Explora Journeys in Naha (Okinawa)

Naha is the capital of Okinawa and the heart of the old Ryukyu Kingdom, a culture that was its own seafaring nation before it was Japanese. The day splits cleanly between Shuri Castle, the rebuilt royal palace on the hill, and Kokusai-dori, the mile-long market street where Okinawan food and craft fill the storefronts.

What to do on a day in Naha (Okinawa)

• Shuri Castle (Shurijo), the former royal palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom and a UNESCO World Heritage site, reached via the Yui Rail monorail to Shuri Station
• Kokusai-dori (International Street), the roughly mile-long main shopping and dining avenue, about a 20-minute walk or a short shuttle from the terminal
• Makishi Public Market, just off Kokusai-dori, for Okinawan island produce, fish, and pork dishes
• Tsuboya pottery district, the historic ceramics quarter of narrow lanes near the market
• Fukushuen Garden, a classical Chinese garden reflecting Naha's centuries of trade ties with Fujian

Getting ashore

Ships dock alongside at the Naha Cruise Terminal (Wakasa Berth 8), a 340-meter pier with a boarding bridge straight into the terminal; a second ship may berth at the more industrial Pier 7. Kokusai-dori is about a 20-minute walk, or take the cruise-day shuttle bus that runs roughly every 30 minutes to the Kencho-mae area for a small fare. From there the Yui Rail monorail carries you up to Shuri Castle. One day comfortably covers the city and the castle.

When to book the ship's excursion vs your own →

Weather and when to visit

• Spring (late March to early May). Typically warm and pleasant, around 68 to 77F, dry and well ahead of the rainy season. The prime window for a Naha port day.
• Late autumn to winter (November to February). Typically mild and outside typhoon season, Naha averaging around 63F at the coolest. Note that June to October is typhoon season and mid-May to late June is the rainy season, so spring and late autumn calls see the steadiest weather.