Naha City is located on the western coast of the southern part of Okinawa Island, Japan. It serves as the capital of Okinawa Prefecture and is the most populous city in the Ryukyu Islands. As the political, economic, and cultural center of Okinawa, Naha holds significant administrative and transportation importance. It is home to Naha Airport—an essential hub connecting mainland Japan and overseas—as well as Naha Port, a vital gateway to nearby islands. As the gateway city to Okinawa, Naha embodies both modern development and a deep historical and cultural heritage.
Naha is the smallest of all Japanese prefectural capitals in terms of land area, yet it has an extremely high population density. With Naha Airport occupying over 8% of the city's area and additional constraints from U.S. military bases and port facilities, the space available for urban development is quite limited. Furthermore, due to height restrictions related to the airport, most parts of the city center are unable to accommodate high-rise buildings. However, in recent years, the city government has initiated urban redevelopment in the new city center and parts of the old town, leading to the gradual emergence of taller buildings and a transforming cityscape. Meanwhile, the surrounding municipalities of Naha have evolved into "bedroom communities" for commuters, forming a tightly knit urban living area.
Culturally and historically, Naha is home to many important sites from the Ryukyu Kingdom. The city preserves several Ryukyuan structures and religious sites designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Shuri Castle, Shikinaen Garden, Tamaudun Mausoleum, and Sonohyan-utaki Ishimon. Shuri Castle, located in the Shuri district on the city's outskirts, was the political and cultural center of the Ryukyu Kingdom. It showcases a blend of Chinese and Japanese architectural styles with unique Ryukyuan aesthetics. Although it was destroyed during World War II, it was reconstructed in the 1980s and added to the World Heritage list in 2000. Shikinaen served as a royal garden villa for entertaining foreign envoys; Tamaudun was the royal mausoleum of the Ryukyu dynasty; and Sonohyan-utaki is a sacred site reflecting the kingdom’s indigenous religious beliefs.
In addition to its historical landmarks, Naha's modern cityscape is also appealing. Kokusai Street is one of the most iconic tourist streets in Naha. First opened in 1934, it was named after the “International Theater” that emerged after World War II. During the 1950s, it was a hub for cinema and entertainment culture. Today, it has transformed into a popular shopping and tourist district, filled with various shops, restaurants, and hotels—making it a must-visit destination for travelers in Naha.
