For those of you looking for new discoveries on your Okinawa trip, we present "A Trip Where You Deliberately Get Out of Your Car and Walk Around."
For our second installment, we took a stroll to Koza in Okinawa City, a fascinating town where exciting discoveries await!

Focusing on the main street, "Koza Gate Street," we'll take a leisurely stroll through the nostalgic yet modern streets of Koza. In this town where a unique culture blends across history, eras, and countries, we'll share wonderful discoveries that you can only make by walking, all accompanied by plenty of photos!

<Table of Contents>
1. What kind of place is Koza?
2. Tips for enjoying a stroll around Koza
3. Take a stroll through the retro and artistic streets.
4. A general store where you can find "cute champuru"
5. Koza's special "snack time"
6. Access to Koza
7. The mysterious charm you feel while walking

Koza refers to the central area of ​​Okinawa City, located in the central part of Okinawa Island.
Okinawa City, beloved as a "city of music" that leads the Okinawan music scene and as the "city of Okinawa's traditional Eisa dance," was formed in 1974 through the merger of Koza City and Misato Village. Even today, the city center is affectionately called "Koza," a remnant of its former name.

Koza, a town that has bravely overcome the hardships of wartime and the postwar period, continues to thrive today.
Okinawa's unique culture, a blend of tradition and exotic influences, is sometimes referred to as "Champuru culture," using a word from the Okinawan dialect meaning "mixed together."

Another charm of Koza is that it looks completely different during the day and at night.
This time, we'll take a leisurely and relaxed tour of Koza during the daytime, while enjoying its retro atmosphere!

If you want to fully enjoy your stroll, don't forget the "Koza MAP".
Free guidebooks and maps can be obtained at the Koza Information Center on Central Park Avenue and at various shops.

This guide is packed with information you won't find in regular guidebooks, including cafes, restaurants, souvenirs, and experiences/events. It's incredibly convenient to have one!

For those who are eager to visit multiple locations after seeing a map, I recommend taking the bus that circles Koza.

There are two routes, the "Goya Route" and the "Koza Route," which circulate around the main spots in Koza. A great feature is that it's a flat rate of 100 yen per ride (free for elementary school children and younger). Make good use of the map and the bus to enjoy a smart and enjoyable exploration!

[Central City Loop Bus]
■ Goya Route (operates every 50 minutes)
Main stops: Music Town / Okinawa Children's Land / Koza Sports Park, etc.

■ Koza Route (operates every 45 minutes)
Main stops: Music Town / Koza Crossroads, etc.

*For details on bus routes and other information, please check the "Koza MAP" above or at each bus stop.

A great way to start your stroll is to walk around the unique streets of the town.
Among the must-see spots are Koza's main streets, "Koza Gate Street" and "Chuo Park Avenue," and the area around "Ichiban-gai Sun City," located between the two streets.

Its charm is something that cannot be conveyed in just a few words...

If you look at the signs, you'll see Japanese, English, and even unfamiliar foreign characters!
There are stylish cafes and restaurants, as well as casual eateries and Okinawan tempura shops!
There are large tailor shops, as well as small dressmaking shops lined with yarn and sewing machines!
There are foreign couples enjoying walks with their large dogs, and Okinawan grandmothers chatting away!

The ever-changing cityscape creates a truly不思議な (mysterious/strange) sense of being transported. Just walking around makes you feel like you're traveling to different countries and eras.

If you're looking to take a stroll a little further afield, be sure to visit "Koza Crossroads."
Currently, Koza Gate Street is the main street, but in the immediate post-war period, the area around this "Koza Crossroads" was apparently the center of people's gatherings.

The Gintengai arcade, which once boasted as many as 125 shops, is a place where you can feel the remnants of that era and the passage of time.

Furthermore, the buildings facing the street feature a vividly colored depiction of the history of the people of Koza, known as the "Koza Crossroads Picture Scroll."

The murals, each depicting a different theme from the Ryukyu Kingdom era to the postwar period, the present, and the future, are truly impressive!
Panels explaining the history and historical context in an easy-to-understand way are provided, so you can enjoy it as art while also learning about Koza's culture.

A place where people, things, and cultures gather, transcending time and space.
If the entire town of Koza were to be condensed into one shop, it would surely be something like "Muzuism"!

You'll find a unique and slightly quirky general store that's typical of Koza, just beyond the arcade of "Ichiban-gai Sun City." You've arrived when you see the bright red house called "Pogo Town."

Pogotown is a shared space where artists and designers gather. "Muzism" is located in one of its spaces.

Step through the door and you'll find yourself in a colorful world of vibrant hues!
From Thailand, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, America, and Europe, to Japan's Showa-era retro style, the shop features a collection of miscellaneous goods and fashion items personally gathered by the owner.

