Okinawa Hidden Gems
The former Ryukyu Kingdom — a subtropical island chain with its own language, architecture and cuisine, and the best coral reefs in Japan.
4 spots
Climate & Best Season
Subtropical: warm all year (17–30°C), with a rainy season in May–June and typhoons from July to October. Best in April–May and October–November.
Famous For (Food)
- Okinawa soba
- Goya champuru
- Rafute
- Awamori
- Taco rice
Signature Sights
- Shurijo Castle
- Churaumi Aquarium
- Kerama and Miyako islands
- Blue Cave snorkelling
Tsuboya Yachimun Street
In 1682 the Ryukyu kingdom consolidated its scattered kilns into one district in Naha, and Tsuboya has been making potte…
Daiichi Makishi Public Market
The market grew out of a black market in the rubble after 1945 and became the food hall of Naha — the ground floor is fi…
Minatogawa Stateside Town
In the 1960s the American administration built housing for its personnel in Urasoe: single-storey concrete boxes with fl…
Yachimun no Sato
Okinawan pottery is called yachimun and it was concentrated in Tsuboya in Naha until the 1970s, when smoke regulations i…