Naha
Naha is Okinawa's capital and most populous city. The energetic nightlife here rivals that of animated Central Okinawa, and the shopping is heavenly. The area around Kokusai Street buzzes with activity at all hours, from the hungry souvenir shoppers at Makishi Public Market and Tsuboya Yachimun Street during the day to the rock music pounding out of Rock in Okinawa at night. The Okinawa City Monorail runs through the city, making transportation from your hotel to attractions like Shurijo Castle Park a breeze. Near Shurijo, walk where the Chinese envoys once resided in Shikinaen Garden, a place renowned for its beautiful landscaping. For those inclined to get wet, organized tours to the Kerama Islands off the coast give tourists a chance to see some of the most beautiful coral reefs in the prefecture. In contrast to this display of beauty and prosperity, peace memorials like the Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum testify to the somber realities of World War II. Located south of Naha in Itoman City, take a moment to walk through these museums and reflect before revisiting all of the beauty the islands have to offer.