About this location: Okinawa
Okinawa's main island blends Ryukyu Kingdom history with subtropical nature. Shurijo Castle ruins (under reconstruction), Manzamo Cliff, Cape Zanpa, Kouri Bridge, Churaumi Aquarium, Yachimun pottery village, and Kokusai-dori street condense Okinawan scenery and culture.
Key features
- Shurijo Castle Ruins — the royal palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom from 1429, UNESCO-listed; the main hall is being rebuilt after the 2019 fire (scheduled completion 2026), and the Shureimon gate is fully restored
- Manzamo Cliff — uplifted coral with a «Trunk of an Elephant» natural arch, a renowned sunset spot facing the East China Sea
- Kouri Bridge and Kouri Island — a 1,960 m sea-spanning bridge above emerald-blue water, with the «Heart Rock» drawing romantic photography
- Churaumi Aquarium — one of the world's largest acrylic tanks (8.2 m × 22.5 m) showcasing whale sharks and giant manta rays
- Yachimun no Sato (Yomitan) — a pottery village dotted with 19 kilns; climbing kilns, workshops, and traditional Ryukyu ceramics
