7 Best Things to Do in Naha Besides Diving | A Diver’s Guide to Okinawa Sightseeing

2026-09-07 2026-09-07

teriyakidiverz

Visiting Okinawa for a diving trip but wondering what to do in Naha besides diving?

While Okinawa is famous for its beautiful beaches, coral reefs, and incredible marine life, there is much more to explore on land.

Naha, the capital city of Okinawa, is home to historic sites, traditional culture, shopping streets, local food, museums, and plenty of places to enjoy on a non-diving day.

These spots are also perfect for:

A day off between dive trips
The day before your flight home
Traveling with a non-diving partner or family member
Rainy days in Okinawa
Exploring Naha after your diving trip

Here are some of our favorite things to do in Naha besides diving.

1. Naminoue Shrine — A Historic Shrine by the Sea

One of the easiest sightseeing spots to visit in Naha is Naminoue Shrine.

Located on a cliff overlooking the ocean, Naminoue Shrine is one of the most famous Shinto shrines in Okinawa.

The shrine has a long history and has been an important place of worship since the days of the Ryukyu Kingdom.

Right below the shrine is Naminoue Beach, so you can easily combine the two into one short sightseeing trip.

As divers, we usually experience Okinawa's ocean from underwater.

Here, you can enjoy the same beautiful ocean from above.

Great for:

Short sightseeing trips in Naha
Travelers interested in Okinawan history and culture
Ocean views
A non-diving day

2. Kokusai Street — Shopping, Food & Okinawan Culture

If you're visiting Naha, Kokusai Street is one place you shouldn't miss.

This famous 1.6-kilometer-long street is packed with restaurants, souvenir shops, bars, cafes, and stores selling local products.

It's a great place to try Okinawan food such as:

Okinawa soba
Taco rice
Okinawan pork dishes
Local sweets
Awamori

You can also find plenty of souvenirs to take home.

Don't just stay on the main street, though.

The surrounding area includes Heiwa Street, Ichiba Hondori, and Tsuboya Yachimun Street, where you can experience a more traditional side of Naha.

Makishi Public Market ー Local Food and Izakaya Hopping

Just a short walk from Kokusai Street, you'll find Makishi Public Market, one of the most popular food markets in Naha.

On the first floor, you can choose fresh seafood, and some restaurants on the second floor will even cook your selection for you. It's a fun way to enjoy fresh local seafood while experiencing the atmosphere of an Okinawan market.

The area around the market is also well known for senbero bars. The word senbero literally means “getting drunk for 1,000 yen”, referring to casual drinking spots where you can enjoy inexpensive drinks and tasty small dishes. Many of these bars open from lunchtime, making the area perfect for affordable izakaya hopping.

If you enjoy drinking, take your time exploring the local izakaya and try some Okinawan specialties along the way, such as Agu pork rafute, sea grapes (umibudo), mozuku tempura, and goya champuru.

For divers who want to experience Okinawa beyond the ocean, the Makishi area is a great place to eat, drink, and soak up the local atmosphere.

3. Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum — Discover Okinawa's History

Want to understand Okinawa beyond its beaches and tropical scenery?

Then visit the Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum, also known as OkiMu.

The museum introduces Okinawa's natural environment, history, culture, and traditional way of life.

For divers, this can be particularly interesting.

After spending time underwater and seeing Okinawa's marine environment firsthand, learning about the islands' natural history and culture can give you a completely different perspective on the place you're visiting.

It's also an excellent option when you're looking for things to do in Naha on a rainy day.

4. DMM Kariyushi Aquarium — A Different Kind of Aquarium

A visit to an aquarium might sound strange when you're already coming to Okinawa to dive.

But DMM Kariyushi Aquarium is worth considering, even for divers.

Located in Toyosaki, just outside central Naha, the aquarium features marine life from Okinawa along with immersive digital displays and other modern exhibits.

One fun idea is to visit the aquarium after your dives and see some of the creatures you encountered underwater.

When you're diving, fish rarely stay still long enough for you to get a good look at them.

At an aquarium, you can take your time and observe them properly.

It's also a great choice if you're traveling with someone who doesn't dive.

5. DFS Okinawa — Shopping in Omoromachi

If shopping is more your thing, head to DFS Okinawa in Omoromachi.

Located right next to Omoromachi Station, DFS offers a wide range of international brands, cosmetics, and other shopping options.

The surrounding area is also home to several restaurants, shopping facilities, and the Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum.

That makes it easy to combine several activities in one trip:

Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum → DFS → Dinner in Omoromachi

It's a good option for a relaxed afternoon when you want to stay out of the water.

6. Tsuboya Yachimun Street — Find Traditional Okinawan Pottery

Looking for a more unique Okinawan souvenir?

Take a walk along Tsuboya Yachimun Street.

“Yachimun” is the Okinawan word for traditional pottery, and this historic area is home to pottery shops and workshops.

You'll find plates, cups, bowls, ornaments, and other handmade pieces featuring traditional Okinawan designs.

Instead of buying another generic souvenir, why not take home something you'll actually use?

A handmade piece of Okinawan pottery can be a great reminder of your trip long after you've left the island.

7. Local Markets & Shopping Arcades — Experience Everyday Naha

For a more local experience, spend some time exploring the markets and traditional shopping arcades around central Naha.

Areas such as Heiwa Street and Ichiba Hondori are full of small shops, food stalls, restaurants, and local businesses.

This is a great place to try Okinawan food, browse local products, and simply walk around without a strict itinerary.

Sometimes the best way to experience a city is just to get a little lost.

What to Do in Naha Before Your Flight

For divers, there is one particularly important reason to have a non-diving day in your itinerary.

You need to allow enough time between your final dive and your flight.

Instead of spending that time in your hotel, why not explore Naha?

For example:

A relaxed final day in Naha

Morning:
Naminoue Shrine & Naminoue Beach

↓

Lunch:
Okinawan food

↓

Afternoon:
Kokusai Street & Tsuboya Yachimun Street

↓

Evening:
Dinner and souvenir shopping

This is an easy way to enjoy Naha without traveling far from the city center.

What to Do in Naha on a Rainy Day

Okinawa's weather can change quickly, so it's always useful to have a backup plan.

If the weather isn't suitable for diving or outdoor activities, consider:

Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum → DFS Okinawa → Dinner in Naha

Or visit DMM Kariyushi Aquarium, where you can spend time indoors while still enjoying Okinawa's marine life.

A rainy day doesn't have to mean a wasted day in Okinawa.

Don't Just Explore Okinawa Underwater

As divers, we naturally spend a lot of our Okinawa trip looking beneath the surface.

And that's a pretty good place to look.

But Okinawa has another side that is just as fascinating.

Its history, traditional culture, food, pottery, markets, and everyday life are all part of what makes these islands unique.

So when you're planning your next Okinawa diving trip, don't leave all your time for the ocean.

Take a day to explore Naha.

Visit a shrine.

Try local food.

Walk through the markets.

Learn about Okinawan history.

Find a piece of traditional pottery.

Then, when you return to the water, you'll see Okinawa from a slightly different perspective.

The best Okinawa trip isn't just about what you see underwater. It's about experiencing the island as a whole.

Dive in Okinawa with TERIYAKI DIVERZ

Based in Naha, TERIYAKI DIVERZ offers diving experiences around Okinawa, including trips to the beautiful Kerama Islands.

Combine your diving with some time exploring Naha and make the most of your Okinawa trip — both above and below the surface.

If you're planning a diving trip to Okinawa and have questions about dive sites, schedules, or what to do before or after diving, feel free to contact us.

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