Travel / Tourism Spots in Okinawa Island (Central) Area
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Okinawa
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Okinawa
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- Roadside Station Kadena
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4.0314 Reviews - Transportation
- Okinawa Nakagami-gun Kadena Cho Yara 1026-banchi 3
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There were many people such as a TV station crew, a mania with a telephoto lens, a school excursion students at the station and it was crowded. You can overlook the runway of Kadena base from this...
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- Nakamura Family Resident
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4.0124 Reviews - Travel / Tourism
- Okinawa Pref. Nakagamigunkitanakagusukuson Ogusuku 106
- This house has all of the characteristics of pre-war Okinawan residential buildings, and has been designated a national Important Cultural Property. It is rare on Okinawa’s main island for there to be an example of such premises in good condition, and it is a valuable monument to know about the lives of upper-class farmers at that time. Built in the middle of the 18th century, it is a wooden building with a hip roof and tile roofing.
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I walked the Kitanakagusuku Route and this was the main attraction. The Nakamura Family Residence is a well preserved traditional style home. It was great to see what traditional homes looked like...
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- Futenmangu Shrine and Cave
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4.095 Reviews - Travel / Tourism
- Okinawa Pref. Ginowanshi Futenma 1-27-10
- This is one of the Ryukyu Eight Shrines that received special treatment from the royal government of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Located in the Futenma area of Ginowan City, Okinawa Prefecture, it is the largest shrine in central Okinawa and has many visitors. It has a 280-meter-long caves with two entrances and three large plazas, and the cave is a city-designated cultural property where you can see cave notches showing traces of past water flow.
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We paid a visit to this shrine which is nice but very small. Roadwork was handled nearby. Half the room is set for souvenirs sale. Not so interesting if I may.
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- Urasoe Art Museum
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3.537 Reviews - Leisure / Hobbies
- Okinawa Pref. Urasoeshi Nakama 1-9-2
- A 20-minute drive from the center of Naha City. Established in 1990, this was Japan's first museum dedicated to lacquerware art and was also the first public museum in Okinawa. The exterior of the museum is designed in a mixture of national styles recalling Southeast Asian and European influences. The museum's five standing exhibition rooms are split between two periods - early and latter - and contain 60 examples of Ryukyuan lacquerware. There are also examples of lacquerware from the Japanese mainland, China, and Southeast Asia split between the two periods. Additionally, the museum holds painting, photo, and other art exhibitions several times a year in its three special exhibition rooms.
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建物もお洒落で素敵な美術館。展望塔もあり登れます。 こちらの常設展は琉球漆器が中心。漆器の展示だけではなく、歴史や作り方なども丁寧に説明がありました。 企画展も時々行っていて、行った日は「落合光昭の世界ネコ歩き」写真展もしていてラッキーでした...
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- Sakima Art Museum
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4.530 Reviews - Leisure / Hobbies
- Okinawa Pref. Ginowanshi Uehara 358
- This art museum collections dealing with life and death, suffering and salvation, and humanity and war. The building was built with Okinawa in mind, with the ancestral tomb of the museum director Michio Sakima located in the garden like a turtleback tomb, and the stairs to the roof in line with the setting sun on June 23 (Okinawa Memorial Day). The collections include works by Iri Maruki, Toshi Maruki and Käthe Kollwitz, and in addition to the permanent exhibition “Picture of the Battle of Okinawa,” there are also special exhibitions.
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The artworks had reflected the darkness and cruelness that the war brought to the people. It made us think a lot and discuss a lot, trying to understand why the people still protesting nowadays
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- Nakagusuku Castle Ruins
- Travel / Tourism
- Okinawa Pref. Nakagamigunkitanakagusukuson Ogusuku 503
- Nakagusuku Castle Ruins, located on a hill overlooking Nakagusuku Bay, is a Renkaku enclosure-style consisting of six enclosures. The Ryukyu Kingdom is said to have had as many as 300 castles, and Nakagusuku Castle is in the best state of preservation among those castles as well as having a high historical value. The splendid castle wall drawing a beautiful curvy line with laid stones utilizes the natural terrain, and it is registered as a World Heritage Site as well as one of Japan’s top 100 famous castles.
