Okinawa has a pleasant climate all year round and has a clear blue sea. As one of Japan's most popular holiday destinations, there are many tourist spots where you can enjoy the history and culture of the Ryukyu Kingdom, in addition to the islands full of southern charm, the sea, and the famous beautiful beaches. In addition, the local cuisine of Okinawa's unique culture and traditional souvenirs that are rarely found in other parts of Japan are also attractive to visitors.
Kouri Island
Kouri Island is connected to the main island of Okinawa by the Kouri Bridge, which is about 2 kilometers long, and when you arrive at the Kouri Bridge, you can see that the bridge deck looks like a roller coaster from a distance, which is spectacular. It takes about 20 minutes to drive around Kouri Island, and although it is not large, it always attracts many tourists because of the crystal clear water and the fact that there are many unique spots such as heart-shaped rocks.
There are beaches at both ends of the Kouri Bridge, so you can park your car and take photos on the beach, step on the fine sand, bask in the sun, blow the sea breeze, and enjoy the beautiful scenery up close.
Churaumi Aquarium
Located in Ocean Expo Park in Motobu Town, Kunigami-gun, in the northern part of the main island of Okinawa, Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is one of Okinawa's most famous attractions, with nearly 30,000 species of marine life, ranging from small tropical fish and small shrimp and crabs to 8.6-meter-long whale sharks.
The Kuroshio Sea, a huge two-story tank, is a stunning 7,500-meter stretch of water where three whale sharks over 8 meters long swim overhead. Visitors can also touch sea cucumbers and conch seas in the experience area to get up close and personal with marine life, or visit Ocean Expo Park next to the aquarium to see manatees, turtles and dolphins up close, taking you to explore the mysteries of marine life.
Address: 905-0206 424 Ishikawa, Moto-cho, Kokuto-gun, Okinawa
Business hours:08:30~18:30
Manzamao
The area around Onna Village in the northern part of the island is one of the best resorts in Okinawa. It is a famous scenic spot. The highlight is the steep cliffs formed by the erosion of the Ryukyu limestone, which speaks of the power of nature. Manzamo is famous as a scenic spot, but the natural grass and flora on the cliff face are designated as a natural monument of the prefecture. The blue-eared bulbul, which has a beautiful singing voice, is also common. The scenery of Manzamao on a sunny day is very beautiful, and the sunset scenery is even brighter, so it is especially recommended to visit here with family and relatives and friends to enjoy the comfortable atmosphere!
Okinawa Prefectural Museum and Art Museum
The Okinawa Prefectural Museum and Art Museum, affectionately known as "OKIMYU", is the largest cultural facility in the prefecture and functions as both a museum and an art gallery. Under the theme of "Living in Harmony with the Sea and Islands," the museum explores Okinawa's unique history and culture by exhibiting Okinawa's natural climate and culture. From the moment you step onto the glass floor, which mimics coral reefs and marine life, you can feel like you're on Okinawa and trace the history of the Ryukyu Kingdom from its birth to its decline and the development of Okinawa after the war.
Address: Naha City, Naha Shintoshin 3-chome 1-1
Bise Fukugi Forest Road
Bise Fukugi Forest Road is located near Churaumi Aquarium, and about 20,000 Fukuki trees stand on both sides. Fukugi, also known as the "tree that calls for good fortune", has been cultivated as a windbreak tree in Okinawa for a long time, and the Bise area has a large number of Fukugi, and the shade of the trees is interwoven into a verdant tunnel, creating a unique and soothing scenery.
Walking in the green tunnel, the sun shines through the branches, the swaying leaves shine, and the clear fresh air breathes, the body and mind are relaxed, forget the busyness of the day, and the soul is healed. In addition to walking, there are also shops that rent bicycles on Fukugi Forest Road, and if you are riding a bicycle, you can reach Bisezaki in about 10 minutes, where you can sit on the beach and take a break while enjoying the gentle sea breeze and the crystal clear waters.
Address:Okinawa Kokuto-gun Headquarters Town Bise
Ishigaki Beef MARU
Ishigaki Beef Maru is a restaurant with the slogan "We love yakiniku so much!" of the barbecue shop. The restaurant is about a 10-minute walk from the pier on the outlying island, so the transportation is quite convenient. The Kuroge Wagyu beef used is Ishigaki beef of A5 grade or higher that is purchased directly from a local butcher shop, and most of them are purchased as a whole cow and processed according to the location in the store, providing customers with safe and delicious yakiniku under strict quality control.
