Places to visit in Okinawa

Among the top places to visit in Okinawa is the Okinawa Zoo and Museum, a popular family hangout in southern Japan. The zoo has a children’s museum and is home to more than 1,000 animals belonging to over 150 species worldwide. While the animals live in a unique ecosystem based on local climatic conditions, the museum has hands-on exhibits for children. The complex also has gardens, fishing pond, and play areas for visitors.

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If you are looking for cultural tourist places in Okinawa, you need to visit the iconic Karate Museum here. Known as Okinawa Karate Kaikan and Okinawa Prefecture Karate Museum, the attraction narrates the history of the region as the birthplace of karate. The displays and exhibits have various documents and artefacts like uniforms and weapons to showcase the rise and growth of the sport. Enjoy a guided tour led by expert masters and learn fascinating details about Okinawa Karate here.

Checkout: Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

Discover the cultural history of the Pacific at the Oceanic Culture Museum, one of the top places to visit in Okinawa. The museum has a vast collection of over 700 artefacts that range from massive canoes to a floor map of the Pacific Ocean. You can also see over 140 million stars at the planetarium that forms a part of the museum. Other popular segments of the museum include the dolphin show and the iconic Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium.

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Explore one of the offbeat tourist places in Okinawa as you visit Ryukyu Glass Village, the largest handmade glass shop workshop in Okinawa. The most popular experience here is creating your own original glass with the help of professional artisan guides. The workshop also has several other hands-on classes where you can learn handcrafting in a relaxed atmosphere. Create glass and gel glass along with fancy items like photo frames, necklaces, bracelets and participate in the unmatched Shisa colouring experience here.

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Admire Okinawa’s diverse marine life as you explore Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, one of the family-friendly places to visit in Okinawa. The attraction is considered one of the biggest and best aquariums worldwide and is home to over 700 species of marine creatures. Some of its most popular exhibits include the massive Kuroshio Sea where you can see whale sharks, manta rays, and other rare species. From admiring corals to watching dolphin shows, there is a lot to witness here.

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Prepare to be awed by the natural beauty of the Valley of Gangala, one of the top places to visit in Okinawa for adventurers. The main attraction here are the limestone caves that were formed hundreds of thousands of years ago and have collapsed in recent years. A tour of the valley lets you admire the rugged landscape and spot landmarks like the 150-year-old Ufushu Gajumuru and small caves. You can also see an ongoing excavation here.

Checkout: Parks In Okinawa

Indulge in a memorable beach experience at the Onna Seaside Civil Park, one of the famous tourist places in Okinawa. The attraction lies in the Okinawa Resort Area in Onna Village and offers fun activities like banana boating, kayaking, and snorkelling. Simply sunbathe or cook up a delicious beach-side barbeque with your loved ones as you try local Okinawa cuisine here. The white sands and shallow waters are perfect for a relaxed and leisurely day out in Okinawa.

Those looking for an unforgettable beachfront experience need to explore Kouri Island, one of the lesser-known places to visit in Okinawa. The island is a tiny speck in the ocean with a radius of one kilometre and is connected to Okinawa by the Kouri Bridge. You can see the stunning Kouri Beach underneath the bridge, admire its beauty, and participate in numerous marine leisure activities. The island also has charming rock formations, cafes, and eateries for visitors.

Ranked among the most stunning places to visit in Okinawa, Kabira Bay offers unparalleled glass bottom boat tours to explore the pristine marine beauty. The boats leave every 20 minutes and offer an up-close glimpse into the undersea world of the bay. Spot turtles, clownfish, clams, and corals from so close that you feel you can touch them. From children to non-swimming adults, everyone can enjoy live views of the underwater world in this tour.