Okinawa Prefecture is made up of more than 150 islands lying south of mainland Japan. Its capital, Naha, is not just the largest city however likewise the area’s primary entrance– accessible both by air and by sea.
Visitors getting here by aircraft are greeted at Naha International Airport, while those traveling by ferry or cruise ship disembark at Naha Port. This short article focuses on the latter. So if your cruise itinerary has a port of call in Naha, prepare for a day packed with history, culture, and regional flavor.
Here are a few of the best things to do in this easygoing yet dynamic Okinawan port city. We likewise supplied a sample itinerary you can follow for a half- or full-day onshore exploration.
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Things to Do in Naha
1. Kokusai-dori
Regarded as the city’s primary traveler hub, Kokusai-dori (International Street) is the main artery of downtown Naha. Extending 1.6 kilometers, it’s flanked by dining establishments, bars, cafés, hotels, souvenir stores, and shopping centers, including the ever-popular discount chain Don Quijote (Donki).
< img src="// www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201200%20802'%3E%3C/svg%3E" alt= "Naha Stop Costa Serena"width="1200 "height= "802"/ >< img src= "https://www.thepoortraveler.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Naha-Stop-Costa-Serena.jpeg"alt ="Naha Stop Costa Serena"width="1200"height=" 802 "/ > Kokusai-dori Branching from Kokusai Street are other smaller keepsake stores and food areas housed in Heiwa Shopping Opportunity(Heiwadori)
and Shijo Hondori, a number of covered shopping games. Address: Kokusai-dori, Naha City, Okinawa, Japan How to Get to Kokusai-dori: From Naha Cruise Terminal, you can take a taxi. However if you are on a budget, make your method to Wakasa-odori Bus Stop (throughout Matsuyama Park), which is a 10-minute walk from the port. Take Bus 5 to Kokusai Dori Bus Stop (JPY 260).
2. Shuri Castle
Check out the historic Shuri Castle, Naha’s many iconic landmark and the previous seat of the Ryukyu Kingdom from the 14th to the 19th century. Although it has been taken down by fire on several events, including during The second world war (the Fight of Okinawa) and most just recently in 2019, the castle still works as a poignant tip of Okinawa’s rich history and culture.
Restoration efforts are ongoing, with the castle’s reopening slated for fall 2026. In the meantime, you can still check out and value the castle park grounds. Shuri Castle becomes part of the Gusuku Sites and Associated Characteristics of the Kingdom of Ryukyu, which gained a UNESCO World Heritage status. Address: Shurijo Castle Park, 1-2 Kinjocho Shuri, Naha City, Okinawa, Japan Opening Hours: Daily, 8:00 AM– 7:30 PM (April-June/October-November); 8:00 AM– 8:30 PM (July-September)
; 8:00 AM– 6:30 PM( December-March )Entrance Fee: Grownups, JPY 400; Trainees, JPY 160-300;
Children(Below 6 y/o ), FREE How to Get to Shuri Castle: From Kokusai-dori, take Bus 14 to Shuri Castle Bus Stop (JPY 240 ).
Travel time is 15-20 minutes. 3.
Shikina-en Royal Garden Built in the late 18th century, Shikina-en Royal Garden was when used as the second home of the Ryukyu royal household. The structures and structures showcase architectural design and styles that reflect both Japanese and Chinese influences.
The centerpiece of the lavish circular garden is the pond, dotted with stone bridges and Rokkakudo, a charming Chinese-style structure. Ignoring the pond is Udun, the wooden statehouse with a red-tiled roofing system. The Shikina-en Garden is likewise part of the UNESCO-recognized Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the
Kingdom of Ryukyu. Address: Shikinaen Royal Garden, 421-7 Maji, Naha City, Okinawa, Japan Opening Hours: 9:00 AM– 6:00 PM (April-September); 9:00 AM– 5:30 PM (October-March); Wednesdays, CLOSED
Entryway Fee: Grownups, JPY 400; Trainees, JPY 200
How to Get to Shikina-en Royal Garden: From Kokusai-dori Bus Stop, take Bus 5 to Shikinaen Bus Stop (JPY 260). The travel time is 20 minutes.
4. Okinawa Soba
While in Naha, make sure to attempt Okinawa’s comfort food– soba. Unlike the soba discovered in mainland Japan, which is made from buckwheat, Okinawa soba uses wheat flour. Its noodles are much thicker and generally served in a flavorful broth made with pork, seaweed, and bonito flakes. The usual garnishes are fish cake, scallions, pickled ginger, and braised pork belly.
Sanmainikumori Okinawa Soba (Left)and Hon Soki Soba(Right)But there’s a popular variation called soki soba, which swaps the pork stubborn belly for stewed pork spare ribs. We tried both versions at Kintiti(Kinchichi )Soba Kokusaidori Mutsumi Shokudo, just a short walk from Kokusai-dori. I had the Sanmainikumori Okinawa Soba (Pork Stomach Okinawa Soba), while Yosh ordered the Hon Soki Soba (Pork Spare Ribs Soba), which is restricted to only
15 portions each day. If you’re more of a ramen fan, you can have a look at Ramen Danbo Naha Makishi, conveniently located near JR Kyushu Hotel Bloom in the Kokusai-dori area.
