Best things to do in Okinawa

Okinawa Island's Absolute Essentials

Okinawa Island features a concentration of UNESCO World Heritage Gusuku sites, including the reconstructed Shurijo Castle and the ruins of Nakagusuku and Nakijin. The northern Motobu Peninsula houses the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, while the southern region contains the Gyokusendo limestone cave system. The island’s history is preserved at Sefa-utaki, the Ryukyu Kingdom's most sacred site, and the Shikinaen Royal Garden, which served as a diplomatic residence and retreat for the royal family.

663highland / CC BY 2.5

Shurijo Castle

Shuri Castle was a Ryukyuan gusuku castle in Shuri, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan.

そらみみ / CC BY-SA 4.0

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, formerly known as the Okinawa Ocean Expo Aquarium, is a public aquarium located within the Ocean Expo Park…

kanegen / CC BY 2.0

Katsuren Castle

Katsuren Castle is a Ryukyuan gusuku in Uruma, Okinawa. In 2000, Katsuren Castle was designated as a World Heritage Site, as a part of the…

Dave Wise / CC BY-SA 4.0

Nakijin Castle

Nakijin Castle is a Ryukyuan gusuku located in Nakijin, Okinawa. It is currently in ruins.

Masakazu "Matto" Matsumoto / CC BY 2.0

Zakimi Castle

Zakimi Castle is a Ryukyuan gusuku in Yomitan, Okinawa. It is in ruins, but the walls and foundations have been restored.

そらみみ / CC BY-SA 4.0

Sefa-utaki

Sefa-utaki, meaning "purified place of Utaki," is a historical sacred space, overlooking Kudaka Island, that served as one of the key…

663highland / CC BY 2.5

Tamaudun Mausoleum

Tamaudun is one of the three royal mausoleums of the Ryukyu Kingdom, along with Urasoe yōdore at Urasoe Castle and Izena Tamaudun near…

そらみみ / CC BY-SA 4.0

Shikinaen Royal Garden

The gardens of Shikina-en are located on a small hill to the south of Shuri Castle in Naha, Okinawa.

663highland / CC BY 2.5

Nakagusuku Castle Ruins

Nakagusuku Castle is a gusuku in the village of Kitanakagusuku, Okinawa, Japan.

nnh / Public domain

Sonohyan-utaki

Sonohyan-utaki is a sacred grove of trees and plants of the traditional indigenous Ryukyuan religion.

FoxyStranger Kawasaki / CC BY-SA 3.0

Cape Manzamo

Limestone cliff in Onna Village featuring a natural rock formation shaped like an elephant's trunk. It overlooks the East China Sea and is surrounded by native coastal plants.

Kotaro - (WT-shared) 耕太郎 at wts… / CC BY-SA 4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0

Cape Hedo

Cape Hedo, also known as Hedo Point, is the northernmost point on Okinawa Island, located within Kunigami Village.

funk bass / CC BY 3.0

Manza Beach

A sandy beach on a small peninsula in Onna Village, characterized by clear waters and coral reefs. It provides facilities for water sports and views of the surrounding coastline.

N / Public domain

Ryukyu-mura

An open-air museum featuring relocated traditional Okinawan houses, many of which are over 100 years old. The park hosts Eisa drum dancing and demonstrations of traditional weaving and pottery.

663highland / CC BY 2.5

Okinawa Prefectural Museum

The Okinawa Prefectural Museum and Art Museum, or Okimu for short, is a museum in the most southern prefecture of Japan.

Fumihiko Ueno / CC BY 3.0

Okinawa World

A theme park centered on the Gyokusendo Cave, a massive limestone cavern with thousands of stalactites. It also features a traditional craft village and a museum dedicated to the Habu snake.