When traveling to Okinawa, Okinawa soba is a must-try dish. But why not not only eat it, but also try making it yourself?
At "Taira Seimenjo Kokusai-dori Store," located along Kokusai-dori in Naha City, you can easily enjoy an authentic Okinawan soba noodle making experience. This time, we'll give you a detailed account of the process, the fun of it, and any points you might be wondering about, based on our actual experience.
List of articles about Naha City
Experience making Okinawan soba noodles at "Taira Noodle Factory Kokusai-dori Store"!
Naha Broadway | A collection of adorable items in Naha's back alleys! Perfect for souvenir shopping for girls who love unique goods.
Did you know that just a little way from the hustle and bustle of Naha's Public Market, there's a hidden gem in a back alley that's sure to delight anyone who loves unique and interesting goods?
Located on Hachiken Street, just a one-minute walk from the public market, "Naha Broadway" is a shop filled with Okinawan charm, playfulness, and unique goods that will make you exclaim "Cute!". It's a must-visit for anyone looking for Okinawan souvenirs that are a little different from the usual, or for women who love unique goods and want to find a treat for themselves.
How to Enjoy the Yomiuri Giants' Spring Training Camp in Okinawa: How to Visit, Limited Edition Goods, and Classic Events
The Yomiuri Giants typically hold their spring training camp in Naha, Okinawa, in the latter half of February each year.
This article reports on the Yomiuri Giants' spring training camp in Okinawa.
We'll give you a detailed look at the highlights, including practice sessions, opportunities to interact with the players, and exclusive merchandise only available here.
Special fan service events are planned, and if you enter the lottery and win, you'll have a chance to get up close and personal with the players! Gathering information beforehand and having plenty of time on the day is highly recommended.
"Hama Foods' Jimami Tofu" | A local specialty you'll want to try in Okinawa
"Ji-mami" is an Okinawan dialect word written as "地豆" and means peanut. Jimami tofu, made by using raw peanuts and solidifying them with starch, is an Okinawan regional dish that is appealing for its rich flavor and chewy, smooth texture.
This time, we'll introduce Jimami Tofu from Hama Foods, Okinawa's first specialty tofu shop that has been in business for over 50 years, and which is particular about its ingredients and manufacturing methods.
[Limited-time New Year's holiday special opening] 9 days to see Shuri Castle's main hall "from the front"
▲Shuri Castle Main Hall as seen from the special viewing area▲
At Shuri Castle Park, a portion of the construction area, which is normally off-limits, will be specially opened to the public for nine days, from Saturday, December 27, 2025 to Sunday, January 4, 2026.
This special public viewing is being held to coincide with the first New Year's celebration for the Shuri Castle main hall, now that its exterior renovations have been completed.
This is a rare opportunity to see the lustrous, freshly lacquered exterior of the main hall up close from the front.
You can experience the progress of Shuri Castle's reconstruction from a perspective you wouldn't normally see.
Six recommended affordable parking lots near Kokusai Street! We also introduce some helpful tips you should know beforehand.
For those looking for affordable and safe parking options around Kokusai Street, we'll introduce some cost-effective and recommended parking lots.
Parking fees around Kokusai Street vary considerably, ranging from 100 to 600 yen per hour depending on the location. Basically, the further you get from Kokusai Street, the cheaper the parking becomes, but even if it's cheap, parking too far away can be inconvenient.
It's also important to be aware of the unique traffic conditions around Kokusai Street, including narrow alleys and transit malls.
Nahama Tuna Market | A hidden gem of a market overflowing with tuna! Enjoy fresh seafood on an observation deck overlooking the sea.
Opened in November 2023, "Naha Maguro Market" is a new seafood market located very close to "Tomari Iyumachi," known as the kitchen of Naha.
The restaurant features fresh tuna as its main ingredient, along with local fish sashimi and seafood bowls. On the second floor, you can enjoy sashimi purchased at the market right there in the eat-in area. In addition, there is an observation deck overlooking the sea, where you can enjoy your meal while taking in the spectacular view.
Tomari Iyumachi | Enjoy fresh seafood and market cuisine at Naha's gourmet spot!
Located within the Tomari Fishing Port in Naha City's Minato-machi district, "Tomari Iyumachi" is a popular tourist spot where you can enjoy the bounty of Okinawa's sea.
"Iyu" means fish in the Okinawan dialect, and "machi" means market. This fish market is popular with locals and is bustling with activity every day.
Step back in time to the Ryukyu Kingdom at the "Shuri Castle Restoration Festival"! Three days to learn about history and culture.
