Naha City: Features, Popular Tourist Attractions, Gourmet

Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture, serves as the gateway to Okinawa tourism, where the history of the Ryukyu Kingdom coexists with modern tourist attractions. As the prefectural capital, Naha City is home to numerous precious historical sites that tell the story of Okinawan culture and history, including UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Shuri Castle and Shikinaen Garden.

Access from Naha Airport to the city center is excellent, and using the Yui Rail (Okinawa Urban Monorail), you can reach major tourist attractions in a short time. Kokusai Street is known as a treasure trove of Okinawan souvenirs and serves as the main street for Naha tourism, where you can enjoy shopping for distinctly Okinawan items such as Shisa lion-dogs, bingata textiles, and awamori sake.

Naha City is also a mecca for Okinawan cuisine, where you can savor authentic Okinawan dishes. The city has developed a unique food culture not found on the mainland, featuring dishes like goya champuru (bitter melon stir-fry), Okinawan soba, sea grapes, and Agu pork, with dining options ranging from local eateries beloved by residents to high-end restaurants.

At Shuri Castle Park, you can reminisce about the glory of the Ryukyu Dynasty, and the vermillion beauty of the main hall captivates many tourists. Additionally, Naminoue Beach is cherished as the only swimming beach within Naha City, offering a precious spot where you can enjoy Okinawa’s beautiful ocean while staying in the urban area.

The appeal of Naha City extends beyond historical tourism to include experiential tourism such as food tours at Makishi Public Market and visits to traditional craft shops along Tsuboya Yachimun Street. As a base for Okinawa travel and as a gateway to Okinawan culture, Naha City is an attractive tourist destination that provides unforgettable memories to all who visit.