Introducing Instagram-Worthy Photos of Okinawa Prefecture
Okinawa Prefecture has flourished through its unique culture and history since the Ryukyu Kingdom era, enriched by interactions with various Asian countries. Despite its history as a battlefield during World War II, today it is renowned for its beautiful beach resorts such as the Kerama Islands, Miyako Island, Ishigaki Island, and Iriomote Island, making it a popular tourist destination.
Shuri Castle
Once the royal palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom, Shuri Castle was the center of Okinawa’s politics, culture, religion, and art. Destroyed during World War II, it was reconstructed in 1992 with a red-based style reflecting designs from the 18th century and was registered as a World Heritage site in 2000. However, a major fire struck it again in 2019, and restoration efforts are ongoing.
Instagram Worthiness:★★★★★
Photography Opportunity: All seasons
Location Information: ▶Map, Hours, Routes
Transportation Information: 5-minute walk from Shuri Station
Tamaudun Mausoleum
Tamaudun is the mausoleum of the Ryukyu Kingdom’s successive kings, located in Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture. Built in 1501 by the third king, Sho Shin, to entomb his father, Sho En, the mausoleum is carved from natural rock, featuring a triangular roof and house-shaped tomb. The interior is divided into three chambers, and an adjacent museum showcases its structure. It is part of the World Heritage and is the largest royal tomb in Okinawa.
Instagram Worthiness:★★★★★
Photography Opportunity: All seasons
Location Information: ▶Map, Hours, Routes
Transportation Information: 23-minute bus ride from Naha BT, 7-minute walk
Himeyuri Monument
The Himeyuri Student Corps was a medical unit of students and teachers who provided medical support during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. Consisting of 222 students from Okinawa Normal School Girls’ Division and Okinawa First Girls’ High School and 18 teachers, they were mobilized as nursing staff for the Okinawa Army Hospital. They retreated to southern Okinawa with the advancing US forces and were disbanded on June 18, 1945, resulting in over 100 deaths. The Himeyuri Monument, built on the site of the Ihara Third Surgical Cave where many sought refuge and perished, commemorates their sacrifices. The Himeyuri Peace Museum, opened in 1989, displays their belongings, testimonies, and dioramas to convey the horrors of war and the importance of peace.
Instagram Worthiness:★★★★★
Photography Opportunity: All seasons
Location Information: ▶Map, Hours, Routes
Transportation Information: 50-minute bus ride from Naha BT
Cape Manzamo
Cape Manzamo got its name from the Ryukyu king’s praise in the early 18th century, meaning “a field big enough to seat 10,000 people.” This area features a large natural grassy plain on a Ryukyu limestone plateau and a cliff resembling an elephant’s trunk, making it a popular photo spot.
Instagram Worthiness:★★★★★
Photography Opportunity: All seasons
Location Information: ▶Map, Hours, Routes
Transportation Information: 1-hour 38-minute bus ride from Naha BT, 14-minute walk
Gyokusendo Cave
Located about 30 minutes by car from Naha Airport in “Okinawa World,” Gyokusendo Cave is one of the largest limestone caves in Japan. The park also features tropical fruit gardens, a Ryukyu Kingdom-era village, and a habu (pit viper) museum. The cave extends about 5 kilometers, with 890 meters open to the public.
Instagram Worthiness:★★★★★
Photography Opportunity: All seasons
Location Information: ▶Map, Hours, Routes
Transportation Information: 36-minute bus ride from Naha BT
Kokusai Street
Kokusai Street, located in the center of Naha City, stretches about 1.6 km and is known as the “Miracle Mile.” Revived from ruins after World War II, the street is now bustling with souvenir shops, Okinawan cuisine restaurants, general stores, pubs, cafes, and restaurants, attracting many tourists. Every Sunday, it becomes a pedestrian zone with street performances and events. Nearby Makishi Public Market has about 130 shops offering fresh local vegetables, fish, and specialties, providing visitors with a vibrant experience of local culture and unique ingredients.
Instagram Worthiness:★★★★★
Photography Opportunity: All seasons
Location Information: ▶Map, Hours, Routes
Transportation Information:Naha city center
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
Okinawa Ocean Expo Park, opened in 1976 to commemorate the 1975 Okinawa International Ocean Exposition, houses the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, one of the largest aquariums in the world. Visitors can see a variety of marine life, including an 8.7-meter-long whale shark and manta rays. The aquarium has been housing whale sharks since 1995 and holds the world record for the longest captivity. It attracts about 3 million visitors annually and is located about 2 hours by car from Naha Airport. The outdoor area also offers free attractions such as dolphin shows and exhibits of sea turtles and manatees.