The Shuri Castle Restoration Festival, a quintessential autumn event in Okinawa, will be held at Shuri Castle Park and Kokusai Street.
Typically held around Culture Day (November 3rd), in 2025 it will take place over three days, from November 1st to 3rd.
The event, long known as the "Shuri Castle Festival," saw a fire caused by an electrical short circuit in 2019 that destroyed part of Shuri Castle. To commemorate this event and express prayers for its reconstruction, the word "Reconstruction" was added to the name. The main hall of Shuri Castle, which has been undergoing extensive restoration, is finally scheduled for completion in the autumn of 2026.
Various events, including traditional processions and dances, are held, allowing visitors to enjoy and experience the history and culture of the Ryukyu Kingdom. This article will introduce you to all the ways to enjoy the Shuri Castle Restoration Festival.
"Karabasa, a specialty shop for pumpkin andagi," is rumored to have delicious andagi that are soft and fluffy according to word of mouth.
Located near Manko Park in Naha City, "Kabocha Andagi Specialty Shop Karabasa" is a popular spot known for its delicious andagi (Okinawan doughnuts). Reviews consistently praise it, with comments like "The best I've ever had!" and "Crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, and addictive!" As someone with a sweet tooth and a long history of enjoying sata andagi (another type of Okinawan doughnut), I visited the shop to experience its taste and appeal firsthand!
Ikutouen Grand Opens its 6th Store, "Tsuboya no Iriguchi" - Connecting the Memories and Landscape of Tsuboya to the Future -
A new shop has joined the ranks of the traditional pottery shops on Tsuboya Yachimun Street in Naha.
On Friday, October 10, 2025, Tsuboya-yaki pottery studio Ikutouen (Representative: Wakana Takasue) will have its grand opening of its sixth store, "Tsuboya no Iriguchi," following a soft opening in August.
[Gundam x JAL] "Gundam Imperial Stamp" and collaboration goods now available at 10 airports nationwide, including Naha Airport.
JAL and Gundam team up in a dream collaboration! The "JAL x GUNDAM FLY TO THE FUTURE PROJECT" will launch a special collaboration project set in airports across Japan.
Starting August 18, 2025, the "Gundam Goshoin," a special stamp for the sky, and original goods featuring the JAL x Gundam logo will be available exclusively at airports. The Gundam Goshoin will have a different design at each airport, making it a perfect souvenir for Gundam fans and travelers alike.
Shuri Castle Restoration - Towards Completion in 2026: Current Status in 2024 and the Future - Also featuring sightseeing information around Shuri Castle.
Source: Okinawa National Memorial Park (Shuri Castle Park) and other restoration work related
The fire at Shuri Castle, which occurred in the early hours of October 31, 2019, had a tremendous impact on the region, as it was a symbol of Okinawa Prefecture's identity. It was widely reported not only by local media but also by national and international media.
This fire resulted in the loss of 391 valuable works of art and crafts in nine facilities, including the main hall.
In December 2019, the "Ministerial Meeting for the Restoration of Shuri Castle," chaired by the Chief Cabinet Secretary, decided on the "Basic Policy for the Restoration of Shuri Castle." The following year, the "Roadmap for the Restoration of the Main Hall of Shuri Castle" was decided, and restoration work on the Main Hall of Shuri Castle began in 2022.
Currently, construction is steadily progressing with the aim of completing the restoration of the main shrine building by the end of fiscal year 2026.
This article will provide information on the current state of Shuri Castle as of 2024, as it is undergoing reconstruction, as well as information on nearby tourist attractions!
I took my kids on the Orca, an underwater sightseeing boat departing from Naha! Can't see any fish? Will I get seasick? Here's my honest review.
The Orca is a large underwater sightseeing boat with large windows that allow you to see colorful corals and fish. The underwater viewing room is equipped with 32 large, specially made glass panels, each measuring 1 meter wide by 55 cm high, so that everyone, from small children to the elderly, can enjoy the beautiful, endless expanse of Okinawa's ocean together.
I took a ride on the Orca boat at the beginning of September, when the weather was a bit uncertain, to enjoy underwater sightseeing, so I'd like to share my experience with you.
"SOY SOY" is an additive-free muffin made with plenty of soy milk and okara (soy pulp) from a long-established tofu shop, along with natural ingredients from Okinawa.
"SOY SOY" is a cafe where you can enjoy additive-free muffins made with soy milk and okara (soy pulp) from a long-established tofu shop, along with plenty of natural ingredients from Okinawa.
