Location: Naha
Top Things to do in Naha
Top 6 Historic Walking Areas in Naha, Kyushu-Okinawa
Go from the 13th century to the 21st in one day in Naha. Its ancient Ryukyu Kingdom centerpiece, Shuri Castle, has been restored and is the city's top tourist attraction. Meanwhile, on Kokusai-dori (International Boulevard), the pace never lets up as locals and tourists hop from restaurants to bars to nightclubs.
Restaurants in Naha
1. Naminoue-gu Shrine
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 774 reviews
Reviewed By CaptainJWCourtney - Severn, United States
I first visited the Shrine back in 1966 and was taken by the simple, honesty in the Shinto religion practiced at this shrine. I had a favorite place nearby that I would go to watch the Okinawan dancers and listen to the native music. I returned in 1983 and saw how many improvements that had been made to the Shrine and It showed me the pride in the people that worshiped here. It was better painted, much wood work had been done and it was a secial place for me to visit when I was in the area and had time to stop and visit. I returned to Okinawa in 2001 and visited it only twice before I left with my wife in 2003. Once again it has changed a lot more but is still a beautiful, insprational place to visit. (The shrine is located at the top of a steep hill so please keep this in mind if visiting with elderly people or anyone with physical challenges like my wife and her breathing problems.) The shrine is has become a very beautiful shrine after all those years and continues to offer the usual charms to protect you and your driving and talismans for health, love, wealth harmony etc. I usually spend about 20 to 50 minutes here to walk around, let the memories come back, reabsorb the Okinawan culture and uniquely Okinawan architecture. I studied the Okinawan culture under Dr. Barbra Golden at the Maryland University in the mid 1980's and lived in Kosa (Okinawa City) at the time, shopped locally and went to all the old places that I used to go to back in the 1960's. Oh, and one more thing, this place has gotten much busier than it used to be, so go early to avoid the huge crowds of tourists from Mainland Japan and from China!!
2. Shurijo Castle
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 5,164 reviews
Reviewed By BYamamoto - Kapaa, United States
It is well worth your time to visit Shuri castle again even if you have visited before on previous trips. I travel to Okinawa annually and fins something new at the castle complex each year. This year a new pathway through the Japanese portion of the casle takes you outside onto the castle wall back of the main building for a large panoramic view of the city. There is also new history an area will be planted in chrysanthemums as was in the past. There are new exhibits and performances and you should check on the events calendar because there are night visitation of the area lite in candle light.
3. Hijigabira
4. Tsuboya Yamuchin Dori
5. Shurijo Castle Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 194 reviews
Reviewed By nocatnow - Melbourne, Australia
Why would you expect a castle in Japan to look like one in Europe of the UK? The Japanese have their own unique style and Shurijo Castle is a prime example of Ryukyu architecture. It's more colourful than castles in Tokyo or Nara, and less hectic than those in China. It's really lovely. We took the monorail to Shuri Station (at end of that line). We could see the castle complex was quite a distance away so paid 550 yen for a taxi. We noticed a few taxis waiting close to the monorail and, sure enough, others waited close to the exit track of the castle park. The 550 yen was a set fee. There was still a bit of a hike uphill to the gates of the castle. Because we gathered with a band of fellow passengers on the same cruise, we paid the group entry price of 660 yen per adult. You take your shoes off and carry them in a carry bag as you traverse the different rooms. Red and gold are the dominant colours. There are many exquisite objects to admire. It's easy to imagine palace officials doing their work and the lifestye of the wealthy. We spent a couple of hours inside the complex. Outside is the castle park. There were lovely beds of flowers and trees. The walk downhill to the park's exit was much easier than the climb up! We really enjoyed our time there.
