Moopon

Japan’s southernmost vacation paradise of Okinawa offers its visitors an array of different activities to make the most of the “Okinawa experience”.
One of the more touristy but fun experiences visitors can partake in is the Yubujima Suigyu Cart Ride.

Yubujima is a small island near Iriomote Island. A popular way to enter Yubujima is via water buffalo carts.
The cart rides are quite fun with the drivers explaining the island’s history and sharing interesting local gossip.
Some drivers will play the sanshin (Okinawa’s stringed instrument) to entertain the occupants of their carts.

Yubujima Suigyu Cart Ride 
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 
Closed: No closing days 
Fee:  adults (over 12 years old) 1400 yen includes entry to the island’s subtropical garden
     children (over 6 years old) 700 yen includes entry to the island’s subtropical garden
     children under 6 are free

Yubujima is a small subtropical garden island.  Within the garden, visitors can view many tropical flowers such as 30
varieties of the hibiscus in addition to fruit trees such as guava and papaya.
 Of course these plants and more can be viewed throughout the year!

Within Japan’s tropical paradise of Okinawa, visitors can enjoy water sports,
nature and wildlife that can only be observed here.
Within the Yaeyama Islands of Okinawa is the 90% jungle/mangrove island of Iriomote.
And here, visitors may be able to see the endangered species of the Iriomote Yamaneko,
a type of “wild cat” which resides only on this island.

It is thought only 100 Yamaneko remain on the island. As such,
the Yamaneko Museum or Iriomote Wildlife Conservation Center is both a wildlife/eco museum as well as a refugee center for Iriomote
Yamaneko that have been rescued after being injured in a traffic accident. 

Visitors to the museum are able to learn about the ecology of the animals found on the island,including the Iriomote Yamaneko.
Explanations are provided in English throughout the museum.
As far as the rescued Iriomote Yamaneko, they can only be viewed via a live video feed.

Shuri Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Okinawa served an important role in Okinawa’s history.
Though presently a district of Naha, Shuri was the former capital of the Ryukyu Kingdom.  
Until Okinawa became a Japanese Prefecture in 1879, Shuri Castle was both the administrative center
as well as residence for the Ryukyu kings for several centuries.

The castle was originally constructed in the late 1300s.  
Destroyed many times through war and fires, the current buildings are a result of the reconstruction efforts from 1992.
To approach the castle, located on the top of hill, visitors need to pass through many gates, including the well known Shureimon Gate.

The castle’s main hall, the Seiden was the former venue for many governmental events. A landmark of Okinawa, the Seiden’s flamboyant decoration,
architecture and vermillion color shows the difference in castle style between Okinawa and mainland Japan. 

Visitors will find the Una Plaza in front of the Seiden.
Here many ceremonies were held. The Una Plaza is enclosed by the Hokuden (North Hall), Nanden (South Hall) and the Hoshinmon (Hoshin Gate).
The Hokuden and Nanden were administrative buildings which were also used as venues to welcome visitors from China and mainland Japan.

Visitors are welcomed to view the interior of these historic halls.
 The interiors of the Hokuden and Nanden are like modern museums with informative displays about Ryukyu Kingdom as well as
the Okinawa’s history with the Japanese mainland and China. Visitors can also view local historic artifact as well as cultural replicas received during foreign trade.

The Seiden has been reconstructed in its original style.
The richness and fine furnishing the Ryukyu kings were accustomed to are displayed in the Seiden.
Visitors can even view a replica of the king's throne and crown are among the exhibits.

Facility Information:
Hours: 8:30 to 19:00 (until 18:00 from December to March, until 20:00 from July to September) 
**Last Entry is 30 minutes before closing time.
Closed: First Wednesday and Thursday of July
Admission: 820 yen
Level of English: Good

Shikinaen, located in Okinawa, was the second residence of the Ryukyu kings.
It was constructed in the 18th century.
The building were relatively simple, wooden palace buildings incorporating the Chinese red tile roofs
with a spacious Japanese garden and its a central pond.
The garden is meant to be viewed as visitors stroll around.
With both the Chinese and Japanese influence, visitors can appreciate Shikinaen’s truly unique Okinawa style.

Shikinaen was completely destroyed in the Battle of Okinawa of 1945.
However, a 20 year restoration plan began in 1975.
 In 2000, it was among the sited registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the title Gusuku Sites
and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu.

