Visiting Kokusai-dori

About Kokusai-dori

Naha's main street runs for about 1.6 km past souvenir shops, awamori bars, Okinawan restaurants and live-music venues. Side arcades such as Heiwa-dori and Ichiba-hondori lead to the market and older shops, and the street is often closed to traffic on Sunday afternoons.

Tip: Explore the covered side arcades rather than the main street for better prices on crafts and snacks.

Plan your visit

• Time needed: 2 hours.
• Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
• Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
• Where: Naha (Kokusai-dori), city base on the monorail with Kokusai-dori, the markets and late-night izakaya.

Best time to visit Kokusai-dori

To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:

• November: 25°C (77°F) highs, about 8 rainy days, quiet crowds.
• October: 28°C (82°F) highs, about 8 rainy days, moderate crowds.
• April: 24°C (75°F) highs, about 10 rainy days, moderate crowds.

When to visit Okinawa has the full month-by-month picture.

Fit it into your trip

Our 3-day Okinawa itinerary visits Kokusai-dori on day 1, together with Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, Nakijin Castle and Kouri Island.

• No. 3 of the 18 sights in our Okinawa things-to-do list.
• Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
• Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
• Day 1 of the 5-day plan.
• Listed in free things to do in Okinawa.

Near Kokusai-dori

Also in Naha (Kokusai-dori), so you can walk between them:

• Shuri Castle — 2 hours, low cost
• Daiichi Makishi Public Market — 1–1.5 hours, mid-priced
• Tsuboya Yachimun Street — 1 hour, free

If you like Kokusai-dori

• Mihama American Village — Chatan, 2–3 hours

Staying near Kokusai-dori

Stay in Naha (Kokusai-dori) ($$) to walk here: city base on the monorail with Kokusai-dori, the markets and late-night izakaya. All areas to stay in Okinawa.

Questions travellers ask