Okinawa (Ryukyu Islands) is the most culturally unique region among Japan's 47 prefectures, with nearly 600 years of independent kingdom history (1429-1879) and retaining the Ryukyu language, Ryukyu religious beliefs, and sanshin music traditions to this day. Unlike Japan's mainland washoku culture, Okinawan cuisine incorporates cooking elements from China's southeastern coast, Fujian immigrants, and Taiwan, forming a unique "Ryukyu cuisine" system. The reconstruction project following the 2019 Shuri Castle fire is expected to complete the main hall structure by 2026, and since the Kerama Islands were designated as a national park in 2014, their "Kerama Blue" coral reef ecosystem has been recognized by the global diving community as Japan's best diving spot. This article provides you with Okinawan history and culture, attraction fees, diving costs, and food recommendations to help you plan a deep Ryukyu cultural journey in 2026.
The independent kingdom history of Ryukyu can be traced back to the Ryukyu Kingdom established in 1429, which experienced over 200 years of prosperity during the First Sho and Second Sho dynasties. At that time, it maintained diplomatic relations with the Chinese Ming and Qing dynasties through tribute trade, while also paying allegiance to the Satsuma Domain of Japan, forming a unique "dual-subordination" political position. In 1879, Japan formally annexed the Ryukyu Kingdom and established Okinawa Prefecture, from which Ryukyu culture entered a historical phase of suppression and assimilation. It is noteworthy that Okinawa still retains "Ryukyu" as a cultural identity label, and the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly passed a resolution regarding "Ryukyu autonomous governance" in 2018, reflecting residents' insistence on their cultural subjectivity. In terms of language, the Ryukyu language (Uchinaaguchi) has only about 40% interchangeability with Japanese, and linguists classify it as an independent language rather than a Japanese dialect. This linguistic独立性 is key to understanding the uniqueness of Ryukyu culture.
As the political and ritual center of the Ryukyu Kingdom, Shuri Castle's history can be traced to the late 14th century, becoming the royal residence in 1429. After the Satsuma Domain invasion in 1609, it retained its royal status until 1879. The Shuri Castle main hall (御殿) caught fire due to a short circuit on the morning of October 31, 2019, and the main building complexes including the North Hall and South Hall were almost completely destroyed. The loss was assessed as "the most severe cultural heritage disaster in Okinawa since the post-war period." The reconstruction is currently underway. In March 2023, world heritage components including the Shureimon Gate and the Enkanbi no Udun Stone Gate were first opened to the public, with an admission fee of JPY 400 (adult ticket). The main structure of the main hall is expected to be completed by 2026, when more areas will be reopened for visitor access. When visiting Shuri Castle, it is recommended to plan at least 2 hours, because even with some areas restricted, the walking route from Shureimon Gate to Kankaimon Gate and Reisemon Gate can still体验 the urban planning logic of the Kingdom period—the "Unuhara" area of the royal residence strictly separates the living spaces of the royal family and the samurai class. This spatial order is an important clue to understanding the class system of Ryukyu society.
Churaumi Aquarium (Ocean Expo Park・Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium) is one of the world's largest coral reef aquariums, rebuilt in 1987 on the site of the International Ocean Expo, with a total display water volume of 7,500 tons. The most famous feature is the "Kuroshio Sea" display tank—an acrylic observation window with a depth of 8.2 meters and a width of 22.5 meters, housing deep-sea species including whale sharks and giant oceanic manta rays. The aquarium ticket is JPY 1,880 (adult), or JPY 2,450 for the "Ocean Expo Park" combined ticket (including Sea Turtle Museum, Dugong Museum, and Beach). Opening hours are 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM (extended to 7:00 PM during summer peak season). There is a whale shark feeding show at 10:30 AM and 2:30 PM daily (free viewing). For diving enthusiasts, the value of Ocean Expo Park lies not only in its exhibits but also in its background as a research base for Okinawan marine studies—the coral reef breeding program here directly supports the coral reef restoration project in the Kerama Islands. Therefore, visiting the aquarium is, to some extent, supporting the long-term conservation of Okinawa's marine ecology. It is recommended to allow 3-4 hours, because besides the aquarium itself, the "Tropical Dream Center" greenhouse and beach plaza within Ocean Expo Park are also worth exploring.
The Kerama Islands (Kerama Shotō) are located about 30 kilometers west of Naha City, consisting of over 20 islands. In 2014, they were designated as Japan's 32nd national park, with an average water visibility exceeding 40 meters. Diving enthusiasts refer to this as "Kerama Blue" (ケ라마ブルー)—this deep neon blue海水 color is formed by a unique visual phenomenon created by the contrast of sunlight reflecting off seabed rocks and coral bleaching. The Kerama waters have recorded over 390 coral species, accounting for over 60% of Japan's total coral species. The number of green sea turtles and hawksbill turtles nesting here is also the largest in mainland Japan. A day trip diving tour from Naha costs an average of JPY 12,000-18,000 (including equipment rental, 2-3 dives, and lunch), with price differences depending on liveaboard conditions and dive site distance. It is recommended to visit during spring from March to June, when water temperature rises to 22-26 degrees and the typhoon season has not yet begun, making the surface calmer. Tokashiki Island and Zamami Island are the main accommodation and diving departure points. Tokashiki Island has more guesthouses (JPY 5,000-8,000/night in off-season), while Zamami Island features compact diving lodges.
