Shuri Castle in Naha was the palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom, which ruled Okinawa from the 15th to the 19th century. Its bright red main hall mixes Chinese and Japanese styles. The castle was destroyed in 1945 and rebuilt in 1992, then burned again in 2019; reconstruction of the main hall is under way. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Kokusai Street is the main street of Naha, the capital of Okinawa, running about 1.6 kilometres through the city centre. Rebuilt after the Second World War, it was nicknamed the miracle mile. It is lined with souvenir shops, restaurants and bars selling Okinawan food and crafts. The Makishi public market lies just off the street.

Cape Manzamo is a grassy headland on the west coast of Okinawa, in the village of Onna. A tall coral limestone cliff juts into the sea, worn by waves into a shape that is said to resemble an elephant's trunk. The name means a field for ten thousand people to sit, from a king's comment in the 18th century. The sunset view is famous.

The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is in Ocean Expo Park in Motobu, northern Okinawa. Opened in 2002, it is one of the largest aquariums in the world. Its main tank, the Kuroshio Sea, holds 7,500 cubic metres of water and is home to whale sharks and manta rays. Other tanks show coral reefs and deep-sea creatures. Dolphin shows are held outside.

Kabira Bay is on the north coast of Ishigaki Island in Okinawa. Its very clear turquoise water, white sand and small green islands make it one of the most beautiful places in Japan. Swimming is not allowed because of strong currents and pearl farming, but glass-bottom boats take visitors over the coral reefs and sea turtles.