Stand at the west end of Kokusai-dōri, where the monorail runs overhead and the street begins its long run inland, and you can feel how Naha works: a port city that grew into a prefectural capital, with the former royal seat of Shuri up the hill and the sea never far behind. The centre was rebuilt after the war, so what you see now is a working city rather than a preserved one, and the older layers sit in specific places — a castle park, a sacred grove, a pottery quarter, a garden around a pond.
Naha suits travellers who want a compact city they can cross on foot and by monorail, who are interested in Ryukyuan history and Okinawan craft, and who are happy to spend a morning on the coast and an afternoon in a museum. It also works as a base for diving trips to the Kerama Islands.
This guide covers the sights and experiences in and around the city, followed by a one-day plan and answers to the questions visitors ask most often.
Top things to do in Naha
1. Shuri Castle
Shuri Castle is the former seat of the Ryukyu Kingdom, built in the Okinawan gusuku style and listed as a World Heritage Site. It was completely destroyed during World War II and the buildings were rebuilt in 1958 and 1992. No original Ryukyuan castles remain, and this is the only site where the castle keep has been rebuilt, which makes it central to preserving Okinawan history and culture.
Most of the structures were destroyed by a fire on the morning of 31 October 2019 and the site has partially re-opened since. It is wrapped in scaffolding, with authorities hoping to reopen at least the exterior of the main building by 2025. Reach it via Shuri Station on the monorail, and treat the visit as a look at a site under repair rather than a finished castle.
2. Sonohyan-Utaki
This sacred grove of trees and plants, an utaki, sits inside Shuri Castle Park but is independently famous as one of Okinawa's World Heritage listings. It is where the Ryukyu kings and queens once came to pray.
It is situated near the Shureimon Gate and is not very big or grand, so it is quite easy to miss. Look for it deliberately while you are already in the castle park, and note that entry is free.
3. Tamaudun Mausoleum
Tamaudun is a Ryukyuan mausoleum entombing kings of the Second Sho Dynasty, built in 1501. The stone structure is divided into three sections: the central section where bodies were brought in and rituals performed to prepare them for entombment, the left chamber for the remains of kings and queens, and the right chamber for other members of the royal family.
The tomb suffered damage during World War II and had to be repaired. A small museum at the entrance shows pictures, artifacts and the layout inside the tomb. It is listed as one of Okinawa's World Heritage Sites, and admission is ¥300.
4. Shikinaen Garden
Shikinaen was built by Okinawa's royal family as a detached residence and to entertain guests, in the manner of the gardens on the mainland. The original garden was almost completely destroyed in World War II and was rebuilt in the 1950s. It centres on a pond with bridges connecting an island to opposite sides in the middle.
Opening hours are 09:00–18:00 from April to September and 09:00–17:30 from October to March. Admission is ¥400.
5. Naminoue Shrine
Naminoue Shrine once served as the main shrine of the Ryukyuan Kingdom. It sits on a cliff overlooking the sea, and the combination of shrine, cliff and water is quite picturesque.
Pair it with Naminoue Beach directly below, which you reach by heading straight towards the ocean from the southern end of Kokusai-dōri.
6. Naminoue Beach
Naminoue is Naha's one beach. It is not the most beautiful beach in Okinawa, but it is clean for all practical purposes.
Keep in mind that the swimming area can be very limited depending on the season and the weather. It sits straight towards the ocean from the southern end of Kokusai-dōri, which makes it an easy add-on to a visit to Naminoue Shrine.
7. Tsuboya Pottery Museum
Naha's Tsuboya district has been renowned for its pottery for hundreds of years, and many craftsmen still work there. The museum showcases historic and exemplary specimens of the pottery.
Admission is ¥350, and the museum phone number is +81 98-862-3761. Combine it with a walk through the Tsuboya neighbourhood itself, which lies just outside the Makishi Public Market area.
8. Naha City Museum of History
This museum houses artifacts from the city. As the former capital of the Ryukyu Kingdom, Naha is represented here through the belongings of former rulers and important documents outlining relations with foreign nations, along with special exhibits.
It is open 10:00–19:00 and admission is ¥350. The phone number is +81 98-869-5266.
9. Kokusai-dōri
Kokusai-dōri, or International Avenue, is the city's main street, with a 1.6 kilometre stretch of stores, restaurants and bars. It ends at the main bus terminal in Okinawa and is served by several stations along the Okinawa Urban Monorail, the only train system in the prefecture.
Central Naha gathers at its west end, where you find the Palette Kumoji shopping mall, the Okinawa Prefecture Office, Naha City Hall, and many banks and corporations. Use the monorail to move along it rather than walking the whole length twice.
