Naminoue Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture. It is located on a high cliff overlooking Naminoue Beach and the ocean. Any boat that enters and exits the trading base of Naha Port looks to the shrine on top of the high cliff and prays for a safe journey, the shrine has always been revered and people pray for a rich fish catch and a rich harvest as well.
Each new year the king himself visited the shrine on behalf of his people to pray for the peace and prosperity of the nation. The Naminoue Shrine is admired as the "" main shrine of the kingdom "". It was classified as a Kanpei-shousha (Shrine of National Significance) and Okinawa Sochinju (Shrine that protects all of Okinawa) in the Meiji era, but it was destroyed during the war.
After the war, the shrine office (Shamusho) and the main shrine (Honden) were rebuilt in 1953. The church (Haiden) followed a little later and was rebuilt in 1961. In 2006 the Naminoque Shrine was declared a Historic Heritage Site of the City of Naha.
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From Naha Airport, it's a 10 minute monorail ride to Asahibashi Station, followed by a 15 minute walk.
A direct taxi ride from the airport takes about 10 minutes (~1200 yen).
Monorail passengers could alight at Kencho-mae station, and catch a bus (2, 5, 15, 45) from Paletter-kumoji-mae to Nishinjo stop, leaving a 3 minute walk to the shrine.
Naminoue Beach is the perfect place in Naha, Okinawa, when you want to refresh yourself after a long day of sightseeing. The close-by Naminoue Shrine is definitely worth a visit, too, overlooking the clear blue waters of Okinawa.
I stayed at the Hotel Grantia Naha, being part of the group Route Inn Hotels, a modern hotel not far from Naha port. It is about a 12-minute walk to Asahibashi Monorail Station and a 30-minute walk to Kokusai-dori, the city’s main street. There you can find lots of stores, restaurants and bars and also the Heiwa-dori Shopping Arcade. Very interesting as well is Makishi Public Market where you can find all the ingredients of the Okinawa cuisine like subtropical seafood, local pork and island vegetables.
Nahana is one of the best value 4 star hotels in Naha, Okinawa, Japan. Why not drop in at the Kotoran spa? The silky germanium bath take me to a state of bliss.
A short taxi ride from the Naha Bus Depot, Loisir Spa Tower Naha speaks of style,comfort and convenience.
A great steak house in Naha that won't be packed with tourists.
Mikasa Matsuyama is a traditional Okinawan homestyle restaurant in downtown Naha. The food is simple and inexpensive and incredibly delicious.
Bright colors and strong flavours assault your senses in this friendly eatery. The menu is perfect for a group to share a variety of dishes near Kokusai Dori
Kokusai-dori is Naha’s most famous street, stretching 1.6 kilometers through the city center and offering an around-the-clock experience of Okinawan culture. Once a quiet track before World War II, the street developed rapidly after the Ernie Pyle International Theater opened to serve U.S. servicemen. Today it is a bustling thoroughfare lined with shops, eateries, arcades, and entertainment venues. The street balances international convenience with strong local character. Global brands and chain stores stand beside family-run shops, food stalls, and covered markets. Heiwa-dori Arcade, located midway along, features narrow lanes filled with pottery, seafood, textiles, and shisa statues. These lion-dog guardians, placed in pairs, are symbols of protection and good fortune throughout Okinawa. Nearby Ichiba-hondori leads to a farmers’ market showcasing fresh produce, while Mutsumi-dori provides another glimpse into the city’s traditional shopping culture. Dining and nightlife are central to the Kokusai-dori experience. Visitors can sample Okinawan specialties at izakaya and restaurants, with awamori, a rice-based distilled spirit, frequently on the menu. Stronger varieties reach up to 60% alcohol content, while habushu—awamori infused with a preserved habu viper—offers a distinctive local specialty. Evenings are the most vibrant time to visit. Street performers gather on Saturdays, providing traditional music, folk dance, and contemporary acts. On Sundays the street is closed to vehicles, transforming into a pedestrian-friendly space filled with activity. Shops typically remain open until 11 p.m., and the nightlife in surrounding bars and venues continues into the early morning hours. Easily accessible from Naha Airport by monorail, Kokusai-dori serves as both a cultural introduction and a lively gathering place. With shopping, entertainment, and food available at nearly every hour, it remains the centerpiece of Naha’s urban life.
Shuri Castle was built in the 14th century and was the palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom. It was neglected for almost 400 years and suffered great damage during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. After the war, the castle was used as a university campus, but from 1992 it was rebuilt through extensive reconstructions based on historical records and photographs. The castle served as the administrative center for several centuries until Okinawa became a Japanese prefecture in 1879. The castle is listed as one of the Ryukyu Kingdom's castles declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
In the Battle of Okinawa, much was destroyed, but the dreams of the people were by no means lost. These dreams give hope for peace.