When I travel on my own, I usually stop by tourist information centers to pick up materials. They’re useful for my current trip, and I often find inspiration for my next one too. The Okinawa Tourist Information Center at Asahibashi is in a great location, right above the Naha Bus Terminal. It’s easy to get to from either Asahibashi Station or the bus terminal. I went by scooter, though, so it was a bit of a walk from the parking lot. Hoshino Coffee is right next door, so you can grab something to eat if you’re hungry.
I was honestly surprised when I arrived. This is one of the largest tourist information centers I’ve visited in Japan, and it has a very comprehensive selection of materials covering not only Naha City but also attractions, transportation, and events throughout Okinawa’s main island. The counter offers multilingual assistance. While I was resting inside, I happened to hear the staff helping travelers directly in Chinese and Japanese.
In addition to travel information, you can purchase some transportation tickets and sightseeing products. Luggage storage is also available, currently for JPY 500 per item per day, with same-day pickup required. They also offer luggage delivery, which is really thoughtful. There are also some Okinawan cultural exhibits inside. The space is roomy and comfortably air-conditioned, making it a good place to rest and look through materials while waiting for a bus or during a break in your itinerary.
Naha City Tourist Information | Review by Holly
Other Reviews by Holly
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AEON MALL Okayama
This large shopping mall opened in 2014 and spans multiple levels from Basement 2 up to the seventh floor above ground. Located in the center of Okayama City, it is a rare urban-style mall for AEON MALL, which more often operates suburban locations.
AEON MALL Okayama is really huge. If there are specific brands you want to visit, I recommend checking the floor and location before going in, or you can easily wear yourself out walking around inside. But its size also has advantages: the selection of brands is very comprehensive. You can shop at brands familiar to Taiwanese travelers, such as DAISO, 3COINS, JINS, and MUJI, all in one place. I especially thought the MUJI here was very large.
Compared with running around different areas of Osaka or Tokyo for different brands, here you can get almost all your household goods, clothing, glasses, drugstore items, and souvenirs in one place. It’s a great stop for getting all your shopping done at once. Another especially traveler-friendly feature is that many specialty stores offer tax-free shopping, and the official website lists which stores provide it. There’s no need to check each brand’s website, which saves a lot of trouble. Definitely a plus.
For the best shopping order, I also recommend visiting the individual stores first and then shopping at the supermarket on the first floor last. The supermarket stays open until 23:00, much later than the other stores in the mall, which close at 21:00. Besides the timing, if you buy a lot of food at the supermarket first, carrying it all around while shopping can be pretty tiring.
Discounts on prepared foods starting in the evening are also very popular. When I went close to 8:00 p.m., there was still food available, but many popular items were already gone. Since the supermarket itself is large enough, it usually won’t be completely cleaned out, but if there’s something in particular you want to eat, don’t wait too late.
Also, after arriving in Okayama on Tigerair Taiwan and getting into the city, many tourist attractions are already about to close, so AEON MALL is actually a great option at that time. You can also use it as a one-stop shopping destination on your last day. For me, AEON MALL Okayama’s biggest advantage is being able to buy everything in one place, with a comprehensive selection of brands and a supermarket that stays open later. The shopping convenience is even better than in many major cities. -
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SOU-SOU Isemomen
SOU-SOU is a textile design brand born in Kyoto. Focusing on lifestyle items that fit modern Japanese life, the brand focuses on using traditional materials and methods while upholding the concept of “creating a new kind of Japanese culture”. Inside you’ll find a wide range of items including jikatabi, kimono, Japanese sweets and furniture.
When I visited Kyoto before the pandemic, I happened to wander near the SOU・SOU Kyoto store. It wasn't open yet, but the brightly colored, distinctive patterns in the window made my friend and me stop and look for a long time. I later learned that SOU・SOU is one of Kyoto's most iconic design brands.
This time, I mainly came to restock on their “tabi socks,” or split-toe socks. I especially recommend them for women with larger feet—not because the women's socks come in especially large sizes, but because their men's socks are just as colorful as the women's, with lots of patterns to choose from. So even if you need men's sizes, you aren't limited to black, gray, and blue. They're also made in Japan, aren't as expensive as you might expect, and have a split-toe design. After buying a pair myself, I became a loyal customer.
Another unique thing about SOU・SOU is that different stores carry different items. When I visited the Tokyo location before, I searched the men's section for a long time but couldn't find any women's clothing. I thought it had sold out, but when I finally asked a staff member, I learned that the women's store was across the street, not where I was. Kyoto has a similar setup. The stores are concentrated in the same area, but clothing, tabi, and different collections are sold separately. So if you can't find what you want, the quickest thing to do is ask a staff member. It may not actually be out of stock—you may just be in the wrong store.
There was also a funny little incident this time. When I was passing through the area the next day, some international travelers suddenly stopped me to ask for directions. I was wondering what to do because my English isn't very good, but it turned out they were looking for SOU・SOU. I immediately realized, I know this one! I could open the map without a translation app and take them to an easy-to-recognize intersection so they could walk there. It was a sweet little travel moment. -
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Okinawa World
This theme park condenses the charms of Okinawa and is very popular among tourists from both inside and outside Japan. The largest limestone cave in Okinawa, Gyokusendo Cave, was created over 300,000 years ago, and it's more than one million stalactites reaffirm the mystery and grandeur of nature.
I actually came this time entirely for Gyokusendo Cave. I originally thought I could leave after seeing the limestone cave and checking out some traditional Okinawan buildings, but once I went in, I realized the layout of Okinawa World is incredibly well designed. There's basically no way to pick and choose only what you want to see.
The route through the park starts with Gyokusendo Cave. After exiting the cave, it naturally leads to the tropical fruit garden, traditional craft experiences, the Ryukyu Kingdom Castle Town, shops, performance areas, and other facilities, one after another. You basically follow the route through the entire park. I thought three hours would be enough, but everything flowed so smoothly that I ended up staying for the performance too. I arrived a little after 1 p.m., and by the time I left, it was almost closing time.
That said, Gyokusendo Cave itself is definitely worth making a special trip for. The cave is about 5 kilometers long, with around 890 meters currently open to visitors, and it contains over one million stalactites. Walking through it is truly spectacular. Along the way, you can see the many different forms created by the stalactites, and even small stalagmites slowly forming where water has been dripping near the walkway for years.
I really liked the lighting inside. It illuminates the cave clearly without giving it that cheap tourist-attraction feel from excessive lighting. Instead, it beautifully brings out the layers and shapes of the different stalactites. There are a few things to keep in mind when visiting, though. The cave has plenty of ups and downs, and the ground can get wet. Some stalactites hang so low over the walkway that protective padding has been installed. Taller visitors really need to watch their heads, because if you hit one, people might be more worried about the stalactite than your head.
Also, Gyokusendo Cave is not wheelchair accessible, and the public route is nearly 900 meters long. If you're traveling with seniors or children, or if you have difficulty with stairs and wet, slippery surfaces, it's best to consider your stamina beforehand.
Overall, the admission isn't exactly cheap, but the scale and scenery of Gyokusendo Cave are impressive. Along with the traditional Ryukyu buildings, craft experiences, tropical plants, and live performances afterward, I still recommend setting aside half a day if it's your first time in Okinawa. The overall atmosphere really doesn't feel like Japan. -
