Nago and northern Okinawa are home to Churaumi Aquarium. The history of the Ryukyu Islands can be seen in Nakijin Village and Kunigami Village, and mangrove forests are still spreading in the northern part of the island.
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is one of Okinawa's most popular attractions, home to more than 20,000 marine animals representing around 700 species. Located within Ocean Expo Park on the Motobu Peninsula in northern Okinawa, the aquarium introduces visitors to the rich marine environment surrounding the Ryukyu Islands under the concept of "A Journey into the Okinawan Sea." The exhibits take visitors ...»
Kouri Island is a small, picturesque island surrounded by the emerald-green waters of Okinawa, just off the northern coast of Okinawa Island. Known as the “Island of Love,” Kouri has become a popular destination for couples and travelers drawn to its beautiful beaches, romantic landscapes, and mysterious legends. The island is also known as the “Island of the Gods” because of a local creation leg...»
Cape Hedo is the northernmost point of Okinawa Island, dramatically marking the far northern edge of the forested region known as Yanbaru. Rising above the rugged coastline, the cape offers spectacular views across the sea and a powerful sense of standing at the edge of Okinawa. Yanbaru, meaning the mountainous northern part of Okinawa Island, is known for its rich natural environment and extensi...»
Daisekirinzan is a spectacular trekking destination in northern Okinawa Island, within Yanbaru National Park. The area is characterized by sharp limestone rock formations rising among lush subtropical forests, creating a landscape that feels like a natural maze. The attraction covers an enormous area equivalent to approximately 11 Tokyo Domes. Its unusual scenery has also made it a popular filmin...»
Kouri Bridge is a spectacular sea-crossing bridge connecting Kouri Island, a small island famous as the “Island of Love,” with Yagaji Island in northern Okinawa. Kouri Island is also associated with an Okinawan creation legend similar to the story of Adam and Eve. Stretching approximately 1,960 meters across the sea, the bridge offers an unforgettable driving experience. As you cross, the emerald...»
Teenu Beach and Heart Rock are among the most romantic places to visit on Kouri Island, a small island in northern Okinawa surrounded by brilliant emerald-green waters. Kouri Island is widely known as the “Island of Love” and is associated with an Okinawan legend about the origins of humanity, similar in some ways to the story of Adam and Eve. The island has a radius of approximately 1 kilometer ...»
Emerald Beach is a beautiful seaside destination within Ocean Expo Park on the northwestern coast of Okinawa Island. Located close to popular attractions such as the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, it is an ideal place to stop and enjoy the sea while exploring the northern part of the island. The beach faces west and is known for its broad expanse of white sand and brilliant emerald-green water. It ha...»
Kouri Ocean Tower is one of the most popular attractions on Kouri Island, a small island off the northern coast of Okinawa Island. Known as the “Island of Love”, Kouri Island is associated with a local creation legend resembling the story of Adam and Eve. To reach the island, visitors cross the 1,960-meter-long Kouri Bridge, which connects Kouri Island with the Yagaji Island side of Okinawa. As t...»
Kouri Beach is a beautiful swimming beach located at the foot of the iconic Kouri Bridge on Kouri Island in northern Okinawa. Known for its exceptionally clear water, soft white sand, and spectacular views of the bridge, it is one of the island's most popular places to enjoy the sea. Kouri Island is famous as the “Island of Love”, thanks to a local legend that resembles the story of Adam and Eve....»
Sesoko Island is a small island just off the Motobu Peninsula in northern Okinawa. Although only about 7 kilometers around, the island offers a wonderful combination of beautiful natural beaches, traditional culture, and a fascinating history. The island is connected to the Okinawa main island by the 762-meter Sesoko Ohashi Bridge, making it easy to visit by car. A leisurely drive around the isla...»
Ie Island is a beautiful island located approximately 9 kilometers northwest of Okinawa's main island. Known for its rich natural environment, distinctive island culture, and dramatic history, Ie Island is a popular destination for travelers exploring northern Okinawa. The island was once the scene of fierce fighting during the Battle of Okinawa in World War II. Today, its peaceful landscapes of ...»
Uppama Beach, also known as Ohama Beach, is one of the most beautiful natural beaches in Nakijin Village in northern Okinawa. A broad stretch of brilliant white sand extends for approximately 1 kilometer, creating a scenic coastline that is especially popular with travelers seeking a quieter side of Okinawa. Nakijin Village is known for its abundant natural surroundings and relatively small numbe...»
Busena Marine Park is a popular marine attraction located within the Busena Resort area in Nago, northern Okinawa. The surrounding waters are home to a wide variety of colorful tropical fish, allowing visitors to experience the beauty of Okinawa's underwater world without having to dive or snorkel. The park offers two main ways to discover the sea: the Underwater Observatory and a glass-bottom bo...»
Nakijin Castle Ruins, also known as Nakijin Gusuku or Hokuzan Castle, are located in Nakijin Village in northern Okinawa. The castle is one of Okinawa's most important historic sites, combining the dramatic remains of a medieval fortress with sweeping views of the surrounding sea. The castle is closely associated with the Kingdom of Hokuzan, one of the three rival powers that controlled Okinawa d...»
