Shureimon at the entrance of Shuri Castle Park is often used as the symbol of Okinawa. This gate was build during the reign on King Sho Shin in the 16th century.
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Category Archives: Travel
Tama Udun Royal Mausoleum
Tama Udun is the royal mausoleum of the Shuri kings of the second Sho dynasty, built in 1501 by King Sho Shin to house the remains of his father, King Sho En.
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Kerama, Tokashiki, Zamami Islands
The Keramas include the islands of Tokashiki, Zamami, Aka, and Geruma and a number of smaller uninhabited islands. The governing structure divide them among Tokashiki Village http://vill.tokashiki.okinawa.jp and Zamami Village http://vill.zamami.okinawa.jp, which also includes Aka and Geruma islands.
The small island villages preserve the flavor of Okinawan village life and the beaches are better than those on the main island. The ferries to these islands is less than $30 round trip and is probably one of the gread bargains of Okinawa travel. Humpback whales are visible during the January to April.
Central Okinawa Itinerary
Central Okinawa is the area north of Naha and south of Onna and Kin villages. Attractions include the Okinawa Convention Center, Mihama American Village shopping area, Nakagusuku Castle, Nakamura House, Katsuren Castle, Southeast Botanical Gardens, the clubs and nightlife of Okinawa City and the attractions of Yomitan Pennisula which are listed separately.
Central Okinawa is also home to many of the American military bases including USMC camps Kinser, Foster, Lester, Futenma MCAS, and USAF Kadena Air Base. USMC Camp Schwab and Camp Hansen are further north on the Pacific coast.
Northern Okinawa itinerary
Northern Okinawa itinerary.
Okinawa north of the Yomitan Pennisula is sparsely inhabited compared to crowded Naha. Attractions include the beaches and resorts of Onna, Cape Manzamo, the city of Nago, Motobu pennisula with Ocean Expo Park and Churaumi Aquarium, and Nakajin Castle ruins. The area north of Nago is undeveloped mountain country commonly called Yanbaru containing Hiji Falls, Pineapple Park and Hedo, the northern most point of Okinawa.
Getting there: There are a number of Tour bus packages that depart from the Naha Bus Terminal and cost about 5500 Yen per adult. The tours don’t always include admission to all venues.
The Okinawa Expressway toll road will halve the time driving from Naha to Nago (about 1000 yen per car) but you’ll miss the drive up the Onna coast.
Peace Memorial Park
Peace Memorial Park
Located in Mabuni, Itoman City. This park is built upon the site the final fighting of the Battle of Okinawa. This park is in tribute to the hundreds of thousands who died in the "typhoon of steel" and includes the names of 1200 Americans who perished in the last great battle of World War II.
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Gyokusendo Okinawa World Theme Park
This is a favorite for bus tours. Attractions include a recreated traditional village, demonstrations of glass blowing, weaving and pottery, traditional dances and music in a performance plaza. The park includes Gyokusendo, a 5 kilometer limestone cave with a 890 meter promenade. There is also a Habu Center to learn about the habu, the poisonous snake indigenous to the Ryukyus.
Southern Okinawa Guide and Itinerary
Southern Okinawa is the area south of Naha. It’s attractions include most of the World War II memorial sites including Himeyuri Monument and Museum (Cave of the Virgins) . Se-fa Utaki (Okinawa’s most sacred site), Okinawa World Theme Park and Gyokusendo Cave are also located in the southern part of the island..
Naha City Area Guide and Itinerary
Naha is the capital of Okinawa and it’s largest city. Most visitors will fly into Naha Airport and will find Naha the logical place to begin their Okinawa experience. The Naha experience can be roughly divided into three sections.
First is the historical experience of Shuri Castle and it’s adjacent attractions
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Arrival
Virtually all commercial flights arrive at Naha Airport (OKA). Most foreign travelers will enter Japan through Tokyo Narita or Osaka Kansai airports and take a domestic connecting flight to Naha. Immigration and Customs processing is done at point of entry to Japan.
After going through immigration and customs at Narita or Kansai, I usually exchange several hundred dollars to yen at the foreign exchange booths directly outside the customs exit area. The exchange rate is competitive and is about 10% better than exchanging money at San Francisco. –editor
Travelers arriving at Narita will usually have to transfer to the domestic terminal at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport. The transfer bus takes a little over an hour and costs 3000 yen. The bus ticket counter is directly outside of the customs exit.
Arriving at Naha Airport, it’s advisable to visit the Naha Airport Tourist Information booth at the terminal and pick up an Okinawa map for English speakers. The information booth will have English speaking guides.
Arrivals lobby, 1st Floor Domestic Airport
Arrivals lobby, 1st Floor International Airport
The booth may be closed for late evening arrivals.
The monorail will take visitors into Naha City (yen 250) or taxi will cost about yen 1000 – yen 1500 to most hotels in Naha. Tipping is not expected. Having your destination printed in Japanese (or at least in printed English) beforehand will be very helpful.
Once in Naha, the Naha City Tourist Information office (tel 098 868-4887) is located on Okiei Street around the corner from the Starbuck’s near Mitsukoshi Department Store on Kokusai Street.