Yomitan Pennisula Itinerary

Yomitan Pennisula Itinerary
The Yomitan pennisula is just north of Kadena Air Base on the East China Sea. Attractions include the ruins of Zakimi Gusuku (Castle), Maeda Point, Cape Zampa, Ryukyu Mura, Muraskimura Mura, and Yachimun-no-sato Pottery Village with it’s Ogama hillside kiln.

Shopping in Naha

Kokusai Dori

The English translation for Kokusai is “International” and Kokusai Dori is Okinawa’s most famous shopping street. It runs for many blocks between Route 29 at one end and the Ryubo Department store at the other end. It is lined with restaurants and shops and is almost always busy. Most of the stores stay open very late and the street has an exciting energy. As in any international city there are the usual souvenir and T Shirt shops but there are many stores selling goods unique to Okinawa.

Continue reading

Shopping Shintoshin Distsrict

10 years ago there was virtually nothing in the Shintoshin area. The land having been home to U.S. military housing that was razed and left vacant. When the land was returned to the original owners a stylish modern shopping district blossomed. There are two enclosed malls in this area, the upscale DFS mall (duty free shopping) and the two level Naha Main Place Mall. Bookshops, hotels and restaurants of all sorts are plentiful in this district. The monorail connects Shintoshin to other parts of the city via the sleek Omoromachi station just beside the entrance to the DFS mall.
Continue reading

Sonohyan-utaki Ishimon

Sonohyan-utaki Ishimon or the Sonohyan Utaki Stone Gate is what is left of the Sonohyan Utatki (sacred site). It was here that king prayed before departing Shuri castle. The utaki and much of the gate were destroyed during WW II. The restored stone gate is still considered a spiritual spot and Okinawans still come occasionally to pay reverence and beseech the spirits. A world heritage site, this gate is located between Shureimon Gate and the entrance to Shuri Castle.