Sight guide · Okinawa · Japan
Visiting Naminoue Shrine and Beach
Okinawa's most important Shinto shrine sits on a cliff above Naha's only city beach, a short walk from Kokusai-dori.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: ChiefHira, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Naminoue Shrine and Beach is a religious site in Naha (Kokusai-dori), Okinawa. Allow 1 hour; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Religious site
- Area
- Naha (Kokusai-dori)
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- free, history and views
- Best months
- April and October–November
About Naminoue Shrine and Beach
Okinawa's most important Shinto shrine sits on a cliff above Naha's only city beach, a short walk from Kokusai-dori. It is the island's busiest shrine at New Year, and the small beach is pleasant for a swim between sightseeing.
Tip: Photograph the shrine from the beach below, then walk the seafront to the Tsuji district for dinner.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1 hour.
- 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 Naminoue Shrine and Beach
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.
For the view at golden hour: in mid-November the sun sets at about 17:40 local time (calculated for Okinawa).
When to visit Okinawa has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Naminoue Shrine and Beach is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium and Shuri Castle.
- No. 18 of the 18 sights in our Okinawa things-to-do list.
- Day 2 of the 2-day plan.
- Listed in free things to do in Okinawa.
- A family favourite in Okinawa with kids.
Near Naminoue Shrine and Beach
Also in Naha (Kokusai-dori), so you can walk between them:
- Tsuboya Yachimun Street — 1 hour, free
- Daiichi Makishi Public Market — 1–1.5 hours, mid-priced
- Kokusai-dori — 2 hours, free
If you like Naminoue Shrine and Beach
- Okinawa Peace Memorial Park — Nanjo and the south, 2 hours
- Sefa-utaki — Nanjo and the south, 1 hour
- Nakagusuku Castle — Okinawa City (Koza), 1 hour
- Nakijin Castle — Motobu Peninsula, 1 hour
Staying near Naminoue Shrine and Beach
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
+How long do you need at Naminoue Shrine and Beach?
Plan 1 hour. With Tsuboya Yachimun Street nearby, it fits a half-day in Naha (Kokusai-dori).
+Is Naminoue Shrine and Beach free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Naminoue Shrine and Beach?
April and October–November, the quietest of the good months. Photograph the shrine from the beach below, then walk the seafront to the Tsuji district for dinner.
+Do I need to book Naminoue Shrine and Beach in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is Naminoue Shrine and Beach good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Okinawa. Okinawa is one of Japan's top family destinations: calm, netted beaches, a world-class aquarium, caves and short drives.