Things to do in Okinawa Ken
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Yakiniku Station Bambohe
If you've got a big appetite and quantity is important, head here where you'll find an all-you-can-eat yakiniku (grilled meat over table-top hibachi grills), including dessert and soft drinks, for a reasonable price. The restaurant is just off of Kokusai-dōri, across from the covered arcades, and is easily recognised by its bright yellow English sign.
reviewed
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Asian Dining
Sure, it's a bit tacky, but there is definite novelty value in eating dinner at the top of a three-storey plastic banyan tree, and the views of the nearby port aren't too shabby. The speciality of the house is Southeast Asian cuisine, though there's also a good offering of Okinawan specialities and other Japanese fare. The tree (which isn't too hard to miss) is right around the corner from the Okinawa International Youth Hostel.
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China
This hip izakaya offers a great deal - for the first 45 minutes, frosty Orion beers and awamori cost ¥100 assuming you order one food plate per person. With the full range of Okinawan delicacies on offer, you shouldn't have too many problems choosing what to eat. China is 100m off Kokusai-dōri on Ichigin-dōri - look for the English sign and hanging red flags.
reviewed
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Tsuboya Pottery Area
One of the best parts of Naha is this place, a centre of ceramic production from 1682, when Ryūkyū kilns were consolidated here by royal decree. Most shops sell all the popular Okinawan ceramics, including shiisā (lion-dog roof guardians) and containers for serving awamori, the local firewater. To get here from Kokusai-dōri, walk south through the Heiwa-dōri arcade for about 350m.
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Chakura
In the heart of Kokusai-dōri, Chakura is a celebrated 'live house' run by local music maverick Kina Shōkichi. Kina-san and his band, Champloose, perform here nightly (when not touring). Although there is a small English sign, Chakura is fairly non-descript, though it's famous enough that most locals can point it out to you if you're having problems finding it.
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USS Emmons
Okinawa's most famous dive spot is the wreck of the USS Emmons, a US Navy Gleaves-class destroyer that sunk in 1944 around 1km off Kouri-jima, a small island lying northeast of the Motobu Peninsula. Divers can make out the hulk from the depth of 25m, though strong currents, low visibility and the presence of unexploded ordinance make this a challenging dive.
reviewed
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Club Cielo
Smart and sophisticated, Club Cielo is one of the hottest spots in downtown Naha. Although it's going to be a pricey night out, this is a good choice for top-quality music ranging from the latest in American hip-hop to the hottest Euro-electronica tracks. The club is on the 6F across the street from the Okinawan Prefectural Assembly Hall.
reviewed
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Shurei-no-mon
As the ceremonial entrance to the Shurijō-kōen (首里城公園; castle), this Chinese-influenced gate was originally constructed some 500 years ago, though it was completely rebuilt in 1958. Today, it's considered to be the symbol of Okinawa and it appears on Japan's ¥2000 bank note.
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Daitō Soba
This dinky little noodle house is the perfect spot for sampling your first bowl of okinawa-soba (Okinawan style noodles). We like ours with extra shima-tōgarashi (pickled hot peppers in sesame oil). It's one block north of Kokusai-dōri on Midori-ga-oka Park (look for the red banners and plastic food models).
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Shikina-en
Around 4km east of the city centre is a Chinese-style garden containing stone bridges, a viewing pavilion and a villa that belonged to the Ryūkyū royal family. Despite its flawless appearance, everything was painstakingly rebuilt after WWII. To reach the garden, take bus 2, 3 or 5 to the Shikinaen-mae stop (¥220, 20 minutes).
reviewed
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International Cemetery
On the north side of Tomari port is this fascinating cemetery, which has a small monument commemorating Commodore Perry's 1852 landing in Naha. The US naval officer subsequently used Okinawa as a base while he forced the Tokugawa shōgunate to finally open Japanese ports to the West.
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Naha Folkcraft Museum
The Naha Folkcraft Museum houses a detailed collection of traditional Okinawan crafts. Staff members are on hand to demonstrate glass-blowing, weaving and pottery-making in the workshops. Located a three-minute walk from Akamine monorail station (follow the English signs).
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Shurijō-kōen
This reconstructed old residence (castle) of the Okinawan royal family is well worth a visit. There is an excellent brochure in English highlighting the attractions. The castle's walls have numerous gates, but the pick is the Chinese-influenced Shurei-no-mon (首里の門).
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Helios
If you have a discerning palette, head straight for this Kokusai-dōri drinking establishment (look for the plastic beer models outside). Although there's nothing wrong with Orion lager, it's got nothing on the expertly crafted microbrews on tap here.
reviewed
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Sōgen-ji
The reconstructed gates of Sōgen-ji are located at the eastern end of Kokusai-dōri. The original stone gates once led to the 16th-century temple of the Ryūkyū kings, though it was unfortunately destroyed in WWII.
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Maeda Point
One of Okinawa's most popular dive spots is Maeda Point, located off Cape Maeda, which has a drop-off wall that attracts numerous species of tropical fish including batfish, parrotfish, barracudas and clownfish.
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Fukushū-en
Garden fans should take a stroll through Chinese-style Fukushū-en. All materials were brought from Fuzhou, Naha's sister city in China, including the pagoda that sits atop a small waterfall.
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Tsuboya Pottery Museum
In Tsuboya, you will find the excellent Tsuboya Pottery Museum, which contains some fine examples of traditional Okinawan pottery. Here you can also inspect potters' wheels and inspect arayachi (unglazed) and jōyachi (glazed) pieces.
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Nami-no-ue beach
Nami-no-ue beach, near the Naminoue-gu shrine, is a small city beach where you can relax without leaving town. It comes complete with lifeguards, jellyfish/shark nets, showers and toilets.
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IANTD Okinawa, dive operators
Located in Naha's suburban sprawl, this is one of two English-speaking dive shops. It's a bit difficult to find, but if you phone ahead, it can arrange a pick-up from your accommodation.
reviewed
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Reef Encounters, dive operators
Located in Naha's suburban sprawl, this is one of two English-speaking dive shops. It's a bit difficult to find, but if you phone ahead, it can arrange a pick-up from your accommodation.
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Okinawa Prefectural Museum
The modest Okinawa Prefectural Museum on the grounds of Shurijō-kōen has a number of interesting displays on Okinawan lifestyle, history, culture and natural environment.
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Kokusai-dōri
Kokusai-dōri is the city's main artery and makes a colourful walk, day or night.
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Yūnangi
You'll be lucky to get a seat here, but if you do, you'll be treated to some of the best Okinawan food around, served in traditional but bustling surroundings. Try the okinawa-soba set (¥1400). Look for the wooden sign with white letters in Japanese and the plants.
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