Best Things to do in Naha, Okinawa – Without a Car
Are you planning a trip to Okinawa and wondering whether it’s possible to enjoy the island without renting a car?
While having a vehicle makes it easier to explore Okinawa’s remote beaches and place sup north, the good news is that you can experience many of the best things to do in Naha, entirely without relying on a vehicle.
Start your Okinawa vacation in the capital city, Naha. It is the perfect base to get a sense of Okinawa. It’s very walkable and has a reliable monorail that reaches places like the must-see Naha Castle.
Whether you are visiting Naha for a weekend getaway, arriving on a cruise ship, or stopping by to check out the tropical vibes, this guide covers the best things to do in Naha, must-see attractions, and local food recommendations, all without the need of a rental car.
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You can absolutely visit Okinawa without a car, especially if you plan on staying in Naha.
While renting a car is often recommended for visitors that want to explore northern Okinawa, Naha itself is well connected by public transportation and is very pedestrian friendly.
Many of Naha’s most popular attractions including Shuri Castle, Kokusai Dori, and Makishi Public Market are all accessible by monorail or on foot.
Okinawa's Urban Monorail (Yui Rail)
Outside of Kokusai Dori, the easiest way to get around Naha without a car is by using the Yui Rail, Okinawa’s monorail. It runs from Naha Airport to Tedako-Uranishi Station.
The Rui Rail runs frequently throughout the day. It’s both convenient and affordable.
The Yui Rail is clean, pretty basic in terms of navigation, and offers English signage, making it very useful for first-time visitors to Okinawa.
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Things to do in Naha
If you are planning on staying in Naha and relying on the monorail to get around, you could easily spend 2-days in Naha and cover a good amount of the city.
I’ve been to Naha dozens of times and every time there is always something new to explore, it never gets old! In fact, I think Naha is probably one of the most underrated cities in Japan.
If you are visiting Naha before venturing on to explore more of Okinawa, or perhaps you just landed at the cruise terminal, I’ve listed out the must-visit attractions and things to do in Naha.
Shuri Castle
One the seat of the Ryukyu Kingdom, Shuri Castle is a historic site in Naha that is a must visit. It’s not walkable from Kokusai Dori street or Naha Airport.
Instead, I recommend taking the Yui Rail to Shuri Station. From Shuri Station it’s a 10-15 minute walk to the entrance.
Shuri Castle unfortunately burned down October 31, 2019 and is still being rebuilt. But is expected to be complete November 23, 2026.
Visitors can still go o Shuri Castle and view the reconstruction in progress. You can still walk the castle grounds and explore within the walls, so it’s well worth visiting.
Shikina-en Royal Gardens
Personally, I recommend visiting Shikina-en Royal Gardens within the same trip as Shuri Castle. It’s 1.8 km away or about 30 minutes of walking. If you are not up for the walk, take a taxi or call an Uber, it’s well worth it.
Shikina-en Royal Gardens is one of my favorite hidden gems in Naha. It’s a peaceful garden that was once used as a retreat by the Ryukyu royal family.
If you are lucky, you might see a traditional performance going on. I was lucky enough to watch a sanshin (traditional Okinawa string instrument) performance.
Sueyoshi Park
If you are more interested in nature and want to see what Okinawa really looks like, I recommend taking the monorail to either Gibo Station or Naha City Hospital Station and walk through Sueyoshi Park.
This is one of my favorite nature escapes in Okinawa, you can easily spend a half day here walking the shaded trails, crossing small bridges, and visiting the Sueyoshigu Shinto Shrine.
This is a great destination spot in Naha if you don’t have a car and want to experience a different side of Naha, plus it’s not touristy at all.
Naminoue Shrine
Naminoue Shrine is an iconic Okinawa landmark. If you are going to the airport or coming from, you’ll see Naminoue Shrine perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean below. It’s a unique and beautiful shrine.
It’s accessible from Naha and can get crowded with tourists due to its beauty and accessibility. I love visiting earlier in the morning when it’s quieter and calmer.
Fukushuen Garden
Not a far walk from Naminoue Shrine, Fukushuen Garden is a beautiful Chinese-style garden that feels like an oasis in the middle of Naha, complete with waterfalls, ponds, ridges, and traditional architecture.
Fukushuen Garden is not a huge attraction and doesn’t see many tourists, which is why I love it here. I highly recommend adding Fukushuen Garden to your Naha itinerary.
Kokusai Dori Shopping Street
No visit to Naha is complete without spending time on Kokusai Dori, the city’s most famous shopping and entertainment street. Kokusai Dori is the heart of Naha.
As someone who lives in Okinawa, I find myself here regularly for the atmosphere, food, and shopping.
Kokusai Dori is perfect for both locals and tourists. You can find all your typical Okinawan souvenirs here and restaurants.
There are stores selling Shisa (Okinawa’s famous Lion-Dog guardian), Habushu (local awamori-based liqueur), and everything else related to Okinawa.
If you’ve been to mainland Japan and know of Don Quijote, you can find one here as well!
For clothing, I highly recommend getting a Kariyushi shirt. It’s a style of “Hawaiian” shirt that is from Okinawa. My favorite store to get these is Mango House, multiple locations.
Walk the Covered Arcade Streets
Kokusai Dori is just one area of Naha that is full of touristy shops, restaurants, and local stores. But there are several covered shopping streets known as arcades that branch of Kokusai Dori that I feel are a must!
