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Which Okinawa main-island attractions should you visit?

See whale sharks and manta rays in the large tank at Churaumi Aquarium, or walk among orchids and tropical fruit trees at Tropical Dream Center. Explore Shurijo Castle Park for Ryukyu history and castle grounds. In Naha, walk through Fukushuen or view nature, history and art at the museum and art museum. Leave time to choose ingredients and enjoy a meal at Makishi Market. At Okinawa World in the south, walk through caves and try crafts. Northern and southern attractions lie in different directions from Naha, so separate visiting days make travel more manageable.

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Sight prices and access

Naha history

Shurijo Castle Park

首里城公園

Explore Ryukyu Kingdom history as you walk through Shureimon Gate and the castle grounds. Choose a walk in the free area or buy paid-area admission. Check the Seiden interior opening date; a timed reservation is required after reopening.

  • AdmissionPaid-area admission through 21 November 2026 is 400 yen for adults, 300 yen for high-school students and 160 yen for elementary and junior-high students. From 23 November, the rates are 1,000, 760 and 370 yen respectively. Children under six enter free.
  • HoursApril–November paid areas 08:30–19:00, last entry 18:30; December–March 08:30–18:00, last entry 17:30. Free areas inside castle grounds: 08:00–19:30 or 08:00–18:30 respectively.
  • Dates and reservationsAll areas close 22 November 2026. On 23 November, free castle areas are scheduled to open 11:15 and paid areas/Seiden at noon. Afterwards, Seiden interiors need a date/time-reservation-inclusive ticket. Unreserved tickets exclude interiors. Same-day reservations depend on vacancies; choose a slot before visiting.
  • Getting thereFrom Kencho-mae, take Yui Rail towards Tedako-Uranishi to Shuri Station. The official walk to Shureimon Gate takes about 15 minutes; walking inside the park is additional. For a Seiden reservation, the operator recommends a slot 40–50 minutes after your expected station arrival.

Shurijo admissionShurijo closures and opening hoursSeiden reservations, gates and viewing timeYui Rail Kencho-mae fares and ride timesShurijo access

More about Shurijo Castle Park →2-day A: market meals, then Shurijo3-day B: Naha history and exhibitions4-day A: aquarium and Shurijo on separate days4-day B: southern cave and Naha culture5-day A: 2 northern facilities together and leisurely Naha5-day B: southern activities, castle, museum and art
Motobu aquarium

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

沖縄美ら海水族館

Watch whale sharks and manta rays in Churaumi’s Kuroshio Sea tank. View it through the front window, then look up at the fish from below. The aquarium requires separate admission within Ocean Expo Park · 海洋博公園 in northern Motobu. For a bus trip from Naha, choose your return departure before planning how long to stay.

  • AdmissionAdmission is 2,180 yen for adults, 1,440 yen for high-school students and 710 yen for elementary and junior-high students. Preschool children under six enter free. School grades follow Japan’s April school-year system.
  • HoursStandard hours are 08:30–18:30, last entry 17:30. Official guidance lists no scheduled closures through 31 March 2027. Check latest temporary closure/operation notices.
  • Getting thereTake northbound Yanbaru Express from Kencho Kitaguchi to Kinen Koen Mae, then follow the official walking route to the entrance, about 10 minutes. Fares from the airport differ from fares from Kencho Kitaguchi.
  • Separate costsOrdinary aquarium admission excludes Tropical Dream Center and some paid park transport. An aquarium ticket is not required for every area of Ocean Expo Park.
  • Viewing the tankWatch whale sharks and manta rays through the Kuroshio Sea tank’s front window, or look up at them from the Aqua Room below.

Aquarium admissionAquarium opening hoursDirectional Kencho Kitaguchi stopsDirectional Kinen Koen Mae stopsBus access and aquarium entrancesYKB section faresTropical Dream Center: admission, hours and discountsOcean Expo Park returns and taxi rankAquarium Kuroshio tank and viewing areas

More about Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium →Churaumi and northern bus timetable3-day A: day 2 at Churaumi4-day A: aquarium and Shurijo on separate days5-day A: 2 northern facilities together and leisurely Naha
Ocean Expo Park botanical garden

Tropical Dream Center

熱帯ドリームセンター

See orchids up close and walk through greenhouses with tropical fruit trees. Leave time to enjoy the plants as well as the aquarium’s marine life. Both facilities are in Ocean Expo Park but require separate tickets.

