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Shuri, once the centre of Okinawa’s Ryukyu kingdom is now a part of
modern Naha, the city that was declared the capital when the islands became part
of Japan in 1879. A splendid reconstruction of the 12th century Shuri Castle
is now the main attraction of modern Naha and its distinctive architecture shows
the mix of Asian influences that characterises Okinawan culture.
Naha is a vibrant city with pride in its past. Even amongst the department stores
and boutiques of Kokusai-dori (International Street), one can see for sale all
kinds of Okinawan specialities such lacquerware, textiles, glassware and local,
Tsuboya pottery. All these and more can be found stacked to the eaves of the
numerous speciality shops of Heiwa-dori. Nearby, the Public Market is an excellent
place to get a feel for (and a taste of ) Okinawa’s distinctive food culture.
At one end of Heiwa-dori is the Tsuboya pottery quarter where the King of Ryukyu
gathered together the finest ceramicists in the land 300 years ago. A healthy
number of workshops are still active, producing bowls, plates and sake flasks
as well the lucky Shisa lion ornaments that you will see adorning the roofs of
houses all over the island.
Using Naha as your base, the area around the city is also worth exploring. One
of the most famous attractions is Gyokusendo, a 5km long cave, the largest of
in the Orient, the roof of which hangs with thousands of densely packed stalactites
formed from coral some 3 million years ago. Also in the area is the Gyokusendo
Kingdom Village, a theme park of Ryukyu culture showcasing such local crafts
as glass blowing, pottery and awamori brewing as well as local dances.
Sadly, the history of Okinawa has been marked indelibly with the vicious battles
of World War Two and the southern area around Naha bears reminders of some of
the worst of the fighting. Dug into soft limestone a short bus ride from the
centre of Naha are a series of tunnels that served as the centre of command for
the Navy during the war. Ultimately, it was also the location for the suicide
of 4,000 Japanese servicemen determined not to be captured by the advancing American
forces.
But perhaps the strongest reminder of the senselessness of war is the Himeyuri
Monument, a memorial to the 219 high school students and 18 teachers who were
drafted into the Japanese army as nurses and who died during the Battle of Okinawa.
A battle that claimed the lives of a total of 13,000 American soldiers and 250,000
Japanese soldiers and civilians. |
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Accommodation |
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| Okinawa Harborview Hotel |
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098-853-2111 |
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098-835-9696 |
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2-46 Izumizaki, Naha-shi, Okinawa 900-0021, Japan |
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| Naha may be Okinawa's business center, but if you stay with us
at the Okinawa Harborview Hotel we will show you how to combine business with
pleasure. We are a short walk from the shopping and nightlife of the Kokusai
Street, which is main street of Naha. |
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| ANA has no control of how your personal information is
handled by other sites. Please refer to the privacy statement on each new site
you enter. |
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Amusement |
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| Underwater Boat Orca |
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1st floor Nahako Terminal Bldg. 2-1 Tondoh, Naha City, Okinawa |
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Departure times: 9:00, 10:15, 11:30, 13:30, 14:30, 15:30,
16:30, 20:30 |
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¥3,000 for adults, ¥1,500 for children |
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| The world´s first large four-pontoon boat can hold 202
passengers. Enjoy a pleasant cruise while feeling the sea breeze and looking
at coral reefs underwater. Departs eight times a day. |
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| Fishing Present´s Taikobo |
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098-869-2020 |
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3-21-7 Akebono, Naha City, Okinawa |
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8:00-21:00 |
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Charter fishing boat ¥50,000 and up |
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| A fishing-tackle store next to Naha Port. It sells equipment,
bait, and all types of products related to fishing. The store holds a half-day
tour to fish for "gurukun" (takasago-fish) during summer vacation in
July and August every year. |
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| Swell |
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098-863-8999 |
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1-3-1 Matsuo, Naha City, Okinawa |
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21:00-late at night |
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Not applicable |
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| Plays all types of music and takes requests from customers. There
is "karaoke" behind the dance floor. Great for private parties. |
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| Manko Park |
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098-853-3144 |
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3-23-1 Kohagura, Naha City, Okinawa |
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9:00-22:00 |
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Free |
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| The park is located in a marshland with mangroves at the mouth
of the Kokuba River. Wild birds such as snipe and ducks come here. You can study
the ecology of small animals such as crabs. |
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Sightseeing |
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| Naha Bus terminal |
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Naha City, Okinawa |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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| As Okinawa´s center of transportation, buses that operate
between Naha City and the southern, central, and northern parts of the main island
depart from and arrive here. It is the base for about half of the buses operating
on the island. |
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| Shurijo Castle |
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Shurijo Koen, Shuri, Naha City, Okinawa |
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9:00-17:30 (Dec.-Feb. until 17:00) |
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Main Hall, South Hall, Watch Office, North Hall and HOUSHINMON Gate ¥800
for adults, ¥600 for high students, and ¥300 for primary/junior high
students |
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| The Chuzan King lived in this castle. Kings of Ryukyu lived here
after Sho Hashi unified Okinawa. It was the center of politics, diplomacy, culture,
and religious services and an important symbol of the Ryukyu Kingdom´s
prosperity. |
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| Shureimon Gate |
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Jokaku-gai, Shurijo Koen, Shuri, Naha City, Okinawa |
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Always open |
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Not applicable |
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| It is believed that this gate was built in 1527. It is one of
the gates built along Ayajofumichi, the street that leads to Shurijo Castle.
