How many World Heritage Sites are there in Okinawa? Recommended local tours and attractions to experience nature and history!
Table of Contents
- 1 How many World Heritage Sites are there in Okinawa? Recommended local tours and highlights!
- 2 There are a total of 9 World Heritage Sites in Okinawa! Summary of 9 World Heritage Sites in Okinawa by area
- 3 Recommended for beginners! Local Guided Tours
- 4 Before Visiting World Heritage Sites in Okinawa! Manners & Trivia You Need to Know in Advance
- 5 Okinawa World Heritage Frequently Asked Questions
- 6 summary
How many World Heritage Sites are there in Okinawa?
Recommended local tours and attractions!
Okinawa is often associated with blue seas and tropical resorts, but it is actually a region with many World Heritage sites of great historical and natural value.
'TheHow many World Heritage Sites are there in Okinawa?' "Where is it located and how can I get there?' "Can I tour efficiently with a local tour?We will explain the World Heritage sites in Okinawa in an easy-to-understand manner.
◆Those who wish to incorporate World Heritage sites into their sightseeing tour of Okinawa.
◆Those who are looking for a tour to the World Heritage Sites in Okinawa
Those who want to be healed in the World Natural Heritage sites in Okinawa (Yanbaru and Iriomote Island).
Please take a look at them so that you can enjoy the World Heritage sites with ease on your first trip to Okinawa.
There are a total of nine World Heritage sites in Okinawa!
Summary of 9 World Heritage Sites in Okinawa by area
Okinawa has a total ofThere are 9 World Heritage Sites. There are two types of heritage: [old buildings and castles (= cultural heritage)] and [natural forests and islands (= natural heritage)].
(e.g., Shurijo Castle Ruins, Nakagusuku Castle Ruins, Tamaryo Gusuku Group)
◆Natural HeritageA place with precious nature and living creatures that are largely untouched by humans.
(e.g. Yanbaru, Iriomote Island)
Both are registered by UNESCO as "places of great importance to humanity.Okinawa has five cultural heritage sites and four natural heritage sites.
Here is what you can see in each area!
World Heritage Sites in the Naha Area
There are several cultural heritage sites in Naha City that have been registered as World Heritage sites.
Easily accessible from Naha Airport, it is a great place to stop by between trips!
Ruins of Shuri Castle
The Shuri Castle Ruins was once the political and cultural center of the Ryukyu Kingdom. The beautiful vermilion building was famous as a symbol of Okinawa, though,Much of it was destroyed by fire in 2019.
Restoration work has been underway since November 2022,Completion in the fall of 2026The project is being carried out with the aim of Some areas are open to the public and are popular as valuable spots where visitors can observe the restoration up close!
In addition, the castle walls and gates remain in the surrounding area, and are registered as a component of the World Heritage Site "Gusuku and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu".
Car] Approx. 15 minutes from Naha Airport
Yui Rail] Get off at Shuri Station from Naha Airport Station. About 15 minutes on foot.
Bus】Take the local line (No. 1 or 14) or the intercity line (No. 346) at the Shuri Eki-mae bus stop, get off at the Shurijo Koen Iriguchi bus stop, and walk about 5 minutes.
↓ Learn more about Shurijo Castle ↓
Gyokureung
Gyokureung is the resting place of successive kings of the Ryukyu Kingdom and their families.Large graves (mausoleum)It is.
It is said to have been built around 1500, and is a valuable cultural asset that preserves the traditional Okinawan stone architecture.
The building is divided into three rooms where visitors can learn about the different burials according to royal status. Highly recommended for those interested in history and culture!
Car: 10 minutes from Naha IC via Prefectural Road 82
Yui Rail】Take the Yui Rail from Naha Airport Station to Shuri Station and walk about 15 minutes.
Bus】Take Naha Bus No.1 or 17, or Shigai Line 46, get off at "Shurijo Koen Iriguchi" bus stop, and walk about 5 minutes.
☆ Located near the ruins of Shurijo Castle, you can tour the area together on foot!
Sonohiyamu Utaki Ishimon (Stone gate of Sonohiyamu Utaki)
This is the entrance to a sacred place called "Uganju" in the days of the Ryukyu Kingdom.
It is said to have been an important place where the king prayed for safety before setting out on a journey.A precious world heritage site where you can feel the religious culture of RyukyuThe company is now in the process of
Access: 5 min. walk from Shurijo Park
Photography is allowed, but please visit quietly as it is a sacred place.
☆ Located near the ruins of Shurijo Castle, you can tour the area together on foot!
Ruins of Nakagusuku Castle
It is a large castle ruins located on a hill in the central part of the main island of Okinawa,Very well preserved among the castles of the Ryukyu Kingdom.It is known for its
It is characterized by curved stone walls and a tiered structure of several castle walls, showing the high level of masonry technology in Okinawa.
There are many spectacular vantage points from which you can see all the way to the ocean, and on a clear day, you can see both the Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea!
Access: Approximately 40 minutes by car from Naha Airport
There is an admission fee/ You can learn about the origins of the castle with the help of pamphlets and audio guides.
Ruins of Nakijin Castle
These are the ruins of a magnificent castle located near Kouri Island in the northern part of Okinawa's main island.
It is built on top of a hill at an elevation of about 100 meters, and its long stone walls resemble the Great Wall of China. It is said that the king of the Beishan Kingdom lived there at that time.