10. Makishi Public Market and Heiwa-dōri Shopping Arcade
Spurring off from Kokusai-dōri is the covered Heiwa-dōri Shopping Arcade and Makishi Public Market, a large shōtengai filled with fresh fish, meat and produce stands, restaurants, tourist goods shops and liquor shops.
Go hungry and go earlier in the day, when the food stalls are at their busiest. The Tsuboya neighbourhood is just outside the market area, so the two fit naturally into one walk.
11. Shintoshin
Shintoshin, the "New Metropolitan Center", is a relatively new commercial district northeast of Kokusai-dōri. The area was formerly United States military housing, released to Okinawa in 1987, with major development beginning only in the mid-1990s.
Omoromachi Station is attached directly to an upscale shopping mall, and another mall, Naha Main Place, sits a few hundred metres down the street with upscale Western-brand fashion boutiques, restaurants and other shops. The area is frequented by young people and includes large stores such as Toys R Us and Best Denki, a co-op market, many restaurants and a movie theatre.
12. Okinawa Prefectural Museum
The Okinawa Prefectural Museum contains sections devoted to the art, history and natural history of the Ryukyus. It opened in Shintoshin in November 2007 and sits in front of Shintoshin Park.
Because it is in the same district as the Shintoshin malls and Omoromachi Station, it works well as the indoor half of an afternoon that also includes shopping or a film.
13. Naha Tug-of-war
In October, Naha hosts a rope-pulling event at Oonoyama Sports Park. Two 100-metre ropes are laid down in the street, representing opposing armies or rival kingdoms in a battle between East and West. Each team tries to pull the rope their way for 30 minutes, or until the rope is moved by a defined distance.
It is preceded by a parade, karate demonstrations, drums and firecrackers, and people dress like Ryukyu kings with naginata swords. If your trip falls in October, plan the rest of that day loosely around it.
14. Kiteboarding and diving
Kiteboarding is possible year round, with the winter months being the best. Kite Club Okinawa, at 270-102 Gibo, Tomigusuku-shi, across from the Tomigusuku Central Hospital Family Mart, is open Wednesday to Monday, 10:00–20:00, and you should call before coming as the service is in Japanese only. It offers lessons, supplies, and information about car rental, lodging and tours.
For diving, a number of businesses offer training courses and excursions to the nearby Kerama Islands. Blue Zone is a diving shop with its own boat whose staff offer scuba diving courses and trips to the Kerama Islands; a boat trip with two dives is ¥11,800, gear rental ¥3,000 and an extra dive ¥5,000.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Shuri Castle, reaching it via Shuri Station on the monorail, and allow time for the site as it currently stands. While you are in the castle park, look for Sonohyan-Utaki near the Shureimon Gate, then walk on to Tamaudun Mausoleum and its small entrance museum.
Afternoon: Come down to Kokusai-dōri and walk the covered Heiwa-dōri Shopping Arcade and Makishi Public Market for lunch. Continue into the Tsuboya neighbourhood and the Tsuboya Pottery Museum, then take the monorail to Omoromachi for Shintoshin and the Okinawa Prefectural Museum in front of Shintoshin Park.
Evening: Head to the southern end of Kokusai-dōri and continue straight towards the ocean to Naminoue Shrine on its cliff, with Naminoue Beach below. Finish back on Kokusai-dōri, where the stores, restaurants and bars run for 1.6 kilometres.
Frequently asked questions
Is Shuri Castle open to visitors?
It has partially re-opened after most of the structures were destroyed by a fire on the morning of 31 October 2019. The site is wrapped in scaffolding, and authorities are hoping to reopen at least the exterior of the main building by 2025.
Is there a beach in Naha?
Naha has one beach, Naminoue. It is not the most beautiful beach in Okinawa, but it is clean for all practical purposes, and the swimming area can be very limited depending on the season and the weather. Reach it by heading straight towards the ocean from the southern end of Kokusai-dōri.
How do I get around the city?
The Okinawa Urban Monorail is the only train system in the prefecture and serves several stations along Kokusai-dōri, which ends at the main bus terminal in Okinawa. Shuri Castle is reached via Shuri Station, and Omoromachi Station is attached directly to a shopping mall in Shintoshin.
When is the Naha Tug-of-war held?
It takes place in October at Oonoyama Sports Park, where two 100-metre ropes are laid down in the street and each team tries to pull the rope their way for 30 minutes, or until the rope is moved by a defined distance. It is preceded by a parade, karate demonstrations, drums and firecrackers.
Decide which of these you want most — the castle park, the market and pottery quarter, or the coast — and start building your days around it.