Okinawa, the southernmost prefecture in Japan, consists of several dozens of islands connected together. Surrounded by seas with plenty of marine life, Okinawa is a prime spot for scuba diving and snorkeling. This Okinawa city travel guide is will give you an idea of what can be done with 2-3  days on the island.

 To Eat

• Yanbaru Soba山原そば – Located along the “Soba Road” on your drive to Churaumi Aquarium; stop by for some Okinawa-style soba. Though there is always a line, it moves fairly fast and is definitely worth the wait!

• Urashima (Dinner Theatre) – Enjoy Okinawan theatre dances over dinner! Get a glimpse into the various traditional Okinawan stories told through multiple dances.

• The Rose Garden – The Rose Garden serves American brunch with a Japanese twist. You will find your normal hearty American brunch with meat patties, sausages, pancakes, and french toast.

• 生け簀の銀次 泡瀬店 – Recommended by our Airbnb host, we were worried about whether or not we would be able to order since there is no English menu. After arriving at the restaurant, we were pleasantly surprised by how helpful the servers were as they navigated us through portions of the menu without photos. Like any izakaya restaurant, the environment was joyous, but not too loud that you couldn’t hear the person next to you. This was by far our favourite restaurant on the trip! You will find fresh fish, rare delicacies (such as horse meat) and delicious drinks all at reasonable prices!

 To Do

• Shuri Castle – It may not be as impressive as the other castles Japan has to offer; however it is a beautiful example of traditional Ryukyu architecture.

• Mihama American Village – A large entertainment district which combines American and Japanese culture. Sunset beach is located right next to the village and makes for a wonderful stroll.

• Churaumi Aquarium – Considered one of the best aquariums in Japan; the highlight of the aquarium is the large Kuroshio Tank which contains a wide variety of species including whale sharks and manta rays.

• Kouri Bridge – Connecting Kouri Island and Yagaji Island, the Kouri Bridge is the longest toll-free bridge. It offers a stunning view of the ocean.

• Cape Manzamo – Hidden away in the middle of the island, Manza Cape is a beautiful escape to see the sunset.
• Kokusaidori Street – The main street of Naha, stretching through downtown Naha. You’ll find everything you need here – shopping, restaurants, bars, hotels and souvenir shops!

That concludes our list of what to eat and what to do in our Okinawa city travel guide! See something that should be on the list? Visited one of these places and want to write about it? Have some more questions? Leave us a comment below!

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Stone & Fern is a travel and lifestyle blog started by friends who have a passion for exploring cities, capturing moments, and trying new food. This is part of our Checking In city guides series. To see more of Asia, click here.