Naminoue Shrine

 Naminoue Shrine is a shrine located in Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture, and is believed to be the general guardian deity of Okinawa.

Naminoue Shrine was called Naminoue Utaki during the Ryukyu dynasty, and enshrined the god of the sea and the god of fertility. After that, it was changed to a shrine in the Meiji period, and now it is known as "Nanmin-san" or "Nanmin".

Naminoue Shrine has many blessings. For example, maritime safety, business prosperity, home safety and academic success. Also, at Naminouegu Shrine, you can receive amulets and goshuin stamps.

Naminoue Shrine is easily accessible for travelers. About 15 minutes on foot from Asahibashi Station, about 10 minutes by monorail from Naha Airport. There is also free parking.

Naminoue Shrine is located on a hill overlooking Naha Port, where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery. In addition, there are sightseeing spots such as Naminoue Beach and Naha Municipal Baseball Stadium near Naminouegu Shrine.

Naminoue Shrine is a shrine where you can feel the history and culture of Okinawa. Please visit once by all means.

Here is a website where you can obtain detailed information about Naminoue Shrine.

http://naminouegu.jp/

Kokusai-dori

 Kokusai-dori in Okinawa Prefecture is a downtown area of about 1.6km in the center of Naha city. There are many souvenir shops, cafes, restaurants, hotels, etc., and it is a standard spot for traveling to Okinawa.

Kokusai Street was built by the US military after the war, and was called "Milk Road" at the time. After that, international negotiations were held for the reversion of Okinawa, so the name was changed to "Kokusai-dori".

Kokusai Street also has spots where you can feel the culture and history of Okinawa. For example, there is "Makishi Public Market" that reproduces the building of the Ryukyu Dynasty, "Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum" and "Makishi Park".

Kokusai Street is a place where you can enjoy both day and night. You can enjoy shopping and strolling during the day, and enjoy eating and drinking at izakayas and bars at night.

Kokusai Street is a tourist spot where you can fully enjoy the charm of Okinawa. Please visit once by all means.

Here is a website where you can obtain detailed information about Kokusai-dori.

https://naha-kokusaidori.okinawa/ja/

Bios Hill

Bios Hill is a subtropical forest located in Uruma City, Okinawa Prefecture. You can enjoy the scenery of Okinawa by riding a water buffalo cart, enjoying the sea by canoeing or SUP, and interacting with plants and small animals. Bios Hill is a healing space where you can hear the sounds of birds and insects, with beautiful seasonal flowers and greenery. At Bios Hill, there are hands-on programs such as nature classes and a tour (Miguiguruma). You can enjoy learning in nature and play traditional games. Bios Hill is about 10 minutes by car from the Ishikawa Interchange on the Okinawa Expressway and about 50 minutes by car from Naha Airport. Parking is free. The entrance fee is 1,000 yen for adults and 500 yen for children. Experience fees for water buffalo carts and canoes are required separately. Bios Hill is a wonderful tourist spot where you can feel the nature and culture of Okinawa. Please visit once by all means.

Here is a website where you can obtain detailed information about Bios Hill.

https://www.bios-hill.co.jp/

Kouri Island

 Okinawa's superb view and gourmet to enjoy on Kouri Island

About an hour and a half by car from the main island of Okinawa, after crossing the Kouri Ohashi Bridge, Kouri Island, a beautiful remote island with emerald green sea and white sand beach, spreads out in front of you. Kouri Island is popular as a tourist spot in Okinawa, and you can enjoy various ways such as swimming, diving, and cycling. This time, we will introduce recommended sightseeing spots and gourmet food on Kouri Island.

Recommended sightseeing spots on Kouri Island

Kouri Ocean Tower: An observatory tower with a panoramic view of Kouri Island from 82m above sea level. There are also museums and cafes displaying shells from around the world.

Kouri Beach: The most famous beach on Kouri Island, with its clear blue water and white sand. There are also showers, toilets and rental equipment.

Heart Rock: A heart-shaped rock created by nature, about a 10-minute walk from Kouri Beach. It is a popular photo spot for couples and families.

Kouri Island Bussan Center: A souvenir shop also known as "Aisland Kouri Island". Fresh fruits, vegetables, and seafood from the surrounding area are sold here.

Kouri Shrine: Located in the center of Kouri Island, this shrine has a long history dating back to the Ryukyu Kingdom era. It is said that there is a benefit for love fulfillment and child-giving.

How to get to Kouri Island

By car: From the Kyoda Interchange on the Okinawa Expressway, enter National Route 58, pass through Nago City and enter National Route 449. Follow the road and cross the Kouri Ohashi Bridge to arrive at Kouri Island. It takes about an hour and a half.

By Bus: From Naha Airport, take highway bus No. 111 and get off at Nago Bus Terminal. From there, change to route bus No. 66 and get off at Kouri Ohashi-mae. From there, you will arrive at Kouri Island in about 15 minutes on foot. It takes about 3 hours.

summary

Kouri Island is a remote island that is easily accessible from the main island of Okinawa, and there are many scenic spots surrounded by the beautiful sea and nature. You can enjoy activities such as swimming, diving, and cycling, as well as gourmet foods such as Okinawan cuisine and gelato. Please visit Kouri Island when you travel to Okinawa.

