
Parking space available: Yes

 

Popular Tourist Spots in Chubu Area

The central Okinawa area has some sightseeing spots with an American atmosphere because of the military bases in the area.
The Chubu area is also an area full of nature, and sightseeing to enjoy the spectacular scenery is also popular.
It takes about an hour by car from Naha City, so it is a good idea to take a drive and enjoy the sights.
From shopping to spectacular scenery, the Chubu area of Okinawa is a place where you can fully enjoy yourself.

 

Mihama Town Resort American Village

Mihama Town Resort American Village is a tourist spot with an American atmosphere.
This tourist attraction has restaurants, amusement facilities, and shopping malls all within an area the size of five Tokyo Domes.
All of the facilities are tourist attractions that offer an exotic experience with a distinctly American atmosphere.
Ride the Ferris wheel, a landmark of the facility, and you will enjoy a spectacular view of the beautiful ocean below.
It is beautifully lit up at night, so a visit by couples is also recommended.

Business hours: 10:00-22:00
Closed: No
Budget: Free admission, about 10,000 yen for shopping and restaurant use
Address: Mihama, Chatan, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa
Parking space available: Yes

 

Ryukyu Village

Ryukyumura is located an hour's drive from Naha Airport.
At this facility, visitors can experience Okinawan culture and performing arts.
This is a place where good old Okinawan traditional houses are preserved and visitors can experience the Ryukyu Islands, making it a recommended sightseeing spot for those who want to have a unique Okinawan experience.
The experiences available here include making shisa-riding elephants, mystery-solving escape games, treasure hunt hunts, shisa coloring, shisa magnet making, gel candle making, coral photo frame making, and more.
Many of the staff members are dressed in traditional Okinawan costumes, which makes you feel as if you have stepped back in time.
Enjoy a relaxing time while listening to the beautiful sound of sanshin (Okinawan guitar).

Business hours: 10:00-16:00
Closed: No
Budget: Admission: Adults 1,500 yen High school students 1,200 yen Children 600 yen Free for children under 6 years old
Address: 1130 Yamada, Onna Village, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa, Japan
Parking: Many free parking lots in the vicinity

 

strand of hair on top of the head

Manzakage is a spectacular sightseeing spot located almost in the middle of the main island of Okinawa.
The Ryukyu limestone cliffs are popular for looking like the nose of an elephant.
The top of the cliff is covered with grass, and the king of Ryukyu praised it as "a grassy plain that is enough for all to sit on.
The gradation of the cobalt blue sea is also beautiful, and you can enjoy the collaboration with the green grass and blue sky.

Business hours: 8:00-19:00
Closed: No
Budget: None
Address: Onna, Onna Village, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa Prefecture
Parking lot availability, etc.

 

Popular Tourist Spots in the Northern Area

The northern area is farther from Naha Airport and is better to visit by car or sightseeing tour bus because of the expressway.
There are many famous sightseeing spots in Okinawa, many of which you have heard of by name and many of which are standard Okinawa sightseeing facilities.
If you come to Okinawa for sightseeing, please visit the northern area as it is a place where you can feel the grandeur of Okinawa with its deep subtropical forests and substandard coastline.

 

Churaumi Aquarium

The Churaumi Aquarium is one of the most popular tourist spots in Okinawa.
The world's largest fish, the whale shark, the world's first successful breeding of the southern manta ray, and coral breeding can be experienced on an overwhelming scale, making this facility an exciting sightseeing spot for adults and children alike.
It is always crowded because visitors can observe the Okinawan sea in different themes and experience what it is like to spend café time in the sea.
The Churaumi Aquarium's website includes a congestion map and other information, so if you refer to it while touring the aquarium, you will be able to enjoy a relatively smooth sightseeing tour.
Ocean Expo Park, where the aquarium is located, is also well developed, and dolphin shows, a sea turtle pavilion, a manatee pavilion, and a tropical dream center are also popular.

Business hours: 8:30-18:30
Closed: No
Budget: Admission: Adults 2,180 yen, High school students 1,440 yen, Children 710 yen, Children 6 and under free
Address: 424 Ishikawa, Motobu-cho, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa
Parking space available: Yes

You can go to ⬇︎ Churaumi Aquarium! Recommended bus tours: ⬇︎

 

Kouri Bridge

Kouri Ohashi Bridge allows visitors to cross by car to "Kouri Island," also known as "Love Island.
The experience will be a drive over the emerald green ocean, so you will enjoy a spectacular view.
On Kouri Island, just across the bridge, you will find fashionable cafes and Heart Rock (a rock shaped like a heart).
Because it is an easy way to experience the remote islands from northern Okinawa, many people visit this place while driving.

Business hours: 24 hours
Closed: No
Budget: Free
Address: Kouri, Nakijin Village, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa Prefecture
Parking: None

⬇︎Tours held around Kouri Island can be found here: ⬇︎

 

pineapple park

Nago Pineapple Park is a theme park where visitors can see 120 varieties of pineapples.
Pineapple, a specialty of Okinawa, is a popular souvenir.
Visitors can enjoy sightseeing in comfort even on the hottest days, as they can ride the pineapple train or tour the park on the Pineapple Boat.
After the 2019 renovation, dinosaur statues will also be placed in the park and visitors can experience the Dinosaur Jungle Tour.
After eating delicious pineapple sweets at the cafes and parlors, purchase and enjoy souvenirs.

Business hours: 9:00-18:00
Closed: No
Budget: Admission fee: Adult 1,200 yen, Child 600 yen. If you want to buy souvenirs, your budget is about 5,000 yen.
Address: 1195 Mata, Nago City, Okinawa, Japan
Parking space available: Yes

 

Let's tour around the sightseeing spots efficiently! Recommended Okinawa Sightseeing Tour

While there are various means of transportation available, tours are the best way to efficiently tour the sights of Okinawa.
If you want to visit major sightseeing spots in one day, take an Okinawa sightseeing tour because you will not get lost due to driving fatigue or lack of familiarity with the area.
Here are some tours to enjoy the great outdoors while trekking and sightseeing bus tours for your reference.

 

Walking Tour

Walking tours on the main island of Okinawa include visits to power spots and trekking tours to observe subtropical flora and fauna.
It is very popular because you can take a walk while visiting sightseeing spots such as "Saiba Utaki," a World Heritage site, "Gangara Falls," "Kutaka Island," which is called "God's Island," and "Chinen Cape," with its spectacular view.
Experienced guides will accompany you, so you can enjoy walking around in safety and security, and learn about Okinawa's history and culture.
We recommend this tour because it offers a sightseeing experience that lets you experience Okinawa firsthand.

 

Sightseeing Bus Tour

If you want to go sightseeing in Okinawa but do not know the area and do not know how to get around efficiently, a sightseeing bus tour is a good option.
This tour is designed to efficiently visit major tourist spots and to enjoy sightseeing and shopping.
Even if you have a specific sightseeing spot you want to visit, a sightseeing tour that includes that spot will allow you to enjoy other sights as well, killing two birds with one stone.
A sightseeing tour bus with a guide will also introduce you to Okinawan trivia and history, allowing you to enjoy a fulfilling sightseeing tour.

 

summary

When making travel plans for Okinawa, it is a good idea to have a generous amount of time to plan your trip.
During high season, you may be caught in traffic jams and crowds at tourist spots.
Allow more time to enjoy the sights, and use the extra time to spend in cafes or buy souvenirs.
Hours and holidays of sights may vary.
Final confirmation before visiting will help you enjoy your visit with peace of mind.
Since this is a trip to Okinawa, it is important to be sure to take precautions.