From the forest, visitors walk along a stone-paved road, made from Ryukyu limestones to the main entrance.
From here, visitors will stroll along a 300 meter circular path to view the garden.
There are many interesting parts of the garden, not limited to…
**Ikutokusen—the spring filled with clear water.
 It is designated as a national monument as it is the birthplace of the red alga
**Stone Bridge: There are two stone bridges which connect to the palace as well a small islet in the middle of the water.
**Udun Palace:  built in the 17th century, before the garden and pond, this spacious palace has 15 rooms
**Rokkaku-do: a Chinese-style hexagonal pavilion located on a nearby island

Facility Information:
Hours: 9:00 to 18:00 (until 17:30 from October to March) 
**Last Entry is 30 minutes before closing
Closed: Wednesdays (or following day if Wednesday is a national holiday or falls on June 23) 
Admission: 400 yen

Japan’s southern island paradise has a rich and unique history which can learned here,
at the Okinawa Prefectural Museum.  Relocated in 2007,
the museum is housed in a contemporary building in central Naha.
There are two separate museums: a history museum and an art museum.

The history museum covers a wide time span:
from before the time of the Ryukyu Kingdom to the modern times of today.
The museum includes collections of natural history, folklore, crafts and archaeology.
Due to the cast amount of Okinawa cultural information presented, visitors could spend a few hours exploring the facility.

The art museum is a bit smaller compared to the history museum.
However the collections are displayed in multiple galleries, in art forms including sculptures, paintings,
sketches and videos.
There is a focus on local artists and themes.
The art is rather modern.  And there are special exhibitions which require additional fee for viewing.

Facility information:
Hours: 9:00 to 18:00 (until 20:00 on Fridays and Saturdays)
Last Entry is 30 minutes before closing time
Closed: Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a national holiday) as well as December 29th to 31st
Admission: 410 yen (history museum), 310 yen (art museum),
　　　　　 separate fees for special exhibitions
Level of English: Good (history museum)

Ryukyu Mura (Ryukyu Village) is a small theme park featuring of traditional
Okinawan culture in the form of a recreated village from the times of the Ryukyu Kingdom.

The village shows a traditional residence with a red tiled roof and surrounding stone walls against typhoons,
a shrine and various workshops where visitors may participate in hands-on experiences such as playing the
sanshin guitar, pottery, weaving a coaster or painting a small shisa statue.

A variety of performances are held at the village, including eisa taiko drumming, dances, parades ,
concerts and reenacted historical ceremonies.
Visitors also have the opportunity to eat some popular Okinawan dishes and purchase a wide range of local souvenirs.

Access Information:
Ryukyu Mura is located in central Okinawa Honto, about 30 kilometers north of Naha.

Via bus
From Naha, board bus number 120 to Ryukyu Mura-mae bus stop
(琉球村前; 80 minutes, 1070 yen from Naha Bus Terminal or 90 minutes,
1160 yen from Naha Airport; 2 buses/hour)

Facility Information:
Hours: 8:30 to 17:30
( From July.1 to Sep30. 9:00 to 18:00)
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 1200 yen


 

Nago Pineapple Park is a theme park full of Southern Fruits and Colorful Plants.
Pineapples have been cultivated on Okinawa as an agricultural product for around a century.

The admission ticket to the park includes a ride on an automatic vehicle which runs through pineapple fields and a tropical garden,
and all-you-can-sample pineapple products in the adjacent souvenir shop.
It sells various products like pineapple wines, juices, cakes, chocolates, as well as dried and fresh pineapple. 

Facility Information:
Hours: 9:00 to 18:00
Closed: Opened All Year Round
Admission: 600 yen

Access Information: 
The Nago Pineapple Park is located just outside downtown Nago City on the
Motobu Peninsula in northern Okinawa island, about 75 km from Naha.

Via bus
 From Naha, board highway bus number 111 to Nago Bus Terminal
(90 minutes, 2100 yen from Naha Bus Center; 105 minutes, 2190 yen from Naha Airport; 1-2 buses/hour)
and transfer to infrequently departing bus number 70 to Meio Daigaku Iriguchi
(名桜大学入口, 20 minutes, 390 yen, 5 buses/day).

 

Nakijin Castle (今帰仁城) is a Ryukyuan castle or fortress (gusuku) located in Nakijin,
the main island of Okinawa and one of the UNESCO World Heritage designated Castles of the Ryukyu Kingdom.

