Okinawa Prefecture

Okinawa Prefecture is located at the southernmost tip of Japan and is known for its warm subtropical climate and beautiful white sand beaches. The history and unique culture of the Ryukyu Kingdom era are also attractive tourist resources. Below, we will introduce in detail the main tourist spots that you should definitely see when visiting Okinawa Prefecture.

Okinawa's Seasonal Attractions

Okinawa Prefecture offers different attractions throughout the four seasons, with each season providing unique experiences. Below are the characteristics of each of the spring, summer, fall, and winter seasons, as well as the sightseeing spots and events associated with each.

Spring (March to May)

In spring, cherry blossoms begin to bloom in Okinawa, and you can enjoy flower viewing earlier than in Honshu, especially from February to March. The warm weather during this time is also ideal for hiking and nature walks.

Attractions and Activities

・Flowers and early beach opening

In Okinawa, beaches around the country open from March, and events such as Eisa and live music are held. In addition, azaleas and lilies are in full bloom, and you can enjoy flower festivals such as the Higashi Village Azalea Festival and the Iejima Lily Festival.

・Comfortable climate

The average temperature is around 20°C, so you can enjoy sightseeing comfortably if you take measures against UV rays.

・Ryukyu Sea Flame Festival (April)

This is one of the largest fireworks festivals in Okinawa, and is popular as an event that signals the arrival of spring.

Summer (June to August)

Summer is the height of Okinawa's beach season, and the biggest attraction is the "beautiful sea." In places like the Miyako Islands, you can enjoy one of the most beautiful seas in the world, known as "Miyako Blue." In Naha City, the "Naha Hari" is held, where you can enjoy a traditional boat race.

Attractions and Activities

・The peak season for marine sports

Diving, snorkeling, parasailing, and other activities allow visitors to fully enjoy the Okinawan sea. In particular, the waters of the Kerama Islands, known as the “Kerama blue,” are exceptionally clear.

・Sea Horse Riding (May-September)

Hippocampus horseback riding is a summer-only activity.

・Be careful of strong ultraviolet rays.

Sunscreen and rash guards are essential due to the strong rays of the sun.

Autumn (September to November)

In autumn, cooler breezes begin to blow, making it possible to still enjoy warm sea activities. In addition, the Naha Tug of War, an autumn festival, is held, attracting many tourists.

Attractions and Activities

・The end of typhoon season and autumn festivals

In October, a traditional event called the Naha Great Tug of War is held, in which about 15,000 people compete to pull a 200m long rope.

・The ocean is still swimmable

Even in October, the average temperature is around 25°C, making snorkeling and diving possible2.

・Stargazing

The starry sky on the remote islands is at its most beautiful around October, and you may even be able to see the Milky Way and the Southern Cross.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

Winter (December to February)

In winter, Okinawa is as mild as ever, and the weather is pleasant throughout the year as it never snows. The Ryukyu Dynasty Festival Shuri, an event that lets visitors feel the history of the Ryukyu Dynasty, is held during the winter, and is a great opportunity for history buffs. Another wonderful thing about Okinawa is that you can enjoy the blue ocean even in winter. For example, on the remote islands of Ishigaki and Iriomote, you can enjoy beautiful beaches even in winter.

Attractions and Activities

・Whale watching

From late December to March, humpback whales migrate to the waters off Okinawa, allowing you to see their impressive presence up close.

・Clear waters

The waters in winter are highly transparent, making them ideal for diving.

・Warm climate

It's warmer than Honshu, with an average temperature of around 18°C, making it ideal for sightseeing and trekking.

Popular Attractions in Okinawa

Okinawa Prefecture is a tourist destination with a variety of attractions, including blue seas, rich nature, unique culture, and historical heritage. Below is a detailed descriptions of recommended sightseeing spots in Okinawa Prefecture by area and theme.

Shuri Castle is a historic fortress that served as the political, cultural and diplomatic center of the Ryukyu Kingdom for approximately 450 years, and is currently registered as part of the World Heritage Site "Gas Yoke and Related Sites of the Ryukyu Kingdom." The castle was built between the end of the 13th century and the 14th century, and played an important role as a royal palace throughout the Ryukyu Kingdom period. Although most of it was destroyed during the Battle of Okinawa during World War II, it was restored in 1992. However, a major fire broke out on October 31, 2019, destroying the main hall and surrounding buildings. Reconstruction work is currently underway.

