Naha, Okinawa

Naha, Okinawa

Naha, the capital and largest city of Okinawa Prefecture, boasts a unique Japanese culture. As the region's transportation hub, Naha connects travelers with other parts of Okinawa, Japan and Asia; consequently, Okinawans have grown accustomed to openly sharing their distinctive customs with visitors from all over the world - right down to their very own dialect, Uchinaguchi.

Attractions

Put Shuri Castle at the top of your list of places to go during your stay in Naha. This former palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom, of which Naha was the capital for four centuries, is not only one of the most beautiful castles but also one most important historical sites in the city. And though centuries of wars and fires have destroyed Shuri Castle many times over, most recently in the Battle of Okinawa in 1945, the meticulous reconstruction that was completed in 1992 is a certainly a sight to see.

Shopping

Kokusai-dori, known as the heart of Naha, is not only one of the best areas for food and entertainment, but also one of the best places to shop. From one end of this main thoroughfare to the other, you'll find an eclectic mix of high-end boutiques, souvenir stalls and army surplus outlets selling American military leftovers. And if you happen to be experiencing shopping mall withdrawal, you can get your fix - all nine stories of it - in downtown Naha.

Food

The people of Okinawa perhaps best express their uniqueness in their sometimes spicy and often obscurely named cuisine. Don't worry - even native Japanese speakers can have trouble deciphering an Okinawan menu. Try, if you can, to order one of their original stir-fry or tempura dishes. Overall, your best bets for restaurants and eateries are the Kokusai-dori and Shintoshin areas.

Currency

The yen (JPY) is the currency of Japan.

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