  • AdmissionAdmission is 760 yen for high-school students and older visitors; junior-high students and younger children enter free. Older information about half-price entry with an ordinary aquarium ticket no longer applies. The current half-price discount is for aquarium annual-pass holders.
  • Hours08:30–17:30, last entry 17:00. Closed Wednesdays 1 July 2026–31 March 2027, or the immediately following weekday if Wednesday is a public holiday. Check separately: the garden can close when the aquarium opens.
  • Getting thereFrom Kinen Koen Mae, enter the Central Gate and locate Tropical Dream Center on the park map. Check the facility name rather than follow aquarium signs alone. Allow gate-to-garden walks separately.
  • Greenhouses and facility namesGreenhouses feature orchids and tropical fruit trees. Official Japanese guidance also uses 美ら島植物園（熱帯ドリームセンター）.

Tropical Dream Center: admission, hours and discountsTropical Dream Center hours and Wednesday closuresTropical Dream Center orchids, fruit trees and greenhouses

More about Tropical Dream Center →5-day A: 2 northern facilities together and leisurely Naha
Naha exhibitions

Okinawa Prefectural Museum and Art Museum

Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum沖縄県立博物館・美術館

Choose permanent museum exhibitions for nature/history or art collections for artworks. Each needs admission. For both on the same day, check the 1DAY pass period.

  • AdmissionFor the exhibitions from 25 September to 28 November 2026, checked on 9 October, adult admission is 530 yen for the museum and 400 yen for the art collection. The same-day combined 1DAY pass is 750 yen. It does not include all special exhibitions. Recheck exhibitions and prices after this period.
  • HoursTuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Sunday 09:00–18:00, last entry 17:30; Friday/Saturday 09:00–20:00, last entry 19:30. Closed Mondays, or the next weekday for public-holiday exceptions, and 29 December 2026–3 January 2027.
  • Getting thereWalk about 10 minutes from Omoromachi, or 15 at a slower pace. The 8 September 2026 notice closes side/rear entrances until further notice; use the front entrance.

Museum and art museum: exhibition admission and opening daysMuseum access and addressMuseum front entrance and closure notice

More about Okinawa Prefectural Museum and Art Museum →2-day B: a short museum and garden visit3-day B: Naha history and exhibitions4-day B: southern cave and Naha culture5-day A: 2 northern facilities together and leisurely Naha5-day B: southern activities, castle, museum and art
Naha garden

Fukushuen

福州園

Choose Fukushuen for leisurely garden paths between Naha shopping visits. Walk from Kencho-mae and combine with a city meal. Day/night prices differ; choose admission around visit time.

  • Admission09:00–18:00 adults 200 yen, children 100; 18:00–21:00 adults 300, children 150. High school age and above count as adults; preschool children free.
  • Hours and closures09:00–21:00, last entry 20:30. Closed Wednesdays, or the next day if Wednesday is a public holiday. Check event/substitute closure notices separately.
  • Getting thereYui Rail's facility guidance gives 7 minutes on foot from Kencho-mae. Hotel-to-garden time varies by location.

Fukushuen: admission, address and accessFukushuen hours and closing daysYui Rail free passes and facilities

More about Fukushuen →2-day B: a short museum and garden visit3-day B: Naha history and exhibitions4-day A: aquarium and Shurijo on separate days5-day A: 2 northern facilities together and leisurely Naha5-day B: southern activities, castle, museum and art4-day B: southern cave and Naha culture
Naha market

First Makishi Public Market and Kokusai Street

First Makishi Public Market / Kokusai Street第一牧志公設市場 / 国際通り

Choose fish for a market meal while exploring Okinawan ingredients. Some floor 1 purchases can be cooked at floor 2 restaurants. Ask about eligible ingredients, purchase prices and cooking fees before ordering. Browse Kokusai Street before/after meals; market business hours vary.

