Naha guide
The old capital of the Ryukyu Kingdom: Shurijo Castle and stone-paved lanes on the hill, lively Kokusai-dori and its market, and a street of potteries. The monorail runs straight from the airport.
Things to see 10 classics
"Classics" and "Hidden gems" are this site's editorial picks, not a measured popularity ranking.
- 1
Shurijo Castle
The royal castle of the Ryukyu Kingdom, a World Heritage site. The main hall, lost to fire in 2019, has been under reconstruction.
- History & buildings
- Views
about 1.5 hrPartly paidWheelchair & stroller friendly
Train · About 35 min from Kencho-mae (Prefectural Office) ・ Yui Rail to Shuri Station, then about 15 minutes on foot ・ 4.0km
- 2
Kokusai-dori Street
Naha's main street, running about 1.6 km from Kencho-mae to Makishi and lined with souvenir shops and Okinawan restaurants.
- Shopping & strolling
- Food & markets
- Night views
about 1.5 hrFree
Walk · About 3 min from Kencho-mae (Prefectural Office) ・ 800m
- 3
Makishi Public Market
"Naha's kitchen", with colorful fish, pork and pickles. Fish bought downstairs can be cooked for you at the eateries upstairs.
- Food & markets
- Shopping & strolling
about 60 minFreeFine on a rainy day
Walk · About 12 min from Kencho-mae (Prefectural Office) ・ 900m
- 4
Tsuboya Yachimun Street
A stone-paved street of kilns and shops selling yachimun, Okinawan pottery. You can buy tableware and shisa lion-dog figures.
- Museums
- Shopping & strolling
- History & buildings
about 60 minFree
Walk · About 18 min from Kencho-mae (Prefectural Office) ・ 1.2km
- 5
Shuri Kinjo-cho Stone-Paved Path
A lane paved with Ryukyu limestone running downhill south of Shurijo, past red-tiled houses and stone walls. Steep, and slippery in rain.
- History & buildings
- Views
about 30 minFreeMany stairs or slopes
Train · About 45 min from Kencho-mae (Prefectural Office) ・ About 10 minutes on foot from Shurijo Castle ・ 3.5km
- 6
Naminoue Shrine
A shrine on a cliff facing the sea. Just below is Naminoue Beach, where you can swim in the middle of the city.
- Temples, shrines & churches
- Views
about 30 minFree
Walk · About 18 min from Kencho-mae (Prefectural Office) ・ 1.1km
Show on map
ClassicsHidden gems
Suggested routes
Times assume a 9:00 start. Travel times are estimated from distance and vary with waiting and crowds.
A walk on the Shuri hill
Leave 9:00 → until about 13:26 (about 4.5 hr)
- 9:00Kencho-mae (Prefectural Office)
about 35 min by transport
9:35Shurijo Castlestay about 1.5 hrabout 9 min on foot
11:14Tamaudun Royal Mausoleumstay about 30 minabout 7 min on foot
11:51Shuri Kinjo-cho Stone-Paved Pathstay about 30 minabout 20 min on foot
12:41Shikinaen Gardenstay about 45 min
Lots of slopes and stone paving, so wear good shoes. After walking down the stone path, a taxi to Shikinaen is easiest.
Plan this routeKokusai-dori, the market and the pottery street
Leave 9:00 → until about 13:55 (about 5 hr)
- 9:00Kencho-mae (Prefectural Office)
about 3 min on foot
9:03Kokusai-dori Streetstay about 1.5 hrabout 3 min on foot
10:36Makishi Public Marketstay about 60 minabout 7 min on foot
11:43Tsuboya Yachimun Streetstay about 60 minabout 12 min on foot
12:55Sakaemachi Marketstay about 60 min
All on foot. Sakaemachi Market comes alive from early evening.
Plan this route
When to go
Winter is warm (about 17°C on average). Beach season runs April–October; May–June is the rainy season and July–September has typhoons. October–November is calm.
Point at a month to see its temperature and precipitation.
