098-840-1179

Naha Airport (IATA: OKA, ICAO: ROAH) is a second class airport located 4 km (2.5 mi) west of the city hall in Naha, Okinawa. It is Japan's seventh busiest airport and the primary air terminal for passengers and cargo traveling to and from Okinawa Prefecture, and handles scheduled international traffic to Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore and mainland China. The airport is also home to Naha Air Base of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.

Naha Airport served 17.5 million passengers in 2014, an increase of roughly 3 million passengers in two years.

098-048-3748

The Churaumi Aquarium introduces you to the mystery of Okinawa’s marine creatures starting with the naturally lit Coral Sea tank, which exhibits a large selection of coral reef. Next is the enormous, dynamic Kuroshio Sea tank, where you can observe the world’s biggest fish as well as whale sharks and manta rays, which, in a world first, the aquarium has succeeded in breeding. And as you go deeper into the aquarium, you will encounter the Deep Sea tank, in which the which the mysterious deep sea of Okinawa is reproduced, allowing you to experience Okinawa’s entire underwater world.

Open daily 08:30 - 18:30

The Hiji Waterfall is located in northern part of Okinawa island, in the Yambaru National Park. Wildlife in northern Okinawa is more varied and plentiful than in the south. From the entrance (where you pay an entrance fee of JPY500/person) it is about a 40 minute walk to the falls. The trail ends at Hiji Falls , and it will be a welcome sight for sore feet. The water emerges from the forest and tumbles majestically over the rocks from a height of 26 m/85 ft into a pool below. The trail is well maintained, but much of the trek is uphill and there are steep sections along the way. Don't set out unprepared. Hiking boots aren't necessary, but a pair of sturdy walking shoes are advised. Keep an eye out on the trail for the various birds, turtles, snakes and lizards. One of the area's most impressive sights is a wooden suspension bridge that spans a small tree-clad valley 17 m/56 ft below. Midway, you'll find a rest area with toilets. It's a good idea to take plenty of water, or plenty of cash for the vending machines. The last permitted entry to the trail is at 3 pm. The falls are the perfect place to enjoy a picnic but if you want to make a night of it, consider staying at the campground at the trailhead.

Courtesy of Japan National Tourism Organization

Open daily 09:00 - 17:30

098-050-1025

The Yambaru Wildlife Conservation Center & Ufugi Nature Museum performs public awareness activities to deepen understanding of and interest in wildlife protection, and comprehensively engages in surveys, research, and protection and breeding programs for wildlife in danger of disappearing from Yambaru. It also exhibits wildlife specimens, including the Okinawa rail and Okinawa woodpecker.

Open daily 10:00 - 16:30. Closed Mondays.

098-041-5555

Open daily 09:00 – 18:00

Yambaru National Park (やんばる国立公園, Yanbaru Kokuritsu Kōen) is a national park in Okinawa Prefecture. Established in 2016 as the 33rd National Park in Japan, it is located in and around the forested region of Yambaru at the northern end of Okinawa Island. The park comprises a land area of 13,622 ha (33,660 acres) in the villages of Kunigami, Ōgimi, and Higashi together with 3,670 ha (9,100 acres) of the surrounding waters. The day of establishment, 15 September, coincides with the anniversary of the 1983 discovery of the endangered endemic Yambaru Long-armed Scarab Beetle (Cheirotonus jambar).

Courtesy of Wikipedia

King Gihon (義本) (traditional dates: 1204-1260) was a legendary local ruler of Okinawa Island. He was the third and last of Shunten lineage. He succeeded his father Shunbajunki at the age of 44, in 1248. Gihon's reign was marked by terrible disasters, including famine, epidemics, and devastating typhoons. Around 1254, he appointed a young lord by the name of Eiso to be Regent (Sessei), and to aid in managing these disasters. When Gihon abdicated in 1259 or 1260, he "withdrew into the forest alone." Eiso succeeded him as "king" and began a new royal lineage. The precise location, date, and circumstances of Gihon's death are unknown, though it is safe to assume he died shortly after his abdication. Local legends allege that he was last seen at the cliffs of Hedo Point, the northernmost point on Okinawa Island.

Courtesy of Ryukyu Shimpo

Additional background information is available at http://www.mapitokinawa.com/2014/01/the-tomb-of-king-gihon.html.

Public parking lot at MapCode: 728 676 528*55

Open daily 24/7

098-041-8117

Ashimui, Okinawa's oldest sacred place, is said to be created by the god.Its four grandiose rocky peaks were formed by elevation ofthe limestone layer happened 200 million years ago and erosion over the long time since then. The royal family of Ryukyu Dynasty prayed here for their prosperity, harvest and maritime safety. Daisekirinzan, located in Ashimui, is the place for you to pray and talk with Mother Nature.

Parking lot is at MapCode: 728 675 776*88.

Open daily 09:30 - 17:30

Open daily 24/7

098-041-7788

This facility cares for and exhibits the Okinawa rail, a Nature Monument of Japan. In addition to allowing observation of the bird in its habitat, the site introduces initiatives for its care, breeding, and protection.

Open daily 09:00 - 17:00