Naha

Okinawa's capital with Shuri Castle and markets

Naha, the capital of Okinawa Prefecture, was the centre of the Ryukyu Kingdom until the 19th century, ruled from Shuri Castle on the hill above. The city has more than 320,000 people and grew around a port that linked the kingdom with China and Southeast Asia. Visitors can walk Kokusai-dori, a 1.6 km shopping street, eat at Makishi Public Market or browse the pottery shops of Tsuboya. It's the airport and ferry hub for the whole prefecture, so it works as a one or two-night stop before the beaches or the Kerama Islands.

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City in Japan

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Safety: 8.5

General Safety:	9
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	7
Tap water:	8

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3/5

English is moderately available at major hotels, tourist spots and information centres. Staff at smaller restaurants and shops may have limited English, but signage and menus are often bilingual. A translation app is helpful.

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Last update: 21 Oct 2026

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Naha Summary

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Great for Okinawan culture and city beaches. Explore historic Ryukyu sites, shop lively markets, enjoy island cuisine and relax on nearby tropical beaches.

Place score

7.8

Best at:

Traditional culture

Crafts shopping

Sea

Spotless

Spirits

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

❤️ 8

Couples

Japan – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	100 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type A Type A: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Japanese Yen (JPY) £1 ≈ JP¥210
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cashless payments are becoming more common, especially in cities, with some shops still preferring cash. Be prepared for occasional cash-only situations in rural areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not customary in Japan and can be considered rude. Excellent service is the norm, and tipping is unnecessary in most places.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is legal and commonly accepted, particularly during festivals and events.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in indoor public places but allowed in designated outdoor areas. Some restaurants may have smoking sections.

New Year (January)	One of the most important holidays, expect crowded temples and high prices. Plan ahead.
Golden Week (April-May)	The busiest travel time, expect high demand for accommodation and transport.
Obon (August)	A time to honour ancestors, many businesses close, and transport can be crowded.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 110 (Police), 119 (Fire & Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, JapanTaxi, DiDi
Other:	Japan is a country of respect, so understanding local customs and etiquette is important. Public transport is efficient, but can be crowded during peak hours.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Naha, Japan

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Jan

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

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May

🌦️

Jun

🔥

Jul

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Aug

⛈️

Sep

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Oct

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Nov

☁️

Dec

High season:	April, July - Aug., Oct.
Shoulder season:	March, May, Sep., Nov.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Typhoon season July to October, peaking August to September, can cancel flights and ferries for days

Swimming and beach season roughly late April to October

Naha Giant Tug-of-War takes place in mid October

Don't miss

🏯 Explore the UNESCO Shurijo Castle, symbol of Ryukyu Kingdom
🛍️ Stroll and shop along lively Kokusai Street
🌿 Visit the serene Shikinaen Garden, a royal retreat
🏺 Discover local crafts on historic Tsuboya Pottery Street
🏖️ Relax at Naminoue Beach with ocean views
🍜 Sample Okinawan dishes at Makishi Public Market eateries

You've been here?

Why travel to Naha?

The Ryukyu Kingdom ruled the islands from Shuri Castle for centuries before Okinawa became part of Japan. Shuri Castle Park was listed as a World Heritage site in 2000 and is on a hill above the city with stone walls, gates and gardens. The main hall burned down in 2019 and its reconstruction affects what visitors can see, so check the park's website for what is open before going. Shikinaen Garden (a royal villa built in 1799 to host Chinese envoys) and Tamaudun (the royal burial site) are also part of the World Heritage listing. The everyday city is worth time too. Kokusai-dori is a 1.6 km street of souvenir shops, restaurants and bars, with covered arcades that go off it to Makishi Public Market. Tsuboya Yachimun Street is a cobblestone lane of about 50 pottery shops and kilns in a district with more than 300 years of pottery history. Naminoue Beach is the only beach in Naha where swimming is allowed, from April to October, though the main beach resorts are outside the city. The three-day tug-of-war festival each October is held on National Route 58 with tens of thousands of people there. The Kerama Islands are a short ferry ride from Tomari Port, from about 35 minutes by fast boat to Tokashiki. Most visitors give Naha one to two days and use it as a base for the islands or a hire car trip north. If beaches are the priority, stay at a resort elsewhere on the island and visit Naha for a day.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Fukushuen Garden
2 Kokusai Dori
3 Naminoue Shrine
4 Okinawa Prefectural Art Museum (Okimyu)
5 Shikinaen Royal Garden
6 Shuri Kinjocho Stone Pavement
7 Shuri Castle
8 Tamaudun