Hiji Falls is the largest waterfall on Okinawa Island, hidden deep within the lush forests of Yanbaru, the mountainous northern region of Okinawa. With its subtropical forests, abundant wildlife, and beautiful river scenery, the journey to the waterfall is as rewarding as the destination itself. Yanbaru is one of the areas of Okinawa where extensive forests and mountainous landscapes remain. Hiji...»
Bise Fukugi Tree-Lined Street is a beautiful historic landscape in northern Okinawa where visitors can experience the atmosphere of a traditional Okinawan village. Located beyond Ocean Expo Park and Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium on the northwestern coast of Okinawa Island, the Bise district preserves a remarkably traditional residential landscape surrounded by dense fukugi trees. The village is laid ...»
Bisezaki Cape is a beautiful natural coastline on the northwestern coast of Okinawa Island, where clear tropical waters and coral reefs create a landscape that feels like a hidden jewel. Located beyond Ocean Expo Park and at the end of the famous Bise Fukugi Tree-Lined Street, the cape offers visitors a chance to experience a quieter and more natural side of northern Okinawa. The journey to Bisez...»
Yanbaru Learning Forest is a nature and outdoor recreation area surrounded by the lush subtropical forests of Kunigami Village in northern Okinawa. Here, visitors can step away from the busy resort areas and immerse themselves in the deep green landscape of Yanbaru, one of Okinawa's most distinctive natural environments. The forest offers a refreshing combination of nature, adventure, and outdoor...»
Minna Beach is a beautiful beach on Minna Island, a small island located off the Motobu Peninsula in northern Okinawa. Surrounded by brilliant emerald-green water and brilliant white sand, the beach is an inviting destination for travelers looking to relax in a peaceful island setting. One of the beach's greatest attractions is the exceptional clarity of the water. The transparent sea reveals col...»
OKINAWA Fruits Land is a tropical-themed attraction in Nago City where visitors can enjoy exotic fruits, colorful birds, Okinawan cuisine, sweets, and a variety of interactive activities. With its lush tropical atmosphere and collection of subtropical plants, it offers an entertaining way to experience a different side of Okinawa....»
Soki Soba is one of Okinawa's most popular local noodle dishes. The word soki refers to pork ribs, usually bone-in spare ribs, and Soki Soba is Okinawa soba topped with these richly flavored pork ribs. The dish is said to have originated at Gabesoga Shokudo, a restaurant founded in 1966 in Nago, northern Okinawa. According to the story behind its creation, founder Genji Kinjo had previously been ...»
Hītu is the Okinawan dialect word for dolphin. In Nago City in northern Okinawa, dolphin fishing was once an important local industry, and the tradition of eating dolphin meat has continued in the area....»
Pickled green papaya is a distinctive tropical pickle enjoyed in Okinawa and the Amami Islands. Instead of waiting for papaya to ripen and become sweet and soft, the fruit is harvested while still green and firm, then thinly sliced and soaked in a pickling liquid made with ingredients such as Okinawan-style brown sugar and vinegar. The result is a wonderfully crisp pickle with a refreshing sweet-...»
Okinawa Yakisoba is a distinctive Okinawan stir-fried noodle dish made with the thick, chewy wheat noodles used for Okinawa Soba. Unlike many versions of yakisoba found elsewhere in Japan, which commonly use specially made yakisoba noodles, Okinawa Yakisoba uses Okinawa Soba noodles, giving the dish a pleasantly substantial texture....»
Papaya Irichi is a classic Okinawan home-cooked dish made with unripe green papaya. The papaya is thinly shredded and stir-fried with ingredients such as pork and carrots, then seasoned with soy sauce, sugar and mirin. Its pleasantly firm texture and gentle sweetness make it one of the most popular ways to enjoy papaya as a savory vegetable in Okinawa....»
Nago Suba is a local style of Okinawa's famous noodle dish, Okinawa Soba, served in and around Nago City in northern Okinawa. In the Okinawan language, soba is commonly called “suba,” so locals often simply refer to the dish as “suba.” It is also known as Nago Soba....»
Nakijin Agu is a distinctive variety of Okinawan island pig associated with Nakijin in northern Okinawa. It is regarded as a pure-bred style of Agu, a traditional Okinawan pig that was brought back from near extinction through repeated backcrossing after World War II. Nakijin Agu was developed by crossing this revived Agu pig with Ayo, another traditional island pig believed to have originated fr...»
Kuruma prawns, known in Japanese as kuruma-ebi, are one of Okinawa's prized seafood specialties. Surrounded by warm, clear waters and blessed with a subtropical climate, Okinawa provides an excellent environment for prawn farming. The warm air and water temperatures allow the prawns to feed actively and grow in favorable conditions. Live kuruma prawns raised in Okinawa are exceptionally fresh, wi...»
