New Articles - Okinawa Bookmark

Sakiyama Beach (Usabama) | A Hidden Snorkeling Spot in Nakijin, with Access and Parking

A guide to Sakiyama Beach, known locally as Usabama, in Nakijin Village. Clear water, wide stretches of coral and rock formations such as tunnels and crevasses make it a fine snorkeling spot — here is what to know about the hard-to-find entrance, the parking, the tides and the risks.

2026.08.29

Nakijin Beaches

Cape Hedo | Diving and snorkeling — Hedo Dome, Futagami Rocks and the Hedo Grand Canyon

A guide to the dive sites off Cape Hedo, at the northern tip of Okinawa's main island. Hedo Dome with its shafts of light, the fish-filled Futagami Rocks and the Hedo Grand Canyon are terrain you will rarely find elsewhere on the island.

2026.08.29

Kunigami Beaches

Sonohyan-utaki Stone Gate | Highlights, history and parking

A guide to the Sonohyan-utaki Stone Gate in Naha, southern Okinawa. Inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2000, this Ryukyuan limestone gate is where the king prayed for a safe journey.

2026.08.27

Okinawa Castles & Ruins

Tamaudun | Highlights, how long to allow, and parking

A guide to Tamaudun in Shuri, Naha, southern Okinawa. The mausoleum where the kings of the Second Sho Dynasty are laid to rest, inscribed as a World Heritage Site and designated a national treasure.

2026.08.27

Okinawa Castles & Ruins

Naminoue Shrine | Highlights, parking and more — one of the eight Ryukyuan shrines

A guide to Naminoue Shrine in Naha, southern Okinawa. The foremost of the eight Ryukyuan shrines, long revered as the leading shrine of the kingdom, and well known today as a power spot.

2026.08.27

Okinawa Castles & Ruins

Miigusuku (Mie Castle Ruins) | A castle site beside the Loisir Hotel, no parking

A guide to Miigusuku, also known as the Mie Castle Ruins, in Naha, Okinawa. Once a fortress guarding Naha Port, it is now a quiet spot close to Naha Airport.

2026.08.27

Okinawa Castles & Ruins

Okinogu Shrine | One of the eight Ryukyuan shrines, with parking and what’s nearby

A guide to Okinogu Shrine in Onoyama Park, Naha. One of the eight Ryukyuan shrines, with the main hall, Tentozan Utaki, Sumiyoshi and Yasaka shrines and a monument to Gichin Funakoshi.

2026.08.27

Okinawa Castles & Ruins

Okinawa Gokoku Shrine | A place of prayer and first visits of the year, with history and parking

A guide to Okinawa Gokoku Shrine in Onoyama Park, Naha. It enshrines those who died in the Battle of Okinawa and other national crises, and is a popular place for the first shrine visit of the year.

2026.08.27

Okinawa Castles & Ruins

Amekugu Shrine | One of the eight Ryukyuan shrines, with parking and what to pray for

A guide to Amekugu Shrine in Naha, Okinawa. One of the eight Ryukyuan shrines, it is built into a cliff on three descending levels, with a cave shrine at the very bottom.

2026.08.27

Okinawa Castles & Ruins

Shuri Kinjocho Stone-Paved Road | How long to allow, parking and what’s nearby

A guide to the Shuri Kinjocho stone-paved road in Naha, southern Okinawa. Laid in the 16th century and still in place today, with the ishigantou, the great akagi trees and Kinjo Ohijaa along the way.

2026.08.27

Okinawa Castles & Ruins