Only 2 hours left until rental car return! Sightseeing and dining around Naha Airport

On the last day of your Okinawa trip, you'll be concerned about the rental car return time. If you're staying in the central or northern part of the island, it's best to arrive in Naha with plenty of time to spare, taking traffic into consideration.

And if you arrive in Naha early and have some time to spare, why not have one last fun day near the airport before it's time to return the rental car, and enjoy some gourmet food and shopping?

<Table of Contents>
1. Final sightseeing
1-1. A Stroll Through Shuri
1-2. Yachimun Street
1-3. Naminoue Beach
2. The final meal
2-1. Okinawa Soba Restaurant Kame Kame Soba
2-2. Okinawa Soba Restaurant, Gotenzan
2-3. Umikaji Terrace
3. Souvenir Spots
3-1. Roadside Station
3-2. Supermarket
4. Be aware of the traffic congestion points around Naha Airport.
5. Conclusion

1. Final sightseeing

1-1. A Stroll Through Shuri

Located on the east side of Naha City, the Shuri area is a place steeped in history and charm, home to Shuri Castle. While visiting Shuri Castle is certainly an option, a leisurely stroll around the surrounding area is also highly recommended.

In Kinjo-cho, located west of Shuri Castle Park, cobblestone streets remain amidst the residential area.
Despite being close to Shuri Castle, this area is remarkably quiet. Looking out at the city below, you can almost picture the lives of people from the past.
The trail is steep and has many uneven, cobblestone sections, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes.

1-2. Yachimun Street

Located close to Kokusai Street, "Yachimun Street" is the perfect area for a leisurely stroll while searching for Yachimun pottery.
Workshops and shops line the charming, quiet alleyways, and cats can be seen roaming about everywhere.
This area is beautiful on sunny days, but it becomes even more charming and atmospheric when it rains.

From traditional designs to unique pieces by young artists, the designs and selections of Yachimun pottery vary from shop to shop. Find your perfect piece and let a touch of Okinawa come to your everyday dining table.

1-3. Naminoue Beach

Located about a 10-minute drive from Naha Airport, Naminoue Beach is the only beach in Naha City. Its unique feature is the bridge spanning the relatively small beach, a sight not seen at other beaches. Despite being within Naha City, the water is remarkably clear and the sand is exceptionally clean. Next to the beach, on a cliff, lies Naminoue Shrine, said to be the most prestigious shrine in Okinawa. This popular shrine gets extremely crowded during New Year's and Shichi-Go-San seasons, and visitors can enjoy the breezy views from the clifftop.

2. The final meal

2-1. Okinawa Soba Restaurant Kame Kame Soba

Located just a short walk from Naminoue Beach, Kame Kame Soba is an Okinawan soba restaurant beloved by locals.
The style is to buy a ticket from a vending machine and then wait in any seat you like, and the restaurant is filled with local customers, so you can enjoy a local atmosphere.
The "Ninkotsu Soki Soba" (soft bone pork rib soba) is topped with a generous portion of crunchy cartilage and has a rich, flavorful broth, making it very satisfying.
The basket casually placed on the table contains fresh mugwort, so feel free to use it as a topping if you like.

2-2. Okinawa Soba Restaurant, Gotenzan

Located in the Shuri area, "Udun-yama" is an Okinawan soba restaurant housed in a traditional house with a red tile roof that is said to be over 150 years old.
At the entrance, you are greeted by lush greenery and a charming noren (traditional Japanese curtain), creating a relaxing atmosphere even before you step inside.
In addition to plain noodles, they also offer "germinated wheat noodles," which can be selected for any menu item.
The gentle umami of the bonito broth, made without any chemical seasonings, will slowly permeate every corner of your body, leaving you with a pleasant sense of satisfaction after you finish eating.

2-3. Umikaji Terrace

Senaga Island, accessible by a bridge about 15 minutes by car from Naha Airport, is home to Umikaji Terrace, a modern facility with 42 restaurants and shops. Its all-white design makes it a popular photo spot. The restaurant lineup is extensive, covering everything from hamburgers and Okinawan soba to gelato and sata andagi (Okinawan doughnuts). Be sure to enjoy your meal on the terrace while overlooking the runway of Naha Airport floating on the sea.

3. Souvenir Spots

3-1. Roadside Station

Located in Tomigusuku City, south of Naha City, is "Michi-no-Eki Toyosaki." It's about a 17-minute drive from the airport, making it perfect for stocking up on Okinawan vegetables, fruits, processed foods, and seasonings at the end of your trip. There's also a restaurant where you can easily enjoy Okinawan cuisine. Further south is "Michi-no-Eki Itoman," which boasts an even wider selection of vegetables and fruits. They even offer delivery if you can't carry everything!

3-2. Supermarket

Located right in front of the Oroku Station on the Yui Rail, the Aeon Naha store is quite large despite being in the city center close to the airport, making it convenient for quickly buying souvenirs. The food section sells popular Okinawan souvenirs that you can also find at the airport, and the specialty souvenir shops offer even more unique and niche items. The food section opens at 7 am, making it especially useful for those returning on an early morning flight.

4. Be aware of the traffic congestion points around Naha Airport.

First, it's important to know that Okinawa is a car-friendly paradise with many commuters traveling by car. As a result, traffic congestion is common not only within Naha city but even outside the city, especially during rush hour from 7:00 to 9:00 and 16:30 to 19:00, when bus lane restrictions are in place. In the mornings, lanes heading towards Naha city are congested, and in the evenings, lanes heading north and south from Naha city are congested, so be especially careful if you're traveling towards the airport early in the morning.

When traveling from the central or northern areas towards Naha Airport, Routes 58 and 330 are particularly congested. Kokusai Street, which is also a bus route, is chronically congested, especially during the daytime. When going to Kokusai Street, it is recommended to park in a parking lot a little further away.

Also, while the areas around the entrances and exits of expressways tend to get congested, it's more likely to save time to take the expressway to Naha rather than getting stuck in heavy traffic on Route 58 or Route 330 when heading south from central or northern Okinawa.

5. Conclusion

The standard time to return a rental car is about two hours after your flight, but if you're staying outside of Naha city, it's recommended to arrive in Naha earlier to account for potential traffic. Once you've arrived in Naha with plenty of time to spare, enjoy some last-minute sightseeing until it's time to return your rental car! Of course, traffic is worst in Naha city, so be careful not to get too busy driving around and end up being late for your return.

Asami

A Tokyo-based writer whose love for Okinawa knows no bounds. She travels around Okinawa with her two energetic boys, accumulating information on child-friendly shops, accommodations, and travel tips.
Author of the book "117 Travel Tips & Techniques for Traveling to Okinawa with Children"