A sign that says "Shurei-no-ho" (this country is polite) was hung on
the gate every time messengers from China visited the castle. |
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| Shurijo Castle Remains |
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Jokaku-nai, Shurijo Koen, Shuri, Naha City, Okinawa |
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Always open |
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Not applicable |
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| Although the present castle is a reconstruction, the original
castle walls remain in the ground and along the side of the Uekimon Gate. The
remains were registered as a world heritage site at the end of the year 2000. |
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| Shuri-Ryusen |
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098-886-1131 |
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1-54 Shuri Yamakawacho, Naha City, Okinawa |
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9:00-18:00 |
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"Bingata" table center ¥7,000 and up |
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| An imposing traditional craft hall looks like a storehouse. You
can observe the processes of dying and weaving and buy "bingata" and
plant-dyed products. |
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| Kokusai Street |
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Izumizaki to Asato, Naha City, Okinawa |
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Not applicable |
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| Naha´s main street. It is about 1.9 km long and located
in the center of the city. It is called the "Miracle Mile" because
the street rebounded so well after the war. It is lined with souvenir shops and
restaurants. |
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Restaurants |
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| Ajazz |
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098-868-7488 |
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2-9-18 Akebono, Naha City, Okinawa |
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11:00-21:00 (Tuesday and Wednesday until 17:00) |
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"Soki soba" ¥600, cold "soba" with bits of deep-fried
"tempura" batter ¥550, "soba" for children ¥400 |
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| The owner of this Okinawa "soba" (noodles) restaurant
loves jazz and "soba." Enjoy "Soki soba" topped with a large,
soft pork rib while listening to jazz. |
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| Yotsutake Kume branch |
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098-866-3333 |
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2-22-1 Kume, Naha City, Okinawa |
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11:00-14:00, 18:00-22:00 |
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Ryukyu course ¥3,500 and up |
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| You can watch Ryukyu dance at this Japanese restaurant. It serves
Ryukyu-style, Japanese, and mixed courses. Reservations must be made a day in
advance. |
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| Japanese restaurant Sama |
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098-868-3251 |
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2-27-1 Tsuji, Naha City, Okinawa |
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18:00-21:00 |
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Ryukyu course ¥6,000 and up, Japanese course ¥6,000 and up, mixed
course of Ryukyu and Japanese dishes ¥6,000 and up |
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| A restaurant with a majestic appearance. Enjoy a Ryukyu court
meal course while watching Ryukyu dance (extra charge) in a luxurious private
room. Japanese and mixed courses are also available. Reservations are required. |
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| Urizun |
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098-885-2178 |
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388-5 Asato, Naha City, Okinawa |
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17:30-24:00 |
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All brands of "Awamori" ¥800 and up, "Dulten" ¥500 |
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| A Japanese-style bar housed in an old private house. Serves all
brands of "awamori" made in Okinawa and Okinawa home cooking. One of
the restaurant´s original dishes is "Dulten," fried "dulwakasi"
that include potato and shiitake mushroom. |
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Shopping |
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| Daiichi Makishi Kosetsu Ichiba (Public
Market) |
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098-867-6560 |
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2-10-1 Matsuo, Naha City, Okinawa |
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6:00-21:00 |
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Foods at current prices |
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| A market called "Okinawa´s kitchen." A wide variety
of foods such as large chunks of pork, colorful tropical fish, and vegetables
grown on the island are sold here. It is the best place to learn about Okinawa´s
food culture. |
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| Awamori-kan |
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098-885-5681 |
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1-81 Shuri Samukawa-cho, Naha City, Okinawa |
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10:00-20:00 |
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Original bottle (35 percent) ¥3,000 |
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| Offers over 800 brands of "awamori" and many types
of old liquor. It is like an "awamori" museum because it also displays
brands of "awamori" that are not produced anymore. |
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| Ryukyu Bidoro |
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098-868-0038 |
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1-3-5 Kume, Naha City, Okinawa |
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10:00-19:00 |
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Blue glass ¥600 and up, scarlet glass ¥800 |
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| Sells thick simple Ryukyu glass products. Barrel-shaped glasses
and rock glasses are popular. Popular colors are blue (it reminds people of Okinawa´s
sky) and vivid scarlet. |
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