Dragon fruit, also known as pitaya, is a distinctive tropical fruit from the cactus family. Its Japanese name, “Karyūka”, literally means “fire dragon fruit,” referring to its unusual appearance. Although dragon fruit has become more familiar in Japan in recent years, relatively few producers grow it domestically. Okinawa is one of Japan's main growing regions, making locally grown dragon fruit a...»
Snack Pineapple is a small variety of pineapple from Okinawa that can be enjoyed in a fun and unusual way. Simply cut off the base, then gently pull apart the individual sections with your fingers and eat them one by one, making it feel more like eating a snack than a traditional pineapple. One of its most appealing qualities is its juicy, refreshing sweetness. The flesh is soft enough that even ...»
Pineapple is one of Okinawa's best-known agricultural specialties. Thanks to the islands' warm subtropical climate, Okinawa is one of the few places in Japan where visitors can enjoy locally grown fresh pineapple. The history of pineapple cultivation in Okinawa is said to date back to the late Edo period. According to tradition, pineapple seedlings drifted ashore after a Dutch ship ran aground in...»
Okinawan bananas are a rare specialty in Japan. More than 90 percent of the bananas consumed in Japan are imported, while domestic bananas are grown only in limited areas, including Okinawa and parts of southern Kyushu. Okinawa's warm subtropical climate provides ideal conditions for growing bananas, and several varieties are cultivated across the islands. These include the traditional Island Ban...»
Green papaya is a distinctive ingredient in Okinawan cuisine. While papaya is widely known around the world as a sweet tropical fruit, in Okinawa it is more commonly enjoyed while still green and unripe, as a vegetable....»
Shikuwasa is a citrus fruit native to Okinawa. It is also known as Hirami Lemon, a name associated with its distinctive flavor and refreshing acidity. Small and intensely aromatic, shikuwasa is one of the characteristic fruits of Okinawan food culture....»
Tankan is becoming one of Okinawa's signature winter fruits. This distinctive citrus is loved for its well-balanced combination of sweetness and tartness, making it an especially refreshing fruit to enjoy during the cooler months....»
Mōwi, also known as red cucumber, is a traditional Okinawan summer vegetable belonging to the cucumber family. It has a distinctive reddish-brown skin covered with a fine, net-like pattern. Although its rough, dry-looking skin may appear somewhat unusual, cutting it open reveals beautiful pale, translucent, and exceptionally juicy flesh....»
A Tropical Fruit Enjoyed as a Vegetable in Okinawan Cuisine In Okinawa, papaya is not only enjoyed as a ripe tropical fruit. There is also a long-standing tradition of eating green, unripe papaya as a vegetable. Firm and crisp when raw, green papaya can be prepared in many different ways and is a versatile ingredient in everyday Okinawan cooking....»
Kwansō is the Okinawan name for a traditional plant known in Japanese as akino-wasuregusa, or “autumn daylily.” It is also known by the botanical name associated with tokiwa kanzō and is found mainly in Okinawa and other parts of southwestern Japan. In Okinawa, kwansō has long been cultivated as a traditional agricultural crop and used as a vegetable. It is also deeply connected with local folk t...»
Shima daikon, or “island daikon,” is a distinctive Okinawan variety of Japanese white radish. Its most recognizable feature is its short, round, and stout shape, which gives it a very different appearance from the long, slender daikon commonly seen elsewhere in Japan....»
Ie Island wheat flour comes from wheat grown on Ie Island, a small island off the northern coast of Okinawa's main island. The island's soil has characteristics that are particularly well suited to growing wheat, helping support a distinctive local agricultural tradition....»
Jīmāmi is the Okinawan word for peanuts. The name comes from the expression meaning “beans that grow in the ground,” reflecting the way peanuts develop underground. Also written as jimāmi, this familiar ingredient has long been part of Okinawan food culture....»
Jīmāmi tofu is a distinctive traditional food of Okinawa and the southern Japanese islands, made from peanuts rather than soybeans. Although it is called “tofu,” it contains neither soybeans nor nigari, the traditional coagulant used to make ordinary tofu....»
Orion Beer is one of the most recognizable symbols of Okinawa's food and drink culture. With the largest share of the local beer market, it has become something of a “beer of the people” in Okinawa, enjoyed by locals and visitors alike....»
Lagrima Del Sol is a distinctive pineapple wine made from Okinawan pineapples. Its Spanish name means “Tears of the Sun”, a poetic expression referring to the gifts of nature, the blessings of sunlight, and the precious fruit produced by it....»
Shima rakkyo is a small, slender variety of shallot native to Okinawa. A familiar ingredient in local cuisine for generations, it is known for its distinctive aroma and a sharp, spicy flavor reminiscent of green onions. One of the most popular ways to enjoy it is as salt-pickled shima rakkyo, a classic Okinawan preparation. The simple combination of salt and the naturally pungent shallot creates ...»
Chocchune is a traditional Okinawan tea-time sweet made from rich brown sugar and coral-derived calcium. Loved as a simple snack to enjoy with tea, these small bite-sized pieces combine the deep sweetness of Okinawan brown sugar with a light, crisp texture. The brown sugar is rapidly cooked in a large pot directly over a flame and blended with calcium derived from coral, creating an unusual Okina...»