Things to Do in Okinawa

Main 1.6-kilometre shopping street in Naha with covered arcades, souvenir shops, and food stalls. Free to wander, with many free samples of local snacks and craft demonstrations.

🕐 Shops generally 10:00 am - 8:00 pm; stalls may vary

💡 Turn into the narrow Heiwa Dori arcade halfway down for cheaper food and less tourists. Most shops open around 10 am, not 9.

Modern complex with free permanent exhibits on Okinawan nature, history, and crafts. The paid section covers deeper cultural displays. Art museum has free entry to lobby and shop.

🕐 Tue-Thu, Sun: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm; Fri-Sat: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm; closed Mon

💡 The free permanent exhibition on the second floor covers the Ryukyu Kingdom and WWII in enough detail for a good hour. Use the coin lockers to store bags.

Outer grounds and gates of the reconstructed Ryukyu Kingdom castle, with paved paths and restored stone walls. The main hall requires a paid ticket, but the extensive park area is free.

🕐 Park open 24 hours; free zone gates open 8:00 am to 6:00 pm

💡 Arrive before 8:30 am to see the Shureimon gate without crowds. The free park has good views across Naha from the upper terraces.

UNESCO World Heritage site on a hill with extensive stone foundations and panoramic views of the East China Sea and Pacific Ocean. No buildings remain, but the layout is clear.

🕐 Open 24 hours, no gate

💡 Take the bus from Naha to Katsuren (40 min, ¥500). The path to the top is steep but short. Early morning light is best for photos of the walls.

Man-made beach inside Ocean Expo Park with white sand and calm, clear water. Lifeguards on duty and showers available for a small fee. Free entry to the beach itself.

🕐 April-October: 8:30 am - 5:30 pm; November-March: closed

💡 Arrive before 10 am to claim a patch of shade under the trees near the left end. The beach is closed from December to February for cleaning.