'''Naha''' (___e) is the capital of the Okinawa Prefecture in Japan and is the main city on Okinawa Island, with a population of around 700,000 - more than half the total population of Okinawa.

Get in

'''Naha Airport''' (___e___` ''Naha-k?k?'', '''OKA'''; [http://www.naha-airport.co.jp/]) is the largest airport in the Okinawa area and the main hub for international and inter-island flights. A new monorail, opened in 2003, connects the airport to the city center.

''Note'': There is also a Naha Airport (NAH) in Indonesia, which should not be confused with this!

Get around

The '''Naha monorail''' ([http://www.yui-rail.co.jp/], Japanese only) links together the airport, the city and Shuri Castle. Tickets cost ¥200-290 depending on distance, or you can get a one-day pass for ¥600.

See

  • '''Shuri Castle''' (______ ''Shuri-j?'') is the former seat of the Ryukyu Kingdom, built in the Okinawan ''gusuku'' style. Completely destroyed during World War II, the present buildings were rebuilt in 1958 and 1992.
  • The town of Itoman lies south and southeast of Naha, and has several attractions.

  • '''Himeyuri Peace Museum''' 671-1 Aza-Ihara, Itoman, 098-997-2101, [http://www.himeyuri.or.jp/] (in Japanese). 9 AM-5 PM. Students from two women's schools, together called Himeyuri, were mobilized to work as field nurses during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. This memorial museum documents, from a personal perspective, their lives before and during the battle, in which many of them died. Exhibits are labeled in English, and the museum is a worthwhile visit. ¥300 (''discounts for high school students and younger'')
  • '''Okinawa Peace Park''' has several memorials relating to the Battle of Okinawa. To get there by bus, take bus no. 89 from Naha bus terminal, change to bus no. 82 at Itoman bus terminal, and get off at the Heiwa-kinendo-iriguchi stop.
  • * '''Peace Park''' This park has a beautiful view overlooking the ocean, and features several open-air memorials including the '''Cornerstone of Peace''', wave-like walls of granite on which are engraved the names of those who died in the battle, on both sides.
  • * '''Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum''' 614-1 Mabuni, 098-997-3844, [http://www.peace-museum.pref.okinawa.jp/english/index.html]. Tues-Sun 9AM-5PM, closed Dec. 29-Jan. 3. Museum describes the Battle of Okinawa. ¥300 (''discounts for children'')
  • * '''Okinawa Peace Memorial Hall''' 448-2 Mabuni Itoman, 098-997-3011. A separate memorial, marked by a high tower, with the Peace Memorial Statue and exhibitions of Japanese artists. ¥500 (''discounts for junior high school students and younger'').
  • '''Okinawa World''' 1336 Maekawa, Tamagusuku village (''by bus No. 54 or 83, get off Gyokusendo-mae stop''), 098-949-7421, [http://www.gyokusendo.co.jp/] (in Japanese). 9AM-5PM. The major attraction at this theme park is Gyokusendo Cave, 890 meters long, with some interesting stalagmite and stalactite formations. Above the cave is a touristy village with performances of traditional dance, shops selling crafts and snake liquors, and restaurants. Separate admission is required for the habu snake exhibition which includes a snake and mongose show. Cave and village ¥1200, add ¥400 for snake exhibition (''discounts for junior high school students and younger'').
  • Do

  • '''Kiteboarding''' is possible year round with the winter months being the best.
  • * <do name="Kite Club Okinawa" alt="" address="270-102 Gibo, Tomigusuku-shi" directions="Across from the Tomigusuku Central Hospital Family Mart" phone="098-851-0180/mobile 090-6779-9990" email="" fax="" url="http://www.kiteclub.biz/shop.html" hours="10:00 to 20:00 but call first in Japanese" price="Closed Tuesdays">Taka-san is a first rate kite-boarder and a very nice guy. Drop by for lessons, supplies, information about car rental, lodging, tours and whatever else you might need.</do>
  • '''Shopping''' Kokusai Doori is full of shops that sell a multitude of Okinawan products. It's also a good place to check out the nightlife and youth scene.
  • '''Beach''' Naha actually has one beach, straight towards the ocean from the southern end of kokusai doori. Not the most beautiful beach in Okinawa, but a clean beach for all practical purposes.
  • '''Fishing''' Just 15 minutes from Naha Airport is the dock where Saltwater Fishing Okinawa's head boat is berthed. They specialize in affordable offshore big game fishing for marlin, tuna, wahoo, and mahi mahi, and fish all year round. Contact info is phone="090-3797-9810" or website: [http://www.saltwater-fishing-okinawa.com]. A fully incorporated charter service that you can trust.
  • Buy

