Okinawa Prefecture is made up of greater than 150 islands mendacity south of mainland Japan. Its capital, Naha, isn’t solely the most important metropolis but in addition the area’s essential gateway — accessible each by air and by sea.
Guests arriving by aircraft are greeted at Naha Worldwide Airport, whereas these touring by ferry or cruise ship disembark at Naha Port. This text focuses on the latter. So in case your cruise itinerary has a port of name in Naha, prepare for a day full of historical past, tradition, and native taste.
Listed below are a number of the greatest issues to do on this laid-back but vibrant Okinawan port metropolis. We additionally supplied a pattern itinerary you may observe for a half- or full-day onshore exploration.
Issues to Do in Naha
1. Kokusai-dori
Considered the town’s essential vacationer hub, Kokusai-dori (Worldwide Avenue) is the primary artery of downtown Naha. Stretching 1.6 kilometers, it’s flanked by eating places, bars, cafés, inns, memento shops, and purchasing facilities, together with the ever-popular low cost chain Don Quijote (Donki).
Branching from Kokusai Avenue are different smaller memento retailers and meals spots housed in Heiwa Procuring Avenue (Heiwadori) and Shijo Hondori, a few coated purchasing arcades.
Handle: Kokusai-dori, Naha Metropolis, Okinawa, Japan
Tips on how to Get to Kokusai-dori: From Naha Cruise Terminal, you may take a taxi. However in case you are on a funds, make your option to Wakasa-odori Bus Cease (throughout Matsuyama Park), which is a 10-minute stroll from the port. Take Bus 5 to Kokusai Dori Bus Cease (JPY 260).
2. Shuri Fort
Discover the historic Shuri Fort, Naha’s most iconic landmark and the previous seat of the Ryukyu Kingdom from the 14th to the nineteenth century. Though it has been razed by hearth on a number of events, together with throughout World Struggle II (the Battle of Okinawa) and most lately in 2019, the citadel nonetheless serves as a poignant reminder of Okinawa’s wealthy historical past and tradition.
Restoration efforts are ongoing, with the citadel’s reopening slated for fall 2026. Within the meantime, you may nonetheless go to and respect the citadel park grounds. Shuri Fort is a part of the Gusuku Websites and Associated Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu, which gained a UNESCO World Heritage standing.
Handle: Shurijo Fort Park, 1-2 Kinjocho Shuri, Naha Metropolis, Okinawa, Japan
Opening Hours: Every day, 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM (April-June/October-November); 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM (July-September); 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM (December-March)
Entrance Price: Adults, JPY 400; College students, JPY 160-300; Youngsters (Beneath 6 y/o), FREE
Tips on how to Get to Shuri Fort: From Kokusai-dori, take Bus 14 to Shuri Fort Bus Cease (JPY 240). Journey time is 15-20 minutes.
3. Shikina-en Royal Backyard
Constructed within the late 18th century, Shikina-en Royal Backyard was as soon as used because the second dwelling of the Ryukyu royal household. The buildings and constructions showcase architectural types and designs that mirror each Japanese and Chinese language influences.
The point of interest of the luxurious round backyard is the pond, dotted with stone bridges and Rokkakudo, a quaint Chinese language-style pavilion. Overlooking the pond is Udun, the picket statehouse with a red-tiled roof. The Shikina-en Backyard can also be a part of the UNESCO-recognized Gusuku Websites and Associated Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu.
Handle: Shikinaen Royal Backyard, 421-7 Maji, Naha Metropolis, Okinawa, Japan
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (April-September); 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM (October-March); Wednesdays, CLOSED
Entrance Price: Adults, JPY 400; College students, JPY 200
Tips on how to Get to Shikina-en Royal Backyard: From Kokusai-dori Bus Cease, take Bus 5 to Shikinaen Bus Cease (JPY 260). The journey time is 20 minutes.
4. Okinawa Soba
Whereas in Naha, be sure that to strive Okinawa’s consolation meals — soba. Not like the soba present in mainland Japan, which is created from buckwheat, Okinawa soba makes use of wheat flour. Its noodles are a lot thicker and usually served in a flavorful broth made with pork, seaweed, and bonito flakes. The standard toppings are fish cake, scallions, pickled ginger, and braised pork stomach.
However there’s a preferred variation referred to as soki soba, which swaps the pork stomach for stewed pork spare ribs. We tried each variations at Kintiti (Kinchichi) Soba Kokusaidori Mutsumi Shokudo, only a brief stroll from Kokusai-dori. I had the Sanmainikumori Okinawa Soba (Pork Stomach Okinawa Soba), whereas Yosh ordered the Hon Soki Soba (Pork Spare Ribs Soba), which is proscribed to solely 15 servings per day.
In case you’re extra of a ramen fan, you may try Ramen Danbo Naha Makishi, conveniently positioned close to JR Kyushu Lodge Blossom within the Kokusai-dori space.
Handle: Kintiti (Kinchichi) Soba Kokusaidori Mutsumi Shokudo, ハウスTr 1F 2 Chome 5−14, Makishi, Naha Metropolis, Okinawa, Japan
Value: Sanmainikumori Okinawa Soba, JPY 1300; Hon Soki Soba, JPY 1500
5. Blue Seal Ice Cream
“Born in America, Raised in Okinawa”
Whereas its origins date again to 1948, when US navy troops stationed in Japan sourced milk and dairy merchandise from Okinawa, Blue Seal Ice Cream is proudly an Okinawan model. Immediately, you’ll discover its retailers scattered throughout Naha, with a number of branches strategically positioned alongside Kokusai Dori.
