Experience Okinawa with All Five Senses: Recommended Cultural Experiences & Attractions
When traveling to Okinawa, we recommend not only enjoying the beautiful ocean but also experiencing the history, culture, and traditional crafts that have been passed down since the days of the Ryukyu Kingdom.
The area around our hotel is dotted with numerous spots where you can experience Okinawa’s unique scenery and culture.
Stroll through historic streets, try your hand at traditional crafts, or relax by the sea.
Why not experience the unique charm of Okinawa?
Places to Experience the History and Culture of the Ryukyu Kingdom
"Fuzhou-en" is a Chinese-style garden built to commemorate the friendship between China's Fujian Province and Okinawa.
This site is deeply connected to the historical background of the Kume area, offering a glimpse into the cultural exchange between China and the Ryukyu Kingdom.
The park features red-tiled buildings, gazebos, beautiful ponds, and waterfalls, allowing visitors to enjoy an exotic atmosphere right in the heart of Naha.
At night, the area is illuminated, creating a magical atmosphere.
Fuzhou Garden
"Fuzhou Garden" is a Chinese-style garden built to commemorate the establishment of a sister-city relationship between Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China, and Naha City.
As a landmark symbolizing the Kume area’s long history of close ties with China, it attracts many tourists.
The grounds feature pavilions and corridors inspired by traditional Chinese architecture, as well as beautiful ponds and waterfalls, creating a serene atmosphere that feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle of Naha.
The scenery, with its red-tiled roofs and stone buildings, has an atmosphere that shares certain similarities with Ryukyuan culture, allowing you to enjoy a leisurely stroll while soaking in the exotic ambiance.
Another attraction is the chance to enjoy the vibrant garden scenery by day and the magical illuminations by night.
It’s also a popular spot for photos and is highly recommended for creating lasting memories of your trip to Okinawa.
Kume Shisei Shrine
The "Temple of the Supreme Sage" is a historic building dedicated to the Chinese philosopher Confucius.
It was built as a symbol of the high regard in which the people of Kume Village held Chinese culture and scholarship.
The architecture, featuring vibrant reds and golds, is exceptionally striking and clearly reflects strong influences from Chinese culture. It offers a unique atmosphere rarely found in Okinawa, allowing visitors to stroll through the quiet grounds while immersing themselves in history.
Although the current building is a reconstruction, it remains a valuable site that serves as a testament to Kume Village’s role in supporting the diplomacy, culture, and education of the Ryukyu Kingdom. It is highly recommended for anyone interested in learning about Okinawa’s history.
Experience Okinawan traditional crafts
Trying your hand at traditional crafts unique to Okinawa is a popular way to create lasting travel memories.
You can experience Okinawan culture while creating your very own original piece.
[Glass Studio] Do OKINAWA
"Ryukyu glass" is a popular traditional craft of Okinawa.
At "Do OKINAWA," you can easily try your hand at making this colorful Ryukyu glass.
In our glass and small-object workshops, you’ll create your very own original pieces by selecting the colors and shapes of the glass.
Our skilled artisans provide attentive guidance, so even first-time participants can join with confidence.
With their blue hues and colorful designs reminiscent of the Okinawan sea, these items make perfect souvenirs or mementos of your trip.
Every time you use your finished piece in your daily life, memories of your trip to Okinawa will come flooding back.
[Yachimun Pottery Workshop] Ikutouen
This long-established workshop is a flagship of "Yachimun no Sato Tsuboya," a community with a history spanning approximately 300 years. While cherishing traditional techniques, it continues to create tableware that fits seamlessly into modern lifestyles.
Here, you can enjoy making shisa and pottery under the careful guidance of skilled artisans.
In particular, creating a shisa with a facial expression that suits your taste makes the very process of shaping it a wonderful memory of your trip. The joy of receiving your finished piece at home a few days later is another unique pleasure of this hands-on experience.
[Bingata Dyeing Workshop] Gusuku Bingata Dyeing Studio
"Bingata" is a noble dyeing technique that has been passed down since the Ryukyu Kingdom era. At this workshop, you can experience its vibrant colors and unique designs up close.
Here, you can try your hand at Bingata dyeing, applying your favorite colors to fabric that has already been stenciled. While using traditional motifs, the coasters and tote bags you create with your own unique color palette will vividly bring the scenery of Okinawa to mind every time you use them. The time spent quietly layering colors is a soothing and luxurious experience.
A relaxing spot where you can enjoy the ocean and nature
Naminoue Shrine
Naha’s most famous shrine, “Hana-Ue-Gū,” is a scenic spot perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean. It has been cherished as a place of prayer since the days of the Ryukyu Kingdom.
The main attraction is the striking contrast between the shrine’s vibrant vermilion walls—so characteristic of Okinawa—and the blue sea stretching out before it. Standing within the grounds, you can hear the sound of waves in the distance and feel a pleasant sea breeze blowing through. There’s a strangely soothing atmosphere here that makes you forget you’re in the city.
Nami-no-Ue Beach
Just below Naminoue Shrine lies Naminoue Beach, the only place in Naha where you can enjoy swimming in the ocean. Despite its location right next to the city, the water is crystal clear, creating a striking contrast with the white sandy beach and making it a true urban oasis.
The highlight here is looking up at the cliff from the water’s edge. The lush greenery of the sheer cliff and the vermilion hue of Namihama Shrine perched atop it create a unique landscape that seems to pierce the blue sky.
Whether you’re swimming, simply sitting on the sandy beach listening to the sound of the waves, or strolling along the well-maintained promenade, you can fully enjoy the unique sense of openness that Naha’s ocean offers.
Embark on a journey to experience the unique charms of Okinawa
The best part of a trip to Okinawa isn't just the beautiful emerald-green sea.
This island is brimming with a diverse array of attractions that appeal to all the senses, including a unique history dating back to the Ryukyu Kingdom era, a rich culture deeply rooted in the daily lives of its people, and traditional crafts that showcase the skill of local artisans.
Try your hand at traditional dyeing and pottery to create lasting memories, or visit sacred sites and historical landmarks to reflect on the island’s history. Through strolls through the town and cultural experiences, immerse yourself in Okinawa’s unique atmosphere and the warm, welcoming lifestyle of its people, and enjoy a special journey that will leave a lasting impression on your heart.