Okinawa 4-Day Itinerary

Day 1 · Shuri Castle and Naha’s Kokusai Street Naha

1. 1. Shuri Castle (首里城)
   Shuri Castle is a Ryukyuan gusuku castle in the historic Shuri district of Naha, the capital of Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Wikipedia
   Best time: Morning · Admission: Park free · some areas paid — The main hall has been under reconstruction since the 2019 fire — check what's open / The castle walls overlook Naha
2. 2. Naminoue Shrine (波上宮)
   Naminoue Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, the ichinomiya (primary shrine) of the prefecture. Wikipedia
   Best time: Morning · Admission: Free — A shrine on a cliff — famously seen from Naminoue Beach below / Close to central Naha for a quick visit
3. 3. Fukushūen Garden (福州園)
   Best time: Afternoon · Admission: Free — A garden in the style of Fuzhou, Naha's sister city in China / Sometimes lit up in the evening
4. 4. Makishi Public Market (第一牧志公設市場)
   Best time: Lunch · Admission: Free to browse — Buy seafood downstairs and have it cooked upstairs (cooking fee) / Explore the surrounding arcades too
5. 5. Kokusai-dori (国際通り)
   Best time: Afternoon to evening · Admission: Free to browse — About 1.6 km of souvenir shops and Okinawan food / The side arcades feel more local

Day 2 · A drive along the central coast and sunset at American Village Onna, Yomitan & Chatan

1. 1. Cape Manzamo (万座毛)
   Best time: Sunset · Admission: Paid (small entrance fee) — The elephant-trunk cliff is the classic photo / A short loop — 20–30 minutes
2. 2. Cape Maeda (真栄田岬)
   Best time: Morning (calm seas) · Admission: Free — Famous as the starting point for Blue Cave snorkeling and diving / The steps down the cliff are steep
3. 3. Zakimi Castle Ruins (座喜味城跡)
   Best time: Sunset · Admission: Free — A World Heritage Ryukyu castle — curved walls with sea views / Quiet and uncrowded
4. 4. American Village (美浜タウンリゾート・アメリカンビレッジ)
   Best time: Sunset to evening · Admission: Free to browse — Watch the sunset at Sunset Beach next door, then have dinner / The Ferris wheel and streets light up at night

Day 3 · Churaumi Aquarium and Kouri Island Motobu, Nakijin & Kouri Island

1. 1. Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (沖縄美ら海水族館)
   The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, formerly known as the Okinawa Ocean Expo Aquarium, is a public aquarium located within the Ocean Expo Park in Okinawa, Japan. Wikipedia
   Best time: At opening or after 4 pm · Admission: Paid (discount after 4 pm) — Check whale-shark feeding times and get a spot at the big tank / About 2 hours' drive from Naha — pair with the north
2. 2. Bise-Fukugi Tree Road (備瀬のフクギ並木)
   Best time: Morning or sunset · Admission: Free — Village lanes under fukugi trees — explore by bicycle or water-buffalo cart / Close to Churaumi Aquarium
3. 3. Nakijin Castle Ruins (今帰仁城跡)
   Best time: Morning · Admission: Paid — A World Heritage castle with beautiful winding walls / Okinawa's cherry blossoms bloom here in late January to early February
4. 4. Heart Rock (ハートロック)
   Best time: Low tide · Admission: Free (paid parking) — You need low tide to get close and see the heart shape — check tide times / A small beach; a short stop

Day 4 · Caves of the south and sunset at Senagajima Nanjo, Itoman & Tomigusuku

1. 1. Sefa-Utaki (斎場御嶽)
   Best time: Morning · Admission: Paid — A sacred Ryukyu site — keep quiet and stay on the path / Closed on some lunar-calendar days — check first
2. 2. Okinawa World (Gyokusendo Cave) (おきなわワールド 玉泉洞)
   Best time: Daytime · Admission: Paid — The long limestone cave is humid with wet floors — non-slip shoes / Check the Eisa drum show times
3. 3. Peace Memorial Park (平和祈念公園)
   Best time: Morning · Admission: Park free · museum paid — A memorial to the Battle of Okinawa — a place for quiet reflection / Wide sea views from the coastal cliffs
4. 4. Umikaji Terrace Senagajima (瀬長島 ウミカジテラス)
   Best time: Sunset · Admission: Free to browse — Next to the airport — planes fly low overhead / Good for arrival or departure day

Sources

• Google Places — 장소 이름·위치
• Wikipedia — 장소 소개 (CC BY-SA 4.0)