Moopon

Kokusaidori (literally "International Road") is Naha's main street, stretching for around two kilometers through downtown Naha.
The street takes its name from the former "Ernie Pyle International Theater",a movie theater which was built along the road after the war.

Starting around the Naha Bus Terminal and Prefectural Hall, Kokusaidori is lined by restaurants, cafes,
bars, hotels, boutiques, department stores and souvenir shops.
Many shops are open until 11pm,and live Okinawa music is played at several restaurants..
If you are looking for even more shopping opportunities, you are encouraged to go into the colorful Heiwadori,
Mutsumidori and Ichiba Hondori arcades,which branch off Kokusaidori around the intersection with Okieidori,
halfway along the street.
The shops in the arcade are smaller than those along Kokusaidori.

The Tamaudun Mausoleum was built around the beginning of the 16th century as the mausoleum for the royal family of the Ryukyu Kingdom.
It was restored after suffering extensive damage during Battle of Okinawa.
The mausoleum is located only a short walk from Shuri Castle.
It was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO on December 2, 2000,
as a part of the site group Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu.

The mausoleum consists of three closed chambers:
the left one for kings and queens, the right one for princes and princesses,
and the central one for storing recently deceased bodies before undergoing a ritual of bone cleaning a few years later. 

Visitors require an entry fee, which also covers admission to a small museum located in the basement of the reception building.
Although the museum is small and the English is limited, visitors are able to see pictures of the mausoleum from before the war. 

Facility Information:
Hours: 9:00 to 18:00 (last entry at 17:30)
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 300 yen
Level of English: Minimal

Access Information:

The Churaumi Aquarium (Churaumi Suizokukan) is widely considered Japan's best aquarium.
The highlight of a visit to the Churaumi Aquarium is the massive Kuroshio Tank,which is one of the largest in the world.
The tank takes its name from the warm Kuroshio(black) current which plays a large part in the variety of Okinawa's of marine life.
The tank contains a wide range of species, the most striking of which are the giant whale sharks and manta rays.

The aquarium is spread out over three floors with the entrance on the third floor and the exit on the first floor.
Passing through the entrance, there is a pool where visitors can touch living seashells and starfish with their own hands.
Next there is a tank with the world's first large scale exhibit of living coral.
The route through the aquarium then leads past the Kuroshio Tank,where feeding shows are held twice daily.
Located just beside the tank is a Hi-Vision movie theater about Okinawa's marine life.
Past the Kuroshio Tank there are a few more amusing tanks and displays including an area dedicated to sharks with live tiger sharks and bull sharks.
Another area is dedicated to marine life in much of the deep sea of Okinawa and includes displays of various bioluminescent fish.

In addition to the main aquarium building, there are a few outdoor pools near the waterfront where animal shows of dolphins,
manatees sea and turtles can be viewed free of charge.
There are only a few shows per day, so visitors might as well check show times before entering the aquarium.

Facility Information:
Hours: 8:30 to 20:00 (until 18:30 from October to February)
Admission ends one hour before closing time
Closed: First Wednesday of December and the following day.
Admission: 1850 yen (1290 yen if you enter after 16:00)
Access Information:
The Churaumi Aquarium is part of the Ocean Expo Park on the Motobu Peninsula in northern Okinawa Honto,about 90 kilometers from Naha.

Tsumago was a post town on the Nakasendo route between Kyoto and Edo.
It is known today as one of the best preserved post towns in Japan.
The town and its residents go to great lengths to recreate the environment and atomosphere of the Edo Period.
Cars are not allowed on the main street in the day and phone lines and power cables are kept concealed,
allowing visitors to imagine they have slipped back to an earlier time.

Tsumago also recreates the post town ambience by maintaining its Honjin and Wakihonjin.
In all post towns, the Honjin was the principal inn and served government officials who were traveling through.
When more accomodations were required, the Wakihonjin served to accommodate the travelers of lower status.
Tsumago also maintains the office where laborers and horses were rented to aid in travel.                                          
Tsumago's Honjin was reconstructed in the 1990s, but great efforts have been taken so that it resembles its condition in the 1830s,
when it served as an inn.

Tsumago was a post town on the Nakasendo route between Kyoto and Edo.
It is known today as one of the best preserved post towns in Japan.
The town and its residents go to great lengths to recreate the environment and atmosphere of the Edo Period.
Cars are not allowed on the main street in the day and phone lines and power cables are kept invisible, allowing
visitors to imagine they have slipped back to an earlier time.

Tsumago also recreates the post town ambience by maintaining its Honjin and Wakihonjin.
In all post towns, the Honjin was the principal inn and served government officials who were traveling through.
When more accomodations were required, the Wakihonjin served to accommodate the travelers of lower status.
Tsumago also maintains the office where laborers and horses were rented to aid in travel.                            
Kotoku Temple (Kotokuji) is a Buddhist temple which is believed to have been built in 1500.
It is not really remarkable, but still quite pleasant.

Iwakuni Castle (岩国城） located on Shiroyama castle and being half surrounded by a “natural moat,” the Nishiki River, is a mountain castle. Being able to see Kintaikyo Bridge and approaching visitors, the castle, originally built in 1673, was thought to be located in an a most advantageous location.

