Okinawa is a Japanese prefecture that has been the cultural and historical hub since time immemorial. Today, it has become an international tourist destination because of its proximity to the ocean, spiritual significance, and history as a military stronghold.
More than 7 million tourists visit Okinawa every year, most of them through its marine and bio-diversity-based attractions. From exploring the famous Churaumi aquarium to the traditional Tsuboya Pottery Village, here are some fun things to do in Okinawa.
1. Visit Shuri Castle
The Shuri Castle, built during the 14th century, holds the memory of the glorious Ryukyu Kingdom.
The major attractions reflecting Naha's history consist of the Shureimon Gate - a 16th-century gate constructed by King Sho Sei - the Kankaimon Gate brought as a gift by Chinese ambassadors, and the praying spot Sonohiyatake Utaki.
The main hall of this castle, Seiden, faced a lot during the fire that happened in 2019. Though the renovation of Seiden is still on and it may reopen in the year 2026, one can see other areas and look at the ongoing renovation.
2. Go To Okinawa Peace Memorial Park
It is a memorial park to commemorate the soldiers and civilians who died in the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. The Cornerstone of Peace, the most important facility in the park, bears more than 200,000 names, including American soldiers.
Locals and foreigners visit the park to pay their respects to the innocent lives lost during the World War II battle. The facility includes, other than the cornerstone, a memorial museum, a peace bell, and a meditation forest.
There is free entry to the memorial park, while the museum and peace hall charge for tickets.
3. Spend A Day At Ocean Expo Park
Built in 1976, the Ocean Expo Park is open to visitors throughout the year. Running for three kilometers along the Motobu Peninsula, the park has an arboretum housing over 400 species of plants.
If you are traveling with kids, the Ocean Expo Park is among the best tourist attractions for your family. Okichan Theatre, where the dolphin Okichan performs tricks along with his pals, will like kids and grownups.
Where the rarest of all, the appearance of exotic turtles, is definitely going to light up a grin.
4. Shop For Souvenirs At Kokusaidori
One of the most popular places to visit in Okinawa, Kokusaidori is a shopping street right in the heart of Naha. Take a stroll around and explore the restaurants, hotels, and department stores.
For foreigners visiting Japan, Kokusaidori offers several gift shops where you can purchase souvenirs to bring back to your loved ones. Or, you can skip the shopping altogether and join a local restaurant for live music.
The area usually remains active until 10 pm, with the restaurants operating for even longer; Kokusaidori is perfect for exploring the nightlife in Japan.
5. Get Illuminated By Southeast Botanical Gardens
The Southeast Botanical Garden isn't just your average tourist destination, it's a spiritual hub for individuals looking to connect with nature. The garden features a street lined with Alexandar palm trees on the opposite ends, along with a pond with beautiful water lilies.
The garden's main attraction, however, is the illumination show. Performed during the night, the program steals the show with the beautiful decorations and bird shows.
The Lotus of Light is also very popular with tourists, featuring the illumination of fully-bloomed lotuses. This act is only performed for limited time, from June to August, so plan your tour accordingly.
6. Enjoy The Wonders Of Okinawa World
Okinawa World is a theme park located in the southern part of Okinawa. It's perfect for a family outing because it allows visitors to view the famous Gyokusendo Cave, a limestone cave stretching over five kilometers.
The ever-growing cave, which was formed over 300,000 years ago, grows at 1 millimeter every three years. Additionally, the theme park also consists of the Habu Museum Park, which is popular for featuring a live show with a venomous snake.
The museum hosts five shows every day; you can get entry with the park's ticket and no additional fee is charged.
7. Stroll Around The American Village
The United States has a long-standing relationship with Japan. As a way to honor the friendship between the nations, the American Villages was set up in Chatan Town.
Embodying everything American, this village impresses with its very colorful buildings and neon lights along with a lax beach-town vibe.
Ride the Skywheel Ferris Wheel, especially at sunset, and watch great views of the village and surrounding coastline. You can also enjoy the latest movies at the Mihama 7-Plex Cinema or simply enjoy live music at one of the many local bars and venues.
8. Eat A Cozy Dinner In MOSS Okinawa
MOSS Okinawa is an absolute gem for anyone visiting the island. The restaurant, with its inviting atmosphere, is a great spot to enjoy a decent meal and spend quality time with loved ones.
These Okinawan dishes are certainly a treat when visiting the restaurant: fresh fish, Okinawa soba, and locally grown vegetables. Each course, from a light snack to a full meal, was elaborately prepared with full flavor.