Here is a website where you can obtain detailed information about Kouri Island.

https://kourijima.info/

Manzamo

 Breathtaking view of Okinawa from Manzamo

Onna Village, located in the northern part of the main island of Okinawa, has some of the best scenic spots in Okinawa. That is Manzamo. Manzamo is a place characterized by precipitous cliffs made of Ryukyu limestone and strangely shaped rocks resembling an elephant's nose. It is also designated as a Kaigan Quasi-National Park, and the blue sea and white sea spray create a beautiful contrast.

Origin of the name Manzamo

The name Manzamo comes from the fact that when King Sho Kei of the Ryukyu Kingdom visited this area, he praised it as ``a hair that is enough for all people to sit''. Mo is an Okinawan dialect word for a field, and it means "a field so large that 10,000 people can sit on it." However, the current Manzamo is not a field, but a cliff. It was formed by years of erosion by waves and wind.

Things you can do at Manzamo

At Manzamo, you can not only enjoy the superb view, but also enjoy it in various ways. First, you can walk along the promenade and see strangely shaped rocks and precipitous cliffs up close. The promenade is about 300m long and costs 100 yen for both adults and children, and is free for children under elementary school age. From the promenade, you can see the changing colors of the sea and the sky, as well as the sunset. There are also photogenic spots from the observatory in the middle of the promenade. Let's take a picture with the rocks resembling an elephant's trunk and the spray of the waves in the background.

Next, you can also use the surrounding facilities. There are souvenir shops and restaurants at the newly opened Manzamo area revitalization facility in October 2020. At the souvenir shop, you can buy miscellaneous goods and foods typical of Okinawa. At the restaurant, you can enjoy Okinawan cuisine and cafe menus. Free parking is also available.

Access to Manzamo

Manzamo is easily accessible from Naha Airport, about an hour and a half by car. If you use the expressway, get off at Ishikawa IC on the Okinawa Expressway and go north on Route 58. Please park your car at the parking lot of the Cape Manzamo revitalization facility and head to the promenade on foot. If you use a bus, take Okinawa Bus No. 120 from Naha Airport and you will arrive at the Cape Manza bus stop in about 2.5 hours. From there, you can walk to the promenade in about 10 minutes.

summary

Manzamo is a scenic spot in the northern part of the main island of Okinawa. The cliffs made of Ryukyu limestone and the strangely shaped rocks resembling an elephant's nose are the highlights. You can walk along the promenade to admire and take pictures. You can enjoy souvenirs and meals at nearby facilities. It is easily accessible by car or bus, so be sure to visit it when you travel to Okinawa.

Here is a website where you can obtain detailed information about Manzamo.

https://www.manzamo.jp/

Chura SUN Beach

 Enjoy the sea of Okinawa at Chura SUN Beach

Enjoying the beautiful sea is an essential part of any trip to Okinawa. There are many beaches on the main island of Okinawa, but this time we will introduce Orion ECO Chura Sun Beach, which is close to Naha Airport and has a resort feel.

About Chura Sun Beach

Orion ECO Chura Sun Beach is an artificial beach located in Tomigusuku City, Okinawa Prefecture. A long beach with a total length of 700m, the white sandy beach lined with palm trees and the blue sea are beautiful. A jellyfish net is installed, so you can swim safely. There are also beach lifeguards on duty.

  What you can do at Chura SUN Beach

At Chura SUN Beach, you can enjoy not only swimming but also various other activities. There is the prefecture's largest marine athletics facility and the prefecture's first net athletics facility, which can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. You can also have a BBQ or have a meal at the restaurant. Facilities such as showers and lockers are also available.

Access to Chura Sun Beach

Chura Sun Beach is easily accessible, about 15 minutes by car from Naha Airport. If you use the expressway, it takes about 10 minutes from Nakichi IC. Parking is free. When using public transportation, take Ryukyu Bus Kotsu No. 55 from Naha Bus Terminal and get off at "Toyosaki" bus stop.

summary

Orion ECO Chura Sun Beach is a man-made beach near Naha Airport with beautiful white sand and blue sea. You can enjoy swimming, activities, and meals. If you come to the main island of Okinawa, please visit once.

Here is a website where you can obtain detailed information about Chura SUN Beach.

https://churasun-beach.com/

Senaga Island

 Senaga Island is one of the most convenient remote islands in Okinawa, being only 15 minutes by car from Naha Airport. The whole island is surrounded by the sea and you can enjoy the beautiful scenery. The island is full of facilities such as gourmet food, shopping, and hot springs where you can feel the atmosphere of Okinawa, making it a resort area where you can spend the whole day. Senaga Island is an island where you can discover new charms of Okinawa.

There are various sightseeing spots and activities on Senaga Island. For example, Senagajima Umikaji Terrace on the west side of the island is an island resort with white buildings reminiscent of Southern Europe, where you can enjoy Okinawan cuisine, shopping and spas. Also, from the observation plaza on the east side of the island, you can see planes taking off and landing at Naha Airport and the scenery of the main island of Okinawa. In addition, the Kaichu Road on the south side of the island is a rare road that allows you to run on the sea, connecting Senaga Island and Okinawa main island.

On Senaga Island, there are plenty of activities where you can fully enjoy the sea and nature. For example, you can enjoy marine sports such as windsurfing and kayaking, and have barbecues and picnics. In addition, at the Ryukyu Onsen Senagajima Hotel on the island, you can use healing facilities such as natural hot springs and beauty treatments.

As mentioned above, Senaga Island is an attractive tourist destination where you can experience the nature and culture of Okinawa. Please visit once by all means.

Here is a website where you can obtain detailed information about agoya Castle.

https://www.umikajiterrace.com/ja/

https://www.resorts.co.jp/senaga