Things to Do in Okinawa: 12 Spots and 3- or 4-Day Itineraries
Twelve sights on Okinawa's main island with official hours, fees and access, checked on 2026-09-29, plus 3-day and 4-day routes split into Naha, the south, the north and the west coast. Outside Naha most spots are reached by car or bus.
Itineraries
3 days
Day 1 · Naha
Day 2 · North (Motobu Peninsula)
Day 3 · South
4 days
Day 1 · Naha
Shurijo Castle ParkOkinawa Prefectural Museum & Art MuseumKokusai StreetMakishi Public Market
Day 2 · South
Day 3 · North (Motobu Peninsula)
Day 4 · West coast back to Naha
Things to do 12
Shurijo Castle Park
Former seat of the Ryukyu Kingdom and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The main hall (Seiden) is being restored, and its public opening comes with a new fee from Nov 23, 2026.
- Hours
- Paid area: Apr–Nov 8:30–19:00 (last entry 18:30), Dec–Mar 8:30–18:00 (last entry 17:30). Free area: Apr–Nov 8:00–19:30, Dec–Mar 8:00–18:30. The whole park is closed on Nov 22, 2026.
- Fee
- Paid area adult ¥400 until Nov 21, 2026; ¥1,000 from Nov 23, 2026 (Seiden interior viewing needs a timed reservation, no extra charge)
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Getting there
- Yui Rail Shuri Station (about 27 min from Naha Airport Station), about 15 min walk to Shureimon Gate, or bus to Shurijo-mae
Kokusai Street
A 1.6 km main street of shops, restaurants and bars, with covered arcades branching off it.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
Makishi Public Market
Market off Kokusai Street with fishmongers, butchers and grocers, and a space to eat local food. The Tsuboya pottery area is nearby.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum
Museum of Okinawa's history, nature and folk culture, combined with an art museum.
- Hours
- Tue–Thu and Sun 9:00–18:00 (last entry 17:30); Fri–Sat 9:00–20:00 (last entry 19:30). Closed Mondays (next weekday if a holiday) and Dec 29–Jan 3.
- Fee
- Museum permanent exhibition adult ¥530; art museum collection ¥400; 1-day passport ¥750 (Sep 25–Nov 28, 2026)
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Getting there
- Yui Rail Omoromachi Station, about 10–15 min walk
Sefa Utaki
UNESCO World Heritage sacred site of caves and rock formations on the Chinen Peninsula, with a view toward Kudaka Island. Entry to the Sanguui area is prohibited.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
Okinawa World (Gyokusendo Cave)
Theme park built around Gyokusendo, a limestone cave with 890 m open to visitors, plus craft workshops and Eisa shows.
- Hours
- 9:00–17:30 (last admission 16:00)
- Fee
- Adult ¥2,000
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Getting there
- About 30 min by car from Naha Airport; Ryukyu Bus route 83 from the airport
Mihama American Village
Seaside shopping and dining area with a Ferris wheel.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Getting there
- About 35 min by car from Naha Airport; bus to Kuwae stop (route 120 from the airport; routes 20, 28, 29 from Naha), then 3 min walk
Cape Manzamo
Grassy clifftop on a 20 m limestone cliff overlooking the sea.
- Fee
- ¥100 per person (free under elementary school age)
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Getting there
- By car or bus
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
Aquarium inside Ocean Expo Park with the Kuroshio Sea tank.
- Hours
- Regular 8:30–18:30 (last entry 17:30); extended on some dates in spring and summer. No closures planned through Mar 31, 2027 except for typhoons.
- Fee
- Adult ¥2,180
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Getting there
- About 2 hours by car (expressway) or about 2.5 hours by highway bus from Naha Airport
Nakijin Castle Ruins
UNESCO World Heritage castle ruins with long curving stone walls on the Motobu Peninsula.
- Hours
- Jan–Apr and Sep–Dec 8:00–18:00 (last entry 17:30); May–Aug 8:00–19:00 (last entry 18:30). Open daily.
- Fee
- Adult ¥1,000
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Getting there
- About 2 h 45 min by car from Naha Airport; Okinawa Bus routes 65/66 to Nakijin-joseki Iriguchi, then 15 min walk
Kouri Island
Small island about 1 km in radius, reached by the 2 km Kouri Bridge. Kouri Beach is at the foot of the bridge.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Getting there
- By car via Kouri Bridge; Yanbaru Express buses run from Motobu (about 1 hour)
Nago Pineapple Park
Pineapple-themed park with a self-driving cart ride through the grounds and shops.
- Hours
- 10:00–18:00 (last entry 17:30)
- Fee
- Adult (high school and up) ¥850
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Getting there
- By car via the Okinawa Expressway to Kyoda IC
Good to know
- Shurijo Castle Park is closed on Nov 22, 2026. From Nov 23 the adult fee becomes ¥1,000 and viewing inside the Seiden needs a timed reservation.
- Churaumi Aquarium is about 2 hours from Naha Airport by car. Many visitors rent a car for the north.
- Facilities may close temporarily for typhoons; check official notices on the day.
- The Okinawa Prefectural Museum is closed on Mondays.
FAQ
Do I need a car in Okinawa?
Not for Naha, which has Yui Rail. For the north, including Churaumi Aquarium, a car takes about 2 hours from the airport and a highway bus about 2.5 hours.
Can I see inside Shurijo's main hall?
From Nov 23, 2026, viewing inside the Seiden requires a timed-entry ticket reservation. The adult fee is ¥1,000 either way.
How much is Churaumi Aquarium?
Adult ¥2,180, high school students ¥1,440, elementary and junior high ¥710, under 6 free.