The "cute things" in "Muzuism" transcend national and era boundaries; it's a champuru of all sorts of cute things all mixed together ♡

"Some people might think it's a bit of a 'difficult shop to enter,' but please feel free to come and visit us," says the owner with a smile. He's very friendly!

Why not experience the strange and addictive world of "Muzuism" for yourself?

[Muzui-ism]
■Address: 1-26-12 Chuo, Okinawa City, Okinawa Prefecture, Pogo Town
■ TEL: 050-1449-2308
■OPEN: 13:00 - 20:00
■ Regular holiday: Fixed holiday
■HP:http://mzizm.com/
*You can check our regular closing days on our website (Twitter).

Walking a lot will make you hungry.
So, we came to what could be called the heart of Koza, the "music town" with its many live music venues. It's "Music Town," located at the corner of the Goya intersection, at the entrance to Koza Gate Street.

Located on the first floor is "Parlor Choki," which sells sandwiches and bento boxes. It's primarily a takeout shop, but there are tables and chairs in front of the store, so you can eat there.

I especially recommend the "Cheeseburger / 320 yen (tax included)" made with a 100% beef homemade patty. With plenty of vegetables and a simple seasoning, the deliciousness of the juicy and flavorful patty really shines through!

By the way, a set of fries and a drink is a happy price of 570 yen (tax included).
It's perfect for when you're feeling a little hungry...or so I'd like to say, but it's so delicious that you'll definitely want "just one more!"

[Parlor Choki]
■Address: 1-1-1 Uechi, Okinawa City, Okinawa Prefecture, Koza Music Town 1F
■ TEL: 098-933-8448
■OPEN: 11:00 - 18:00
■Closed: Saturdays and Sundays

If you find a delicious snack, you'll want to buy some as a souvenir, right?

When that happens, head to "nicoli KOZA," located about a minute's walk from "Muzuizumu" towards Central Park Avenue. This is a take-out specialty shop for muffins, scones, and smoothies♪

The shop is filled with sweet aromas, creating an atmosphere like you've stepped into a stylish bakery. Fluffy muffins, shiny scones... just looking at them is irresistible!

Muffins and scones start at just 120 yen (tax included) each. Even the generously filled, luxurious muffins are a delightful 200 yen (tax included). You'll find yourself buying more than you intended!

The most popular is the standard "Chocolate." The "Blueberry Cream Cheese," which has many fans among foreigners, is a blissful treat with plenty of cheese and berries. We also recommend the "Chewy Muffins (4 types)," which have an addictive chewy texture.

The staff's top recommendation, the "Chocolate Pie (180 yen including tax)," features a crispy pastry shell filled to the brim with fragrant chocolate. It's more like "chocolate with a pastry" than just a chocolate pie! A must-buy for any chocolate lover.

Muffins and scones can be stored at room temperature for about 2 days, or in the refrigerator for about 5 days. You can enjoy the freshly baked taste at home by warming them in a toaster.

Choosing what to eat, like "I'll have this this time, and that next time," is a truly delightful experience. Take home a special treat from "nicoli" along with your travel memories!

[nicoli KOZA]
■Address: 1-15-8 Chuo, Okinawa City, Okinawa Prefecture
■ TEL: 098-989-7150
■OPEN: 10:00 - 20:00

■ Closed holiday: None

[By car (near Koza Gate Street)]
From Naha Airport, take the Naha Airport Expressway to "Okinawa South IC". Then, take Prefectural Road 85 → Prefectural Road 20 (Koza Gate Street). Estimated travel time: approximately 40 minutes.

*There is a 24-hour paid parking lot at "Music Town" (100 yen per hour). There are also coin-operated parking lots operated by various companies around Koza.

[By bus]
If you're exploring the area around Music Town (Koza Gate Street), we recommend getting off at the "Goya" bus stop. The main bus routes that stop at "Goya" are as follows:

■琉球バス｜21・23・27・63・90・112・113・123・323・263
■ Okinawa Bus | 27, 77, 80, 127, 227
■Toyo Bus | 31

*Please contact each bus company for details.

How did you like our walking tour of Okinawa's Koza area?
As an extra way to enjoy yourself, it's also fun to try and find "Eibo," the mascot character of Okinawa City, while you're strolling around!

He's a hard worker who, along with his partner (?) "Sa-chan" and his friends, will greet you at various locations throughout the town.
If you mail a letter at the "Eibo Postbox," you can get it stamped with a special "Eisa postmark," and if you download the app, you can even take commemorative photos with an "Eibo" frame.

Koza is a fascinating town that you'll fall in love with after just one visit, and that will make you want to go back again and again.
Why not travel on foot and make some wonderful discoveries?

Please make your hotel reservation here.

• Rakuten Travel
• Jalan net