The Nakijin Castle Ruins are located on the Motobu Peninsula of northern Okinawa Island
and In contrast to other castles on Okinawa, Nakijin Castle stands in an area of low population
density with verdant forests that give the ruins with a unique atmosphere.

Nakijin Castle was constructed in the late 1200s.
During the Sanzan Period (1322-1429),
Okinawa Island was divided into three kingdoms: the Hokuzan in the north, the Chuzan in the middle and the Nanzan in the south.
Nakijin was used as the castle of the Hokuzan king until it was taken over
by the Chuzan on their way to unifying the island and forming the Ryukyu Kingdom.

In the ground, there is also History and Culture Center with a small
museum displaying items unearthed on the castle grounds, such as Chinese pottery,
coins and documents besides exhibiting about everyday life and culture of Nakijin Village.

Facility Information: 
Hours: 8:00 to 18:00 (extended hours in summer)
Closed: Opened All Year Round
Admission: 400 yen (castle and museum), 150 yen (museum only)
Level of English: Minimal

Access Information:
The Nakijin Castle Ruins are located on the Motobu Peninsula in northern the main island of Okinawa,
about 90 kilometers from Naha, and about a ten minute car ride from the Ocean Expo Park.

Via Yanbaru Express Bus
The Yanbaru Express Bus directly connects the airport and city center of Naha with Nakijin Castle.
Get off at Nakijin Joseki Iriguchi (今帰仁城跡入口), from where it is a 15-20 minute walk uphill to the castle ruins.
The one way journey takes about 2.5 hours with a cost of around 2000 yen.
There are six round trips per day. In central Naha, the bus stops at the Prefectural Office (県庁北口),
Tomari Port and Furujima Station along the Yurail monorail among other locations.

Via regular buses
From Naha to Nago Bus Terminal, board highway bus number 111.
 (90 minutes, 2040 yen from Naha Bus Center; 105 minutes, 2190 yen from Naha Airport; 1-2 buses/hour)
and transfer to bus number 65 or 66.
Get off at Nakijin Joseki Iriguchi
(今帰仁城跡入口, 45-60 minutes, 790-1000 yen, 1-2 buses per hour),
from where it is a 15-20 minute walk uphill to the castle ruins.

 

Okinawa, Japan’s favorite beach vacation destination, offers many experiences for its visitors.
 Visitors heading to Hedo Misaki or Cape Hedo, north of Nago in Honto (Okinawa Main Island),
will see spectacular views.

The main road to Hedo Misaki leads along the western coast.
 Halfway between Nago and the cap is a hiking trail, taking hikers to the Hiji Waterfall—another beautiful sight.

The less direct approach to Hedo Misaki is along the more scenic but less developed eastern coast.  
This route is recommended as visitors can experience spectacular coastal scenery.  
However, as there is no bus service along the eastern coast,
visitors will have to rent a car or arrange private transportation to explore this route.

Access Information
Cape Hedo is the northernmost point of Okinawa Honto, about 115 km from Naha.
Via bus
1.  From Naha, take highway bus number 11 to Nago Bus Terminal.
 From Naha Bus Center, the one-way journey will 90 minutes with a cost of 2100 yen.
From Naha Airport, the one-way journey will take 105 minutes with a cost of 2190 yen.
 There are one to two buses per hour.
2.  At Nago Bus Terminal, transfer to bus number 67 for Hentona Bus Terminal.
The one-way journey will take 60 minutes with a cost of 1050 yen.
There are one to two buses per hour.
3.  At Hentona Bus Terminal, transfer to a municipal bus line to Hedo Misaki.
The one-way journey will take 35 minutes with a cost of 500 yen.  
There are 3 buses per day.

Via car
From Naha to Hedo Cape, the journey via Okinawa Expressway
will take 2 and a half hours with a cost of 1000 yen (one way).


 

The Ocean Expo Park, in Okinawa is fun for the whole family!!
Located on the tip of the Motobu Peninsula in northern Okinawa Honto,
this park was built in 1976 in commemoration of the Okinawa International Ocean Expo 1975. 

The park is quite large at about three kilometers along the coast.
Though there are walkways between the facilities, visitors have the option of using
shuttle buses which operate between the park's attractions.
 There are at least two buses per hour.
The shuttle buses are not free so visitors may choose to spend 200 yen for a one-day unlimited rides pass. 