Temperature (line: average; band: low to high)
Precipitation (mm)
Typical seasons
Cherry blossoms (Taiwan cherry)
Eisa dance (Obon)
Naha Great Tug-of-War
Swimming and snorkelling
Show as a table
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High (℃) | 19.8 | 20.2 | 21.9 | 24.3 | 27 | 29.8 | 31.9 | 31.8 | 30.6 | 28.1 | 25 | 21.5 |
| Avg (℃) | 17.3 | 17.5 | 19.1 | 21.5 | 24.2 | 27.2 | 29.1 | 29 | 27.9 | 25.5 | 22.5 | 19 |
| Low (℃) | 14.9 | 15.1 | 16.7 | 19.1 | 22.1 | 25.2 | 27 | 26.8 | 25.8 | 23.5 | 20.4 | 16.8 |
| Rain (mm) | 101.6 | 114.5 | 142.8 | 161 | 245.3 | 284.4 | 188.1 | 240 | 275.2 | 179.2 | 119.1 | 110 |
Temperature and precipitation are Japan Meteorological Agency normals (1991–2020, Naha). Seasons are typical timings and can shift by a week or two each year. JMA data
Main ways to get around
Yui Rail (Okinawa Urban Monorail)
About 13 minutes from Naha Airport to Kencho-mae and 27 to Shuri. Kokusai-dori runs between Kencho-mae and Makishi stations. One- and two-day passes are sold.
Local buses
For the south of the island, such as Sefa Utaki and the Peace Memorial Park. Buses leave from Naha Bus Terminal (Asahibashi Station). Check return times on infrequent routes.
Boats from Tomari Port (Tomarin)
To the Kerama Islands, including Tokashiki and Zamami. There are fast boats and ferries; book early in summer. Sailings are cancelled in rough seas.
Taxi
Handy around Shurijo Castle, Shikinaen and other hilly places far from a station. The distances are short enough to share a ride.
Getting to Kencho-mae (Prefectural Office)
“Classics” and “Hidden gems” are our editors' picks, not a measured popularity ranking. Travel times are estimates. Please check prices, opening hours and operating days with the official sources before you go.
Photo and data credits
Naminoue Shrine on the cliff above Naminoue Beach Zairon (CC BY 4.0) / Seiden hall of Shuri Castle (photo taken before the 2019 fire) 663highland (CC BY 2.5) / Palm-lined sidewalk along Kokusai-dori Kugel~commonswiki (CC BY-SA 4.0) / The rebuilt Makishi Public Market building Abasaa (Public domain) / The stone-paved Kinjo-cho path between old stone walls 663highland (CC BY 2.5) / Naminoue Shrine's hall atop a green-covered rock Zairon (CC BY 4.0). Cropped and resized.
Local food
Regional dishes handed down in Okinawa. Many are home and community cooking, so not every dish is served at restaurants.
Kuurijishi (Egg Soup with meat and vegetables)
クーリジシ
‘Kuurijishi’ is an egg soup with pork belly, ‘Shibui’ (‘Tougan’ wax gourd), and ‘Gumbo’ (‘Gobou’ burdock).
- Where it is made
- Naha, Shuri, etc.
Nakamijiru
中身汁
In Okinawa Prefecture, where pork is often eaten, it is said that "everything but the squeal is eaten up" because every last bit is used in cooking.
- Where it is made
- All over the prefecture
Koobuirichii
クーブイリチー
Ilichee, often heard of in Okinawa's local cuisine, is a dish made by stir-frying dry foods and root vegetables and then simmering them to add flavor.
- Where it is made
- All over the prefecture
Inamudouchi
イナムドゥチ
In Okinawa Prefecture, "ina" means "wild boar" and "muduchi" means "imitation"; the local dish "inamuduchi" means "imitation wild boar.
- Where it is made
- All over the prefecture
Kufajuushii
クファジューシー
There are two types of "juicy": kufa (hard) juicy, which is cooked with rice, and yafala (soft) juicy (also called boro boro juicy), which is cooked with rice in a porridge.
- Where it is made
- All over the prefecture
Soomintashiya
ソーミンタシャー
Somin Tasiya" is an Okinawan home-style dish of stir-fried somen noodles.
- Where it is made
- All over the prefecture
“Find places serving it” opens a map app search for the dish name and the place name. The results are not chosen or recommended by this site. Please check with the shop whether it serves the dish.
Source: “Our Regional Cuisines” (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries), edited by this site (imported 2026-11-15) https://www.maff.go.jp/e/policies/market/k_ryouri/index.html. Names, areas and ingredients are as written on the source pages; descriptions are excerpts of the original text. No photos are used. This page is not made or endorsed by the ministry.