Okinawa Hidden Gems
8 spots
Shuri Castle — Ryukyu Kingdom Royal Palace
Shuri Castle was the royal palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom (1429–1879), a sophisticated maritime trading nation that mainta…
Taketomi Island — Preserved Ryukyu Village
You'll step into a world where utility trucks still honk before navigating lanes barely wide enough for bicycles. Taketo…
Kokusai Dori — International Street Market
Kokusai Dori (国際通り, 'International Street') is Naha's 1.6km main shopping and entertainment strip, running from Palette…
Himeyuri Peace Museum — War Memorial Cave
The museum entrance sits 100 meters from the Ihara No. 3 Cave mouth where 46 students and five teachers died in the fina…
Tamaudun Mausoleum — Royal Tombs of Ryukyu
Tamaudun (玉陵) is the mausoleum of the Ryukyu Kingdom's royal family (Sho Dynasty), built in 1501 and containing the rema…
Fukushu-en Garden — Suzhou-Style Chinese Garden
Fukushu-en (福州園) is a traditional Suzhou-style Chinese garden built in 1992 to commemorate 10 years of sister-city relat…
Nakijin Castle Ruins — Hilltop Gusuku Fortress
Nakijin Castle (今帰仁城跡) is a gusuku (Ryukyuan castle/fortress) ruin atop a 100-meter hill commanding views over the East…
Okinawa City Koza — American Town Jazz District
Koza exists because 30,000 American airmen need somewhere to spend Friday nights, and it's been serving that function si…