What is now the massive Okinawa Prefectural Museum and the Okinawa Prefectural Art Museum began humbly in 1945 as an effort to acquaint the United States military with Okinawan culture, and served as a replacement to the museum that was lost during the battle. Now, this museum houses extraordinary exhibits regarding everything Okinawan, focusing particularly on the impact of the ocean on Okinawa's distinctive culture. Fossils of ancient sea creatures and the 18,000-year-old Minatogawa Man are also on display. Kids will love the Touch and Experience Room, where they can study and touch items that are linked to the main exhibits. Rooms in the museum can also be rented out for events. The museum is closed on Mondays.
Owner Hidefumi Kamura plays the piano at this jazz bar, frequently mixing it up with guest performers. Though the musical menu is generally standard jazz, you never know when the musicians will catch some inspiration and start improvising late into the wee hours of the morning. Unlike the other bars in Naha City, this venue serves borscht alongside the usual Orion beer.
This one-of-a-kind, multi-purpose park in Ginowan makes for an excellent outing for the whole family. With the cerulean waters of the ocean bordering the park, one can indulge in as much relaxation as they want, or live it up with a ton of outdoor activities. The park has trails for running and strolling, besides also having an expansive playground where your little ones can frolic around. Monkey bars, swings and slides add to the fun.
Okinawa Athletic Stadium is a sports facility in Okinawa City with a seating capacity of 25,000 people. The stadium is part of the Okinawa Comprehensive Athletic Park, which is a huge sporting ground, as well as a recreational park. It is a wonderful place for a day out for the entire family with lots of greenery, besides several amenities. The park has a camping ground, a cycling center, running tracks, a gymnasium, a water park and a lot more to keep the whole family busy for the entire day. It is a famous football ground of Japan.
Built in 1368, the Gokoku Temple grounds also contain the Bettelheim Monument, the Kozakura Monument, and the Naminoue Shrine. Originally built to propagate Shingonshu Buddhism, it was used for foreign reception by the Tokugawa Shogunate, and also as a residence of the British missionary, Bettelheim. The Kozakura Monument honors the 700 children who died when an evacuation ship was bombed during World War II.
The Sakura Zaka is a movie theater in Naha. You can watch American, Japanese and other foreign language movies here. The biggest attraction of the hall is that you will not find the films that are shown here at other theaters of the city. Women get special discounts here on Tuesdays. You can find information about the ongoing films and details on other events such as live performances on their website. But, if you just want to spend some time with a friend or by yourself, you can visit the Cha-gwa cafe next door or visit the bookstore-cum-gift shop nearby.