The covered shopping streets offer more of a local feel, with narrow walkways filled with souvenir shops, snack vendors, craft stores, vintage stores, and family-run businesses.
These streets are completely covered, which makes for a perfect rainy-day in Okinawa.
At night, these shopping streets completely change as Izakaya’s and drinking establishments open.
Whether you are here to grab lunch and meander through the shops during the day or come to party at night, the covered shopping streets are one of my favorite places to explore in Naha.
Makishi Public Market
If you are looking to experience Okinawan food and culture under one roof, head to the Makishi Public Market. It’s right off Kokusai Dori located within the covered streets.
If you plan to eat here or not, it’s fun to browse the local market filled with vendors selling fresh seafood, local produce, snacks, and regional specialties.
You can pick out your seafood downstairs and have a restaurant upstairs cook it for you. Although expensive, it’s worth trying out.
Tip, there are free restrooms at Makishi Public Market.
Tsuboya Yachimun Pottery Street
One of the most charming areas in Naha and a place I recommend buying a Shisa statue is Tsuboya Yachimun Pottery Street.
Tsuboya Yachimun Pottery is a historic neighborhood known for its traditional Okinawan pottery.
I’ve bought two sets of Shia at two different locations.
Even if you are not planning on buying anything, the quiet street and beautiful traditional homes make it a pleasant place in Naha to explore.
Hacksaw Ridge
For those that are interested in Okinawa’s WWII history, I’ve included visiting Hacksaw Ridge, since you can take the monorail to Urasoemaeda Station and walk to Hacksaw Ridge.
For those that don’t know, Hacksaw Ridge oficially known as the Maeda Escarpment was a defense line for the Japanese military to protect the 32nd Army Headquarters at Shuri Castle.
An intense battle between the Japanese military and United States Marines occurred here.
This location was made famous by Mel Gibson’s movie, Hacksaw Ridge.
Outside of the WWII battle sites located here, there are castle ruin, the Urasoe Yodore Mausoleum, walking trails, and playgrounds.
Naha Attractions by Yui Rail Stations
One of the best things about visiting Naha without a car is how easy it is to get around using the monorail or Yui Rail.
The monorail connects Naha Airport with many of the city’s top attractions. To help plan your trip, here are some of the best attractions and things to do in Naha near some of the Yui Rail Station.
| Station | Best Attractions |
|---|---|
| Naha Airport | Naha Airport, Rental Car Centers |
| Onoyama Park | Onoyama Park, Okino-gu Shrine |
| Asahibashi | Naha Bus Terminal, Hotels |
| Makishi | Kokusai Dori, Tsuboya Yachimun Pottery Street |
| Omoromachi | Okinawa Prefectural Museum, Shopping & Dining |
| Gibo | Sueyoshi Park |
| Shuri | Shuri Castle, Shureimon Gate, Tamaudun |
| Urasoemaeda | Hacksaw Ridge, Urasoe Castle Ruins |
FAQs About Naha
Yes, you can visit Okinawa without a car, especially if staying in Naha. Naha is served by the Yui Rail, local buses, taxis, and is walkable. Many of Naha's most popular attractions can be reached on foot or via monorail.
Absolutely! Naha is the perfect base for exploring Okinawa and you don't even need a car. There are historic sites, local markets, shopping streets, gardens, beaches, and local restaurants that are easily accessible without driving.
I recommend spending at least two days in Naha. This gives you time to explore Shuri Castle and other sites in the area then a whole day in and around Kokusai Dori.
Naha is very pedestrian friendly, so on foot is the best way to see Kokusai Dori, the arcade streets and Makishi Public Market. If you want to venture further from the city center, then Naha has a reliable monorail system.
The Yui Rail runs directly from Naha Airport to central Naha. It's a quick and affordable journey.
Many parts of Naha are very walkable, especially around Kokusai Dori. I've been to Naha dozens of times and find it to be one of the most pedestrian friendly cities in Japan.
I always say, the food in Okinawa is better then mainland Japan. The reason - you can find everything you do on mainland Japan, plus Okinawa Soba, Taco Rice, Goya Champuru, and Okinawa Tempura.
Check out my Okinawa Food Guide for a detailed guide and must-eat places.
There are a lot of day trips from Naha that are offered. Several destinations can be reached by ferry, bus, or organized tour. Popular options include the Kerama Islands for snorkeling, American Village, and Nanjo.
Conclusion
While most visitors associate Okinawa with rental cars and driving, Naha proves that you can have an incredible experience without getting behind a vehicle.
Without renting a car, you can see some of Okinawa’s top attractions, like Shuri Castle, Kokusai Dori, and the Royal Gardens.
As someone who lives in Okinawa, I often recommend visitors spend a few days exploring Naha before venturing around our tropical island. Naha offers a unique blend of Ryukyu history, modern attractions, and local food.
Whether you are visiting Naha for a weekend, arriving via cruise ship, or looking to save money on rental cars, there are plenty of things to do in Naha to keep you busy.
I hope this guide helps you plan your trip to Naha and you can feel at ease knowing you don’t have to rent a car in Okinawa.
If you have any favorite places in Naha or recommendations, let me know in the comments below. I’m always looking for new places to check out. Safe Travels!
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