金武観音寺
Kin Kannon Temple
222 Kin, Kin Town
This is a traditional wooden temple built about 480 years ago. Kin Kannon Temple did not suffer direct war damage, and even today it retains its old architecture.
222 Kin, Kin Town
This is a traditional wooden temple built about 480 years ago. Kin Kannon Temple did not suffer direct war damage, and even today it retains its old architecture.
5-7-1 Goya, Okinawa City
Tel: 098-933-4190
Hours: April-September 9:30-18:00 (last entry 17:00); October-March 9:30-5:30 (last entry 16:30)
Closed: Tue, Dec. 30-Jan. 1 (open daily during Golden Week and Japanese school holidays)
Admission: 200 yen for adults, 100 yen for ages 4-12, free for under 3. *The Wonder Museum is located on the premises of the Okinawa Zoo & Museum, and visitors must pay separate entry fees for both facilities. (Admission to Okinawa Zoo & Museum: 500 yen for adults, 200 yen for ages 13-18, 100 yen for ages 4-12 and free for children under 3 years of age)
This is a hands-on museum located on the grounds of the Okinawa Zoo & Museum. The museum reopened its doors in April 2014 after an extensive renovation with 34 fun and interesting interactive exhibits for everyone to enjoy.
1-11-34 Awase, Okinawa City
Tel: 098-938-5811
Hours: April-September 10:30-18:00; October-March 10:30-17:30
Open daily
The Payao fresh seafood retail shop in the Awase Fishing Port is said to be the liveliest fish market on Okinawa, and sometimes about 30 different types of fresh seafood are on offer. In addition, various marine products, tempura, ready-to-eat dishes and locally grown vegetables are available in the huge market. At the adjacent eatery you can enjoy Okinawa's typical seafood dishes for a reasonable price.
Tokashiki Village (Mae Island)
Mae Island is located about seven kilometers to the east of Tokashiki Island. North of Mae are Hate Island and Naka Island, which are generally included when referring to Mae Island. This island is popular for fishing and diving. Visitors can get to the island by charter boat or by a tour arranged by a travel agency. The cost for a round trip from and back to Tokashiki Island by charter boat can range between 30,000 yen and 50,000 yen. As there is no accommodation on the island, Mae is suitable for day trips only.
Aka, Zamami Village (Aka Island)
This is a stunning beach with a fully developed coral reef and colorful tropical fish. The most popular beach on the island, it is frequented by diving and snorkeling lovers during the summer season.
Ama, Zamami Village (Zamami Island)
Tel:098-987-2277
Five minutes from Zamami Port by vehicle. There is a facility in the vicinity called Kujiranosato, which offers campsites, bungalows and a swimming pool. Even though Ama Beach is not as busy as Furuzamami Beach, it is a convenient spot with shops and food concessions available during the high season.
Zamami, Zamami Village (Zamami Island)
Tel:098-987-2277
The best-known beach on Zamami Island. Visitors can sometimes observe tropical fish even just standing on the shore. This beach is popular among tourists during the summer season.
Aharen, Tokashiku Village (Tokashiki Island)
Tel:098-987-2323
Fifteen minutes by vehicle from Tokashiki Port. A popular beach where visitors can enjoy various marine sports and have access to shower facilities. There are many places of accommodation and restaurants near the beach.
Iriomote, Taketomi Town (Iriomote Island)
There is a spot on Iriomote Island that has been increasingly attracting the attention of tourists for the last several years. Funauki is a small, peaceful village with about 50 residents. The village is isolated from the rest of the island and has a tranquil feeling to it with a different sense of time. It has no paved roads or cars, and its lack of accessibility has preserved its natural beauty. Tours to Funauki are highly recommended. Ferries for Funauki depart three or four times a day from Shirahama Port. To get to Funauki Village from Ishigaki Island, catch a ferry at Ishigaki Ritou Terminal bound for Uehara or Funaura Port on Iriomote, then proceed by bus to Shirahama Port and on to Funauki by ferry. It is quite time consuming to visit Funauki Village by yourself and can cost more than participating in an organized tour.
Higashieue, Ie Village (Ie Island)
From the Wajee lookout, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the cliffs and the changing scenery depending on tide and weather.
Higashieue, Ie Village (Ie Island)
A craggy, 172-meter-high mountain known as Tacchu is approximately 7,000 years older than the island itself. The mountain was created by a rare crustal deformation in which part of an old rocky layer moves to the top of a new rocky layer while being folded under the new layer. Here you can get the feeling of the enormous force of crustal movement.
1355 Kawahira, Ie Village (Ie Island)
There is a popular belief that female infertility can be cured by holding up the Bijiru-ishi, a holy stone found in this sacred cave. The cave is also called Sennin-gama as it was used a bomb shelter and saved numerous lives during the war.