But, that's not all; while the food is excellent, so is their service. The staff is friendly and committed to providing the best service. A single dinner at this joint is enough to create a more positive outlook towards Okinawa and the local people.
9. Explore Nakagusuku Castle Ruins
A world heritage site, the Nakagusuku Castle site today holds the ruins and memories of the Ryukyuan Lords. At one point, the former castle was used as several establishments, including a primary school, a village office, and a residential facility.
A fire eventually destroyed the Nakagusuku Castle during a Second World War battle in 1945. Two years later, the government came up with plans to turn the ruins into a designated park for visitors. Today, the site is a famous spot for photography and sightseeing.
The ruins comprise six enclosures made of stone that are fairly easy to navigate. Overall, touring the castle ruins will only take about two hours, so you'll have plenty of time to indulge in other entertaining activities.
10. Have Fun At Neo Park
A family-friendly wildlife sanctuary, the Neo Park Okinawa is ideal for experiencing up-close encounters with various animals in naturalistic habitats. Favorite among visitors are the red pandas who are often seen climbing trees or munching on bamboo.
Besides the rare species, the park also features free-roaming animals like flamingos, peacocks, and capybaras in open spaces. Get to one of the feeding stations to directly interact with the animals.
For a fun activity, hop on the Neo Park Train for a ride through the park. The park comes with a cafe and souvenir shop for individuals looking to dine or purchase a memorabilia.
11. Offer Prayers At Naminoue Shrine
The Naminoue Shrine is spiritual and devoted to Benten, the goddess of music, art, and wealth in Japanese mythology. Meant to honor and find protection from the sea, it lies on the cliff above the coast. Traditionally, this shrine was a place of worship for sailors.
It is also easily accessible on foot or by a short drive from Naha City. This place is about 15-20 minutes away from the famous tourist area Kokusaidori. Typically, you spend about 30 minutes inside the shrine, so you have ample time to visit other places.
12. Tour Tamaudun Mausoleum
The Tamaudun Mausoleum is a prime example of Japan's architectural brilliance. Constructed in the 16th century, the site's design is influenced by the Shurijo Castle, with overlaps in their limestone bedrock and roofs made out of gabled tile.
Outside the mausoleum, there's a stone wall that contains stone sculptures of dragons, lions, and phoenixes. Visitors are known to pose in front of these stone statues for a lasting memory.
Located in Naha, the mausoleum lies at a 15-minute walking distance from the Shuri Station in Okinawa. Alternatively, you can also take a bus or the Yui Rail to reach the site.
13. Witness Marine Life At Churaumi Aquarium
The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is renowned around the world, mostly for the Kuroshio Sea Tank. This gigantic aquarium, with a capacity of 7,500 cubic meters of water, houses several giant whale sharks that gracefully glide through the water alongside manta rays.
Also, join the Touch Pool for an interactive session with marine life. Designed for children, visitors can gently touch creatures like starfish, sea cucumbers, and other invertebrates found in Okinawan water.
Aquarium staff are present at all times to supervise on how to handle these animals without hurting them.
14. Learn Ryuku History At Okinawa Prefectural Museum
Situated in Omoromachi, Naha City, the museum is home to artifacts from the Ryukyu Kingdom era. Besides pottery, textiles, and ancient tools, the establishment also explores Okinawa's interactions with China, Japan, and Southeast Asia.
For kids, the museum runs works to learn traditional Okinawan arts such as bingata dyeing, pottery making, or weaving. Kids can also participate in activities like painting or creating sculptures that align with the themes of the museum.
The museum, open from Tuesday to Sunday, is easy to reach from the Omoromachi Station. Likewise, the tours are available in multiple languages, making it easier for foreigners to blend in.
15. Enjoy An Oceanic View From Kouri Ocean Tower
The Kouri Ocean Tower is an observation deck for viewing the mesmerizing Kouri Ohashi Bridge and the surrounding ocean. The tower sits on the rooftop, at the height of nearly 270 feet, accompanied by a beautiful garden.
The observation tower also hosts a restaurant and a shell museum. The restaurant, famous for its authentic Neapolitan pizza, is a sweet spot for enjoying the outside view while enjoying a delicious meal.
The Kouri Ocean Tower is at walking distance from the Ohashi Bridge, a 1,960-meter-long bridge, that connects the Kouri island to Nago City. Built over the ocean, the bridge is a popular tourist destination for taking photographs or slow walks.
16. Visit Tsuboya Pottery Village
The historic Tsuboya Pottery Village works to preserve the traditional art of pottery-making while also helping the local economy through tourism.
