NahaSueyoshigu
It stands at the end of a stone stairway through the forest. A stone ramp of a form peculiar to Ryukyu survives.
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Okinawa
Coral seas, timeless islands.
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Naha663highland · CC BY 2.5
ItomanHeiwa no Ishiji
It carves the name of every person who died in the Battle of Okinawa, regardless of nationality, soldier or civilian.
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KitanakagusukuNakagusuku-jo
Its curving stone walls are beautiful. Perry is said to have surveyed them and been astonished at their accuracy.
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NanjoSanguui
A triangular space where two great rocks lean together. Kudakajima can be seen from within.
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NahaArt & Crafts, Shrines & Temples · 34 entries
Islands around Okinawa IslandNature & Scenery, Historic Districts · 13 entries
Kume IslandNature & Scenery, Historic Districts · 12 entries
Miyako IslandsNature & Scenery, Historic Districts · 12 entries
Kerama IslandsNature & Scenery, Historic Districts · 12 entries
Yaeyama IslandsNature & Scenery, Historic Districts · 11 entries
FEATUREOkinawa now (autumn)As the heat eases, coastal drives and island walks become especially pleasant.See the feature 663highland · CC BY 2.5Recommended information
Check information useful for planning, for a fuller trip.
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Read the answer →REGIONAL SPECIALTIES
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It is not only the big cities. The regions are full of charm, and special experiences you can only have in each place are waiting.
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Regional culture, tradition, food, sightseeing, nature and people. A directory that delivers the appeal of each to the whole world.
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The photo is a generated image for concept purposes.INSTAGRAM / 6
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Local governments, tourism accounts and local posts are shown with official embeds. Photos are not stored on Value Village; they link to the original posts.
THINGS TO DO / 6
Things to do in this prefecture
Choose from what you can only do here.
01Swim Over Coral ReefsSnorkel above coral reefs alive with brilliantly colored tropical fish.See related entries →そらみみ (Soramimi) · CC BY-SA 4.002Explore Shurijo ParkVisit the recovering castle complex and learn about the Ryukyu Kingdom.See related entries →そらみみ (Soramimi) · CC BY-SA 4.003Explore Yambaru ForestWalk through subtropical forest habitat rich in endemic island wildlife.See related entries →そらみみ (Soramimi) · CC BY-SA 4.0
04Visit Churaumi AquariumSee whale sharks and marine life from Okinawa's surrounding seas.See related entries →Pauloleong2002 · CC BY-SA 4.0
05Slow Down on an IslandExplore quiet villages and beaches across the Yaeyama or Kerama islands.See related entries →そらみみ · CC BY-SA 4.0
06Experience Ryukyu CultureDiscover island traditions through sanshin music, bingata dyeing and dance.See related entries →funk bass · CC BY 3.0NEED TO KNOW
At a glance
- AirportNaha Airport
- ShinkansenNone (nearest: Kagoshima-Chuo Station)
- From TokyoAbout 2 hours 45 minutes by air
- Best seasonMarch–May and October–November
- Local specialtiesOkinawa soba · Goya champuru · Rafute braised pork
- Typical temperatureSummer: around 29°C / Winter: around 18°C
BEST TIME TO TRAVEL
What each season brings
663highland · CC BY 2.5Spring
MAR–MAYBeach season begins, with generally mild weather for exploring the islands.
See recommendations for this season →
ノーマルエディタ · CC BY-SA 4.0Summer
JUN–AUGSnorkel and dive among coral reefs in warm, brilliantly colored seas.
See recommendations for this season →
663highland · CC BY 2.5Autumn
SEP–NOVAs the heat eases, coastal drives and island walks become especially pleasant.
See recommendations for this season →
松岡明芳 · CC BY-SA 4.0Winter
DEC–FEBThe mild season brings opportunities for whale-watching excursions.
See recommendations for this season →
LOCAL FOOD / 12
Local food
What people have long eaten in this place. We collect the dishes themselves, not restaurants.
Okinawa Soba (Noodle from Okinawa Prefecture)
A noodle dish of rather thick noodles made from wheat flour kneaded with alkaline water rather than buckwheat flour, eaten in a soup of pork bone and dried bonito dashi combined. Simmered pork belly, fish cake and green onion are placed on top.
