City guide · 那覇 Naha
Naha
The face of the Ryukyu Kingdom — the vermilion of Shuri Castle and the revival pulse of Kokusai-dōri
Naha is the prefectural capital of Okinawa and was for five hundred years the political and diplomatic gateway of the Ryukyu Kingdom: Shuri, the inland heights where the royal palace stood, and the ports of Naha and Tomari, serving the tribute trade, formed a single whole. The vermilion main hall of Shuri Castle, burned in the 2019 fire, is being rebuilt by traditional craft; Kokusai-dōri, which rose on the ruins after the war, is called the "Miracle Mile." The seafood of the Makishi Public Market, the pottery of Tsuboya, and the fragrance of awamori are the everyday life of this southern city.
History
How the city came to be
In the 14th century Okinawa Island was divided among three kingdoms (Sanzan), and the Naha area was the sea port of the Chūzan king. In 1429 Shō Hashi unified the three kingdoms and founded the Ryukyu Kingdom, with Shuri as the royal capital and Naha as the nation's gate; tribute trade with Ming and Qing China and transit trade with Japan and Southeast Asia filled Naha Port with a forest of sails. In 1609 the Satsuma Domain invaded, and Ryukyu was placed under Satsuma's control while keeping its kingdom's form — a unique "dual subordination." In 1879 the Meiji government's "Ryukyu Disposition" created Okinawa Prefecture and the kingdom ended. In 1945, in the Battle of Okinawa, Naha was nearly reduced to scorched earth; after the war it revived swiftly around Kokusai-dōri, and in 1972 returned to Japan with Okinawa's reversion. Today Naha is Okinawa's political, economic and sightseeing hub.
- 1429Shō Hashi unifies the three kingdoms; the Ryukyu Kingdom is founded and Shuri fixed as the royal capital
- 1609The Satsuma Domain invades; Ryukyu is placed under Satsuma's control but keeps its kingdom and tribute systems
- 1879The Meiji government carries out the "Ryukyu Disposition"; Okinawa Prefecture is created and the Ryukyu Kingdom ends
- 1945The Battle of Okinawa; Shuri Castle and the streets of Naha are reduced to scorched earth by the fighting
- 1992The main hall and other principal buildings of Shuri Castle are restored and the park opens
- 2000The Shuri Castle remains inscribed in the World Heritage "Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu"
- 2019The main hall and other buildings of Shuri Castle are destroyed by fire; restoration work begins at once (the main hall's rebuilding is targeted for completion in 2026, as officially announced)
Stories
Stories of the city
The palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom, reborn a second time
History · Shuri Castle
From 1429 to 1879 Shuri Castle was the royal palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom. It was almost completely destroyed in the Battle of Okinawa in 1945; from 1992 it was rebuilt on its original site based on historical records, photographs and people's memories, and in 2000 it was inscribed as a World Heritage Site as part of the 'Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu'. Early on 31 October 2019 the main hall and other major buildings were again destroyed by fire; the reconstruction is expected to be fully completed in autumn 2026, with the completion ceremony set for 22 November.
Must see
Places you shouldn’t miss
Local life
Food and local daily life
Shuri Castle
Must-try
- Okinawa soba
- Gōyā champurū (bitter melon stir-fry)
- Shima-dōfu (island tofu)
Okinawa soba (wide noodles in pork-bone broth with braised pork belly), gōyā champurū (bitter-melon stir-fry with egg), shima-dōfu (island tofu), tebichi (pig's trotters), awamori (distilled spirit) with small dishes
| Where to eat | Canteens around Shuri Castle, Kokusai-dōri / Makishi Public Market in Naha (upstairs they cook the seafood you buy) |
|---|---|
| Dining etiquette | At the market, agree the cooking fee first; awamori is strong — sip slowly |
| Typical price per person | JPY 1,500–2,800 ≈ CNY 68–126 |
| Tips | At the public market, ask the total price for seafood (including cooking) first; during Shuri Castle's reconstruction, food nearby is mainly local canteens. |
Prices are typical rates as of October 2026, not exact quotes; CNY equivalents are approximate where exchange rates fluctuate.
Syced · CC0
Before you go
Rules to know in Naha
There is no tipping in Japan
Do
- Say thank you with 'arigatō gozaimashita'
Don’t
- Pressing loose change on staff
Japan is a no-tipping country and bills usually include service; if you press a tip on staff, some will politely refuse.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: JNTO: Japanese table manners
Take off your shoes when you see a genkan (entrance step)
Do
- Take off your shoes at the entrance of homes, some restaurants, temples and hot-spring facilities
- If unsure, look for a shoe rack or slippers at the entrance
Don’t
- Stepping onto tatami or indoor wooden floors in shoes
It is seen as very rude.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: JNTO: Japanese etiquette
No phone calls on trains and the shinkansen; queue to board
Do
- Put your phone on silent; on the shinkansen, take calls in the area between carriages
- Queue at the marked spots on either side of the train door, and let people off before you get on
- Give priority seats to older people, pregnant women and passengers with limited mobility
Don’t
- Talking on the phone or playing sound aloud in the train
Not illegal, but you will get looks and a reminder from the conductor.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: JNTO: Japanese etiquette