Instagram Worthiness:★★★★★
Photography Opportunity: All seasons
Location Information: ▶Map, Hours, Routes
Transportation Information: 2-hour bus ride from Naha BT
Kerama Islands
The Kerama Islands are known for their crystal-clear waters with some of the highest transparency in the world. The archipelago consists of 36 islands, with five inhabited ones. Zamami Island and Tokashiki Island are particularly popular among tourists. Zamami Island, reachable in about 50 minutes by high-speed boat from Naha, offers a peaceful environment perfect for enjoying a slow-paced lifestyle. Tokashiki Island, just 35 minutes from Naha, is surrounded by the “Kerama Blue” sea with about 20 diving points, and whale watching is popular in winter.
Instagram Worthiness:★★★★★
Photography Opportunity: All seasons
Location Information: ▶Map, Hours, Routes
Transportation Information:1.5-hour ferry ride from Naha Port▶Timetable
Kume Island
Located about 100 km west of Okinawa’s main island, Kume Island is the fifth largest island in Okinawa Prefecture. The island features a rugged terrain formed by volcanic rocks and boasts “Hate no Hama,” a 5-kilometer-long sandbar made of coral. The beautiful Eef Beach, stretching about 2 kilometers, offers swimming and marine activities.
Instagram Worthiness:★★★★★
Photography Opportunity: All seasons
Location Information: ▶Map, Hours, Routes
Transportation Information: Kume Island Airport ▶Timetable
Miyako Island
Miyako Island, formed by the uplift of coral reefs, is known for its beautiful beaches due to the absence of rivers that would carry sediment into the sea. Yonaha Maehama Beach, also known as Maipama Beach, features a 7-kilometer-long white sand beach and emerald green waters, acclaimed as the most beautiful in the Orient. Higashi Henna Cape, about 2 kilometers long, separates the East China Sea from the Pacific Ocean, and a 10-minute walk to the lighthouse offers a 360-degree panoramic view.
Instagram Worthiness:★★★★★
Photography Opportunity: All seasons
Location Information: ▶Map, Hours, Routes
Transportation Information:Miyako Airport▶Timetable
Ishigaki Island
Located about 400 km south of Okinawa’s main island, Ishigaki Island is blessed with an emerald blue sea and a subtropical warm climate, earning the nickname “Paradise of the South.” It remains warm year-round, with strong UV rays necessitating sun protection. Popular activities include snorkeling and diving among beautiful coral reefs and tropical fish. The island offers necessary amenities in the city center, with idyllic island scenery just a 10-minute drive away. Ishigaki Island serves as a gateway to other islands in the Yaeyama archipelago, such as Iriomote Island and Taketomi Island.
Instagram Worthiness:★★★★★
Photography Opportunity: All seasons
Location Information: ▶Map, Hours, Routes
Transportation Information: Ishigaki Island Airport ▶Timetable
Kabira Bay on Ishigaki Island
Kabira Bay features an emerald sea where you can view the ocean floor from a glass-bottom boat. Diving and snorkeling are also popular for observing colorful coral reefs and tropical fish up close.
Instagram Worthiness:★★★★★
Photography Opportunity: All seasons
Location Information: ▶Map, Hours, Routes
Transportation Information: Infrequent public transportation car recommended
Taketomi Island
Taketomi Island, with its traditional red-tiled roofs, Shisa statues, and coral stone walls, offers a picturesque stroll through Okinawa’s historic scenery. The island’s water buffalo cart rides are a popular tourist attraction, providing a leisurely experience of Okinawa’s traditional landscape.
Instagram Worthiness:★★★★★
Photography Opportunity: All seasons
Location Information: ▶Map, Hours, Routes
Transportation Information:20-minute ferry ride from Ishigaki Port ▶Timetable
Iriomote Island
Iriomote Island, covered with untouched primeval forests, offers experiences like mangrove kayaking and observing various creatures inhabiting the tidal flats.
Instagram Worthiness:★★★★★
Photography Opportunity: All seasons
Location Information: ▶Map, Hours, Routes
Transportation Information: 1-hour ferry ride from Ishigaki Port ▶Timetable
Yonaguni Island
Located about 127 kilometers from Ishigaki Island, Yonaguni Island is Japan’s westernmost island and known as the “border island.” Taiwan is about 111 kilometers from Yonaguni Island, and on clear days, you can see Taiwan’s mountains on the horizon. The island is also known for its cultural exchanges via the Kuroshio Current.
Instagram Worthiness:★★★★★
Photography Opportunity: All seasons
Location Information: ▶Map, Hours, Routes
Transportation Information: Yonaguni Airport ▶Timetable
