Okinawa | Enjoy Coffee and Plane Watching at Okinawa's Little Greece

After visiting Okinawa, I’ve been frequently asked by friends about the best places to eat and explore. For first-time visitors, this itinerary might be helpful. If you’re planning a three-day, two-night trip, you can skip areas you’re less interested in. For longer trips, I recommend heading north to Nago and Nakijin. First, I highly recommend the Senaga Island Umikaze Terrace. If you have half a day, you can enjoy coffee, dine, or simply relax outdoors while watching planes take off and land. It’s also a great spot for photography. The famous Happy Pancakes often have long queues, so I suggest getting a number first and then exploring the surroundings while waiting. Day 1: Flights from Taiwan to Naha, operated by China Airlines, EVA Air, Tigerair, Peach Aviation, and VietJet, mostly depart and return late. Upon arrival, take the monorail to check into a hotel in Naha City. Recommended areas to stay include Kencho-mae, Miebashi, or Makishi Station. After checking in, you can visit Kokusai Street for dinner or a late-night snack. Most shops are open until 10 PM, while Yatai Village stays open until midnight. Kokusai Street spans several stations, from Kencho-mae to Makishi. 📍Yatai Village Address: 3 Chome-11-17 Makishi, Naha, Okinawa 900-0013, Japan Day 2: Take the monorail to Shuri Station and walk to Shuri Castle. I recommend visiting Shuri Castle, Tamaudun Mausoleum, Benzaiten Shrine, and Enkakuji Temple Ruins together. There are many restaurants and cafes near Shuri Station. After lunch, you can visit Sairai-in Daruma Temple and then stroll to Zuisen Distillery to learn about Awamori history. If interested, you can also sample the liquor. Around 3-4 PM, take the monorail to the airport and transfer to the TK02 bus to reach Senaga Island Umikaze Terrace. Return to Kencho-mae for dinner and shopping at RyoBo Department Store, which closes at 8:30 PM (MUJI closes at 8 PM). 📍Shuri Castle Address: 1-2 Shurikinjocho, Naha, Okinawa 903-0815, Japan 📍Tamaudun Mausoleum Address: 1 Chome-3 Shurikinjocho, Naha, Okinawa 903-0815, Japan 📍Benzaiten Shrine Address: 1 Chome Shuritonokuracho, Naha, Okinawa 903-0812, Japan 📍Sairai-in Address: 1 Chome-5-1 Shuriakatacho, Naha, Okinawa 903-0813, Japan 📍Zuisen Distillery Address: 1 Chome-35 Shurisakiyamacho, Naha, Okinawa 903-0814, Japan 📍Umikaze Terrace Address: 174-6 Senaga, Tomigusuku, Okinawa 901-0233, Japan 📍RyoBo Department Store Address: 1 Chome-1-1 Kumoji, Naha, Okinawa 900-8503, Japan Day 3: Take the monorail to Asahibashi Station and walk to Naminoue Shrine. After visiting, you can relax at Naminoue Beach or walk to the elevated bridge for a different perspective of the shrine. If you’re interested in military or historical sites, you can also visit the Tsushima Maru Memorial Museum. On the way back, stop by Fukushuen Garden to admire the beauty of a Chinese-style garden. For lunch, head to Makishi Market for seafood or Heiwa-dori’s Hanagasa Shokudo for traditional Okinawan stir-fried bitter melon. Afterward, visit Tsuboya Street to see traditional pottery, and don’t miss Calbee+ for freshly fried potato chips. For dinner, try ramen at Nurumoto or Kou-chan, enjoy Blue Seal ice cream, and shop along Kokusai Street. 📍Naminoue Shrine Address: 1 Chome-25-11 Wakasa, Naha, Okinawa 900-0031, Japan 📍Tsushima Maru Memorial Museum Address: 1 Chome-25-37 Wakasa, Naha, Okinawa 901-0031, Japan 📍Fukushuen Garden Address: 2 Chome-29-19 Kume, Naha, Okinawa 900-0033, Japan 📍Heiwa-dori Address: 3 Chome-1-8 Makishi, Naha, Okinawa 900-0013, Japan 📍Makishi Market Address: 2 Chome-10-1 Matsuo, Naha, Okinawa 900-0014, Japan 📍Tsuboya Street Address: 1 Chome-16 Tsuboya, Naha, Okinawa 902-0065, Japan 📍Calbee+ Address: 3 Chome-2-2 Makishi, Naha, Okinawa 900-0013, Japan 📍Blue Seal Address: 1 Chome-2-32 Makishi, Naha, Okinawa 900-0013, Japan Day 4: Take the monorail to Onoyama Park Station to visit Okinogu Shrine and Gokoku Shrine, two of the Ryukyu Eight Shrines. If you’re interested in military or historical sites, you can also visit the Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters. Then, take the monorail to Omoromachi Station for shopping and dining at DFS Duty-Free and Main Place Shopping Center. These locations are ideal for last-minute shopping. The shopping center includes EDON Electronics and SAN-A Supermarket for convenience. If you have extra time, visit the nearby Okinawa Museum and Art Museum. Finally, pack your luggage and head to the airport. 📍Okinogu Shrine & Gokoku Shrine Address: 44 Onoyamacho, Naha, Okinawa 900-0026, Japan 📍Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters Address: 236 Tomigusuku, Okinawa 901-0241, Japan 📍DFS Duty-Free Address: 4 Chome-1 Omoromachi, Naha, Okinawa 900-0006, Japan 📍Main Place Address: 4 Chome-4-9 Omoromachi, Naha, Okinawa 900-0006, Japan 📍Okinawa Museum & Art Museum Address: 3 Chome-1-1 Omoromachi, Naha, Okinawa 900-0006, Japan