A daytime stroll through the "nightlife" areas of Naha and Matsuyama

Just like how Tokyo has Kabukicho...
Just like Osaka has Kita and Minami...
That's right, Okinawa has a "Matsuyama"!

Matsuyama in Naha City is known as Okinawa's largest entertainment district. With numerous restaurants lining the streets, it's famous as a "city that never sleeps." But did you know that this nightlife district of Matsuyama has a somewhat unexpected "daytime face"?

A beautiful garden known as a must-see spot for overseas tourists. And a restaurant where you can enjoy exquisite Okinawan soba, a must-try for spicy food lovers.

Walking around Matsuyama during the daytime, I encountered some unexpected and delightful things! This time, I'll introduce you to the lesser-known charms of Matsuyama in Naha♪

<Table of Contents>
1. What kind of places are Naha and Matsuyama?
2. Fuzhou Garden is actually a very popular spot.
3. Ichiran's Okinawan soba is irresistible for spicy food lovers.
4. A town where unexpected encounters await.

1. What kind of places are Naha and Matsuyama?

Naha's Matsuyama area is located on the opposite side of Kokusai Street, across National Route 58, and stretches west from Kumoji to Maejima.

Starting with izakayas and clubs, there are numerous restaurants and bars that serve alcohol, and it is said to be Okinawa's largest entertainment district. In other words, most of the shops are closed during the daytime.

As a result, the area around Matsuyama is surprisingly quiet during the daytime. The sight of middle and high school students and housewives walking along the streets feels completely normal.

At first glance, it doesn't look like a tourist spot at all, but for some reason, tour buses keep arriving on Matsuyama Street. Where are these buses going...?

First, we decided to investigate this mysterious tour bus!

2. Fuzhou Garden is actually a very popular spot.

The bus traveling along Matsuyama Street was headed to a mysterious place surrounded by a long wall—"Fukushu Garden."

Although it's not often featured in Japanese guidebooks, this is a place where you can enjoy a Chinese-style garden. Apparently, it's a super popular tourist spot in Naha for tourists from overseas!

Of course, for foreigners, the main tourist attractions in Naha are other places like Kokusai Street. But Fuzhou Garden is in a good position to make people think, "Let's just drop by."

Indeed, if you look at the people enjoying the garden scenery, you'll see a diverse international mix of people from Asia, America, Europe, and more.

Why a Chinese-style garden in Okinawa?
As many of you may know, Okinawa and China have a deep historical relationship.

Naha City and Fuzhou City in China are sister cities, and this "Fuzhou Garden" was built to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Naha City's incorporation and the 10th anniversary of its friendship with Fuzhou City.

Located right in the heart of Naha, this lush and tranquil garden feels like another world. Combined with the Chinese-style buildings, it's easy to forget where you are.

Fuzhou Garden is neither too big nor too small. It is broadly divided into three areas, with walking paths built around a pond.

There are waterfalls and unusual structures everywhere, and the scenery changes constantly, which is really interesting!
There are a few slightly elevated spots, and while you can't get a panoramic view of Naha city, the scenery is still quite nice.

A quick stroll would only take about 30 minutes, but I really want you to take your time and relax! So, here's one recommended way to unwind.

Here it is.

Feeding the carp.
As far as I can remember, when I was a child, there was usually this "carp food" at any place with the word "pond" in its name. You'd put in 100 yen, turn the lever on a gacha machine, and get your "carp food"!

When I throw food onto the calm water, both carp and turtles rush over, each vying to be the first. I can't understand what the carp are saying, but I can certainly see the chaotic scene they've caused with the food they've thrown.

The carp's extremely aggressive movements initially put me off a little...
As the number of carp gathered increased, so did the excitement of the foreign tourists who were watching with interest!

When the tough-looking guy happily responded with something like "HA, HA! Yeah!", a strange sense of unity was created in the room.

As you can see, you can have quite a lot of fun with just one item: "carp food."
The entrance fee to Fuzhou Garden is 200 yen per adult, so if you pay with 500 or 1000 yen and get some change back, be sure to buy some "carp food"!

For just 100 yen, you can enjoy a relaxing time, feel like the king of the carp, and engage in cross-cultural communication—killing three birds with one stone.

[Access to Fuzhou Yen]
From Kencho-mae Station on the Yui Rail, head towards the Kumoji intersection on National Route 58. Estimated time: Approximately 10 minutes on foot.

[Fukushuen Detailed Information]
■Address: 2-39 Kume, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture
■TEL: 098-869-5384 (management office)
■Business Hours: 09:00 AM - 18:00 PM
■Closed on Wednesdays
■ Admission fee: 200 yen per adult
100 yen per child
■Parking: None (※Paid parking available nearby)

3. Ichiran's Okinawan soba is irresistible for spicy food lovers.

Watching the carp's hearty appetites is making me hungry...
So, after leaving Fuzhou Garden, we took a leisurely stroll around Songshan during the daytime.

The Matsuyama area boasts many restaurants that locals enthusiastically recommend as "must-visit establishments!" While many of these places only open in the evenings, there are actually quite a few hidden gems that quietly serve lunch.

This time, we visited "Ryukyu Soba Dining Ichiran," a famous restaurant specializing in Okinawan soba, a quintessential Okinawan delicacy. But what you can eat here isn't just any ordinary "Okinawan soba"...!

It's called "Blazing Tida Soba (tax included / 950 yen)".
Just as the bright red soup makes an impact, this Okinawan soba is extremely spicy!

With its extra-thick, chewy fresh noodles and a delicious, spicy soup that's so addictive you'll want to eat it again and again, Ichiran's signature dish is truly an exquisite dish that makes you wonder, "Why wouldn't you try it if you're in Okinawa?"

You can choose from spice levels 1 to 5. By the way, I'm a fan of spicy food, but even level 3 makes my pores open and I sweat profusely while eating it.

There's also a challenge menu where you can get the "10x Spicy, Blazing Hot Tida Soba (1,200 yen including tax)" for free if you can finish it in 7 minutes, so spicy food lovers should give it a try. (※I couldn't do it.)

But spicy food tastes absolutely amazing when it's hot.

Of course, Ichiran also offers standard Okinawan soba and juicy rice dishes.
(The photo shows "Authentic Soki Soba (tax included/740 yen)" + "Juicy Rice (tax included/250 yen)" *Juicy Rice is 50 yen off during lunchtime)

The reason "Blazing Tida Soba" is popular isn't just because it's spicy. You'll realize it's because the noodles and soup at the base are truly delicious.

This is a must-visit restaurant for anyone looking for a different kind of Okinawan soba!

[Store details]
■Address: WATER Building 1F, 2-10-6 Matsuyama, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture
■ TEL: 098-860-7223
■Opening hours: Lunch / 12:00 - 14:30
Nighttime / 21:00 PM - 5:00 AM the following day
■ Closed holiday: Wednesday

4. A town where unexpected encounters await.

It's not just with the opposite sex that we get excited when we see an unexpected side of someone.
Matsuyama, a city known for its nighttime atmosphere, also has a wonderful daytime side that you'll never forget once you've experienced it.

How about changing things up a bit and taking a leisurely stroll around town during the daytime?