Things to do in  Okinawa

A unique theme park dedicated to all things Okinawa, Okinawa World is a great place to learn more about the island’s history, ecology, and culture. Highlights include Kingdom Village, a replica Ryukyu village offering a variety of workshops in traditional Okinawan crafts; Habu Park, a snake-themed zoological garden and museum named after the deadly Habu snake; and the 3-mile (5-kilometer) Gyokusendo Cave.

The Himeyuri Peace Museum is a monument to the young women and teachers who lost their lives in the Battle of Okinawa, many of whom were serving as nurses for the Japanese Army. The site features the museum surrounded by a cenotaph, a cave (used by students and teachers to hide in battle), and a beautiful garden.

The majestic buildings of Shuri Castle (Shurijo or Shuri-jo), in Naha, Okinawa, were once the home of Ryukyu kings, before the island became part of Japan, and later served as the administrative center of the region. The Shurijo castle’s buildings have been destroyed repeatedly throughout history but were rebuilt in 1992.

Learn about the island of Okinawa’s history and culture before it joined Japan at this compact theme park dedicated to the Ryukyu Kingdom (1429 to 1879). Ryukyu Mura—meaning Ryukyu Village—includes centuries-old traditional Okinawan red-tiled homes, a shrine, and plenty of on-site activities. Visitors can sample classic dishes, catch live folk or dance performances, and even participate in small-group arts and crafts workshops.

Located in Ocean Expo Park on the edge of Okinawa’s Motobu Peninsula, Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is known for its impressive recreations of the region’s underwater ecosystems. These include the colorful Coral Sea tank and Deep Sea World—containing around 100 creatures from the ocean’s lowest depths—and the Kuroshio Sea tank, which features whale sharks and manta rays born at the aquarium.

Taking its name from the ethereal glow that beams through its waters, Okinawa Blue Cave is a small limestone grotto on the Cape Maeda headland. Turquoise seawater and tropical fish abound, along with swarms of snorkelers and divers who are drawn to see it all. Overcrowding is a concern, but those lucky enough to catch it in a quiet moment will be awed.

Located in the northern peninsula of Motobu, Nakijin is one of five Ryukyuan castles scattered across Okinawa. A testament to the independent Ryukyu kingdom’s 500-year-long history, each castle has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Though now only the ruins of the castle walls remain, Nakijin is known for its stunning scenery, including lush forests and seasonal cherry blossoms.

The second-biggest city on Japan’s Okinawa Islands, after Naha, Okinawa City (Okinawa-shi is steeped in history, culture, politics, and tradition. Here, on the city’s lively streets, traditional Okinawan culture is blended with Japanese and American influences (a result of the long presence of U.S. military bases.

The second-largest and most populated island of the Yaeyama Island group in the East China Sea, Ishigaki Island (Ishigaki-jima is also the hub of the archipelago. The island appeals to visitors with its beautiful beaches, excellent snorkel and dive sites, and opportunities for kayaking along rivers and hiking through the hilly interior.

The embodiment of tropical Japan, Kabira Bay on Ishigaki Island could easily be the most beautiful beach in the Okinawan archipelago. Sugar-white sand lapped by turquoise water draws photographers, social media moguls, and those who want to check off a scenic spot. Beauty aside, it’s also famous for its cultivation of black pearls, which you can buy in the bay.

The remote Miyakojima archipelago is made up of eight inhabited islands, known for their soft white sand, clear turquoise waters, and abundant opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, diving, and sunbathing. Miyakojima beaches are considered some of Okinawa's best, though plenty of gems lie beyond the sand. Vast coral reefs, coastal rock formations, lush greenery, and scenic cycling routes round out this tropical Shangri-La.

Surrounded by Iriomote’s dense jungle are the Pinaisara Falls, a torrent of water said to resemble an old man’s beard as it gushes down from a height similar to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. For many visitors, though, the real highlight is the trip there, kayaking through mangroves and trekking through jungle to reach the falls.

Japan’s largest botanical garden, Southeast Botanical Gardens are located on Okinawa Island, the largest in the Okinawan archipelago. Come here to see a wide variety of native and non-native plant life. There are also multiple petting zoos, live bird shows on the weekends, and a tasty on-site restaurant with a wellness-oriented menu called Peace.

Pineapples are the protagonists of this quirky Okinawa park near Nago, which celebrates the islands’ beloved tropical fruit and gives visitors the chance to discover it in lots of different ways. Driverless vehicles on tracks, a dinosaur model park, and wacky photo points are among the kid-friendly highlights, while pineapple wine is up for grabs for the grown-ups.

Okinawa’s longest river, this mangrove-lined body of water is located in Iriomote Island. It flows for a full 24 miles (39 kilometers) through the heart of the Okinawan island’s subtropical forest—it’s home to more than 400 fish species and multiple waterfalls, including the famous Kanpiuree and Maryudo cascades. This popular inland attraction proves that there’s much more to the Okinawan archipelago than white-sand beaches.