19 Fun Things to Do in Naha, Okinawa – Places to Go, Local Food & Sightseeing Tips

The eclectic city of Naha is the capital of Okinawa and has no shortage of places to see and fun things to do in this island paradise.

Browse & Book hotels in Okinawa

Browse & Book ▶ Summer 2023! Ranking of sightseeing spots in Okinawa

Browse & Book ▶ Summer 2023! Ranking of activities in Okinawa

1. Okuma Beach

Almost a kilometer long, Okuma Beach’s smooth white sand, sparkling waters, and colorful beach cottages are picture-perfect.

Popular due to its wide selection of marine sports and leisure activities, Okuma is guaranteed to help kick your vacation into high gear. And surrounded by pristine coral reefs with high visibility, it is also known as one of the world’s best windsurfing spots.

2. Emerald Beach

True to its name, Emerald Beach was selected as one of the 55 Best Beaches in Japan by the Environment Agency.

Every summer, it becomes a hot spot for various local festivals, parties, and fireworks. But at any time of year, visitors can enjoy swimming in its calm, pristine waters, relaxing in the shade, and watching the sunset over neighboring Ie Island.

3. 21st Century Forest Park

This may be an artificial bay, but you can have some real fun here at the three different beach sections that play host to year-round activities, like beach volleyball and barbeques.

Located inside a large park that houses a baseball stadium, you can catch the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters at their annual baseball spring training camp. Summertime is prime time for swimming in the warm waters.

4. Busena Beach

Busena Cape boasts a luxury resort, a marine park with an underwater observatory, and a beach with a pier offering marine activities, such as glass-bottom boats.

Whether you are staying at the Busena Terrace Hotel as a guest or just a day tripper, everyone will enjoy the resort atmosphere. The cape’s Bankoku Shinryokan Hall once hosted the 2000 Kyushu-Okinawa G-8 Summit at its world-class MICE facility.

5. Moon Beach

Named after its perfect semicircular shape, Moon Beach is located in the popular resort area Onna Village, and though attached to a hotel, is open to the public.

Visitors have a choice of marine leisure programs to try, and the truly adventurous can take a picnic cruise on an uninhabited island.

6. Blue Cave

One of the most famous spots on the island, the Blue Cave draws divers, kayakers and snorkellers who all want to see the stunning sapphire colors hidden inside.

Located just off Cape Maeda in Onna Village, you can watch schools of fish pass by, such as Bigscale Soldierfish and local favorite Ryukyu Sweepers.

7. Hatenohama (Kume Island)

Just offshore Kume Island, and surrounded by untouched reefs, is one of Japan’s biggest shoals – a sandy bank almost seven kilometres from east to west.

The shoal is divided into three sections for tourist access, a…

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