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OKINAWA AT A GLANCE

Shurijo Castle

THE BEST OF OKINAWA

Don ' t miss out on the top Points of Interest in this port - Book a Princess Excursion and experience them for yourself !

Founded : The main island of Okinawa lived an independent existence until it became a Japanese prefecture in 1879 . Region : Surrounded by the East China Sea , Okinawa is the largest island in the Ryukyu Islands , located 400 miles south from the rest of Japan Population : 1 . 385 million ( 2009 ) Climate : Sometimes referred to as the " Hawaii of Japan , " Okinawa ' s subtropical weather means mild winters and hot summers with pleasant year ' round temperatures averaging 68°F . Language : Japanese Hello . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Konnichi wa Yes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hai No . . . . . . . . Wie ( ee - YUH ) Please . . . . . . . . . . Dozo Thank you . . . . . . . . . . Arigato gozaimasu Excuse me . . . . . . . . Sumi masen Good morning . . . . . . Ohayou Gozaimasu Good afternoon . . . . . Konnichi wa " Please take me back to the port " ( in local language ) : " Naha - ko Wakasa Ba - a - su ni tsurete itte kudasai Currency : Japanese Yen ( JPY )

O SHURIJO CASTLE Built in the 1300s , this vermillion - colored landmark was the palace of Ryukyu kings and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site . Explore the castle ' s interior , now a museum , and take in panoramic views .

2 OKINAWA MUSEUM Dedicated to preserving Okinawan art and history , this modern museum showcases 85 , 000 artifacts pertaining to folklore , crafts and archaeology in its collection ranging from the 12th century to the present . 3 JAPANESE NAVY UNDERGROUND HEADQUARTERS Descend 101 steps into a complex dug by hand that served as the Japanese Navy ' s headquarters during World War II . A recorded audio feed enhances your tour through the underground tunnels .
PEACE MEMORIAL PARK Peace Park and Okinawa Peace Memorial Museum serve as the main memorial to the Battle of Okinawa . Stroll the grounds and learn about the events leading up to this devastating period in Okinawan history .

5 SHIKINAEN GARDENS Constructed in the 18th century as a second home to the Ryukyu kings , the property ' s landscaped gardens , quaint wooden palace buildings and a tranquil pond can all be viewed by strolling a picturesque circular path . 6 RYUKYU MURA Traditional culture comes to life in this charming re - creation of an ancient Okinawan village . " Living exhibits " showcase festivals , cuisine and crafts . A parade and dance performances add merriment .
O SEIFA UTAKI Okinawa ' s most important , outdoor sacred place at the UNESCO World Heritage Site . Discover ceremonial altars created from natural stone and caves nestled within a rocky seascape .
CHURAUMI AQUARIUM A kaleidoscope of marine life is on display in over 80 tanks , including the massive Kuroshio Tank , holding 2 million gallons of seawater . See sharks , mantas , colorful coral , and a dolphin show .

Explore Okinawa with a Princess Shore Excursion . Visit the Tour Office for more information

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POINTS OF INTEREST O SHURIJO CASTLE
OKINAWA MUSEUM JAPANESE NAVY UNDERGROUND HEADQUARTERS
PEACE MEMORIAL PARK 5 SHIKINAEN GARDENS 6 RYUKYU MURA 7 SEIFA UTAKI 8 CHURAUMI AQUARIUM

East China Sea

Naminoue Rinko Rd

Map not to scale

mourinkOEG

Wakasa Odori

Wakasa Kaigan Dori

Sogenji Don

Nakayoshit

Naminoue
Beach Naminoue Shrine

To Ryutan Pond & Shurejmon Gate
02

Naminoue Rink

Wakamatsu Oroshidon - ya - gal Dort

Uenokura Odon

2

2

Ichigin Dort

Tembusu

Naha

222

Okinawa Gas Dori

To Naha Alrport , Awamori Brewery , Himeyurt Museum , Rukyu Glass Village and Peace Memorial Park and Museum

Kokusal Odori

Kume Odo

Nishi - Shobosho Dori

Makishi Market

Kokusal Street

To Tsuboya Museum 57

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OKINAWA A CITY OF CONTRASTS

You can ' t help but admire the dual personality of Okinawa as you make your way around the main island . From its landmark 14th century Ryukyu - era Shurijo Castle to the 20th century memorials dedicated to peace Okinawa strives to build a bustling future while embracing its revered past . It ' s this fascinating mix of reverence and energy that makes Okinawa such an unforgettable experience .