Address: Kintiti (Kinchichi) Soba Kokusaidori Mutsumi Shokudo, ハウスTr 1F 2 Chome 5 − 14, Makishi, Naha City, Okinawa, Japan
Cost: Sanmainikumori Okinawa Soba, JPY 1300; Hon Soki Soba, JPY 1500
5. Blue Seal Ice Cream
“Born in America, Raised in Okinawa”
While its origins date back to 1948, when United States military soldiers stationed in Japan sourced milk and dairy items from Okinawa, Blue Seal Ice Cream is happily an Okinawan brand name. Today, you’ll discover its shops scattered throughout Naha, with several branches strategically located along Kokusai Dori.
It offers an outstanding selection of flavors organized into Okinawan, American, Blue Seal Requirement, and Allergy-Friendly categories. According to their main website, the leading 5 tastes are Okinawan Salt Cookies, Blue Wave, Vanilla & Cookies, San Francisco Mint Chocolate, and Almond Pistachio.
We dropped in among the branches along Kokusai-dori to sample a couple of flavors. I went for a single scoop of Ryukyu Tea Warabi Mochi, while Yosh enjoyed a double scoop– Salty Caramel & Apple and Okinawan Pineapple Coconut.
Official Website: www.blueseal.co.jp/en/Price: Single Scoop, JPY 400; Double Scoop, JPY 670 6. Okinawa Peace Park Memorial Located in Itoman,
a nearby city south of
Naha, the Okinawa Peace Boneyard honors the lives lost during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. Set Down on Mabuni Hill, this vast park works as a powerful tip of the island’s durability, the atrocities of war, and the significance of valuing peace. Within the park are monoliths, memorials, and museums, each providing a look into Okinawa’s wartime past. Noteworthy landmarks consist of the Peace Memorial Museum, Foundation of Peace, Okinawa Peace Hall, Flame of Peace, and National War Dead Peace Mausoleum.
Address: Okinawa Peace Memorial, 444 Mabuni, Itoman, Okinawa, Japan
Opening Hours: Park Premises– 24/7; Peace Memorial Museum– Daily, 9:00 AM– 5:00 PM
Entrance Fee: Park Grounds, FREE; Peace Memorial Museum– Adults, JPY 300; Children, JPY 150
How to Get to Okinawa Peace Park Memorial: From Naha Bus Terminal, board Bus 89 to Itoman Bus Terminal (JPY 590, 1 hr). Then, take Bus 82 and alight at Heiwakinendō-iriguchi (JPY 540, 20 minutes). Note that Bus 82 leaves hourly.
7. Himeyuri Cenotaph and Museum
Likewise situated in Itoman, along the main roadway and near the Okinawa Peace Park, the Himeyuri Cenotaph honors the young Okinawan trainees and the teachers who played nurses and caretakers throughout the Fight of Okinawa.
At the nearby Himeyuri Peace Museum, you can find out more about this dark chapter in history and the predicament of the trainees and instructors through different exhibits, including photographs, video testimonies, and the diorama of the caves where they as soon as sought refuge.
Address: Himeyuri Cenotaph and Museum, 671-1 Ihara, Itoman, Okinawa 901-0344, Japan
Opening Hours: Museum– Daily, 9:00 AM– 5:25 PM
Entryway Charge: Museum– Adults, JPY 450; Students, JPY 150-250
How to Get to Himeyuri Cenotaph and Museum: From Naha Bus Terminal, board Bus 89 to Itoman Bus Terminal (JPY 590, 1 hr). Then, take Bus 82 and alight at Himeyuri-no-tō-mae (JPY 320, 20 mins). Note that Bus 82 departs hourly.
Test Naha Day Trip Itinerary
You can’t go to all if you’re on a cruise since you’ll most likely be offered only a day, generally 8-10 hours. To optimize your time, it’s finest to focus on Naha’s highlights. Here’s a sample schedule you can follow:
09:00 AM– Bus to Kokusai-dori, ¥ 260 (Bus 5)
09:10 AM– Kokusai-dori to Shuri Castle, ¥ 240 (Bus 14)
09:30 AM– Shuri Castle, ¥ 400
10:30 AM– Bus to Shikina-en Royal Garden, ¥ 240 (Bus 14)
10:45 AM– Shikina-en Royal Garden, ¥ 400
12:00 PM– Bus to Kokusai-dori, ¥ 260 (Bus 2, 4, 5, 14)
12:20 PM– Kokusai Dori: Food Journey and Shopping
04:00 PM– Taxi to Naha Cruise Terminal, ¥ 1200-1500
Do It Yourself vs Shorex Tour
We have actually checked out Okinawa through 3 cruise lines– StarCruises, Royal Caribbean, and Costa Serena. Whichever cruise line you are sailing with, you’ll have 2 ways to check out at every port of call:
Go D-I-Y
If you ‘d rather explore at your own speed, you can go for a D-I-Y trip. This choice gives you complete control over your travel plan and is often more economical. Just make certain to manage your time carefully due to the fact that the ship will leave as arranged, with or without you. It’s constantly much safer to return to the port early to prevent being left.
Sign Up With a Shorex Trip
These are group tours set up by the cruise business in partnership with local tour operators. Whatever is taken care of– transportation, travel plan, and usually lunch. All you need to do is appear on time. Pre-booking a shore expedition is cheaper than those sold on board. Shorex Desk is on Decks 4 and 5.
No matter which option you choose, you’ll get vital information before getting off, consisting of return instructions, port name, and port address. Do not forget to bring a photocopy of your passport’s biopage, too.
Updates Log
2025 10 23– First uploaded
Pictures by: Asta Alvarez, Yosh Dimen, and Hannah Manalo