Muffins come in a wide variety of flavors and their colorful appearance makes them a popular souvenir.
You can enjoy lunch plates featuring Okinawan specialties like yushi tofu, and it's a relaxing spot where you can unwind!
"Miso Meshiya Marutama," a set meal restaurant with "miso" as its theme | Breakfast in Okinawa
Miso Meshiya Marutama is a popular restaurant in Naha City. As the name suggests, it is a restaurant that focuses on "miso" as its concept.
The key feature here is that all dishes use miso—specifically, Tamanaha Miso, a long-established miso brewery in Shuri.
Open from 7:30 in the morning until lunch and dinner, this restaurant serves dishes made with miso, a familiar ingredient to Japanese people, which naturally brings a sense of comfort and relaxation.
This article will introduce you to the interior, menu, and popular dish, the hearty miso soup set meal, of "Miso Meshiya Marutama"!
*The information in this article is based on interviews conducted in April 2024.
List of prices and sizes for coin lockers and luggage storage facilities around Kokusai Street.
This time, we'll introduce coin lockers and luggage storage facilities within walking distance of Kokusai Street!
Kokusai Street is quite long, about 1.6 km, and is hilly and crowded, so it's best to quickly leave large luggage like suitcases at a designated store.
Shuri Textile Museum Suikara | A world of stories about beautiful Okinawan traditional fabrics woven with rich colors
Shuri Dyeing and Weaving Museum Suikara is a place in Shuri, Naha City, where you can see, buy, and learn about "Bingata" and "Shuriori" textiles.
Opened in April 2022, this facility serves as a hub for preserving and promoting Bingata and Shuri-ori, which are designated as intangible cultural properties of Okinawa Prefecture and nationally designated traditional crafts, for future generations.
As a place that connects customers with the artisans who create the products, it also serves as a hub where people from within and outside the prefecture gather, allowing visitors to experience both the "history" and "cutting edge" of Bingata and Shuri-ori, traditional crafts that represent Okinawa.
This article provides an overview of Bingata and Shuri-ori textiles, as well as highlights of the Shuri Textile Museum Suikara.
Okinawa lovers' top recommended izakaya "Mou Ashibi" | Where to enjoy Okinawan cuisine near Kokusai Street
For many, one of the biggest joys of a trip to Okinawa is trying Okinawan cuisine. If you're staying in Naha, I recommend booking a room-only or one-night stay with breakfast included, and enjoying dinner at an izakaya (Japanese pub) that serves Okinawan food.
This time, I'd like to introduce "Mou Ashibi," a restaurant recommended by me, an Okinawa lover! Not only are all the dishes delicious, but the manager's service is also wonderful, making for an unforgettable experience.
Ice cream in the night breeze | A popular shop with long lines at night?!
Have you ever felt a little hungry or craving something sweet after dinner? That's right, there's always room for dessert after a meal. Sometimes you're in the mood for something rich and heavy, and other times you want something light and refreshing. You want to choose according to your mood at the time. Nighttime parfaits are a dessert that can satisfy such luxurious desires. There's a line every day in front of this unique shop that's only open at night. To experience its charm firsthand, I went to check it out.
Parfait | Finish your meal not with ramen or steak, but with a photogenic parfait! A luxurious dessert perfect for an Okinawan night.
On Heiwa Street, under the arcade of Kokusai Street, stands a neon sign with the character "〆" (meaning "closing" or "finished"). As night deepens and the surrounding shops close one after another, its yellow neon light is particularly eye-catching.
At first glance, it looks like a cafe bar, but this is "Parfenchu," the specialty shop for late-night parfaits that I'm introducing today. I wasn't the only one; other passersby also stopped and seemed interested in the parfaits.
This was my first time at a late-night parfait shop, so I went inside feeling excited.
A sneak peek into the reliable "Novotel Okinawa Naha" (formerly Okinawa Miyako Hotel) | The city resort craze sweeping Naha
Located on a hill in the Shuri area of Naha, Novotel Okinawa Naha was rebranded and reopened in September 2018. Its most talked-about features were the infinity pool overlooking Naha city and the Premier Lounge on the top floor. The guest rooms are spacious, and the gourmet bar area feels just like a restaurant in the city!
You might even start thinking, "I'm fine staying in the hotel all the time and never going outside again!"
[PR] SAIOH Solo Exhibition "street on the scale" at Okinawa Prefectural Art Museum, July 19th - July 23rd. Free admission.
