Okinawa, Japan

Okinawa island is the largest of the Japanese Ryukyu islands, located south of Japan on the East China Sea coast. Its capital city is Naha.

There are tourist resources around Naha Port such as Shuri Castle, the royal residence during the Ryukyu Kingdom period, and the Fukushuen Chinese garden honoring cultural exchanges with China. Other attractions are Kokusai Street, for great shopping, and Naha-Shintoshin where a big shopping mall is being constructed.

Okinawa island has plenty of beautiful beaches including Zanba, Renaissance, Manzamo and Ikei Beach. The Okinawa archipelago is known as one of the world's best diving destinations and is also popular for surfing and offshore fishing.

Things to See & Do

* Shuri castle
* Himeyuri Peace Museum
* Okinawa Peach Park
* Ocean Expo Park
* Beaches, snorkeling & diving

General information

Cruise Season - Jan - Dec
Currency - Yen (JPY)
Language - Japanese
Population - 320,000 approx (Naha)
Land Area - 1,201.03 km2
Electricity - 2 perpendicular flat pins USA style or with a round pin below
Time - GMT plus hours nine hours
International Country Telephone Code - 81

Port Location - Naha Port is located on the southwestern coast of the main island of Okinawa, and in the western part of Naha and Urasoe cities which serve as the commercial and social hub of the prefecture. A new Passenger Terminal is located on the south area of Shinko Terminal of Naha Port.

Travel Links - Naha airport is the largest airport in the Okinawa area and the main hub for international and inter-island flights. A new monorail, opened in 2003, connects the airport to the city center.

A-Line ferry runs twice a week from Kagoshima and once a week from both Osaka/Kobe and Tokyo to Naha.