20 Museums in Okinawa worth your time

Shuri Castle is a Ryukyuan architectural monument, expanded under the Second Sho Dynasty, reflecting a unique cultural synthesis.

What it is

• Architectural monument of the Second Sho Dynasty of the Kingdom of Ryukyu.
• Seat of the royal court and administrative heart of the Ryukyu Islands.
• Residence of the royal family until Okinawa became part of Japan in 1879.
• A gusuku, a defensive and spiritual castle with military, residential, and ceremonial facilities.

What to see

• Castle on a prominent hill about 130 meters above sea level.
• Undulating, organic defensive walls of limestone, 3 meters thick, 6 to 15 meters high.
• Broad, terraced inner ward with ceremonial, residential, and administrative buildings.
• Thirteen gates, including four with large stone arches in a Chinese manner.
• Gatehouses and important buildings lacquered red.
• Kyo no Uchi, a large ceremonial and sacred wooded area with stone-walled worship sites.

When to go

• Avoid May 1945 due to historical naval bombardment.

Address

沖縄県那覇市首里金城町1丁目2 Map

Official site

oki-park.jp

Read more about Shuri Castle

Visit Nakamura House, an 18th-century Okinawan home, for unique architecture and traditional village life.

What it is

• Historic private house, designated National Important Cultural Property.
• Built in the mid-18th century in Kitanakagusuku Village, Okinawa.
• Incorporates Japanese architectural styles from Kamakura and Muromachi periods.

What to see

• Main house, detached room, granary, and pigsty.
• Residence surrounded by Fukugi trees and stone walls.
• Shisa guardian lion on the roof for warding off evil.

When to go

• Open daily from 9:00 to 17:30, year-round.

Getting there

• 15-minute drive from Naha Interchange on the Okinawa Expressway.

Official site

www.nakamurahouse.jp

Read more about Nakamura House

This museum honors a Waseda University president, displaying his legacy and offering cultural spaces.

What it is

• A museum in Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture.
• Opened in December 1995.
• Commemorates legal scholar and educator Nobumoto Ohama.
• Nobumoto Ohama was 7th president of Waseda University.

What to see

• Building is a two-story reinforced concrete structure.
• Tower resembles Waseda University's Okuma Auditorium clock tower.
• Bust of Nobumoto Ohama in the courtyard.
• First floor has an exhibition room and a gallery.
• Second floor has a multi-purpose hall and two training rooms.

Getting there

• 3-minute walk from the 730 intersection.

Official site

ohamanobumoto.net

Read more about Nobumoto Ōhama Memorial Hall

This art museum on former base land offers unique art and views of a US air base.

What it is

• A private museum in Ginowan City, Okinawa Prefecture.
• Opened in 1994 on land returned from Futenma Air Base.

What to see

• Permanent exhibit: 'The Battle of Okinawa' by Maruki Iri and Toshi.
• Works by Käthe Kollwitz, Yayoi Kusama, and Georges Rouault.
• Building exterior is exposed concrete.
• Curved facade facing a lawn garden.
• Rooftop views of Futenma Air Base.

When to go

• Open 9:30 to 17:00.
• Closed Tuesdays and during New Year holidays.
• Rooftop stairs align with sunset on Memorial Day.

Address

〒901-2204　沖縄県宜野湾市上原358 Map

Official site

sakima.jp

Read more about Sakima Art Museum

Explore Okinawa's postal history and unique stamps at this corporate museum.

What it is

• A corporate museum operated by the Communication Culture Association.
• Opened on March 23, 1994, originally named Okinawa Teishin Museum.
• Renamed Okinawa Postal Museum on October 1, 2007.
• Nicknamed OKICOMM.

What to see

• Exhibits on Okinawa's postal business.
• Displays of Okinawa stamps.
• Sign of the Ryukyu Government's Postal Agency.

Getting there

• Located on the second floor of Naha Central Post Office.
• A 5-minute walk from Tsubogawa Station.

Official site

www.postalmuseum.jp

Read more about Okinawa Postal Museum

A museum in Okinawa dedicated to boxing legend Yoko Gushiken, showcasing his career and achievements.

What it is

• A museum in Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture.
• Commemorates former professional boxer Yoko Gushiken.
• Opened after his retirement from boxing.
• Exhibits renovated on June 28, 2015.

