Source: hidekio
If you’re looking for a unique experience during your vacation to Japan, then Okinawa may be the right place for you. Located off the southwestern tip of the main island of Honshu, Okinawa Prefecture is made up of a series of 363 islands, 49 of which are as yet uninhabited, natural paradises. The largest of the islands, Naha, serves as the prefecture’s capital city, and is also the commercial centre of the Ryukyu Kingdom, one of Japan’s most colorful historical civilizations. Let us take a look at some of the top sightseeing spots Okinawa has to offer.
1. Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
Source: Hideyuki KAMON
Arguably one of the most popular destinations in the prefecture, the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is found in the Ocean Expo Park located within Naha. Hailed as the best aquarium attraction in Asia, the park offers an unparalleled view into the deep sea. Look forward to watching the whale sharks, the largest species of shark in modern times, manta rays, and countless other rare species of marine creatures gliding through a beautifully cultivated backdrop of corals.
Information
- Name: Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
- Address: 424 Ishikawa, Motobu, Kunigami District, Okinawa Prefecture 905-0206, Japan
- Price: 1,850 yen
- Access: Check out access here.
- Opening hour: 8:30 – 20:00 (8:30 – 18:30 in winter)
- Holiday: First Wednesday and Thursday of December
- Website: http://oki-churaumi.jp/en/index.html
2. Oki Park
Source: tarou lebel
Shuri Castle Park, known as Oki Park for short, is one of the best places to steep in the rich history of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the park is constructed around the official Ryukyu palace, and offers visitors various sites of historical significance. Take a stroll along the castle outskirts to see Koufukumon, the gate said to bring fortune once you cross it, and Shureimon, another set of gates extolling the virtue of courtesy that is featured on the Japanese 2000yen note. Venture into the castle itself to see how the Ryukyu monarchs lived, with access to areas such as the king’s study, guard room, and administrative agency where the public servants of the kingdom used to work.
Information
- Name: Oki Park or Shuri Castle
- Address: 1 Chome-2 Shurikinjocho, Naha, Okinawa Prefecture 903-0815, Japan
- Price: 820 yen
- Access: Check out access here.
- Opening hour: Check out opening hours here.
- Holiday: First Wednesday of July and the next day
- Website: http://oki-park.jp.e.ms.hp.transer.com/shurijo/
3. Sunset Beach
Source: Jonathan Leung
Sunset Beach, as its name suggests, is a city beach resort which, in addition to a sparkling sea and white sand, boasts an amazing view of the sunset. Thanks to the absolutely stunning sight, countless couples have decided that Sunset Beach is the perfect to propose to their loved ones. With facilities such as shopping malls, movie theatres, a Ferris wheel and amusement park within walking distance, Sunset Beach is a popular choice for locals and tourists, couples and families alike. It is also the best place to go if you want to experience the ultimate beach party, as Sunset Beach has the facilities to host a barbeque event for up to 1000 people.
Information
- Name: Sunset Beach
- Address: 2 Mihama, Chatan Town, Okinawa Prefecture 904-0115, Japan
- Price: Free
- Access: Check out access here.
- Opening hour: 9:00 – 18:00
- Website: http://www.uminikansya.com/
4. Sefa-utaki
Source: Kentaro Ohno
Sefa-utaki, or “Utaki’s pure spot”, is a religious and historical site located in Okinawa’s Nanjo City. With the meaning of the “highest spot”, Sefa-utaki was one of the most sacred places of worship for the Ryukyu people from the 15th-16th century. Back in those days, males were restricted from even stepping past the gates leading into Sefa-utaki, so in order to worship at the shrine, all men, even the Ryukyu king himself, had to dress as women.
Information
- Name: Sefa-utaki
- Address: 270-1 Chinenkudeken, Nanjo City, Okinawa Prefecture 901-1511, Japan
- Price: 200 yen
- Access: Check out access here.
- Opening hour: 9:00 – 18:00 (9:00 – 17:30 in winter)
- Holiday: 1 January
- Website: http://okinawa-nanjo.jp/sefa/
5. Kokusai Dori
Source: Stefan Krasowski
Kokusai Dori, or “International Street” is the main business thoroughfare found in the capital city of Naha. Reaching up to about two kilometers from one end to the other, the street runs through downtown Naha and past the Ernie Pyle International Theatre, a building after which the road was named. With an endless stretch of restaurants, eateries, bars, department stores, and shops selling original crafted souvenirs, Kokusai Dori is a must-see for any visitor to experience the full thrum of Okinawa life. The adventurous may wish to take the off-track route by veering off onto the numerous side streets off Kokusai Dori, such as Mutsumi Dori and Heiwa Dori.