  • CostsCosts depend on ingredients, menus and cooking methods. Check ingredient/cooking prices separately before ordering. Itinerary subtotals exclude meals.
  • Hours and closuresBuilding hours listed 08:00–22:00; businesses vary. Cooking eligible floor 1 purchases has last orders 19:45; floor 2 restaurants 20:00. Closed fourth Sundays except December, when it opens daily. Individual New Year/Lunar New Year/lunar Obon closures apply.
  • Getting thereWalk 9 minutes from Makishi or 10 from Miebashi. Kencho-mae is near Kokusai Street's southern entrance, allowing street browsing from your hotel to the market.
  • Meals with your chosen ingredientsSome ingredients purchased downstairs can be cooked at upstairs restaurants. Ask which ingredients are accepted. Pay the seller for the ingredients and the restaurant separately for cooking; charges depend on the preparation.

Market hours, last orders and accessYui Rail Kencho-mae fares and ride timesBuying ingredients at Makishi Market and having them cooked upstairs

More about First Makishi Public Market and Kokusai Street →First Makishi Public Market/Kokusai Street: official tourism market guide2-day A: market meals, then Shurijo3-day A: day 2 at Churaumi4-day A: aquarium and Shurijo on separate days5-day A: 2 northern facilities together and leisurely Naha5-day B: southern activities, castle, museum and art
Nanjo caves and crafts

Okinawa World

おきなわワールド

Walk Gyokusendo and try park crafts. Give southern Nanjo City · 南城市 a day for underground scenery and making something yourself. Standard admission starts at the cave; crafts cost separately. Wheelchair/pushchair access differs between cave and other areas; the official accessible areas exclude the cave.

  • AdmissionAges 15 and above 2,000 yen; ages 4–14 1,000. Crafts cost separately.
  • Hours09:00–17:30, last admission 16:00. Recommended stay 3–5 hours.
  • Getting thereUse official vehicle destination 1336 Maekawa, Tamagusuku, Nanjo. The facility's approximately 30–40 minutes from Naha Airport can increase with traffic. It excludes hotel origins and hire-car collection.
  • ParkingOkinawa tourism guidance lists free parking for 400 cars, updated 21 October 2025, without guaranteeing spaces. Check parking-to-ticketing walks separately. Tourism facility information checked 8 October 2026.
  • Bus alternativeTake Maekawa 54 or Gyokusendo 83 from Naha Bus Terminal to Gyokusendo-mae, then walk 2 minutes. Southern days in 4-/5-day B use hire cars or chauffeured returns. For buses, select outward/return services together from operator timetables on the official access page.
  • MealsOfficial notices close soba restaurant Nantoya from 13 February 2026 until further notice. For SANGO, confirm same-day hours with the facility. Choose park lunch or Naha dinner after checking restaurant hours.

Okinawa World: admission, vehicles and taxi FAQOkinawa World official suggested visit lengthOkinawa World: address and bus accessTourism authority parking information for Okinawa WorldOkinawa World restaurant notice

More about Okinawa World →Okinawa World crafts4-day B: southern cave and Naha culture5-day B: southern activities, castle, museum and art

Frequently asked questions

Does Shurijo cost 400 or 1,000 yen?

Ordinary adult paid-area admission is 400 yen through 21 November 2026, 1,000 from 23 November. All areas close 22 November. On the 23rd, free castle areas open 11:15, paid areas and Seiden open at noon. Two-day A then needs an afternoon visit and sufficient hotel-luggage/airport time. Seiden interiors from the 23rd require date/time-reservation-inclusive tickets; unreserved tickets exclude them. Official prices/bookings checked 8 October 2026.

Shurijo admissionShurijo closures and opening hoursSeiden reservations, gates and viewing time

Does an aquarium ticket give half-price Tropical Dream Center entry?

Ordinary, group and externally sold aquarium tickets do not qualify. Official current half-price conditions apply to annual passes. Ordinary adult garden admission is 760 yen separately. Conditions checked 8 October 2026.

Tropical Dream Center: admission, hours and discounts

Can I visit Makishi Market on Sunday?

The market is closed fourth Sundays except December, when it opens daily. Check individual New Year/Lunar New Year/lunar Obon closures. Checked 8 October 2026.

Market hours, last orders and access

Official sources and check dates