Introduction Manzamo is one of the most scenic spots in Okinawa Prefecture. "Manza" means "ten thousand people sitting," and "mo" is an Okinawan dialect word referring to an open field overgrown with grass. Hence, Manzamo refers to a vast lawn where ten thousand people can sit together. This beautiful expanse of green is located atop a cliff by the sea…
Introduction Shuri Castle was originally built between the late 13th century and early 14th century and served as the political and power center of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Its layout was modeled after the Forbidden City of the Ming and Qing dynasties from the same period, which is a testament to the close relationship between the Ryukyu Kingdom and China. The place where the king worked was the “Seiden” (Main Hall), the largest wooden structure in the Ryukyu Kingdom, characterized by a red color scheme...
Okinawa Pineapple Park, also known as "Nago Pineapple Park," is located in Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture. It is a pineapple-themed amusement park renowned worldwide for cultivating over 100 varieties of pineapples, offering visitors the chance to learn everything about this tropical fruit. Long ago, the northern part of Okinawa Island was famous for its abundant pineapple production...
Okinawa Fruit Land is located in Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture, and is a colorful world of subtropical fruits, birds, and butterflies. Every visitor is amazed by its vibrant and lively atmosphere, making it a highly coveted destination. Okinawa Fruit Land is a garden where you can experience the natural beauty of a southern island...
Shikinaen Garden, also known as Shikina-no-majiri during the Ryukyu Kingdom era, is one of the Ryukyuan gardens. It is located in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, covering an area of approximately 42,000 square meters. It was constructed during the reign of King Shō Mu of the Second Shō Dynasty and completed in 1799 (the fourth year of the Jiaqing era in the Qing Dynasty) during the reign of King Shō On. Originally, it served as a…
Iriomote Island is located about 18 kilometers west of Ishigaki Island, covering an area of 289 square kilometers. It is the largest island in Japan’s Yaeyama Islands of the Ryukyu Archipelago and the second largest in Okinawa Prefecture after Okinawa Island itself. Before World War II, Iriomote Island...
Since ancient times, people have used their hands, fire, and natural materials to make pottery. These crafting techniques and knowledge have been passed down through generations, becoming part of cultural heritage. The residents of Okinawa inherited and developed ancestral techniques, and through exchanges with neighboring countries’ pottery cultures and skills, they formed a unique pottery culture in Okinawa. Tsuboya-yaki…
Southeast Botanical Garden was established in 1968 and is located in the suburbs of Okinawa. It is one of the few tropical botanical parks in Japan. The garden houses 450 species of palm trees, 600 types of tropical flowers, and 200 varieties of tropical fruit trees, with some flowers blooming year-round. The entire garden is filled with fragrant blooms and birdsong, surrounded by lush greenery...
Introduction Himeyuri Park, also known as Cactus Park, is home to 120,000 cacti of various sizes, the largest of which can grow up to 10 meters tall. The park features a natural landscape in the style of the American West, where giant cacti on the open plains resemble hands reaching toward the sky, creating a striking sight against the blue sky…
Nago City is the only city in the northern region of Okinawa Island in the Ryukyu Archipelago, boasting coastlines on both the eastern and western sides, with its city center located near Nago Bay. The city’s industries include flower, fruit, and vegetable cultivation, fishing, and shrimp farming. Nago City is home to Naha University of Nursing and Health Sciences, and additionally, the 2000 G8 Summit was once held here…
Ginowan City is located in the central part of Okinawa Island, approximately 10 kilometers northeast of Naha City, facing the west coast. The city center is home to the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station. The west coast area, centered around the “Okinawa Convention Center,” has become a hub for tourism and commerce. The Okinawa Convention Center is situated in Ginowan City and has hosted…
The red, acidic soil of northern Okinawa is particularly suitable for pineapple cultivation, making pineapples from this region famous since ancient times. Nakijin Pineapple Park is an over 80-year-old pineapple farm that initially grew and sold pineapples. In 1992, it became home to Japan’s first pineapple distillery. The farm has now been transformed into an amusement park,...
The Kerama Islands are located in Tokashiki Village and Zamami Village of Okinawa Prefecture, approximately 40 kilometers west of Naha City. They are a sub-group of the Okinawa Islands within the Ryukyu Archipelago, comprising over 20 islands of varying sizes. Among the many islands in the Kerama group, the main ones are Tokashiki Island, Zamami Island, and Aka Island. The Kerama Islands are renowned for their incredibly transparent...
Mihama American Village is located in Chatan Town, Okinawa, and is an urban leisure resort built on the site of a former U.S. military base. It not only provides a recreational space for local residents but also serves as a great vacation destination for tourists, making it the liveliest area in central Okinawa with people coming and going every day. The Mihama American Village area was once...
Onna Village is located on the western side of central Okinawa Island and is a well-known resort destination in Japan. National Route 58 runs along the coast, lined with numerous large resorts. In 2000, world leaders such as former U.S. President Bill Clinton and Russian President Vladimir Putin once...
Ryukyu Palace Butterfly Garden is located in Motobu Town on the western side of northern Okinawa Island, making it an ideal destination for butterfly watching. It has long attracted numerous nature enthusiasts, with its vibrant and colorful butterflies being the main highlight. Ryukyu Palace Butterfly Garden is a place with a dazzling, dragon-palace-like exterior and covers an area of 16…
The Gateway to Nations Pavilion is situated atop Cape Bise, embraced by blue skies and clear seas. It is a building that perfectly blends Ryukyuan and Western architectural styles, and it served as the main venue for the G8 Summit held from July 21 to 23, 2000. When the name for the pavilion was being solicited, someone discovered the term “Gateway to Nations” inscribed on a bell in Shuri Castle, the former capital, dating back to the 15th century...
Camp Foster American Village American Village is a comprehensive cultural and commercial facility developed from the site of a former U.S. military base (Mihama, Chatan). It has been transformed into an urban-style resort and leisure area. The most iconic feature of American Village is its large Ferris wheel with a diameter of 50 meters. The area also houses entertainment facilities centered around 3D imagery…
Ishigaki Island Ishigaki Island is located about 420 kilometers southwest of Naha on Okinawa’s main island and is the main island of the Yaeyama Islands. It is said that houses on the island are surrounded by stone walls to protect them from typhoons, which is how the island got its name, “Ishigaki,” meaning “stone wall.” The island has a circumference of about 90 kilometers and is characterized by its many mountains, including Okinawa’s highest peak, Mount Omoto, which stands at an elevation of 526 meters.
Okinawa Village This is a theme park that showcases Okinawan culture, preserving the former appearance of Okinawa with many traditional red-tiled Okinawan houses. Here you can also experience traditional crafts, sample local sweets at residences (Okinawan-style spherical donuts), and take commemorative photos in Ryukyuan costumes. Admission & Opening Hours…