Iwakuni Castle is associated with the Kikkawa family, who had it built early in the 17th century. However, seven years after its completion, Tokugawa Shogunate ordered its demolition. It was later reconstructed in the middle of the 20th century

Within the castle is a historic museum which displays of samurai swords, armor and other historic memorabilia.  Displays of Kintaikyo Bridge and other famous Japanese bridges can be seen in the museum. From the observation deck on the top floors of the castle, visitors can enjoy a spectacular view of Iwakuni city.

Access Information:
5 mins walk to the ropeway station from Kintaikyo Bridge. After disembarking the ropeway, another 5 mins walk to the castle entrance.

Hours: 9:00 to 16:45 (entry until 16:30)
Closed: December 16th to 31st
Admission: 260 yen (castle only)
550 yen (ropeway round trip)
940 yen (castle, ropeway and bridge combination ticket)

Hagi (萩), a former castle town, is located along the coast of the Sea of Japan in Yamaguchi Prefecture.  Historically, it is known as the capital of the Mori Clan which governed Yamaguchi Prefecture for over 250 years.

Hagi is best known for its local Hagiyaki Pottery.  This type of pottery is among the best in Japan.

Hagi is well preserved. With several old samurai and merchant residents still intact, visitors can enjoy this historic town.

By JR Bus
**8-11 round trips per day between Yamaguchi Station and Higashi-Hagi Station. The one-way cost is 1760 yen and the length of the journey is 60 to 80 minutes.
In addition, other bus lines are connected to the Shin-Yamaguchi Station (Sanyo Shinkansen). From Shin-Yamaguchi Station, the one-way cost is 2060 yen and the length of the journey is about 90 minutes.
NOTE: The Japan Rail Pass is valid on these JR buses.

By Bocho Bus
**13-18 round trips per day between Shin-Yamaguchi Station and Higashi-Hagi Station. Note:  The buses do not stop at Yamaguchi Station. The one way cost is 2060 yen and the length of the journey is about 90 minutes.
NOTE:  The Japan Rail Pass is not valid on these buses.

By train
**via JR Sanin Line.  However, it is not convenient as the number of trains per day is low and the service is slow.
From Shimonoseki Station, the local trains costs 1940 yen and the length of the journey is 3 hours.  In addition, there is no direct route, so one or two transfers are required.
Alternatively, from Asa Station on the Sanyo Shinkansen (only via Kodama Shinkansens), you can utilize the JR Mine and Sanin Line (transfer at Nagatoshi).  The cost is 1320 yen and the length of the journey is 2 hours

Iwakuni Art Museum, located on the other side of the Kintai-kyo Bridge in Iwakuni city, Yamaguchi Prefecture, features glassware, samurai armor, ceramics, and the furniture of Iwakuni's feudal lords. 

Once visitors cross the Kintai-kyo Bridge, they will see the statue of Kikkawa Hiroyoshi, the 3rd lord of Iwakuni. Behind Kikkawa’s statue is Kikko Park, a beautiful, spacious area blessed with nature. During the Edo Periods, the residences of the Kikkawa family were located here, in Kikko Park, with relatives living nearby.  As a result, in addition to the fountains and spectacular natural surroundings, Kikko Park contains the ruminants of former samurai residences and museums displaying historic artifacts of this part of Japan.

Iwakuni Art Museum
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (until 16:00 from December to February) 
Closed: Thursdays (if Thursday is a national holiday, the museum will be closed the following day) 
Admission: 800 yen

After crossing the beautifully arched Kintai-kyo Bridge in Iwakuni city, Yamaguchi Prefecture, visitors can see the statue of Kikkawa Hiroyoshi.  Kikkawa, the 3rd lord of Iwakuni, was heavily involved in the construction of the bridge after the original bridge was washed away.

Behind Kikkawa’s statue is Kikko Park, a beautiful, spacious area blessed with nature. During the Edo Periods, the residences of the Kikkawa family were located here, in Kikko Park with relatives living nearby.  As a result, in addition to the fountains and spectacular natural surroundings, Kikko Park contains ruminants of former samurai residences and museums displaying historic artifacts of this part of Japan.
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Mekata Residence
Hours: 9:30 to 16:30
Closed: Mondays (following day if Monday is a national holiday)
Admission: Free
The Mekata Residences belonged to the Mekata family, who were mid-level samurai. Visitors are not permitted to actually enter the residence, but can walk around the property to observe the residences from a short distance away.

Kikkawa Museum, located in Iwakuni Citiy, Yamaguchi Prefecture, displays rare possessions of the Kikkawa family, including documents, swords, and weapons.  Visitors can find this small museum in Kikko Park, on the other side of the Kintai-kyo Bridge.

Once visitors cross the Kintai-kyo Bridge, they will see the statue of Kikkawa Hiroyoshi, the 3rd lord of Iwakuni. Behind Kikkawa’s statue is Kikko Park, a beautiful, spacious area blessed with nature. During the Edo Periods, the residences of the Kikkawa family were located here, in Kikko Park, with relatives living nearby.  As a result, in addition to the fountains and spectacular natural surroundings, former samurai residences and museums displaying historic artifacts of this part of Japan are located here, in Kikko Park.

Kikkawa Museum
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30)
Closed: Wednesdays (if Wednesday is a national holiday, the museum will be closed the following day)
Admission: 500 yen