What to see

• Main exhibition space on the second floor.
• Boxing ring and sandbags are on display.
• Championship belts are among the exhibits.
• Shop corner on the first floor.

Getting there

• 8-minute drive from Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal.

Official site

www.chocchune.com

Read more about Memorial Hall of Yoko Gushiken

Japan's southernmost theme park with traditional Okinawan houses and a monkey garden.

What it is

• A theme park in Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture.
• Japan's southernmost and westernmost theme park.
• Opened March 11, 1981, as Yaeyama Folk Park.
• Renamed Ishigaki Yaima Village in October 2008.

What to see

• Four old private houses relocated to the park.
• Houses are registered tangible cultural properties.
• Makishi Residence was built in 1923.
• Morita Residence was built in 1909.
• Ohama Residence was built in 1907.
• A squirrel monkey garden.

Address

〒907-0021　沖縄県石垣市名蔵967-1 Map

Official site

www.yaimamura.com

Read more about Ishigaki Yaima Village

Ishigaki's municipal museum showcases Yaeyama history and art, easily accessible by bus.

What it is

• A municipal museum in Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture.
• Opened in October 1972.
• Built on the former site of Ishigaki City Hall.
• Became Okinawa's second registered museum in 1983.

What to see

• 90 items of Yaeyama Kuramoto painter's drawings.

When to go

• Closed on Mondays and holidays.
• Closed during New Year holidays.

Getting there

• Accessible by bus.
• Alight at the Museum Front bus stop.

Address

〒907-0004 沖縄県石垣市字登野城4-1 Map

Official site

www.city.ishigaki.okinawa.jp

Read more about Ishigaki City Yaeyama Museum

The Naha City Museum of History, though closed, offers a digital journey into Ryukyu history.

What it is

• A museum dedicated to Naha City's history.
• Opened in 2006, closed in 2025 for relocation.
• Will reopen in 2026 under Naha City management.
• A digital museum launched in 2014.

What to see

• Exhibits on Ryukyu Kingdom to modern Okinawa.
• National treasures of the Ryukyu King Sho family.
• The national treasure "Tama-kanmuri" (jeweled crown).
• Materials on Okinawa-Taiwan historical connections.
• Exhibits were in Japanese and English.

Address

沖縄県那覇市久茂地1-1-1　パレットくもじ4F Map

Official site

www.rekishi-archive.city.naha.okinawa.jp

Read more about Naha City Museum of History

This museum commemorates the Himeyuri Student Corps and preserves their WWII experiences.

What it is

• A museum in Itoman City, Okinawa Prefecture.
• Dedicated to the Himeyuri Student Corps.
• Opened on June 23, 1989.
• Built to preserve war memories.

What to see

• Life-size diorama of the Third Surgical Trench.
• Life-size model of Haebaru Army Hospital Trench.
• Testimonial videos of survivors.
• Photos of student and teacher war dead.

When to go

• Exhibitions were renewed in April 2004 and April 2021.

Address

沖縄県糸満市字伊原671-1 Map

Official site

www.himeyuri.or.jp

Read more about Himeyuri Peace Museum

A memorial to the Battle of Okinawa, offering a solemn look at its history and impact.

What it is

• A 45-meter high octagonal tower.
• Part of Okinawa Senseki Quasi-National Park.
• The park was designated in 1972 as a battlefield site.

What to see

• Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum, opened 1975.
• Museum exhibits documents on the Battle of Okinawa.
• National Okinawa War Dead Cemetery, established 1979.
• The Cornerstone of Peace, erected 1995, lists all war dead.
• Himeyuri Monument honors 219 staff and students.

Read more about Okinawa Peace Memorial Hall

Learn about the Battle of Okinawa from residents' perspectives at this moving museum.

What it is

• Opened in April 2000, replacing an older museum.
• Dedicated to the Battle of Okinawa and its impact.
• Focuses on the experiences of local residents.

What to see

• Low-rise building designed to resemble red-tiled villages.
• Exhibits with testimonies from Okinawa residents.

Getting there

• Located within Itoman City's Okinawa Senkoku National Park.
• Found inside the larger Peace Memorial Park.

Official site

www.peace-museum.pref.okinawa.jp

Read more about Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum

This exhibition room and memorial tower honor students who died in World War 2.

What it is

• A material exhibition room in Naha City, Okinawa.
• Opened by the Yoshuh Dousoukai.
• Explains activities of the First Middle School Student Corps.
• Commemorates students and faculty who died in the war.