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- Futen Manzan Jinguji Temple
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4.013 Reviews - Travel / Tourism
- Okinawa Ginowan-shi Futenma 1-27-11
- This temple belonging to the Toji Shingon Shu sect of Shingon Buddhism is located about a five-minute walk from the Futenma bus stop or about a five-minute drive from the Kita-Nakagusuku Interchange. The temple, which is adjacent to Futenmagu Shrine, has a history dating back more than 550 years. Built in 1459 on the orders of Sho Taikyu, the king of the Ryukyu Kingdom, the temple is venerated as a guardian of not only Futenma, but also the entire central region of Okinawa Island. The temple's annual Kannon festival, which is also known as the Futenma Mairi, is held on September 9th on the old lunisolar calendar. Every October the temple holds the Jinguji Festival, which is intended to encourage people of all ages to become more familiar with the temple. The temple also presents visitors with sweets and amulets during the New Year.
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近隣の観光と合わせて訪問いたしました。そこまで沖縄らしい建物ではなかったが、ついでとしては十分に楽しめました。行った事の無いエリアの開拓ができました。
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- Kaichu Road
- Travel / Tourism
- Okinawa Pref. Urumashi Yonashiroyahira
- Kaichu Road (“The Road in the Middle of the Sea”) is a public (non-toll) road in Uruma City. Extending across the sea for approximately 5.2 kilometers from the Katsuren Peninsula to Henza Island, it is a very popular choice for an enjoyable drive; with the sea stretching away on both sides of the bridge, the views are magnificent. Halfway along the road there is the “Ayahashi” rest station, which sells local specialties and other souvenir gifts.
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- Ikei Island
- Travel / Tourism
- Okinawa Pref. Urumashi Yonashiroikei
- Ikei Island is the furthest point you can reach when driving along the Inter-Island Causeway from the main island of Okinawa. Ikei Island is a tranquil island covered in sugar-cane fields, and is a great place for just having a relaxing stroll. The Island has several popular beaches - including Ikei Beach and Odomari Beach—where visitors can enjoy the beautiful clear waters of the surrounding sea. Ikei Island is the perfect spot for marine leisure activities.
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- Sunset Beach
- Travel / Tourism
- Okinawa Pref. Nakagamigunchatanchou Mihama 2
- Sunset Beach is a famous beach next to the American Village where beautiful sunsets can be seen. As it starts to get crowded around sunset, getting here a little earlier is recommended.
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- Kafu Banta cliff
- Travel / Tourism
- Okinawa Pref. Urumashi Yonashiromiyagi 2768
- Kafu Banta cliff located in Miyagi Island, Yonashiro, Uruma City is a picturesque spot. Banta means a cliff in Okinawan dialect. As its name “kafu” (good fortune) suggests, the cape situated at a high elevation on Miyagi Island and the scene from the cape which is layer upon layer of blue is overwhelming. You can spend a relaxing time while feeling the comfortable sea breeze in the beautiful scenery.
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- Katsuren Castle Ruins
- Travel / Tourism
- Okinawa Pref. Urumashi Katsurenhaebaru 3908
- Amawari is said to have brought prosperity to Katsuren in the 15th century, and this is the castle where he resided. It was registered as a World Heritage Site in 2000. It stands on a hill between 60 and 98 meters above sea level, and it makes clever use of the natural cliff, featuring walls that form a graceful curve. The “Ichi-no Kuruwa (1st enclosure) ,” the highest point, offers an amazing view of the mountains and outlying islands that surround Kin Bay.
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- Miyagi Island
- Travel / Tourism
- Okinawa Pref. Urumashi Yonashiromiyagi
- Situated between Henza Island and Ikei Island, Miyagi island is connected via a marine road. With the cobalt blue sea and sprawling, serene sugar cane fields, this locale is gorgeous whether you’re driving or on foot.