Blooms especially from late January to early February.Kanhizakura (scarlet cherry)The combination of the castle ruins and the castle is spectacular, and is also famous as the site of the "Earliest Cherry Blossom Festival in Japan".
Access: 1 hour and 40 minutes by car from Naha Airport
Light-up events are sometimes held at night. Be careful of crowds during cherry blossom season!
Northern Okinawa】Natural Heritage of Yanbaru Area
The "Yanbaru area" is located in the northern part of Okinawa's main island,Many rare Japanese animals live in this area.It is now attracting attention around the world!
In this jungle-like forest, you can learn the importance of nature while feeling the sounds of birds and the wind.
やんばるは、人の手があまり入っていない自然が今も残る貴重な場所です。
やんばるエリアの見どころ
やんばるの森では、大きなシダ植物や清流、小さな滝など、まるで絵本の中にいるような風景が...！
◆やんばるクイナ
◆ノグチゲラ（絶滅危惧のキツツキ）
この地域だけに生息する希少な野生動物たちです。
子ども連れにも人気のやんばる自然観察ツアーやナイトツアーでは、ガイドさんと一緒に生き物を探したり、星空を眺めたりと特別な体験が待っています☆
↓arrow (mark or symbol)人気急上昇中!!やんばる開催ツアーはこちら↓
↓ あわせて読みたい記事はこちら↓
やんばるエリアのアクセス方法
沖縄本島の北部に広がる「やんばる」は、2021年に世界自然遺産に登録されたエリアで、特に自然と文化の魅力が詰まっているのが、『やんばる3村（国頭村・大宜味村・東村）』です。
やんばるの最北端に位置する村で、森林率はなんと84%。沖縄本島最高峰の与那覇岳や、ダイナミックな海岸線が広がる辺戸岬など、大自然を感じられるスポットが豊富です。
◆大宜味村（おおぎみそん）
森林率76%の緑豊かな大宜味村は、静かでのんびりとした雰囲気の中に、沖縄の伝統文化と農村の暮らしが息づいています。
◆東村（ひがしそん）
「花と水とパインの村」として親しまれる東村は、mangrove forestやパイナップル畑が広がる自然豊かな村です。
Yaeyama Islands] Natural Heritage of Iriomote Island
石垣島からフェリーで約50分で行ける『西表島（いりおもてじま）』は、沖縄で2番目に大きな島で、2021年にやんばるとともに世界自然遺産に登録されました。
手つかずの自然が多く残されており、東洋のガラパゴスとも呼ばれるほどの生物多様性を持っています。
西表島（いりおもてじま）の見どころ
西表島には、日本でも最大級の広さを誇るマングローブ林が広がっています。
潮の満ち引きによって表情を変えるマングローブの森は、島のシンボルともいえる存在です。
静かな川をカヌーで進みながら、木々のトンネルや野鳥の姿を観察できます。中にはシラサギやカワセミなどの鳥も。
◆ピナイサーラの滝ツアー
西表島で人気No.1の絶景スポット！滝上からの景色はまさに絶景。初心者向けのトレッキングコースも充実しており、滝つぼで泳げるツアーも人気◎
西表島（いりおもてじま）のアクセス方法
西表島は、石垣島からフェリーに乗って約50分で到着！石垣港離島ターミナルから定期便が出ており、日帰りでも訪れることが可能です。
Iriomotejima Toursではフェリーチケットとアクティビティがセットになったお得すぎるプランを販売しています。ぜひチェックしてみてくださいね！
Recommended for beginners! Local Guided Tours
'The世界遺産ってむずかしそう…』と感じる方もご安心ください！ツアーズには、初心者でも楽しめるガイド付きの現地ツアーがたくさんあります。
☆那覇発着！観光バスツアー →詳細はこちら
首里城・玉陵などの文化遺産を効率よく巡るツアーが人気！現地ガイドの解説付きで歴史や文化を学べます。
star西表島の大自然ツアー →詳細はこちら
マングローブカヌーや滝トレッキングがセットになったツアー！現地ガイドが希少な動植物を教えてくれます。
☆やんばる自然観察ツアー →詳細はこちら
やんばるエリアにしか生息しない動植物を探したり星空鑑賞など盛りだくさん☆
沖縄の世界遺産を巡る前に！
事前に知っておきたいマナー＆豆知識
世界遺産は、未来の人たちにも残すべき大切な場所です。観光するときは、以下のマナーを守りましょう。
◆自分のゴミは必ず持ち帰る
◆写真撮影禁止の場所もあるので注意
◆現地のルールを尊重ししっかり守ろう
小学生の方でも、大人と一緒にルールを守れば、安心して楽しめますのでご安心ください！
Okinawa World Heritage Frequently Asked Questions
summary
沖縄の世界遺産は、ただの観光地ではなく、自然の美しさと歴史の深さを体で感じられる場所です。
どの場所もそれぞれに違った魅力があり、訪れるたびに新しい発見がたくさん！
・首里城跡
・玉陵
・園比屋武御嶽石門
・中城城跡
・今帰仁城跡
◆自然遺産（4か所）
・沖縄島北部
・西表島
※文化遺産に含まれる「斎場御嶽（せーふぁうたき）」と「勝連城跡」は推薦候補地であり、登録遺産には含まれていません
この9つの世界遺産は、「文化」と「自然」の両方の側面から沖縄の魅力を伝える大切な場所です。
訪れる際は、ぜひその背景にある歴史・文化・生態系の価値も感じながら旅を楽しんでみてくださいね♪
↓あわせて読みたい記事はコチラ↓