地址:26-4 Tonoshiro, Ishigaki, Okinawa 907-0004
Nago Natural Zoological and Botanical Garden
Located in the center of Nago in the northern part of the main island of Okinawa, Okinawa Nago Natural and Botanical Garden is one of the region's longest-standing botanical gardens and zoos, as well as one of Japan's finest outdoor parks and botanical gardens. The Nago Natural and Botanical Garden in Okinawa has cultivated a huge, open nature park that showcases some of Okinawa's most stunning natural landscapes, where visitors can encounter thousands of species of plants and animals, or board the park's miniature train for easy access with family and friends. Don't miss out on the rare sightings of colorful giant hornbills, squirrel monkeys and sloths.
Address: 905-0012 4607-41, Nago City, Okinawa
Business hours: 09:30~17:30
Cafe Yabusachi
There are quite a few coastal cafes along the coast of Okinawa, most of which are concentrated in the southern part of Okinawa. Although they are all sea-view cafes, they have their own characteristics depending on the distance between the location and the coast. Cafe Yabusachi is located on a high ground far from the sea, and it is far from the sea, but from Cafe Yabusachi, you can see the winding coastline. The large floor-to-ceiling windows offer a pleasant view, and when the weather is nice, you can step outside and sit on the balcony and enjoy a delicious dessert and coffee.
Address: 646-1 2F, Yucheng Word Baiming, South City, Chongjiao
Business hours: 11:00~18:00
Cape Zanba
Located in the village of Yomitan in central Okinawa, there is a cliff that stretches for nearly two kilometers due to the strong force of the waves that wash over the cliffs. There is also a giant white lighthouse in Cape Zampa Park, where you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the lighthouse, and it is also a famous spot to watch the sunset at sunset.
In addition to the lighthouse, Cape Zampa is also home to a lion that claims to be the largest in Japan, and a small shrine called the Nishi-no-Kami House, where locals beg for safe navigation. In the area of Cape Zampa, which is rich in marine resources, you can also experience marine activities such as diving and sea fishing, and you can experience the charm of Cape Zampa.
Address: 1861 Uza, Yomitan-mura, Nakatou-gun, Okinawa
Yanbaru Dining 松之古民家
Yanbaru Dining Matsunokomin House is a restaurant that is only open in the evenings, located a 5-minute walk from the Nago City Hall. The shop was renovated from an old folk house 70 years ago, and guests can enjoy the rare "Shimaguro" pork shabu-shabu in a space full of Okinawa's unique atmosphere.
Beef is usually used in shabu-shabu, but this restaurant is different. The "Shimaguro" pork served is an Okinawa brand pork produced by the crossing of Agu pigs and black pigs, which are native to the Ryukyus.
地址:2 Chome-14-5 Ominami, Nago, Okinawa 905-0015
Bagami Palace
Located in Naha City, Okinawa, Hagami Shrine is the only shrine near the sea among the Eight Shrines of the Ryukyus. During the ancient Ryukyu Kingdom, Hakami Palace was the first of the eight shrines and was revered as the chief guardian of the Ryukyus.
Although the palace has been rebuilt during the war, it still retains the characteristics of Ryukyu architecture and blends with the local culture of Japan, giving birth to the unique architectural style of Okinawa. The most representative of the red tile buildings and the Okinawan lions on both sides of the main hall are the traditional buildings that have been handed down from the ancient Ryukyu Kingdom to this day, and the Okinawan lions are said to have been brought into the culture by the Min people when they migrated to Okinawa during the Ming Dynasty.
The red-shaped omamori sold at Hagami Shrine is made of traditional Okinawan dyeing cloth, and the bright red color represents prayer for health and safety, which is also one of the characteristics of Hagami Shrine. Bestoin Gokokuji Temple in Hagami Shrine is the oldest surviving temple in Okinawa, built on the cliff of Hajo Mountain.
Address: 1-25-11 Wakasa, Naha City, Okinawa
Business hours: Monday to Sunday 9:00-17:00
Itoshiki fish market
Not far from Naha Airport, the Iruman Fish Market is a great place for seafood lovers to brunch. It is recommended to come to the fish market to order seafood, whether it is sea urchin, tuna maw, or hot miso soup, the environment is clean and it is a daily seafood, and you will not regret eating it. Next door to the fish market is the local market, where there are many vegetables, fruits, meats and dry goods, and the most special thing is that each food item has the name of the manufacturer and the person in charge, which is very interesting.
Address: 4-19, Nishisakicho, Itoaki City, Okinawa
Editorial Department of Planning/Worry-Free Line
Written by Tong Fei
Editor/Han Xiaokai
Design / Wang Zhe