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- Urasoe Youdore
- Travel / Tourism
- Okinawa Pref. Urasoeshi Nakama 2
- "A 5-minute drive from the Nishihara Interchange. This royal mausoleum dates to the early period of the Ryukyu Kingdom said to have been built by King Eiso starting from the year 1265. Called ""Yodore"" (meaning evening calm/the world of the dead in Okinawan), the tomb was dug out of a cave in a cliff wall and is believed to be the final resting place of King Eiso and King Sho Nei. Descending down the steps, there is a front garden, and, after passing through a tunnel of finished bedrock and stonework, there are the first and second gardens. The second garden offers a sweeping view of Urasoe City and Ginowan City. The surrounding area is maintained as Urasoe City Park and Castle Site, and visitors can take a leisurely stroll amidst historic ruins."
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- Nutima-su Sightseeing and Salt Manufacturing Factory
- Travel / Tourism
- Okinawa Pref. Urumashi Yonashiromiyagi 2768 Co., Ltd. Inu Mase
- This salt factory is on Miyagi Island, the second island accessible from Urama City’s marine road. It created a salt production process called the “room temperature instant airborne crystallization production method,” which has garnered patents in 13 countries as well as a Guinness Record for its mineral-rich characteristics. Take a tour of the factory and see how the salt’s appealing snowy color is made. There’s also an official shop and cafe, and all of the salt used at the cafe is produced at the factory. The shop offers food items, cosmetics, and samples of “silk salt,” which is said to enhance beauty.
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- Okinawa Arena
- Leisure / Hobbies
- Okinawa Okinawa-shi Yamauchi 1-16-1
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- Ikei Ohashi Bridge
- Travel / Tourism
- Okinawa Pref. Urumashi Yonashiroikei
- Ikei Ohashi Bridge opened in 1982 and is immediately recognizable for its distinctive red arch. The 4.75-kilometer-long Mid-Sea Route, a popular driving route that runs across the sea, connects to three small islands from Okinawa’s main island. And adorning the final stretch is the gorgeous Ikei Ohashi Bridge linking to Ikei Island, the most outlying island. Enjoy your drive above the picturesque sea.
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- Hamahiga Ohashi Bridge
- Travel / Tourism
- Okinawa Pref. Urumashi Katsurenhama Higa
- This 1,430-meter-long bridge runs straight between Henza Island and Hamahiga Island. The crystal clear sea stretching toward the horizon is quite a sight to behold, so we recommend crossing on foot.
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- Pottery Gallery Shimairo
- Travel / Tourism
- Okinawa Pref. Urumashi Yonashirotoubaru 428-6
- Pottery Gallery Shimairo standing in a peaceful village surrounded by sugar cane fields on Miyagi Island is a pottery studio and gallery shop owned by Katsushi Shimabukuro, a pottery artist. In the studio on the first floor, the pottery’s manufacturing process can be observed up close. In a gallery on the second floor, a range of pottery from vessels and flower vases with monotone colors to plates and cups with light and gentle earthy colors are displayed and sold. A shaved ice shop next to the studio uses crockery made at Pottery Gallery Shimairo.
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- Hamahiga Island
- Travel / Tourism
- Okinawa Pref. Urumashi Yonashiro Hama Higa
- Hamahiga Island located as far as 70 minutes by car from Naha Airport is an outlying island which is accessible by car. Places representing the island of creation myth such as “Shirumichu (a god who is believed to have created Okinawa)” are scattered around the island. People wishing for a baby as well as worshipers wishing for health and safety often visit. There are also three calm beaches with very clear water which less well-known with relatively fewer tourists. Their shallow waters are recommended for people with children.
Okinawa Areas
Let go of your image of a busy, ordered Japan and replace it with crystal-clear waters, white sand beaches, and relaxing folk music: You’ve arrived in Okinawa. A world away from the high intensity of Tokyo, Okinawans appear to live a laid-back beach life on this paradisiacal tropical island that lies in the middle of the East China Sea almost 1,000 kilometers south of mainland Japan’s most southern tip. Home to a spattering of islands, prepare yourself to discover underwater caves, star-shaped sand, and an island culture sometimes unrecognizable from mainland Japan.
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