Kokusai Street

Kokusai Street is a major tourist destination located in Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, and is a popular place for both locals and tourists. As its name suggests, Kokusai Street is also attractive to foreign visitors and has become a place that many people visit.

Kokusai Street stretches for about 1.6 kilometers and is lined with many restaurants, cafes, shops, hotels, and tourist facilities. Since it is a pedestrian-only street with vehicle traffic restricted, visitors can take their time strolling around.

This street is also a place where you can experience Okinawa’s traditional culture and history. Scattered along the street are shops selling Okinawan traditional crafts, folk art, and items related to the Ryukyu Kingdom era. There are also many restaurants and food stalls where you can enjoy Okinawan cuisine and local specialties.

In addition, Kokusai Street has many tourist attractions nearby. For example, there is the Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum, where you can learn about Okinawa’s history and culture, and Shuri Castle Park. Shuri Castle Park includes a reconstructed part of Shuri Castle from the Ryukyu Kingdom era, allowing visitors to experience Okinawa’s history and architectural styles.

[Interesting Fact] The Origin of Kokusai Street
The name Kokusai Street comes from the former presence of a movie theater called the “Arnie Pyle International Theater” near the current Tembusu Naha area.

At a time when the area around Kokusai Street was still empty, a private company built this theater through cooperation between the U.S. military government and the Ryukyu government, with the hope that people after the war would have a place to enjoy entertainment. It was named after Arnie Pyle, an American war correspondent who died during the Battle of Okinawa in World War II, and the street eventually came to be called “Kokusai Street,” meaning “the street with the Arnie Pyle International Theater.”

There are also famous sightseeing spots around Kokusai Street. For example, Naminoue Beach is known for its beautiful sandy shore and crystal-clear sea, where visitors can enjoy swimming and snorkeling. Churaumi Aquarium is one of the largest aquariums in the world, offering a wide variety of marine life exhibits and shows.

Kokusai Street is also known as a hub for shopping and nightlife. At night, many bars, clubs, and live music venues are lively and open, allowing visitors to enjoy music and entertainment. You can also enjoy local music and dance performances, as well as delicious food and drinks at the stalls and restaurants around Kokusai Street.

Furthermore, various events and festivals are held on Kokusai Street throughout the year. For example, events such as the Naha Festival and the Kokusai Street Bus Terminal Festival celebrate local culture and traditions. These events feature parades, folk music performances, and traditional dances, allowing visitors to enjoy the atmosphere of a local festival.

Kokusai Street is also conveniently accessible from Naha Airport, and there are many hotels and accommodations in the surrounding area, making it easy for tourists to stay there.

However, since Kokusai Street is a very popular tourist destination, it can become crowded, especially during the tourist season and on weekends. To avoid the crowds, it is recommended to visit earlier in the day or on weekdays.

Kokusai Street is a place where you can fully experience the charm of Okinawa Prefecture, filled with traditional culture and history, beautiful nature, delicious food, and more. If you visit Okinawa, be sure to stop by Kokusai Street and enjoy all that it has to offer.