Area：Throughout the prefecture
Source：Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)
Goya Chanpuru
Thinly sliced bitter melon is stir-fried together with island tofu browned in the pan, boiled pork belly and egg, and seasoned with salt and soy sauce.
Area：Throughout the prefecture
Source：Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)
Rafute (Okinawan-style stewed pork cubes)
Pork belly with the skin on is parboiled and cut into cubes, then simmered for several hours in bonito dashi with awamori, sugar and soy sauce.
Area：Throughout the prefecture
Source：Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)
Sokijiru
Bone-in pork ribs are simmered for a long time over low heat with knotted kombu and dried shiitake mushrooms, and the soup is finished clear with salt and soy sauce.
Area：Throughout the prefecture
Source：Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)
Nakamijiru
Pork stomach, large intestine and small intestine are rubbed and washed with soybean pulp and wheat flour, boiled and drained many times over, then simmered with dried shiitake mushrooms in a dashi of pork and dried bonito combined.
Area：Throughout the prefecture
Source：Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)
Sata Andagi (Okinawan Donut Holes)
A fried sweet made by kneading wheat flour with egg, brown sugar and baking powder, rolling the dough into balls and deep-frying them in oil. Steamed purple sweet potato or pumpkin is sometimes mixed in.
Area：Throughout the prefecture
Source：Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)
Jimami Tofu
Raw peanuts are ground with water and the liquid is pressed out, then sweet potato starch dissolved in water is added and the mixture is stirred until thick and chilled until firm. It is eaten with a sauce of dashi and soy sauce.
Area：Throughout the prefecture
Source：Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)
Carrot “Shiri-shiri”
Carrot grated into fine shreds with a special grater is stir-fried in oil, then dashi is added and it is cooked covered, seasoned with salt and bound with beaten egg.
Area：Throughout the prefecture
Source：Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)
Koobuirichii
Kombu cut into thin strips is stir-fried in oil and simmered in pork broth until the flavor soaks in, then combined with pork belly, konjac, fish cake and fried tofu and simmered down with sugar and soy sauce.
Area：Throughout the prefecture
Source：Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)
Ashi Tibichi
Pig's trotters are parboiled in water with awamori added, then simmered for several hours with knotted kombu and daikon until they are soft enough for the bones to slip out, and seasoned with salt and soy sauce.
Area：Throughout the prefecture
Source：Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)
Kufajuushii
Rice cooked with pork belly, carrot, dried shiitake mushrooms and fish cake in pork broth seasoned with soy sauce and salt. Lard is mixed in once the rice is done.
Area：Throughout the prefecture
Source：Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)
Inamuduchi
Pork belly, castella fish cake, dried shiitake mushrooms and konjac are cut into strips and simmered in a dashi of pork and dried bonito combined, then seasoned with sweet miso to make a thick soup.
Area：Throughout the prefecture
Source：Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)
MICHI-NO-EKI / 10
Michi-no-Eki roadside stations
RestInformationLocal links
Rest facilities registered by Japan's national government. Each has parking and toilets open 24 hours, and by definition includes a facility that sells local products. This is where the making and the food of this prefecture can actually be bought.
- KyodaNagoRegistered April 1994Official site
- OgimiOgimi, Kunigami DistrictRegistered August 1999Official site
- Yuiyui KunigamiKunigami, Kunigami DistrictRegistered August 1999Official site
- KadenaKadena, Nakagami DistrictRegistered August 2003Official site
- Kina BanjoYomitan, Nakagami DistrictRegistered August 2006Official site
- ToyosakiTomigusukuRegistered December 2008Official site
- ItomanItomanRegistered June 2009Official site
- GinozaGinoza, Kunigami DistrictRegistered October 2014Official site
- Sunrise HigashiHigashi, Kunigami DistrictRegistered March 2020Official site
- Yanbaru Pineapple-no-Oka AhaKunigami, Kunigami DistrictRegistered June 2021Official site
LOCAL ACCOUNTS / 2
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Japanese-language accounts that post about this area.
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CITIES & TOWNS / 29
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INTERESTS / 13
Find by interest
Only the interests found in this prefecture.