🎡Places for activities

1 Naminoue Beach
2 Tomari Port
3 Tsuboya Pottery Street

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Kerama Islands
2 Nagannu Island

🛍️Shopping

1 DFS Galleria Okinawa
2 Heiwa-dori Street
3 First Makishi public market
4 RYUBO
5 Tomari Port Fish Market (Tomari Iyumachi)

🍽️Eat & Drink

1 Shuri Soba
Shuri Soba makes handmade Okinawa soba with thick wheat noodles in a clear pork-and-bonito broth, topped with pork. It is in the historic Shuri district, around 10 minutes on foot from Shuri Castle and Shuri Station.
2 Maruyasu Soba
Maruyasu specialises in soki soba, Okinawa wheat noodles in pork-and-dashi broth with tender braised pork ribs. It is in central Naha near Kokusai-dori and Makishi Public Market, within the covered arcade streets.
3 Okinawa Soba Eibun
Eibun serves modern presentations of Okinawa soba, including bowls with tender pork ribs, slow-cooked pork belly and seasonal toppings. It is at 3-24-1 Tsuboya, near Tsuboya Pottery Street and about a 10-minute walk from Makishi Station.
4 Makishi Public Market
Makishi Public Market is Naha’s central food market, where visitors can buy tropical fish, seafood, pork and island produce on the ground floor and have selections cooked upstairs. It is in the covered arcade one block from Kokusai-dori, near Makishi Station.
5 Taco Rice Cafe Kijimuna Kokusai-dori
Kijimuna serves taco rice, Okinawa’s rice bowl topped with seasoned meat, cheese, lettuce and salsa, including its omelette-covered Ometaco version. It is on Kokusai-dori in central Naha, near Makishi Public Market and Makishi Station.
6 Lucky Tacos
Lucky Tacos specialises in tacos and taco rice, with generous casual portions suited to a quick meal. It is at 3-1-11 Makishi on Heiwa-dori, one street south of Kokusai-dori and near the market arcades.
7 Yuunangii
Yuunangii serves classic Okinawan home cooking such as goya champuru, rafute braised pork, umibudo sea grapes and island tofu. It is at 3-3-3 Kumoji, a short walk from Kokusai-dori and Kencho-mae Monorail Station.
8 Ukishima Garden
Ukishima Garden serves plant-based Okinawan-inspired meals using island vegetables, brown rice and seasonal produce. It is in the Ukishima-dori area just off Kokusai-dori, close to the Makishi and Tsuboya shopping lanes.
9 Mikado
Mikado is a long-running local diner serving Okinawan set meals such as chanpuru, taco rice and pork dishes. It is at 1-3-18 Matsuyama, near Kencho-mae Station and the northern end of Kokusai-dori.
10 Tsuboya Yachimun Street Café
This café-style stop serves coffee, sweets and light Okinawan dishes in the pottery-district atmosphere of Tsuboya. It is along Tsuboya Yachimun Street, near the Tsuboya Pottery Museum and a short walk from Makishi Public Market.

🎈Events

Shuri Castle Festival (October)
Naha Marathon (December)
Okinawa International Film Festival (April)
Okinawa Zento Eisa Festival (August)
Itoman Peaceful Illumination (December)
Naha Dragon Boat Race (May)
Naha Giant Tug-of-War (October)
Okinawa International Carnival (November)

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Buy fish or meat at Makishi Market and have it cooked upstairs.
The Yui Rail one-day pass costs JP¥1,000 (£4.73) and is valid for 24 hours from purchase.
Sakaemachi Market is a daytime market that turns into a lively drinking district at night.
The Naha Great Tug-of-War in October uses a rope 200 m long and you can take a piece home.

How to travel to Naha

Most visitors arrive by air at Naha Airport (OKA), which is at the southwestern edge of the city and is the main entry point for Okinawa and its outer islands. Flights run from Tokyo (about three hours), Osaka and many other Japanese cities as well as several nearby Asian cities such as Taipei, Seoul and Hong Kong. The Yui Rail monorail starts at the airport and reaches the Kokusai-dori area in about 10 to 15 minutes. Taxis and buses also serve the centre. A hire car can be picked up near the airport and suits trips beyond Naha. Cruise ships dock at Naha Port. Slow ferries from Kagoshima and other mainland ports take a day or more and run on limited schedules.

