Naha Travel Essentials

• The climate in Naha is relatively comfortable all year long, including the few weeks during the summer where it's at its hottest.
• Rainfall is most common in August followed by May, which both experience more than 30 centimetres of precipitation throughout the month.
• Temperatures in Naha peak around July every year with an average high of 32.1 degrees Celsius, but August and September are fairly warm as well with highs over 30 degrees on average.
• The busiest time for travel in Naha is spring thanks to the inviting weather and variety of things to do, but those looking to get away from crowds can also enjoy winter and autumn, as the temperatures are relatively comfortable even for warm weather travellers.

• Plug type: Naha uses Type A and Type I plugs with the occasional use of Type B outlets.
• Electricity: City outlets are 100 V with a 60 Hz frequency.
• Currency: Naha, like all of Japan, uses the Japanese yen.
• International dialling code: The international dialling code is +81.
• Emergency telephone number: In Naha, you may call 110 for police, 118 for coast guard and 119 for fire and ambulance.

Getting to Naha is fairly easy no matter where you're coming from. There's an international airport directly in the city itself about 12 minutes from the city centre, but international flights only connect to nearby countries. If you're travelling from Europe, you'll probably have to stop by mainland Japan first before booking another domestic flight to Naha in Okinawa. Of course, you can also take a ferry into the city from the southern mainland. After arriving, getting a car to your hotel is easy.

Airports

Flying into Naha means arriving at Naha Airport, a convenient airport little more than 5 kilometres from the city centre. It has connections to several nearby countries as well as to major airports in mainland Japan, such as Osaka and Tokyo. Flying from Europe means stopping by one of those mainland cities first before getting on a connecting flight to Naha.

Train stations

You won't find any train stations in Naha that you can reach from outside of the island. If you're already in Okinawa, however, you can take the Okinawa Urban Monorail system to Akamine Station.

Ports

The port in Naha offers ferry travel, but only if you're travelling from Kagoshima, as that's the only other port that connects to Naha.

Travel tips

The Okinawa prefecture has been working to make travel throughout its collection of islands easier, so if you plan on simply exploring what Naha has to offer, you'll find that travel is remarkably simple. A vast bus network exists throughout the city along with a monorail network, though Naha offers several taxis too. If you plan on using the bus a lot, you can even enjoy special passes that offer unlimited travel throughout Naha at a discounted rate available at local bus terminals.

Underground system

While there is no underground system in Naha, you can use the Okinawa Urban Monorail, which is an above-ground monorail system that can get you around town. In fact, this train can get you all the way to Urasoe if you like. Most of the rail line is in Naha, however, stretching all the way from the Naha Airport station to the Ishimine Station 12.84 kilometres away.

Taxi and rideshare apps

Several taxi companies run throughout Naha, and they tend to be cheaper than taxis on the Japanese mainland. Fares tend to be modest compared to places like Tokyo and Osaka, so using taxis is more budget-friendly than you might think. Rideshare options are available as well. Uber doesn't operate in Naha, but apps like JapanTaxi and Didi-Rider do.

Bus network

Naha has a comprehensive bus network that can get you just about anywhere in the city. Limited-area Naha passes are available for a discount if you plan to stay in the city. If you're not using the pass, you can pay using an OKICA IC card, which is available at monorail stations, some convenience stores and bus depots. If you're paying in cash, don't use anything larger than a ¥1,000 bill.

Car hire

Car hire is available throughout the city, though they're most prominent by the airport. All you need to rent a car in Naha is a driver's licence, an international driver's permit and to be at least 18 years of age. Despite most images of Okinawa depicting serene beaches and small villages, the city of Naha is quite large with plenty of parking.

Bicycle hire

Bike hire is among the best ways to travel throughout Naha, as it's notably a bike-friendly city. Bike share services are available as well, including Hello Cycling, which can be booked in advance online. Just remember that travelling by bike makes it especially easy to realise just how large Naha is.

All-Okinawa Eisa Festival / Zento Eisa Matsuri 全島エイサー祭り

• When: Late August
• What: The All-Okinawa Eisa Festival is a thrilling festival that features numerous performances, dancing and parades celebrating traditional Eisa, which is a style of folk dancing immersed in obon holiday rites.
• Where: Koza Music Town

Naha Hari Dragon Boat Races 那覇ハーリー

• When: May
• What: The Hari Dragon Boat Races feature fascinating and thrilling races between dragon boats, which are massive long boats holding several dozen rowers in a contest of strength and teamwork.
• Where: Naha Port

Naha Tug-of-War / Naha Otsunahiki 那覇大綱挽

• When: Mid October
• What: The Naha Otsunahiki is an iconic tug of war challenge in which teams battle to see who can pull a rope past a certain distance, or who has pulled it the furthest after 30 minutes. Winners are often given a piece of the massive rope to take home to memorialise their victory.
• Where: Onoyama Sports Park

Shurijo Castle

Shurijo Castle is a historic castle built in the Ryukyu style with stone walls that has lasted through several serious disasters. It was nearly destroyed in the Battle of Okinawa near the end of World War 2, and it suffered fire damage in 2019. Still, it lives on with several parts still preserved and the rest being rebuilt as a World Heritage Site.

Umikaji Terrace Seagajima

Umikaji Terrace Seagajima is a fun shopping destination close to the airport where you'll find a variety of sundry shops and restaurants among bright white buildings. The array of items on offer is quite impressive, especially if you stop by the local hamburger shop. The Senaga Teahouse also has a delicious item called Watayuki, a shaved ice treat that's a first for Okinawa.

Naminoue Shrine

The Naminoue Shrine is a Shinto shrine that serves as the primary shrine for the entire prefecture. At this shrine, crisp sea air rises to greet you as you tower on a cliff above the waters and Naminoue Beach. Some of the smaller shrines are relatively new, being built in the 1990s compared to the historic main hall, which dates back centuries.

Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum

The Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum is a comprehensive museum that specifically focuses on the history and culture of Okinawa, to the point that the building itself is constructed of Okinawan limestone in an effort to emulate native gusuku castles. Visitors can explore either the artistic side, the natural history side or both sides depending on the kind of ticket chosen.