traditionally landscaped grounds , connected by manicured paths that meander over graceful stone bridges , through small forests and around a central pond . Experience what ordinary Ryukyu lives were like with a journey to Ryukyu Mura , a charming reproduction of an ancient Okinawan village . Original architecture from all over the region is on display , and Okinawan cuisine is featured in food stands and restaurants . Visit “ living exhibits ” showcasing traditional festivals , cuisine and crafts and watch villagers create traditional bingata stencil - dyed fabrics . You can even try your hand at activities like indigo dying , pottery , painting and playing the sanshin guitar .

A LIVING HISTORY Okinawa ' s early history has been lost to time until the 15th century when the Ryukyu kingdom , then under the power of China , ruled over the islands . Okinawa then flourished as a great trading center with China , Korea and Southeast Asia . Reminders of the Ryukyu ' s exalted past is carefully being restored in Naha City , the seat of power during the Ryukyu ' s 500 - year - reign .

LANDMARKS DEDICATED TO PEACE Military history enthusiasts will appreciate an intimate look at the Battle of Okinawa with a tour of three sites commemorating the event . Today , poignant memorials are spread across the island and serve as thought - provoking and sober reminders of the human cost of war . The former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters is noted as the last stand of the Japanese Navy . Pause at the entrance , where a raised platform provides a stunning and meditative view of the surrounding area . Then , descend the 101 steps down into a system of underground tunnels that stretch 1 , 476 feet into the hillside . It was here , in the waning days of the war , Rear Admiral Ota , and many of his men fought and died . The Himeyuri Peace Museum and the adjacent Himeyuri Monument commemorates the lives of female high school students who worked as nurse assistants in army field hospitals . The Peace Museum displays photos and personal effects and testimonies from the surviving members of the group serve as a moving memorial and reminder of the miseries of war , the importance of peace , and the preciousness of life . Nearby , you ' ll find the lovely Peace Park and Okinawa Peace Memorial Museum . Built on the site of the last battles for control of Okinawa , the museum offers an overview of the historical events leading up to the battle , the battle itself , and the aftermath and reconstruction . The park ' s “ Cornerstone of Peace " is dedicated to those who lost their lives ; the name of every soldier , marine , coast guardsman , sailor or airman - both Allied as well as Japanese - are engraved on elegant granite walls . But these are just a few of the must - see sights Okinawa has to offer . Whether you prefer to be transported back in time , to meditate over its lush scenery and swaying palm trees or to contemplate the preciousness of life , your visit will always be memorable .

Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters

For a glimpse into the original splendor that surrounded the Ryukyu kings , take a step back in time with a tour of the magnificent Shurijo Castle . Outside , the picturesque Shureimon Gate shimmers in red and gold lacquer . Inside , the main hall is decorated in a lavish décor and a striking red color that is unique to Shuri Castle . Originally built in the late 1300s , Shuri was destroyed and rebuilt numerous times over the centuries and was ultimately destroyed in the battle of Okinawa in 1945 . Reconstructed on the original location using photos , official records and memory , it reopened in 1992 and is a UNESCO World Heritage site . The peaceful and delightful 18th century Shikinaen Garden was also built for royalty . Here , you ' ll find simple wooden buildings and pavilions with tile roofs artfully situated among

DE DID YOU KNOW ?

natural world , is still practiced throughout the islands .

here is the massive Kuroshio Tank , which holds nearly two million gallons of water , making it one of the largest saltwater tanks in the world !

LOCAL CUISINE The Okinawan diet has been touted for its health benefits . Low - fat , low - salt foods , fish , tofu , and seaweed are common ingredients at every meal such as champuru , a stir - fried dish made with tofu , bitter melon and vegetables . But you may be surprised to learn that pork is one of the Okinawans favorite meats - but it ' s used primarily in soups . Try this island favorite : Okinawa soba , which is a noodle soup made with pork broth and wavy noodles topped with pork , leeks and sliced red ginger .

SLURPING ETIQUETTE It ' s ok if you slurp while eating noodles such as soba , udon , and ramen ; in fact , it ' s not even considered rude .

OKINAWA ' S OFFICIAL SYMBOLS The red flower of the deego tree is the prefecture ' s official flower . Pinus luchuensis , a species of conifer abundant throughout the Ryukyu Islands , is the tree symbol for Okinawa .

