The Best of Okinawa
Situated on the Motobu Peninsula in northern Okinawa, this large and well-known park was built in 1976 to commemorate the Okinawa International Ocean Expo. Nowadays the sprawling complex offers the country’s finest aquarium, a nice stretch...
Originally erected in the late 14th century, Shuri Castle served as the residence of the Ryukyu kings right up until 1879. Destroyed and rebuilt many times over the centuries—most recently in 1992—it is now a designated UNESCO World...
The main Shinto shrine in Naha, Naminoue Shrine (the name means "above the waves") enjoys a picturesque location overlooking the sea and Naminoue Beach. Originally constructed for the Ryukyuan religion, the shrine was dedicated to Nirai Kanai, the...
This lovely restaurant can be found on the grounds of Shuri Castle in a picturesque old house, accessed via a stone gate and a walkway lined with palm trees and orchids. The interior has traditional tatami flooring with low tables, but in sunny...
This compact and slightly hard-to-find traditional restaurant is worth the effort it takes to track it down. Hidden inside Makishi Public Market, and with only a couple of tables (plus some seats at the counter), it’s renowned for its...
You can find this charming teahouse along a small lane close to the Tsuboya pottery district. Named after the traditional Okinawan tea (buku buku cha)—a jasmine tea topped with rice foam and crushed peanuts—the venue has a soothing,...
Kokusai Dori (International Street) is one of the buzziest areas to explore in the city. Some 1.6 kilometers (one mile) long, it’s lined with myriad retail and commercial outlets, from cafés and restaurants to bars, shops and offices....
This small street has been the hub of local ceramic production since the 17th century. Today it is lined with charming shops making and selling all kinds of traditional pottery, from decorative and practical objects for the home to...