Sefa-utaki · そらみみ (Soramimi) · CC BY-SA 4.0Shrines & Temples30 entries
Sefa-utaki ／ Naminouegu
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Gyokusendo · かわかみ みお · CC BY 3.0Nature & Scenery59 entries
Gyokusendo ／ Heiwa no Ishiji
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Kokusai Street · Fumihiko Ueno · CC BY 3.0Historic Districts21 entries
Kokusai Street ／ T Galleria Okinawa
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Shurijo Seiden · 663highland · CC BY 2.5Castles & History1 entries
Shurijo Seiden
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Katsuren-jo · Furinkazan1573 · CC BY-SA 4.0Architecture22 entries
Katsuren-jo ／ Nakagusuku-jo
To the listChuraumi Aquarium · Pauloleong2002 · CC BY-SA 4.0Museums10 entries
Churaumi Aquarium ／ Himeyuri
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Okinawa Prefectural Museum and Art Museum · Naha Mama Pavilionz · CC0Art & Crafts45 entries
Okinawa Prefectural Museum and Art Museum ／ Sakima Art Museum
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Farmland of Miyakojima · aco pbc · CC0Contemporary Art4 entries
Farmland of Miyakojima ／ Iriomote Island
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Bashofu Hall · 運動会プロテインパワー · CC BY-SA 4.0Craft Experiences45 entries
Bashofu Hall ／ Okinawa Prefectural Archaeological Center
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Himeyuri no To · 663highland · CC BY 2.5Culture & History9 entries
Himeyuri no To ／ Okinawa World
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Eisa · 663highland · CC BY 2.5Festivals1 entries
Eisa
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Okashigoten Yomitan Main Store · othree · CC BY 2.0Food & Markets19 entries
Okashigoten Yomitan Main Store ／ Algae Farm FARMO
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Naminoue Umisora Park and Naminoue Beach · TurnOnTheNight · CC BY-SA 4.0Experiences15 entries
Naminoue Umisora Park and Naminoue Beach ／ Manza Beach
To the listHIGHLIGHTS
Highlights of this prefecture
From entries with clearly licensed photos.
Shrines & TemplesNanjo
Sefa-utaki
The centre of belief in Okinawa is neither shrine nor temple but the utaki: a place with no building, where a forest or a rock itself is worshipped. The same form survives on the mainland at Omiwa Jinja and Munakata Taisha, but in Okinawa it has continued as the mainstream. Through the triangular gap where two great rocks lean together, Kudakajima can be seen.
Nature & SceneryNanjo
Gyokusendo
A limestone cave five kilometres long. It shows how an island of Ryukyu limestone came to be.
Culture & History
ArchitectureCastles & HistoryNaha
Shurijo Seiden
It burned in 2019 and is being rebuilt. The stone walls of the castle site remain World Heritage.
MuseumsSMILE NEWS / 136
Smile news from Japan and the world
Stories that lift your spirits a little, collected with their sources.
Churaumi Aquarium achieves world-first rearing of Okinawa's prefectural fish from larvae
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium announced it is the first in the world to succeed in long-term rearing of larval and juvenile double-lined fusiliers, known locally as gurukun and designated Okinawa's prefectural fish. Eggs about 0.8 mm across, collected in June, grew to roughly 5 cm in about three months, and three of the fish are now on display in the Coral Reef Journey area.
source: Okinawa Churaumi AquariumNago's Genka district holds harvest festival for first time in 7 years
The Genka district of Nago, Okinawa, held its harvest festival on September 20 at the district community hall for the first time in seven years. Nineteen performances were staged, and many visitors from inside and outside the district enjoyed the traditional performing arts handed down in the area.
source: Ryukyu ShimpoWomen rangers return Darwin's rheas to the wild in Chile
In Chile's Patagonia National Park, a women-led ranger team returned 13 Darwin's rheas to the wild in April 2026. Working with the Rewilding Chile Foundation, they care for the birds around the clock; surveys once estimated only about 11 to 15 remained.
source: MongabayExplore on Instagram
Hashtags often used for this area. Each opens the tag page on Instagram.
SEASONS & EVENTS
Seasons & events
Naha Giant Tug-of-War
2026-10-11 ～ 2026-10-11
Shurijo Castle Reconstruction Festival
2026-11-01 ～ 2026-11-03
Eisa
Okinawa City and others
BEFORE YOU GO
Before you go
TRAVEL
Transport & stays
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