The village has been the heart of Okinawan pottery since the late 17th century when it was established as a centralized hub for potters during the Ryukyu Kingdom.
A signature Tsuboya creation is the Shisa lion-dog statues; these iconic figures are believed to ward off evil spirits. For a hands-on experience, join local pottery-making workshops and decorate your own piece of Tsuboya-yaki.
Meanwhile, history enthusiasts can visit the Tsuboya Pottery Museum to learn about the origins and techniques of Okinawan poetry.
17. Try Local Food At Makishi Public Market
For visitors with the desire to experience the lifestyle and food habits of Okinawa, the Makishi Public Market is a great place to start. You can purchase anything from tropical fish and lobsters to green turban snails, exotic foods enjoyed by the local people.
Even if you are not looking to purchase, you can ask for free samples which the local vendors will be happy to oblige to. Alternatively, you can also purchase your favorite sea food and get them cooked at one of the restaurants in the second floor of the market.
18. Take A Trip To Ryukyu Mura
A cultural theme park in Onna Village, Ryukyu Mura recreates an authentic Ryukyuan village, with traditional houses, live performances, and cultural experiences.
Walk through the recreated village and observe the beauty of the red-tiled roofs, stone walls, and Shisa lion-dog statues - the houses transported from across Okinawa and preserved in their original form.
To get to Ryukyu Mura, catch the Okinawa Bus from Naha Bus Terminal. Going through Route 20, get off at a stop near the park and walk a short distance to the park entrance. Or, you can also take a taxi from Naha, which will get to the park in only 45 minutes.
19. Explore Kerama Islands
Kerama Islands are a haven for divers and people interested in the marine life inhabiting the coasts of Okinawa. Due to the deep water surrounding the islands, the waters have become a popular spot for whale-watching and snorkeling.
You can join a guided tour aboard a yacht, which lasts about two hours, or rent a boat to get to deeper waters. Whales are known to frequent the waters from December to April, during which they mate and raise their calves.
If you looking to stay inland, spend your time hiking one of the trails as you get mesmerized by the local plants and animals. Or, you can waste a day, idling by a beach.
20. Pay Respect At Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters
This underground complex was used by the Imperial Japanese Navy during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945, one of the bloodiest and most intense battles of the Pacific War.
Today, the Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters is a memorial site and museum. You can explore the tunnels, which contain informative displays, maps, and exhibits detailing the history of the battle and the use of the complex.
The site is open to the public throughout the year; admission fees are modest, with tours available to enhance the experience. As it is a memorial and a place of reflection, always maintain a respectful attitude.
21. Go To The Depths Of Valley Of Gangala
The Valley of Gangala is particularly famous for its caves, which have been used by humans since ancient times. The Gama Cave, one of the caves in the valley, shed light on early human history through the prehistoric remains and pottery fragments that were discovered there.
Besides cave exploration, visitors are also fascinated by the cafe located at the bottom of the valley. Set in a lush environment, the cafe boasts an open-air design that allows guests to enjoy the views of the surrounding tropical forest and limestone cliffs.
22. Walk Around Shikinaen Royal Gardens
The Shinikaen Royal Gardens, an architectural masterpiece, has taken inspiration for its designs from China and Japan. The main attraction includes a circuit garden created with a traditional Japanese design that features a pond.
A small arched bridge over the pond further adds to the beauty of the garden, creating a beautiful view for spectators.
Although the garden was constructed in the late 18th century, it was badly damaged during the Second World War and had to be renovated subsequently. Despite the damage, the garden was eventually restored to its original form and continues to remain a symbol of the war.
23. Join A Bar Hopping Tour In Naha
Naha Bar Hopping Tour takes you on a fun ride to experience Okinawa's lively nightlife and its drinking culture. These typically include a visit to multiple bars, where you can enjoy Okinawan beverages: awamori, craft beers, and local cocktails.
While bar hopping can be tempting to imagine, every participant must follow some rules to keep all the involved parties safe.
The individual must meet the age requirement and should be willing to respect local customs, such as tipping or taking care of your group. Also, these tours are focused on creating a relaxed social atmosphere, so excessive drinking is discouraged.
24. Watch A Show At The National Theater Okinawa
The Okinawan theater regularly hosts performances of Okinawan arts - including kumiodori (traditional Okinawan drama), eisa dance (a lively traditional dance performed with drums), and shamisen music (a type of Okinawan folk music).
The facility also features performances of Ryukyu opera, a theatrical form that combines singing, dancing, and acting.
The soulful performances provide a rare opportunity to witness Okinawa’s unique art forms, which are often not available in other parts of Japan.
