Introducing "10 things to do in Okinawa (northern part)".

Nakijin Castle Ruins

There are many mysteries surrounding the castle's history, and the exact date of its construction is unknown, but it is said to have been built on a hill in Imadomari, Nakijin Village, around the 12th or 13th century. In 1609, Nakijin Castle was burned down and abandoned during the Satsuma Domain's attack on Ryukyu. The castle has a stepped, alluvial fan-shaped structure, and the foundations and cornerstones of the main castle remain. From the observation deck, you can see the stone walls of the castle and the turquoise blue sea.

Manzamo

The name "Manzamo" is said to have come from the fact that in 1726, the King of Ryukyu praised the area as a field large enough for ten thousand people to sit on. Natural grass spreads over the Ryukyu limestone, and the surrounding plant communities are designated as a natural monument of the prefecture. On clear days, the vast ocean stretching to the horizon is a beautiful sight.

Dusk is also a popular time, and the sunset created by the natural combination of the sun and the sea is beautiful and spectacular.

Orion Happy Park

The Orion Beer Nago Factory was built with the aim of reviving Okinawa after the chaos that followed the war. It was reopened in 2011 as a tourist facility. You can see the history of Orion Beer and the main process of beer brewing, and drink Orion the Draft, a freshly brewed beer that can only be found at a factory. You can also buy original Orion goods and souvenirs. Nearby is JAMBARU TACO, a long-established taco shop that has been loved for 30 years. It's also nice to get takeout and eat while looking at the Okinawan scenery.

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

The giant aquarium "Kuroshio Sea" is one of the largest in the world, measuring 35m wide, 10m deep and 27m deep. The sight of the whale sharks swimming there is spectacular and impressive. It is home to around 16,000 creatures from 70 different species, including manta rays and tuna. You can also peek into the giant aquarium from the surface instead of from the side. The "Dolphin Lagoon" is very popular for its dolphin shows and free dolphin interaction programs that you can make a reservation for.

Kouri Bridge

This 1,960m-long bridge connects Kouri Island in Nakijin Village and Yagaji Island in Nago City. It opened on February 8, 2005, and is the second longest toll-free bridge in the prefecture. The emerald green ocean stretches out on both sides of the bridge. Please come by car or rental bicycle. There are magnificent views everywhere you look. It's beautiful during the day on a clear day, but the sunrises and sunsets are also recommended. There are many colorful fish in the sea, so it's a good place to do some activities.

Bise Fukugi Tree Line

There are thousands of Fukugi trees in the village of Bise, which have been developed as a windbreak, forming a tree-lined road that stretches for about 1 km. The village is laid out in a grid pattern, with about 250 houses, most of which are surrounded by "Fukugi trees." The scenery seen around the village is unique to Okinawa, where typhoons are frequent. The oldest tree is estimated to be 300 years old. The harmony created by the green tunnel and the sea is magnificent.

Nago Pineapple Park

This is a facility where you can take a walk while observing subtropical plants, learn about the history of pineapples, and enjoy gourmet food. Pineapples have been cultivated in Okinawa since around 924, and are now a specialty product of Okinawa, which boasts the largest production volume of pineapples in the country. Nago Pineapple Winery is a shop that sells wine and juice made with plenty of pineapples from Okinawa Prefecture, and was renovated and reopened in 2020. The sophisticated interior design won a silver prize in a design competition, making it a very lovely space.

Shisa Experience Ryukyu Kiln

This is a seaside cafe and workshop where you can make and buy "shisa", a guardian deity and talisman for your home. There are 20 different experiences you can try, from "shisa painting" where you choose your favorite shape from plaster or ceramic shisa made by artists and paint it with paint while looking out at the sea, to "shisa making" where you make a full-scale large shisa 30 cm tall from a clay ball over the course of 3 hours, and "yachimun making" on an electric potter's wheel.

Motobu Yaedake Cherry Blossoms

Yaedake, the second highest mountain on Okinawa Island at 453.4 meters above sea level, is famous as the place where the "Kanhi Sakura" (cherry blossoms) bloom the earliest in Japan. Yaedake, a famous spot for Kanhi Sakura, has a row of over 7,000 Kanhi Sakura trees along the 4km uphill path to the summit. They are characterized by their deep pink flowers. The "Motobu Yaedake Sakura Festival," held every year from late January to early February, is an event where you can enjoy local culture and specialties.

Ryukyu Village

This is an Okinawan theme park that recreates life during the Ryukyu Kingdom era and conveys it to the present day. Here you can experience nostalgic scenery and traditional performing arts. Scattered throughout the village are 10 "old folk houses" that are 100 to 200 years old, allowing you to relive the days of the Ryukyu Kingdom when there was no electricity or gas. There is a "stage" where you can watch traditional Okinawan performing arts such as Eisa. You can also try on a kimono to wear Ryukyu Bingata!

summary

We have introduced "10 things to do in Okinawa (northern part)". Northern Okinawa, where the sea is beautiful and nature can be felt, is the perfect place to seek healing. You can learn about old Okinawa at "Ryukyu Mura" and experience making a shisa at "Shisa Experience Ryukyu Kiln", which is unique to Okinawa. Please come to Okinawa where you can feel the sea and nature.

<Gourmet food introduced this time>

• Recommended dish: Taco rice
• Store: JAMBARU TACO
• Store link URL

For more information about JAMBARU TACO, please click on this link.