The Churaumi Aquarium located in the Ocean Expo Park is said to be the best aquarium in Japan.
 In addition there are many fun and exciting facilities in the park! Some of the highlights include the following facilities: 

**Oceanic Culture Museum is located just beside the park's central gate.
There are displays of ship replicas as well ocean-related displays from other parts of Asia and the South Pacific.  
Visitors can see a giant replica of a Lakatoi canoe from Papua New Guinea as well as trade ship used for travel
between the Ryukyu Kingdom and other Asian countries. There is a planetarium here as well. 

**Native Okinawan Village is located next to the Oceanic Culture Museum.
 This small open air museum displays over twenty residences and other buildings from various time periods and regions of Okinawa.
There is no admission fee and visitors can freely wander between the structures.

**Tropical Dream Center is a beautiful botanical garden with an array of tropical trees and plants housed in multiple greenhouses.
The center also has a Tower of Babel--a 36 meter tall observatory tower.

**Emerald Beach is an attractive sand beach on the northern part of the park.
Emerald Beach is divided into three separate sections:  a beach for playing and swimming,
a beach for resting and a beach for viewing.
Each section is carefully maintained, keeping in mind safety and comfort and most of all, the conservation of nature.

Facility Information:
Hours: Park: 8:00 to 19:30
(until 18:00 from October to February)
Individual attractions typically open half an hour later and close half an hour earlier.
Closed: First Wednesday of December and the following day.
Admission: Entry into the park is free, but some attractions require admission:
1850 yen (Churaumi Aquarium)
690 yen (Tropical Dream Center)
170 yen (Oceanic Culture Museum)
Note:  There are some days where entry into some attractions is free.
(Tropical Dream Center/Oceanic Culture Museum is free for elementary school children
on May 5th and for those over 65 years of age on Sept 15th.
In addition there are various days throughout the year where entry into these two attractions is waived for everyone).  
For current information, please check the homepage of the park.

Access Information.
The Ocean Expo Park is located on the Motobu Peninsula in northern Okinawa Honto,
about 90 kilometers from Naha.
**Express Bus
*By Yanbaru Express Bus: 
Board from the following locations:  Naha Airport, Prefectural Office, Tomari Port and Furujima Station.  
There are 6 round trips per day.  The journey will take a little over 2 hours with a cost of 2000 yen.
**Regular buses
1.  From Naha Bus Center, board highway bus number 111 to Nago Bus Terminal.
The journey will take 90 minutes with a cost of 2100 yen.  
From Naha Airport, board the same highway bus number 111 to Nago Bus Terminal.
The journey will take 105 minutes with a cost of 2190 yen.
2.  At Nago Bus Terminal, transfer to bus number 70 to Kinen Koen Mae (記念公園前) bus stop in front of the Ocean Expo Park.
The buses are infrequent.  The journey will take 50 minutes with a cost of 880 yen.
*Note: there are a few buses on line 65 and 66 which also can take visitors to the Ocean Expo Park.
Please check the Ocean Expo Park’s homepage for more details.
**By car
From Naha, take the Okinawa Expressway to the northern end near Nago.
The toll is 1020 yen.
 From Nago, travel along the regular roads to cross the Motobu Peninsula to Ocean Expo Park.
The journey should take about two hours one way.
During rush hour, expect a longer journey.


 

Japan southernmost group of islands, Okinawa,has many sights of interests for its visitors.
Iriomote Island (西表島) is Okinawa’s second largest island.
Being undeveloped, natural lovers will be happy to learn 90% of the island is a jungle with its own mangrove forest.
The Iriomote Yamaneko, a type of wildcat, is found only on Iriomote Island.
However, it may be difficult to encounter this nocturnal animal as they are an endangered species with less than 100 yamaneko in existence.

The best way to explore the island is by its rivers.
The two longest rivers of the island are the Urachigawa (Uchigawa River) and the Nakamagawa (Nakama River).
Boat cruises are available among these two rivers.
Other options include a guided Kayak tours along these two rivers as well as some of the smaller rivers.

There are a number of Kayak tours visitors can select from.
From waterfalls to visiting one of the smaller islands, kayak tour participants need to paddle to their destination.
Safety vests and paddling instructions are provided.
Due to weather conditions, tours may be cancelled or destinations altered. 

The length and cost of the Kayak tour vary according to the tour agency.
Some packages include lunch whereas in other tours, participants need to provide their own refreshments.

Miyako Island (Miyakojima), located 300 kilometers south of Okinawa Main Island,
is known for some of Japan's best beaches and as a great destination for diving and snorkeling in the coral reefs.

