NAHA, OKINAWA

Naha is the capital of the Okinawa Islands, which are often compared to Hawaii, so be sure to whip out that Aloha shirt! Both are island chains, both have warmer climates than their respective landmass country, both have laid back vibes, both have unique cultures in terms of language, music, and customs, and both have a significant military presence and history.

Naha is a city of 330,000 people, and the main downtown drag, Kokusai-Dori, is 1.4 mi/ 2.1 km from the cruise port. It is possible to walk, or you can take a taxi that will be around 1100 Yen each way. Once downtown, you have the options of visiting the Tsuboya Pottery District, Makishi Public Market, the Okinawa Street Food Village, the Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters, and the Shikina-en Royal Gardens. While the Shuri-Jo castle may have been on your travel list, at the time of writing it was closed due to the October 31st, 2019 fire.

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Bonus Tip:  If you are as enamored with the oddities of Japanese culture as we are, stop by the Tug of War monument in the downtown area. It serves as an ode to the Naha Tug of War event that dates back to the 17th century.

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Rather than staying downtown, you may wish to explore the surrounding coastline. Head 10 mi/ 16 km south to see the island’s most stirring landmark, the Peace Memorial Museum. Here you will see a number of monuments and memorials dedicated to war time casualties. Nearby, you will also find the Himeyuri Peace Museum and Okinawa World, a cultural theme park and home of the Gyokusendo Cave. 

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Naha has limited public transportation, and the closest monorail stops are Miebashi and Prefectural Office, which are both roughly a mile from the port. Independent travelers will likely need to utilize taxis, and the information staff in the terminal can provide price points and driving times to points of interest.

Naha provides a chance to immerse yourself in the city’s modern-day life or learn about the island’s past, and you will surely enjoy whatever travel experience you decide to embark on.