It provides a formidable number of flavors grouped into Okinawan, American, Blue Seal Normal, and Allergy-Pleasant classes. In response to their official web site, the highest 5 flavors are Okinawan Salt Cookies, Blue Wave, Vanilla & Cookies, San Francisco Mint Chocolate, and Almond Pistachio.
We stopped by one of many branches alongside Kokusai-dori to pattern a number of flavors. I went for a single scoop of Ryukyu Tea Warabi Mochi, whereas Yosh loved a double scoop — Salty Caramel & Apple and Okinawan Pineapple Coconut.
Official Web site: www.blueseal.co.jp/en/
Value: Single Scoop, JPY 400; Double Scoop, JPY 670
6. Okinawa Peace Park Memorial
Located in Itoman, a neighboring metropolis south of Naha, the Okinawa Peace Memorial Park honors the lives misplaced through the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. Perched on Mabuni Hill, this huge park serves as a strong reminder of the island’s resilience, the atrocities of battle, and the significance of valuing peace.
Inside the park are monuments, memorials, and museums, every providing a glimpse into Okinawa’s wartime previous. Notable landmarks embody the Peace Memorial Museum, Cornerstone of Peace, Okinawa Peace Corridor, Flame of Peace, and Nationwide Struggle Lifeless Peace Mausoleum.
Handle: Okinawa Peace Memorial, 444 Mabuni, Itoman, Okinawa, Japan
Opening Hours: Park Grounds – 24/7; Peace Memorial Museum – Every day, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Entrance Price: Park Grounds, FREE; Peace Memorial Museum – Adults, JPY 300; Youngsters, JPY 150
Tips on how to Get to Okinawa Peace Park Memorial: From Naha Bus Terminal, board Bus 89 to Itoman Bus Terminal (JPY 590, 1 hr). Then, take Bus 82 and alight at Heiwakinendō-iriguchi (JPY 540, 20 minutes). Word that Bus 82 departs hourly.
7. Himeyuri Cenotaph and Museum
Additionally positioned in Itoman, alongside the primary highway and close to the Okinawa Peace Park, the Himeyuri Cenotaph commemorates the younger Okinawan college students and the lecturers who took the function of nurses and caregivers through the Battle of Okinawa.
On the adjoining Himeyuri Peace Museum, you may study extra about this darkish chapter in historical past and the plight of the scholars and lecturers via varied displays, together with images, video testimonies, and the diorama of the caves the place they as soon as sought refuge.
Handle: Himeyuri Cenotaph and Museum, 671-1 Ihara, Itoman, Okinawa 901-0344, Japan
Opening Hours: Museum – Every day, 9:00 AM – 5:25 PM
Entrance Price: Museum – Adults, JPY 450; College students, JPY 150-250
Tips on how to Get to Himeyuri Cenotaph and Museum: From Naha Bus Terminal, board Bus 89 to Itoman Bus Terminal (JPY 590, 1 hr). Then, take Bus 82 and alight at Himeyuri-no-tō-mae (JPY 320, 20 minutes). Word that Bus 82 departs hourly.
Pattern Naha Day Journey Itinerary
You’ll be able to’t go to all in the event you’re on a cruise since you’ll most definitely be given solely a day, normally 8-10 hours. To maximise your time, it’s greatest to deal with Naha’s highlights. Right here’s a pattern itinerary you may observe:
09:00 AM – Bus to Kokusai-dori, ¥260 (Bus 5)
09:10 AM – Kokusai-dori to Shuri Fort, ¥240 (Bus 14)
09:30 AM – Shuri Fort, ¥400
10:30 AM – Bus to Shikina-en Royal Backyard, ¥240 (Bus 14)
10:45 AM – Shikina-en Royal Backyard, ¥400
12:00 PM – Bus to Kokusai-dori, ¥260 (Bus 2, 4, 5, 14)
12:20 PM – Kokusai Dori: Meals Journey and Procuring
04:00 PM – Taxi to Naha Cruise Terminal, ¥1200-1500
DIY vs Shorex Tour
We’ve visited Okinawa via three cruise strains — StarCruises, Royal Caribbean, and Costa Serena. Whichever cruise line you’re crusing with, you’ll have two methods to discover at each port of name:
Go D-I-Y
In case you’d relatively discover at your individual tempo, you may go for a D-I-Y journey. This selection offers you full management over your itinerary and is commonly extra budget-friendly. Simply be sure that to handle your time rigorously as a result of the ship will go away as scheduled, with or with out you. It’s at all times safer to return to the port early to keep away from being left behind.
Be a part of a Shorex Tour
These are group excursions organized by the cruise firms in partnership with native tour operators. The whole lot is taken care of — transportation, itinerary, and normally lunch. All it is advisable do is present up on time. Pre-booking a shore tour is cheaper than these offered on board. Shorex Desk is on Decks 4 and 5.
Regardless of which choice you select, you’ll obtain important particulars earlier than getting off, together with return directions, port title, and port handle. Don’t overlook to convey a photocopy of your passport’s biopage, too.
Updates Log
2025 10 23 – First uploaded
Pictures by: Asta Alvarez, Yosh Dimen, and Hannah Manalo