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Town in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan
Photo: Philipmj24 at English Wikipedia, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Northern Okinawa (沖縄北部 Okinawa-hokubu), also known as Yanbaru (やんばる) or Kunigami (国頭), is the northernmost part of Okinawa Island.
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沖縄美ら海水族館
Part of the Ocean Expo Park, the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium hosts a large tank of 7,500 m³, where large fish including whale sharks and manta rays are kept. This site is very popular among Japanese and it pays off to visit it early in the day to avoid the crowds.
ブセナ海中公園
Peninsula with an underwater observation tower, and a glass-bottom boat that leaves every 20 minutes. Free shuttle bus that looks like a tram.
今帰仁城, Nakijin Gusuku
These ruins of a Ryukyuan gusuku are part of . The fortress includes several sacred Utaki groves, reflecting the castle's role as a center of religious activity. It is known for the Hikan cherries which bloom in northern Okinawa between mid-January and early February, providing the first cherry blossoms each year in Japan. The ruins are particularly known for the beautiful view out over the East China Sea, for the impressive grandeur of the castle walls, and for the overall amount of space taken up by the castle grounds.
ナゴパイナップルパーク
Kitschy pineapple-themed park. A short but entertaining ride on an automated golf cart gives you some history about pineapple cultivation, dropping you off in a shopping center where all the products are either pineapple-themed or contain pineapple (or both!) Worth a stop if you're in the area and you like pineapple.
名護城
Don't expect to find the castle as it was in the 14th century, but enjoy the nice walk to the top of the hill. The park of the Nago castle is on the Top 100 list of cherry tree flower viewing (hanami) spots of Japan, and the only place in the Okinawa prefecture on the list.
おもろ植物園, Omoro Shokubutsuen
This garden collects plants that are described in the Omoro Sōshi (おもろそうし), a collection of Okinawan poems and songs. The garden contains about 400 species of salt-resistant plants, including large trees, small trees, shade trees, various garden plants, and herbs. The garden also contains more than 110 wild orchid species, many of them endangered, native to the Ryukyu Islands.
Northern-most point of Okinawa Island, beautiful views from high cliffs.
Mid-island on the Western side.
羽地内海 Hanejinaikai
Enclosed by Yayagi Island and the western peninsula. Beautiful especially at sunset.
比地大滝
In the northern part of the island, a 45-minute hike from the visitors center taking you by a river dam, over a suspension bridge, and finally to the falls itself.
水納島
A small but picturesque croissant-shaped island just 15 min from Toguchi Harbor, with good snorkeling and beaches.
ダイヤモンドビーチ
The beach itself is nothing special, but the snorkeling here is some of the best on the island, with plenty of fish and vibrant coral. There's a staircase down at the right side of the Okashi Goten shop, but it closes at 18:00 sharp.
ナビービーチ
Public beach nestled between the private hotel beaches. Kayaks, banana boats, snorkeling gear etc for rent.
エメラルドビーチ
万座ビーチ
Opened in 2025, this is a jungle-themed theme park with a twist: no rollercoasters here, more extreme sports type activities (ziplines, treetop walks) and a few immersive rides, including the showpiece Jurassic Park style "Dinosaur Safari". Expect long waits at many attractions unless you fork out extra for a Premium Pass. There is also a hot spring/spa (separate charges apply).
The park is served by roughly hourly Junglia Express buses from Naha and the airport (¥2500, 2:20) as well as central Nago (¥500, 30 min). Reservations required.
ヘリオス酒造工場見学 heriosu shuzō
All kinds of Awamori (Rice made Shōchū), you can taste several. Reservation required phone or web.
農芸茶屋 四季の彩
Delightful cafe is surrounded by nature. While you eat your meal you may choose to sit at a counter overlooking lush mountains. Many handmade shisa decorate the cafe and are for sale.
紀乃川
Unpretentious Japanese food in a very unpretentious building. The only real reason to climb there is to eat their peanuts tofu, it looks like ice cream and is probably the most delicious form of tofu you'll ever eat.
Bar with Okinawan food in the evenings, but the real standout here is the lunchtime taco menu that wouldn't be out of place in LA, serving up 5 types daily on proper handmade tortillas. The fish tacos are particularly tasty, and there's a good selection of hot sauces as well.
花村そば
Don't be put off by the daggy exterior, this little noodle shop is lovely on the inside, with some fine specimens of local ceramics, and has great Okinawan noodles to boot. Their special, Hanamura soba, has both melt-in-your-mouth pork belly and ribs (sōki).
パニラニ
A reasonable facsimile of an Hawaiian diner, serving up both sweet and savory pancakes: whipped cream and pineapple jam, bacon and Spam, even fried chicken. If you're really hungry, try the 16-pancake "Diamond Head" stack.
やんばる
Perennially packed Okinawan eatery specializing in local pork (あぐー agū) dishes, popular with tourists and locals alike. Try their speciality "lard rice" (ラード飯), where you mix a spoonful of pure homemade pig fat into a bowl of piping hot rice with a half-cooked egg, garlic and sauce: sinful but oh so good.
きじむなぁ
Fast food eatery specializing in taco rice and their own spin on it, "omu taco", which plops a fluffy omelette on top. 5 basic toppings including a vegetarian bean option, then add on extras like avocado or jalapenos.
ゆきの
The locals come here for the generous tonkatsu pork cutlet sets, but this maze-like local eatery also serves up fresh sushi/sashimi and all your Okinawan favorites. Try the fu champuru.
The brewery where Okinawa's most popular beer is made, open to tours and tastings. Temporarily closed for renovation as of November 2024.
The white cruise ship bulk of this Bubble-era hotel from the 1980s dominates Manza Bay, but it's kept in the tiptop shape and has dibs on one of the best beaches in Okinawa.
Mid-range apartment hotel by the swanky Hoshino Resorts chain. Large pool, all rooms have kitchens. No direct beach access, but Manza Beach is a short walk away.
343-room resort hotel on its own little private island, connected to the mainland with a causeway. Indoor and outdoor pools with hot tubs, saltwater "lagoon" and two private beaches. Unfortunately the construction of the resort killed off the island's coral, not that you're even allowed to go snorkel since you'll get run over by a boat if you try.
かりゆしビーチリゾート・オーシャンスパ
Large beach resort and ocean spa at the south of Nago.
The Ritz-Carlton just might be the most expensive hotel in all Okinawa. Oddly, though, it's nowhere near a beach, instead targeting avid golfers willing to pony up $1000/night.
御菓子御殿
The local franchise of the "Snack Palace" is hard to miss, since there are lurid purple billboards for miles around and it's housed in an extravagant ersatz Okinawan palace. Drop in for purple sweet potato tarts, pastries, cakes, ice cream and more. There's also a restaurant on the second floor with nice views of the bay.
By bus
The Okinawa Airport Shuttle runs from Naha airport and the Bus Terminal, running across the length of Onna along Route 58 and further on to Motobu.
Okinawa Bus Line 20/120 runs across the western coast its way from Naha to Nago and back, with services every 30-45 minutes between 06:00 and 19:00 or so.
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Naha · International · OKA
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