Top places to visit in Naha

• Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

  world-class aquarium · 4.7 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  Located 2 hours north of Naha, Churaumi is home to the world's largest acrylic panel (8.2 m × 22.5 m) containing the Kuroshio Sea tank — one of the world's largest aquarium tanks at 7,500 cubic metres. Three whale sharks and manta rays…

• Shuri Castle

  Ryukyu Kingdom palace · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The restored palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom that ruled the Okinawa archipelago from the 14th to 19th centuries. UNESCO World Heritage listed, the crimson-lacquered Seiden main hall with its Chinese-influenced architecture and deep-orange…

• Kokusai-dori (International Street)

  entertainment street & market · 4.2 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Naha's 1.6-km main shopping and entertainment street, nicknamed "Miracle Mile" in the 1950s when it rebuilt from nothing after the war to become Okinawa's commercial spine. Today it blends souvenir shops, awamori liquor stores, Okinawan…

• Cape Manzamo & Okinawa Beaches

  coastal cliffs & resort beaches · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  The dramatic cliffs of Cape Manzamo (Manza-mo) on the central Okinawa west coast form an elephant-trunk sea arch that is the island's most photographed coastal landmark. The surrounding emerald water stretches to Kouri Island and Sesoko…

• Shikinaen Royal Garden

  Heritage · about 1 h · entry ¥400 (≈ ₹240)

  UNESCO-listed 18th-century Ryukyuan royal villa garden with a pond, arched bridges and a viewing pavilion.

• Tsuboya Pottery District

  Cultural · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Historic ceramics quarter of narrow lanes, kilns and studios producing traditional Okinawan yachimun pottery.

• Naminoue Shrine & Beach

  Temple · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  Okinawa's foremost Shinto shrine perched on a seaside cliff above the city's only central beach.

• Okinawa Prefectural Museum

  Museum · about 1.5 h · entry ¥530 (≈ ₹320)

  Modern museum pairing Okinawan natural history and Ryukyu culture in a fortress-like limestone building.

• Fukushu-en Garden

  Nature · about 0.8 h · entry ¥200 (≈ ₹120)

  Classical Chinese garden built to honour Naha's ties with Fuzhou, with waterfalls, ponds and pavilions.

• Makishi Public Market

  Market · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Bustling covered food market off Kokusai-dori selling tropical fish, Okinawan produce and cook-your-catch stalls.

• Sefa-utaki

  Heritage · about 1 h · entry ¥300 (≈ ₹180)

  UNESCO-listed sacred grove that was the holiest site of the Ryukyu Kingdom, set among towering limestone rocks.

• Okinawa World & Gyokusendo Cave

  Nature · about 2.5 h · entry ¥2,000 (≈ ₹1,200)

  Culture park built around the 5 km Gyokusendo limestone cave, with a snake museum and Eisa drum shows.

Things to do

• Ryukyu Glassblowing Workshop Workshop · 1 h · from JPY 7,400 per person
• Kokusai-dori Street Food Walk Food · 3 h · from JPY 6,000 per person
• Blue Cave Snorkeling Trip Adventure · 4 h · from JPY 7,000 per person

Where to stay in Naha

• Naha Center about JPY 4,000 per night

  Tropical city with island accommodation

• Kokusai-dori about JPY 12,000 per night

  Okinawa's main tourist artery — Kokusai-dori (International Street) is lined with souvenir shops, restaurants and bars. The Yui Rail runs the length of the street. Ideal base for Naha exploration and day trips by…

Hotels

• Hyatt Regency Naha Okinawa 4-star · JPY 25,000 to JPY 55,000 per night
• Guesthouse Umikaji Naha 2-star
• Hotel JAL City Naha 4-star
• Vessel Hotel Campana Okinawa 3-star · JPY 8,000 to JPY 16,000 per night

Where to eat

• Yunangi Okinawan, Japanese · about JPY 1,500 per person
• Jack's Steak House Naha American, Steakhouse · about JPY 3,500 per person
• Yotsutake okinawan, japanese · about JPY 4,000 per person
• Okinawa Soba Eibun okinawan, noodles · about JPY 900 per person
• Blue Seal Kokusai-dori cafe, dessert · about JPY 600 per person

Getting to Naha

Airport: Okinawa (OKA)

How visitors arrive in Naha

• Fly into Naha Airport By air from Tokyo Haneda / Asian cities · common

  Naha Airport is the main hub for international and inter-island flights, linked by monorail to the city. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Ferry from Kagoshima By ferry from Kagoshima · possible · unconfirmed

  Ferry services have shrunk and the page's information is dated; check current service. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Yui Rail monorail

  A monorail connects Naha Airport (OKA) to the city centre. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Rental car offices are off-site, so expect a shuttle bus from the airport to collect your car. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the port to the centre

• Ferries to Naha harbour unconfirmed

  Long-distance ferries from Kagoshima and the mainland arrive at Naha harbour. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Car Rental Self useful for some trips

  Okinawa is described as a car-centric island, and rental cars are a common way to cover the main island from Naha.

• Ferry

  Regular ferries run between Naha's harbour and the Kerama Islands, though sailings can be disrupted during typhoon season.

• Transit Pass

  OKICA, Okinawa's local IC card, works on the Yui Rail monorail and on several bus operators on Okinawa Island but cannot be used outside the prefecture.

• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Roppongi bar overcharge

  Roppongi · Kabukicho nightlife

  Foreign-fronted bar in Roppongi adds drink charges and seat fees you weren't shown; bill arrives at 5–10x expected.

  How to avoid it: Stick to bars with clear printed menus and prices on the door. Ask price before sitting.

• Souvenir Shop Price Inflation on Kokusai-dori

  Kokusai-dori (International Street)

  Some souvenir shops target tourists with non-priced items, quoting high prices at checkout. Beni-imo (purple sweet potato) goods and Ryukyu glassware marked up 2-3x standard.

  How to avoid it: Compare prices in multiple shops. Fixed-price chains like San-A and convenience stores sell popular Okinawan snacks at fair prices.

Best time to visit Naha

• Jan 20°C
• Feb 20°C
• Mar 22°C
• Apr 24°C
• May 27°C
• Jun 30°C
• Jul 32°C
• Aug 32°C
• Sep 31°C
• Oct 28°C
• Nov 25°C
• Dec 22°C

More in Japan

• Tokyo
• Kyoto
• Osaka
• Hakone
• Hiroshima
• Kamakura

Frequently asked questions about Naha

How many days do you need in Naha?

A typical trip to Naha is 3-4 days.

What are the top-rated places to visit in Naha?

The highest-rated places in our Naha guide are Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, Shuri Castle, Cape Manzamo & Okinawa Beaches, Kokusai-dori (International Street).

Where should I stay in Naha?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Naha: Naha Center, Kokusai-dori.

How do I get around Naha?

Ways to get around Naha covered in our guide: Self-drive car, Ferry, Transit pass, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Naha?

Scams reported to us for Naha include Roppongi bar overcharge; Souvenir Shop Price Inflation on Kokusai-dori. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Naha?

Average daytime highs in Naha run from 20°C in Jan to 32°C in Jul.

Which airport is nearest to Naha?

The nearest airport to Naha has the code OKA.