Hi there! I'm an office worker living in Naha, and I prioritize Instagrammable spots and food when it comes to sightseeing.

So, everyone, have you made your summer vacation plans yet?

Many people who come to Okinawa will visit the quintessential tourist spot, Shuri Castle, but actually, there are many old stone walls and historical sites in the surrounding area that give you a sense of old-town charm.
One of these, "Kinjo-cho Stone Pavement Road," is perfect for a stroll because it's photogenic no matter where you take a picture.

Let's relax and enjoy ourselves, taking breaks for sweets along the way!

*By the way, all the photos in this article were taken with a smartphone (iPhone 6s). No special editing apps were used.

<Table of Contents>
1. What is the cobblestone path in Shuri Kinjo-cho?
2. Let's go for a walk along the cobblestone path!
2-1. A cobblestone street where every angle is picturesque.
2-2. The Great Akagi that Grants Wishes
2-3. Take a break with some refreshing sweets at "Ishidatami Chaya Shinju"
2-4. I met "Yumiko" at Shuri Castle, the goal.
3. Things to keep in mind when taking a walk
4. How to access
5. Conclusion

1. What is the cobblestone path in Shuri Kinjo-cho?

The cobblestone road was built in the 16th century during the Ryukyu Kingdom era as a major thoroughfare connecting Shuri Castle to the south, but it was destroyed during World War II and other conflicts, and now only 238 meters remain in Kinjo-cho.

The paths paved with Ryukyu limestone have a smooth sheen from the constant flow of people, giving you a sense of the old castle town's atmosphere.

2. Let's go for a walk along the cobblestone path!

2-1. A cobblestone street where every angle is picturesque.

Let's go find some photogenic spots right away. Morning is definitely the best time to explore.
Until recently, this place wasn't particularly crowded, but in the last few years, the number of tourists from overseas has increased, making it difficult to have this view all to yourself in the afternoon.

Incidentally, if you start your stroll around 9:30 a.m., the cafe halfway up the hill opens at 10 a.m., when you'll probably be thinking, "I want to take a break."
The evening also offers a lovely atmosphere as the sun sets over the city of Naha, but if you want to take photos of the cobblestone streets, you should start earlier!

This time, we'll head towards Shuri Castle from the entrance to the cobblestone path. Of course, you can also start from Shuri Castle! (However, if you start from Shuri Castle, you'll have to climb a steep slope on the way back, which might be a bit tough.)
The area near the entrance is a very pleasant place to stroll around at a leisurely pace. The contrast between the green ivy and the blue sky further enhances the tropical atmosphere.

As you walk up the hill, the gradient gets steeper and steeper, so take breaks as you go. After walking for about 10 minutes, you will see an old farmhouse rest area halfway up the hill.

This is a free rest area called "Kanagushiku Muraya".
Apparently, it was designed for tourists strolling around town, and it's equipped with restrooms, vending machines, and a smoking area. Sitting on the veranda, you can enjoy a pleasant breeze and relax.

Opening hours: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM *Open all year round

2-2. The Great Akagi that Grants Wishes

After finishing our break, we walked up the hill for about 5 minutes and came across this sign.

Uchikanagusuku Utaki is pronounced "Uchikanagusuku Utaki." An utaki is a sacred place where a god is worshipped, a holy site, or in other words, a power spot. Within the utaki, there is a large Akagi tree that is said to grant wishes. You just have to go!

　As I continued walking, I came across a sign that read, "Akagi is ahead." It seems the local neighborhood association put it up for tourists. I'm grateful that they've opened up this sacred place that the locals have protected for so long.

　Plumeria flowers had fallen along the path. The flowering trees along the roadside were also adding color to the cobblestones.

While we were doing that, we finally arrived at the large Akagi trees. Six large Akagi trees stood amidst a forest overgrown with Alocasia macrorrhizos! Their thick, moss-covered trunks gave a sense of their long history.
It is said that once a year, on the 15th day of the 6th month of the lunar calendar, a god descends upon Akagi and grants wishes.

　The 15th day of the 6th month in the lunar calendar falls on August 6th in 2017 and July 27th in 2018! Be sure to visit on this day and make a wish!

2-3. Take a break with some refreshing sweets at "Ishidatami Chaya Shinju"

If you get too hot from making too many wishes, take a break. There's a cafe with a great location along the cobblestone path.

If you visit during the cooler morning hours, I recommend the terrace seating! Since it's located on a hill, you can enjoy a panoramic view all the way to Naha Airport.

This cafe offers not only original drinks and sweets, but also light meals such as Okinawan soba and taco rice. I ordered mango shaved ice.

The chunky mango pieces and condensed milk are a perfect match! Shaved ice after sweating was incredibly refreshing! It's surprisingly filling, so it might be a good idea to share it.

2-4. I met "Yumiko" at Shuri Castle, the goal.

Well, our journey along the cobblestone path is nearing its end.

I just cooled off, so I'm feeling refreshed! I can walk away now.
If you keep walking, you'll soon reach a main road, so let's cross it.

The goal, Shureimon Gate, is in the direction of the arrow.

But before that, I discovered a soft-serve ice cream that's only available at Shuri Castle!!!

From top to bottom, these are purple sweet potato, vanilla, and mango♪
Apparently, this soft-serve ice cream is named "Yumiko." Its colorful design is so photogenic that I couldn't resist taking a picture, but then it melted incredibly quickly, leaving a sticky mess... Be careful when taking pictures of "Yumiko" in the summer! (lol)

3. Things to keep in mind when taking a walk

So, we've introduced how to walk on cobblestone paths, but there are a few things to keep in mind when walking.

[Note 1] The cobblestone paths are uneven and difficult to walk on, so please wear comfortable shoes such as sneakers. (Flip-flops or heels will hurt your feet!) Also, be extra careful on rainy days as the paths become very slippery.

[Note 2] As you'll see when you actually walk it, it's very strenuous due to the many stairs and steep inclines. Don't forget to replenish fluids and electrolytes frequently. You're guaranteed to sweat profusely, especially in the summer, so it's a good idea to bring a towel.

[Note 3] There are houses lining the cobblestone path, and local people live their daily lives there. Please be mindful of proper etiquette while sightseeing.

4. How to access

If using a local bus, the nearest stop is Ishidatami-iriguchi.
City bus route 7 (departing from the bus terminal → to the cobblestone entrance, approximately 30 minutes)
City bus route 8 (departing from Omoromachi Station Square → Ishidatami Entrance, approximately 25 minutes)
Monorail: 15-minute walk from Shuri Station
If you're renting a car, we recommend the paid parking lot near the Ishidatami-iriguchi bus stop (300 yen per hour).

5. Conclusion

The weather was absolutely gorgeous, and I sweated profusely, but I finally made it to the finish line at Shureimon Gate!
Although I'm from Okinawa, this was my first time properly walking along the cobblestone streets of Kinjo-cho. Even though it was a short path, taking my time to stroll along it allowed me to really feel the authentic atmosphere, which was very interesting and refreshing.

Naha is strongly associated with its bustling downtown area, and Shuri Castle might be the only Okinawan tourist spot that comes to mind, but I also recommend venturing a little further to explore the cobblestone streets!
These spots are perfect for taking photos, so enjoy exploring Naha in a more in-depth way!

Please make your hotel reservation here.

• Rakuten Travel
• Jalan net