  • '''Makishi Market'''. Known as "the kitchen of Okinawa", This market started as a kind of black market after WW2. There are more than 400 shops in one floor. You can buy any Okinawa_fs traditional foods like dried sea snake (_C___u_[ ''irab?''), pork (Okinawas say they eat everything except the hooves and the scream), special vegetables not found on the mainland, colorful fish, or edible seaweed. There are many restaurants upstairs, serving traditional Okinawan home cooking. If you pay extra money, they will cook dishes with ingredients which you bought downstairs.
  • Eat

  • '''Afro Nest''' A raggae themed basement-restaurant with surprisingly good food just off of Kokusai Doori. Delicious goya champuru and karaage. Try the Afro Rice, it's excellent.
  • '''[http://warahondo.com Warahondo]''' This cozy, macrobiotic restaurant is one of the few places to get vegan food in Okinawa. The main course changes daily and is always served with fresh brown rice. You can also buy your organic foods, fruits and vegetables here.
  • king taco. in . Located outside of the Camp Hansen Marine base, King Taco is hands down the authority on the local creation "taco rice and cheese". A mouth watering dish that will make any night in Kin something special to remember.

    Drink

    You can find several establishments in and around Kokusai Street to enjoy the odd drink or two. There's a few clubs about as well; those frequented by locals, those frequented by US military folks and a mixture of both. Don't try gaining admission (around $25) wearing sandals, as these are frowned on, for some reason.

    For the more daring drinker ''habushu'' (_n_u__) is widely available in bars and souvenir shops. Each bottle of fiery shochu liquor comes with a venomous snake inside, best drunk down in one as sipping is not recommended!

  • Bar Dick. For a less frantic, more intimate time, you could do worse than check out this American-style bar that's verging on refined. Take care not to be too noisy as it will only upset the otherwise friendly and attentive staff. Bar Dick is the premier whiskey and scotch bar on the island, with expert bartenders, some of whom have been featured in magazines and recieved awards at national level competions.

  • Rehab. okusai-dori. ttp://www.okinawaspirit.com/. Canadian owned Bar with English speaking staff. The customers are mostly English teachers and Expats and quite a few Japanese nationals. Very friendly place. Limited food menu.

  • Smugglers Irish Pub. block from Kokusai Street. ttp://smugglers.nahashop.com/. Really nice place to drink. The staff speaks English. One bloke lived in London for 5 years. Lots of friendly locals. Food is good and they had Union Rugby on the T.V. Just walk up the hill from Ryubo Shopping Centre on Kokusai Steet. It is on the left side.

  • Campnou Bar. ka Football Bar. aradise Dori. Behind JAL Hotel on Kokusai Dori.. Great Place to watch Football. The owner, Hiro-san is a lovely guy and Football Mad. He can speak enough English to get by and is foreigner friendly. He is often open odd hours to accommodate matches held in different time zones.
  • Paddy Macs. On BC street, just off of "gate 2" street, outside of Kadena airbase, this Irish pub is second to none for a good time. Martin, the Irish expat owner, is always a wonderful host who keeps the atmosphere lively and upbeat. Paddys also has the distinction of being the prefered drinking hole of Okinawas own Hash House Harrier group. Any true party animals Okinawa experience would be imcomplete without a night on the town with these local larrikins.

    Sleep

    Naha's budget accommodations are famously cheap (as little as ¥1000 per night), but you tend to get what you pay for and some can be incredibly grotty.

  • '''Grace Naha Hotel'''. Small family-run guesthouse. Inexpensive, incredibly friendly and spotlessly clean.
  • '''[http://www.mco.ne.jp/~sora39/E-index.htm Sora House]'''. Inexpensive, friendly hostel near Miebashi station. Staff speaks little English, but are very friendly and helpful. Staff seems to arrange trips around Okinawa; if you get a chance to attend to one, you probably should.
  • Base Okinawa. -17-5 Wakasa. 5-20 minute walk from the Kencho-mae monorail station. 68-2968. ttp://base-okinawa.net/. 1am. ,000yen. Ten dorm rooms and a couple of lounge rooms make this a really nice place to stay when on a budget. There is also free Internet, laundry, bikes, etc.

    If you want to get there, walk up the street from the Kencho-mae monorail station towards Wakasa. After passing Wakasa-dori, turn left at the first crossing without a traffic light (there's a very small sign there that says "BASE").</sleep>

    Get out