SAIOH, who holds solo exhibitions in Japan and around the world, will hold a solo exhibition titled "street on the scale" in his home base of Okinawa, following exhibitions in Tokyo and Nagoya. The exhibition will run for five days from July 19th to 23rd, 2023, at the Okinawa Prefectural Art Museum, and admission is free.
Eichin's Shuri Twelve Zodiac Castella | Cute and round castella from historic Naha/Shuri
These bite-sized, round castella cakes are adorned with the characters of the Chinese zodiac.
In Okinawa, there is a long-standing tradition of visiting temples dedicated to the guardian deities of the Chinese zodiac, known as "Shuri Junishi Mairi" or "Teramai" (temple pilgrimage).
Located in a residential area of Shuri, "Eitsubaki" is a shop that sells cute castella cakes inspired by the Shuri Twelve Zodiac Pilgrimage.
Made with Okinawan ingredients such as brown sugar and purple sweet potato, it's perfect for enjoying while strolling through the historic streets of Shuri, or as a souvenir.
Take a break with delicious Okinawan zenzai and sweet potato parfait at "Uchinaa Chaya Bukubuku" on Yachimun Street.
Located just off Kokusai Street, Okinawa's bustling downtown area, "Yachimun Street" is a popular tourist spot in Naha City known for its pottery. "Uchinaa Chaya Bukubuku," nestled amongst the other shops on Yachimun Street, is a relaxing place to take a break.
In addition to Bukubuku tea, they also offer a wide variety of Okinawan sweets. This time, we'd like to introduce Okinawa Zenzai, which was featured on a certain daytime TV program, as well as their hidden gem, the sweet potato parfait.
I went to the newly renovated Makishi Public Market!
Makishi Public Market, which was scheduled for reconstruction due to the aging of its building, had its structure demolished in June 2019. The shops inside the market operated in a temporary market for a while, but it finally reopened on Sunday, March 19, 2023. The market was bustling with activity both inside and out on opening day. Here's a report from the scene!
"Shimujo," a renowned Okinawan soba restaurant in Naha, offers exquisite Okinawan soba and home-style cooking in a traditional Ryukyuan house.
Located on a hill less than a 10-minute walk from the Yui Rail Shimin Byoin-mae Station, "Shimujo" is a Ryukyuan-style house offering panoramic views of the city. Here, you can savor traditional home-style cooking, primarily Okinawan soba noodles.
What's amazing is its popularity. A long line forms as soon as they open at 11am, and on some days they sell out by 12pm.
This popular restaurant offers a timeless Okinawan atmosphere and comforting dishes that nourish both the heart and the stomach. I was finally able to visit this long-desired restaurant, and I would like to share my experience in a report format.
21 Must-See Tourist Spots Around Naha
Naha, Okinawa's largest city, blends trends and history, offering countless ways to enjoy yourself. While it may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking of beaches, Naha offers convenient access to the outlying islands, making it possible to enjoy a day trip to the beautiful ocean. This article features a selection of must-see tourist spots that you can enjoy from Naha.
Want to experience a taste of China while in Okinawa? Take a break at Fuzhou Garden, an oasis in Naha.
Fuzhou Garden is a Chinese-style garden located in Naha City.
This spot offers a relaxing mini-trip to China, with its Chinese-style buildings and well-maintained greenery. (Incidentally, in China, the term "garden" refers to a "private garden," so Fuzhou Garden is more accurately called a "garden forest.")
But you might be wondering, "Why is there a Chinese garden in Okinawa?" There's actually a deep reason for that. Kume in Naha City, where Fuzhou Garden is located, was originally a region called Kuninda, where people who migrated from Fujian Province in China around the 14th century lived. It is said that the people of Kuninda excelled in specialized skills such as interpretation and navigation, supporting the trade of the Ryukyu Kingdom and influencing education.
Given this historical background, Fuzhou Garden was opened in 1992 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the sister city agreement between Fuzhou City in Fujian Province, China, and Naha City, and the 70th anniversary of Naha City's incorporation as a municipality.
This article will cover Fuzhou Garden, an oasis in Naha, including its daytime and nighttime illuminations, the adjacent Kuninda Terrace, and information about the parking lot!
Okinawa Travel Q&A Starting from Naha Bus Terminal: Bus Stops, Access, and Coin Lockers by Destination
A quick guide to Naha Bus Terminal. We'll introduce routes and boarding locations to popular tourist spots, coin lockers, and other useful places in the surrounding area.
When traveling to Okinawa without a car, your main mode of transport is the bus. If you master the Naha Bus Terminal, where many buses depart and arrive, you'll surely be able to get to the places you want to go.