Access summary

From Naha Airport (OKA): Yui Rail or taxi to city, 10–20 minutes.
From mainland Japan (Tokyo/Osaka): Direct flights to Naha, around 2–3 hours.
Ferries connect Naha Port with nearby Okinawa islands for multi-island trips.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Naha

Most visitors stay around Kokusai-dori near the central monorail stations, where business hotels, guesthouses and mid-range hotels are within walking distance of restaurants and the monorail. Tomari near the port suits early ferries to the Kerama Islands. Omoromachi is a modern district with shopping malls close to the Okinawa Prefectural Museum and has a quieter feel. Naha isn't a beach-resort base so people focused on swimming and snorkelling usually book a resort elsewhere on the main island. Prices and occupancy rise during Golden Week in early May and the summer school holidays. Bookings near Kokusai-dori also tighten around the October tug-of-war. Typhoons can disrupt travel in late summer and early autumn so a flexible rate is sensible.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Hotel JAL City Naha

8.8

Almont Hotel Naha-Kenchomae

JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Naha

9.2

OKINAWA PRINCE HOTEL OCEAN VIEW GINOWAN

9.4

Hotel Gracery Naha

9.0

Daiwa Roynet Hotel Naha Omoromachi

8.7

Hotel Art Stay Naha Kokusai Street

9.0

Ryukyu Onsen Senagajima Hotel

8.9

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Naha

Naha is easy to cover without a car, with the Yui Rail monorail going from the airport through the city centre to Shuri. Kokusai-dori itself is best on foot.

Monorail:
The Yui Rail has 19 stations and runs from Naha Airport to Shuri. Kencho-mae, Makishi and Asahibashi stations serve Kokusai-dori and Tsuboya is a short walk from there. Shuri Station is about a 15-minute uphill walk from Shuri Castle.

Buses and taxis:
City buses from Naha Bus Terminal reach places the monorail doesn't. Taxis are plentiful for short trips.

Ferries and car:
For the Kerama Islands, ferries and fast boats leave from Tomari Port near the Tomarin passenger terminal. A hire car only makes sense for days outside Naha since the city's traffic is busy and parking is limited.

Food in Naha

Okinawan food differs from the mainland and a few dishes are worth looking for. Local drinks include Orion beer and awamori, Okinawa's distilled spirit. Pork and fish stock appear in many dishes so vegetarians should ask carefully.

Okinawa soba:
Okinawa soba is a bowl of wheat noodles in a pork and bonito broth usually topped with stewed pork or ribs.

Goya champuru and rafute:
Goya champuru is a stir-fry of bitter melon with tofu and egg. Rafute is pork belly braised until soft with soy sauce and brown sugar.

At Makishi Public Market you can buy fresh fish or meat downstairs and have it cooked upstairs. Tomari Iyumachi near the port serves fresh seafood and Sakaemachi's small bars and eateries stay lively late. Convenience stores and supermarkets cover breakfast and snacks.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-51 %

Daily expenses in Naha are around 51% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-20 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to JPY) is 20% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is considerably cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£35	£92	£218
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£15	£56	£98
🍝 Food per day	£15	£30	£95
🚕 Transportation per day	£5	£6	£24

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£11.50
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£3.60
🍟 Fast food combo	£3.80
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£6
☕ Cappuccino	£2.20
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£2.50

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.20
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£15
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.70

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£7.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£25
🤧 Cold medication	£7.50
💇 Basic haircut	£10.50

Safety information overview

General safety

Naha is very safe with low violent crime and lively streets around Kokusai-dori at night. Typhoons from summer to autumn can ground flights and cancel ferries. Swim only at supervised beaches and watch for jellyfish and strong currents.

Health & Medical

Naha has large hospitals and many clinics and pharmacies, though English is limited at smaller practices. The sun is strong from spring to autumn and summers are hot and humid, so heat and dehydration are the main risks. Travel insurance is sensible.

Accessibility

Kokusai-dori is flat and paved and the Yui Rail stations have lifts. The castle at Shuri sits on a hill with steps and slopes while Tsuboya's lane is cobblestone. Some older market arcades are narrow and crowded.

Tap water

Tap water in Naha is safe to drink like in the rest of Japan. Vending machines and convenience stores sell bottled water and cold drinks everywhere in the city. Heat can be intense in summer so carry a refillable bottle on longer walks.