LOCATION Okinawa sits 400 miles south of the rest of Japan , about halfway between Tokyo and Taiwan .

HOME SWEET HOME Many new homes around the island are made with red roofs that display a statue resembling a lion or dragon , called a shisa , which is said to protect the home from danger .

LIVE LONG AND PROSPER Individuals live longer on this Japanese island than anywhere else in the world . Five times as many Okinawans live to be 100 as in the rest of Japan , and the Japanese are the longest - lived nationality in the world .

SWEET TREATS Okinawa is a major producer of sugar cane , pineapple , papaya and other tropical fruit .

FULL OF FAMILY FUN Okinawa World is a one - of - a - kind theme park that ' s home to the enormous natural Gyokusendo Cave , the second largest in the country , formed more than 300 , 000 years ago .

HISTORY ON DISPLAY To learn more about the history and culture of the Ryukyus , it ' s worth a visit to the Okinawa Museum .

TOURS WITH SPIRIT Tour the Orion beer factory , the only full sized brewery on the island , and learn how the most popular beer in Okinawa is made . At the end of your tour , sit down and taste this refreshing drink for yourself . There is also a gift shop where you can purchase souvenirs . Awamori is a spirit unique to Okinawa . Made from rice and distilled , rather than brewed like sake , Awamori is enjoyed straight , over ice , or diluted with water . Take a factory tour and learn about the process and enjoy a delicious tasting .

WATER PLAY The Churaumi Aquarium , considered the best in Japan , houses 77 tanks on four floors . Fresh salt water is pumped in from the sea 24 hours a day . The largest and most dramatic habitat

SACRED WORSHIP The Ryukyuan religion , generally characterized by ancestor worship , and the respecting of relationships between the living , the dead , and the gods and spirits of the

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Shore Excursions : Passengers will meet at a specific location for each shore excursion departure . Please refer to your tour ticket and the Princess Patter for the correct place and time . Your Shore Excursion staff will be at that location to assist you . Proper Attire : During the spring , summer , and fall , dressing in layers is the key to being comfortable . A light shirt , short or long sleeved , makes an excellent first layer . Over that , a sweatshirt , sweater , or fleece pullover will provide warmth . The ideal outer layer is a light waterproof jacket . Layers should be easy to remove depending on weather changes and your activity . Docking : Your Princess ship will dock at Naha New Port , approximately five miles from downtown .

and Naha can be very crowded with cars especially at rush hour . Shopping : Okinawa is well known for its beautiful and delicate traditional arts and crafts that include weaving , dyeing , lacquerware , fabrics and ceramics . Kokusai Dori ( International Street ) is the main retail street in Naha , located five miles from the pier . Kokusai Dori is roughly a 1 . 5 - mile strip bustling with souvenir stores , bars , cafes , clothing stores , hotels and restaurants . Midway along Kokusai Dori at the intersection of Okiei and Ichiba Chuo Streets are the covered market alleyways ( shotengai ) of the Makishi public market , including Heiwa Dori and Mutsumi Dori . Close to here is the Tsuboya Pottery Museum with displays of historical Okinawan ceramics . Stores are generally open from 9 : 00am to 8 : 00pm , seven days a week Tipping : If you wish to include a tip , you may consider placing the gratuity inside a small envelope and hand it to the recipient .

Banks : The nearest bank is located at Kencho - mae ( Okinawa Pref . ) . Generally open weekdays from 8 : 30am to 3 : 30pm , and closed on weekends and national holidays . Post Office : The nearest post office is located at Kencho - mae ( Okinawa Pref . ) . Generally open weekdays from 9 : 00am to 5 : 00pm , and closed on weekends and national holidays . Emergency Numbers : Police - 110 Ambulance , Fire - 119 Tourist Information Office : Tembusu Naha 1F 3 - 2 - 10 Makishi , Naha City , Okinawa 900 - 0013 Princess Cruises Port Agent : In case of emergency while you are ashore , please contact : Okinawa Ship ' s Agency Corp . 2F Naha Port Terminal 2 - 1 , Tondou - cho Naha City , Okinawa Tel : + 81 - 98 - 866 - 7890 Fax : + 81 - 98 - 866 - 7096

Transportation : Taxis are available at the pier and throughout Naha City . Taxi drivers may have limited English speaking abilities and usually will only accept local currency for fares . There are no trains in Okinawa