What to see

• Displays portraits, relics, notebooks, and textbooks.
• Exhibits clothes from pre-war school life.
• Ichichu Kenji no Tou (tower) built in 1950.
• Several caves remain on the slope behind the tower.

Read more about No. 1 Middle School Apprentice Team Information Exhibition Room

Explore Okinawa's maritime heritage through traditional boats and historical artifacts at this museum.

What it is

• A public museum managed by Uruma City Board of Education.
• Collects historical and folk materials from the region.
• Preserves and exhibits local cultural assets.
• One of three cultural facilities in Uruma City.

What to see

• Displays wooden boats and shipwright materials.
• Exhibits a maran-sen built by Koshiki Haruki.
• Located on the second floor of the building.
• Co-located with Umi no Eki Ayahashi Kan.

Address

沖縄県うるま市与那城屋平4番地2階 Map

Official site

www.city.uruma.lg.jp

Read more about Uruma City Marine History Museum

Okinawa's largest museum and art museum complex, showcasing the prefecture's culture and history.

What it is

• Prefectural cultural facility in Naha City.
• First complex cultural facility in Okinawa.
• Opened in November 2007.

What to see

• Museum facility twice the size of its predecessor.
• First prefectural art museum facility.
• Building has 4 floors above ground and 1 basement.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from Omoromachi Station.
• 1-minute walk from the Prefectural Museum bus stop.

Address

沖縄県那覇市おもろまち3-1-1 Map

Official site

okimu.jp

Read more about Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum

This museum on Okinawa documents the island's wartime experiences and post-war struggles.

What it is

• A museum established on private property.
• Exhibits materials collected by Shoko Ahagon.
• Focuses on the Battle of Okinawa and base issues.

What to see

• Materials on the Battle of Okinawa.
• Materials on US military land expropriation.
• Clothes and belongings of wartime residents.
• Dummy atomic bombs and shell casings.
• Parachutes and historical photos.
• Exterior writings about its establishment.

Official site

www.iejima.org

Read more about House of Nuchi du Takara

This conservation center protects rare wildlife, especially the Iriomote wildcat, offering free admission.

What it is

• A facility established by the Ministry of the Environment.
• Protects rare wild animals and plants.
• Conducts research and awareness activities.
• Opened on July 12, 1995, reopened July 11, 2022.

What to see

• A two-story reinforced concrete structure.
• Protects Iriomote wildcats involved in traffic accidents.

When to go

• Admission is free.
• Closed on Mondays.

Read more about Iriomote Wildlife Conservation Center

Explore Ginowan's history, nature, and culture at this public museum.

What it is

• Public museum in Okinawa Prefecture.
• Opened on June 1, 1999.
• Specializes in history, archaeology, folklore, and nature.

What to see

• Facial reconstruction of Azama Genjin.
• Replica of the Oyama Dojin mandible.
• Model of Futenma pilgrimage.
• Diorama of the Shinjo settlement in early Showa.
• Model of the Kakazu Takadai bunker.
• Materials from the Nosato internment camp.

Address

〒901-2224　宜野湾市真志喜1-25-1 Map

Official site

www.city.ginowan.lg.jp

Read more about Ginowan City Museum

Okinawa Zoo & Museum is a comprehensive park with a zoo and museum, renewed in 2004.

What it is

• A comprehensive park in Okinawa City.
• Opened in 1970 as a Kodomo no Kuni park.
• Renewed in 2004.

What to see

• Animal Center with 44 mammal and 29 bird species.
• 67 reptile, 5 fish, 11 amphibian, and 1 insect species.
• Wonder Museum, opened April 15, 2004.
• Furusato-en, an Okinawan farmhouse from Meiji to Taisho era.
• Miniature steam locomotive and a carousel.

Official site

www.okzm.jp

Read more about Okinawa Zoo & Museum

This museum commemorates the 1944 Tsushima-maru sinking, a tragic wartime event for Okinawa.

What it is

• A museum preserving materials about the 1944 Tsushima-maru incident.
• Opened on August 22, 2004, as a national consolation project.
• Managed by the Tsushima-maru Memorial Foundation.

What to see

• Exterior designed to resemble the Tsushima-maru ship.
• Displays 417 portraits of the incident's victims.
• Reinforced concrete structure with three floors.

Official site

tsushimamaru.or.jp

Read more about Tsushima-maru Memorial Museum