Shuri Castle

Okinawa World

Okinawa World is a tourist facility located in Nanjō City, Okinawa Prefecture, and is a theme park where you can experience Okinawa's nature, history, and culture. The facility is known as a spot where you can enjoy traditional crafts and performing arts, including Gyokusendo Cave, one of the largest limestone caves in Japan, and an area lined with old red-tiled houses reminiscent of the Ryukyu Kingdom era. Of the approximately 5km long limestone cave, 890m is open to the public. Said to have been formed from a coral reef about 300,000 years ago, this limestone cave is known as "the most beautiful limestone cave in the Orient," and the stalactites (stalactites hanging from the ceiling) and stalagmites (articulated stones extending from the floor) that were created over tens of thousands of years create a mysterious world.

Valley of Gangara

The Valley of Gangara is a tourist destination rich in nature in Maekawa, Nanjō City, Okinawa Prefecture, with a unique topography formed by the collapse of a limestone cave. This place is a valley where a subtropical forest that has been cultivated over many years spreads after a limestone cave formed hundreds of thousands of years ago collapsed. It was opened to the public as a tourist destination in August 2008, and visitors can now experience this mysterious nature through reservation-only tours. Remains of a human settlement known as the Minatogawa people, who lived about 20,000 years ago, have also been discovered in the area, allowing visitors to feel the fusion of history and nature.

Kokusai-dori

Kokusai dori is the main street that runs east to west for about 1.6 km through the center of Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture, and is Okinawa's most bustling tourist destination. This street stretches from the Prefectural Office North Exit intersection (Palette Kumoji intersection) to the Asato three-way intersection, and is lined with a variety of shops, including souvenir shops, general stores, cafes, restaurants, and izakayas. Kokusai Street is lined with many shops that sell Okinawan specialty products and crafts. There is a wide range of products, from traditional products such as Ryukyu glass, bingata dyeing, and awamori, to local sweets and ingredients.

American Village

American Village is a resort commercial district in Chatan Town, Nakagami District, Okinawa Prefecture, and is characterized by its design inspired by the American West Coast. The area was once the site of a US military facility, and commercial facilities have been opening one after another since 1998. Today, it is lined with shopping malls, movie theaters, restaurants, hotels, and more, and is popular with tourists and locals alike. There is also a large 60-meter-tall Ferris wheel, from which you can get a panoramic view of the beautiful surrounding scenery.

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is located near Bisezaki on Motobu Peninsula in the northwestern part of Okinawa's main island, within the Ocean Expo Park. Churaumi“ means ”beautiful sea" in the Okinawan language, and as the name implies, the aquarium exhibits the rich marine life of Okinawa. The aquarium is one of the best in Japan and the world, and is a popular destination for many tourists. With a huge tank volume of 7,500 cubic meters, visitors can get up close and personal with large marine creatures such as whale sharks and manta rays. The world's largest acrylic panels are used to provide visitors with a powerful view.

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

Daisekirinzan

Oishirinzan is a candidate site for the World Heritage Site located in Kunigami Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa Prefecture, and is one of the most famous tourist spots in the Yanbaru region. This place is known as a "Tropical Kasumi Landform" with a magnificent landscape created by the erosion of limestone formed about 250 million years ago by rainwater and wind.

Sango-batake

Sango-batake is the world's first land-based coral farming facility, located in Yomitan Village, Okinawa Prefecture. The facility aims to protect and regenerate marine ecosystems by cultivating coral in an alternative marine environment and then transplanting it back into the sea. The facility also offers environmental education and experience programs to visitors, proposing a place to think about coexistence with nature.

Manzamo

Manzamo is a famous tourist attraction located in Onna Village, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa Prefecture, and is a scenic spot characterized by sheer cliffs made of Ryukyu limestone and grasslands spreading above them. It commands a panoramic view of the clear East China Sea, and is especially symbolized by Zobanaishi, a rock shaped like an elephant's nose.