The island is the fourth largest island in Okinawa Prefecture.
It is mostly covered by sugar cane fields and a few towns, among which Hirara is the largest with a moderate range of eating place,
such as restaurants and bars. Resort hotels and pensions are found across the island.

Unlike other parts of Okinawa, there are no habu snakes in Miyako.
Miyako Island offers a small range of other attractions, including places of natural beauty and cultural interest,
and a couple of elegant bridges to neighboring islands.

Cape Higashi-Hennazaki 
The cape of Higashi-henna-zaki (東平安名岬) is a nationally-designated
Place of Scenic Beauty located at the southeasternmost point of Miyako.
At the very end of the cape is a white lighthouse which gives 320 panorama view of the ocean,
a very popular spot for sunrise viewing.

Lighthouse
Hours: 9:00 to 16:30
Admission: 150 yen

Access Information:
Miyako Island is a relatively small island, measuring about 25 kilometers
from south to north and about 15 kilometers from east to west.
A rental car is the most convenient means of getting around Miyako.


 

Miyako Island (Miyakojima), located 300 kilometers south of Okinawa Main Island,
is known for some of Japan's best beaches and as a great destination for diving and snorkeling in the coral reefs.

The island is the fourth largest island in Okinawa Prefecture.
It is mostly covered by sugar cane fields and a few towns,
among which Hirara is the largest with a moderate range of eating place, such as restaurants and bars.

Resort hotels and pensions are found across the island.
Unlike other parts of Okinawa, there are no habu snakes in Miyako.
Miyako Island offers a small range of other attractions, including places of natural beauty and cultural interest,
and a couple of elegant bridges to neighboring islands.

Tropical Botanical Garden
It is a spacious park for recreation and the study of tropical plants in inland Miyako.
Several walking trails with the over 1600 types of plants that include trees,
bushes and flowers from Miyako and from Hawaii, Taiwan and Southeast Asia.

Admission: Free 
Access Information:
Miyako Island is a relatively small island,
measuring about 25 kilometers from south to north and about 15 kilometers from east to west.
A rental car is the most convenient means of getting around Miyako.

 

Miyako Island (Miyakojima),
located 300 kilometers south of Okinawa Main Island, is known for some of Japan's
best beaches and as a great destination for diving and snorkeling in the coral reefs.

The island is the fourth largest island in Okinawa Prefecture.
It is mostly covered by sugar cane fields and a few towns, among which Hirara is the largest with a moderate range of eating place,
such as restaurants and bars.
Resort hotels and pensions are found across the island.
Unlike other parts of Okinawa, there are no habu snakes in Miyako.
Miyako Island offers a small range of other attractions, including places of natural beauty and cultural interest,
and a couple of elegant bridges to neighboring islands.

 Ikema and Kurima Bridges 
Freely traversable by car, motorcycle, bicycle or on foot
Miyako is connected to two of its neighboring islands by the bridges.
At the northern tip of Miyako, the 1.4 kilometer long Ikema Ohashi leads to Ikema Island,
while the 1.7 kilometer long Kurima Ohashi connects Kurima Island with Miyako in the southwest. 

Access Information:
Miyako Island is a relatively small island, measuring about
25 kilometers from south to north and about 15 kilometers from east to west.
A rental car is the most convenient means of getting around Miyako.

 

Kumejima (久米島) is an island, part of the Okinawa Islands.
It is located about 90 kilometers west of Okinawa Island.
Kumejima offers a much less developed version of the beaches and Okinawan culture.
Kumejima is quite small, and traveling from one end of the island to another rarely involves a trip longer than ten kilometers.
Like many other of the small islands in Okinawa, the beaches of Kumejima, snorkeling and diving are among the principal attractions for visitors. 

Hatenohama Beach
It is an uninhabited island ,an approximately seven kilometer long sand bar surrounded by water just east of the island,
is Kumejima's most popular attraction.
White sand of the beach can only be accessed by joining a tour. 

On the sandbar, swimming is restricted to the calmer northern beach,
and the sand is a little rougher than it seems from a distance.
The sea has a moderate variety of fish that can be observed while snorkeling.
Toilet is the only facilities available on the sandbar.

Access Information
Half day around 3500 yen; full day with lunch around 5500 yen
Some companies operate tour boats between Kumejima and Hatenohama Beach.
Half day and full day tours are offered.