Kokusai Street
国際通り
Naha's busiest shopping street, about 1.6 km long, where you'll find everything from the “Miracle Mile” to Okinawan souvenirs, izakaya pubs and the Makishi Public Market.
Kokusai Street is a roughly 1.6-km main street in the heart of Naha. After World War II it recovered quickly from the ruins, earning the nickname the “Miracle Mile.” Today both sides are lined with dense rows of souvenir shops selling purple sweet potato tarts, kanto sweets, snow salt and awamori, along with Okinawan izakaya serving live sanshin music, blue sea glass and Ryukyu glass shops, drugstores and Don Quijote. Partway along, turn into Heiwa Street and Ichiba Hondori to reach the No. 1 Makishi Public Market. On the ground floor, you can buy fish and pork (including colorful tropical fish); on the second floor, you can have your purchase cooked for a fee. It's a classic way to experience Okinawan food. Further in is the Tsuboya Pottery District, where more than 20 pottery workshops line its quiet stone-paved lanes. Tips: Come after 5 pm. Visit the market first (it closes at 8 pm), then choose an izakaya for goya champuru, sea grapes, Agu pork and an Orion beer. After dinner, browse the souvenir shops, most of which stay open until 10 pm. On Sundays from 12 to 6 pm, the street becomes a pedestrian paradise with street performances. Getting there: get off at the Prefectural Office-mae or Makishi stations on the Yui Rail, or it's about 15 minutes from the airport. Note: Prices on the main street are high. The same souvenirs may be cheaper at the airport or in supermarkets. Reserve ahead for izakaya on weekends.
Opening hours
Shops about 10:00–22:00; Makishi Public Market 08:00–21:00 (eateries until 20:00)
Nearby sights
- Makishi Public Market
- Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum
- Naminoue Shrine
- Shuri Kinjo-cho Stone-paved Road
- Shikinaen Garden
- Shuri Castle
- Senaga Island (Umikaji Terrace)
- Okinawa World & Gyokusendo Cave