Shuri-jō
Naha
This reconstructed castle was originally built in the 14th century and served as the administrative centre and royal residence of the Ryūkyū kingdom until…
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Okinawa-hontō
Depending on the suffix used, Okinawa (沖縄) can refer to the prefecture (-ken, 県), its enclosing archipelago (-rettō, 列島), the main island (-hontō, 本島) or the eponymous city on the main island (-shi, 市); but when most visitors say they're 'going to Okinawa', they mean they're visiting the Southwest Islands.
Attractions
Must-see attractions for your itinerary
Himeyuri Peace Museum
Okinawa-hontō
Located above a cave that served as an emergency field hospital during the closing days of the Battle of Okinawa, the Himeyuri Peace Museum is a haunting…
Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum
Naha
Opened in 2007, this museum of Okinawa's history, culture and natural history is easily one of the best museums in Japan. Displays are well laid out,…
Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum
Okinawa-hontō
The centrepiece of the Peace Memorial Park focuses on the suffering of the Okinawan people during the island's invasion and under the subsequent American…
Daichi Makishi Kōsetsu Ichiba
Naha
In Naha, a great place to sample everyday Okinawan eats is at one of the 2nd-floor eateries in this covered food market just off Ichibahon-dōri, about…
Tsuboya Pottery Street
Naha
One of the best parts of Naha is this neighbourhood, a centre of ceramic production from 1682, when Ryūkyū kilns were consolidated here by royal decree…
Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters
Okinawa-hontō
Directly south of Naha in Kaigungo-kōen is the Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters, where 4000 men committed suicide or were killed as the…
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
Okinawa-hontō
The centrepiece of Motobu's Ocean Expo Park (海洋博公園) is the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, which features the world's largest aquarium tank. The aquarium…
Articles
Latest stories from Okinawa-hontō
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Beaches
The other Japan: secret beaches of Okinawa and the Southwest IslandsAug 10, 2015 • 5 min read
Guidebooks
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