Naha Kokusai Dōri (Kokusai Street) is the most bustling commercial street in Okinawa, stretching 1.6 km from the prefectural office intersection to Asato. Developed after the war based on the US military base economy, it has become the core area for sightseeing and shopping. The store composition on Kokusai Dōri reflects the mixed nature of Ryukyu culture and modern消费: Awamori specialty stores (such as "Kumesen" and "Reisen") offer options ranging from basic bottles at JPY 1,500 to aged 20-year bottles at JPY 8,000; sea salt skincare stores (such as "Shioya" and "Ganesha") offer facial cleansers and bath salts priced at approximately JPY 1,200-2,500; Ryukyu textiles (Shuri silk, bashō fabric) as high-end souvenirs range from JPY 3,000 for handkerchiefs to JPY 50,000 for kimono obi. Peak pedestrian traffic on Kokusai Dōri is from 4 PM to 9 PM. Visiting in the morning allows for a more relaxed tour of souvenir shops with parking. The nearby "Makishi Public Market" is the best place to experience Okinawan everyday life. The first floor is a fresh market (6 AM to noon), and the second floor is a food court. After purchasing seafood, you can ask shopkeepers upstairs to cook it for you (cooking fee JPY 300-500).
Okinawan cuisine (Ryukyu cuisine) fundamentally differs from Japan's mainland washoku in terms of ingredient selection and cooking logic. First, Okinawa soba (Okinawan soba) is made from wheat flour rather than buckwheat flour, with a broth made from pork bones and bonito fish, commonly topped with pork belly (Rafute) and bitter melon (Gōya), priced at JPY 600-900. Stores like "Facing the Sea Breeze" and "Tanashi Pig Farm" in Naha city proper offer more authentic flavors. Second, Champuru (stir-fried bitter melon with tofu) represents Okinawan home cooking, reflecting the cooking techniques brought by Chinese Fujian immigrants—stir-frying tofu, bitter melon, island tofu (the local hard tofu), and luncheon meat (or ham), is a key dish for understanding the Fujian roots of Ryukyu cuisine. Third, Awamori, as a unique distilled liquor of Ryukyu, is made from Thai rice, fermented with black koji mold and then distilled, with an alcohol content typically ranging from 25-43 degrees. Prices range from mass-produced JPY 800 to aged over 10-year bottles at JPY 3,000 or more. It is noteworthy that Okinawa residents have one of the highest average life expectancies among Japan's 47 prefectures (women's average life expectancy has long ranked first), which is closely related to the low-salt, high-protein composition of traditional Okinawan cuisine.
For a deeper comparison of accommodation options and transportation connections across different areas of Okinawa, please refer to the complete Okinawa travel guide and merchant pages for each major attraction. If you plan to visit Okinawa in spring 2026 to view the cherry blossoms or participate in the Shuri Castle main hall reopening ceremony, it is recommended to book hotels in Naha city 6 months in advance (peak season room rates approximately JPY 15,000-25,000/night). For diving enthusiasts, liveaboard diving in the Kerama Islands usually requires booking 2 months in advance, especially during the humpback whale season from April to June.
FAQ：
Q1：What is the best travel season for Okinawa?
A1：The best travel season for Okinawa is spring from March to May, with average temperatures of 20-25 degrees and moderate rainfall. This allows you to avoid the typhoon season from June to October and the hot summer crowds from July to August. If you want to experience the opening of Shuri Castle main hall after reconstruction is completed in 2026, it is recommended to visit during the cherry blossom season from late March to early April.
Q2：How much does diving cost in the Kerama Islands?
A2：A day diving tour in the Kerama Islands costs JPY 12,000-18,000, including 2-3 dives, equipment rental, lunch, and boat fees. If you stay on Zamami Island or Tokashiki Island (guesthouse JPY 5,000-8,000/night) and participate in a multi-day diving package, the average daily diving cost can be reduced to JPY 8,000-10,000.
Q3：What are the current admission fees and open areas of Shuri Castle?
A3：The currently open areas of Shuri Castle include Shureimon Gate, Enkanbi no Udun Stone Gate, and other world heritage components. The adult admission fee is JPY 400. After the main hall reconstruction is completed in 2026, more areas will be reopened. It is recommended to check the official website before your visit for the latest opening status.
Q4：How much is the admission fee for Churaumi Aquarium?
A4：The adult admission fee for Churaumi Aquarium is JPY 1,880, and the Ocean Expo Park combined ticket (including Sea Turtle Museum, Dugong Museum, and Beach) is JPY 2,450. There is a free whale shark feeding show at 10:30 AM and 2:30 PM daily. It is recommended to allow 3-4 hours for your visit.
Q5：What are the must-buy souvenirs on Naha Kokusai Dōri?
A5：Recommended souvenirs from Naha Kokusai Dōri include: Awamori (starting from JPY 1,500 for basic variants, JPY 3,000 or more for aged bottles), sea salt skincare products (facial cleanser JPY 1,200-2,500), Ryukyu textiles (handkerchiefs starting from JPY 3,000, kimono obi JPY 20,000-50,000), and Okinawan brown sugar (600g pack approximately JPY 500-800). It is recommended to visit Kokusai Dōri in the morning to avoid crowds. In the afternoon, you can walk to the nearby Tsuboya pottery street to purchase traditional Ryukyu pottery.