Information
- Name: Kokusai Dori
- Address: Naha, Okinawa Prefecture 900-0013, Japan
- Access: Check out access here.
- Website: http://www.kokusaidori.net/
6. Yonaguni Underwater Ruins
Source: Vincent Lou
Located on the seabed between the Yaeyama Islands and Yonaguni Island, the Yonaguni Underwater Ruins rose to stardom about ten years ago when Discovery Channel did a feature on it. Originally discovered by a local tourism director by accident as he was observing marine wildlife, the underwater formations have sparked much debate with regards to their origin. Some claim that the artifacts are natural, while others argued that the numerous step-like features were too regular to have been created by Nature. Divers can watch out for interesting formations such as the star-shaped platform, a ten-meter long straight wall, and many other unique details.
Information
- Name: Yonaguni Underwater Ruins
- Access: Check out access here.
- Website: http://www.yonagunijima.net/
7. Ryukyu Village
Source: Soramimi
Ryukyu Village, a theme park located in the city of Onna, is perhaps one of the most interesting places to learn and experience the way the Ryukyu people used to live. With architecture featuring the different traditional housing from all over the prefecture, RyuKyu Village comes alive daily with staff dressed in traditional costumes and engaging in handicraft works such as cloth weaving, farming, pottery and more. Lucky visitors may even catch the Eisa taiko and dance, a performance put up during the annual Bon Festival to honor the ancestors.
Information
- Name: Ryukyu Village
- Address: 1130 Yamada, Onna Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa Prefecture 904-0411, Japan
- Price: 1,200 yen
- Access: Check out access here.
- Opening hour: 8:30 – 18:00 (9:00 – 17:30 in winter)
- Website: http://www.ryukyumura.co.jp.e.ls.hp.transer.com/official/
8. Tower of Himeyuri
Source: Stefan Krasowski
The Tower of Himeyuri, located in the Himeyuri Peace Memorial Park, serves to commemorate the female students and teachers who lost their lives during the Battle of Okinawa during World War II. The students, recruited to work as field nurses, worked under horrific conditions, and many did not live to see the war’s end. Despite its name, the memorial reaches up to about ten centimeters tall. The name Himeyuri is derived from the names of the school magazines of the two high schools the students and teachers were from, “Otohime” and “Yuridai”.
Information
- Name: Himeyuri Peace Memorial Park
- Address: 671-1 Ihara, Itoman, Okinawa Prefecture 901-0344, Japan
- Price: 310 yen
- Access: Check out access here.
- Opening hour: 9:00 – 17:30
- Website: http://www.himeyuri.or.jp/EN/info.html
9. Cape Manzamo
Source: troy_williams
Found on the western coast of Okinawa along the East China Sea, Cape Manzamo is a beautiful rock formation popular amongst locals and tourists alike due to the scenic views it offers. With endless green fields, spectacular rocky cliffs and wave-eroded arches, and a coral formation that resembles an elephant’s head, it is no surprise that many call Manzamo the prefecture’s natural treasure.
Information
- Name: Cape Manzamo
- Address: 2870-1 Onna Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa Prefecture 904-0411, Japan
- Access: Check out access here.
10. Okinawa World
Source: Kawakami Mio
While some visitors may find the place touristy, Okinawa World has much to offer in terms of both amazing natural sites and authentic Okinawa culture. Start off your visit with a walk through Gyokusendo Cave, a five kilometer natural cave formation, to view majestic stalactites and stalagmites formed over millions of years. Wander around the Kingdom Village, modeled after a traditional Ryukyu village, and try your hand at creating various traditional crafts such as weaving and dyeing fabrics, pottery, and making of musical instruments, to name a few. Animal lovers would love the Habu Park, a small snake museum named after the deadly local Habu snake.
Information
- Name: Okinawa World
- Address: 1336 Tamagusuku Maekawa, Nanjo City, Okinawa Prefecture 901-0616, Japan
- Price: 1,650 yen (for all attractions)
- Access: Check out access here.
- Opening hour: 09:00 – 18:00
- Website: http://www.gyokusendo.co.jp/okinawaworld/en/
From wondrous natural sights to modern theme parks and attractions, there is something in Okinawa for everyone. Do make a trip down the next time you are in Japan!
Have a good trip and travel!
