Top Things to do in Ginowan
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What to do and see in Ginowan, Japan: The Best Places and Tips
Discover the best top things to do in Ginowan, Japan including Nakagusuku Castle Ruins, Araha Park (Araha Beach), Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum, Urasoe Sports Park, Urasoe Castle Ruins, Aeon Mall Okinawa Rycom, Shurijo Castle, Nakamura Family Resident, Urasoe Yodore Site, Tropical Beach.
Restaurants in Ginowan
1. Nakagusuku Castle Ruins
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 280 reviews
Nakagusuku Castle is visible evidence of the Ryukyu kingdom and is a perfect reflection of that period of time in Okinawa’s history.The natural rocks and the land surrounding the castle are in perfect harmony with the curving walls, this amazing feat allows us to appreciate the masonry skills of this ancient time.
Reviewed By Powerpill - Budapest, Hungary
This place has breathtaking views and a great atmosphere. It's a bit off the beaten path so accessing it by public transportation is a bit tricky and time-consuming but it's well worth it.
What made this visit absolutely memorable was the visit to the hotel ruins just next to the castle. It says it's forbidden to access the hotel but go for it! it's not like in the west where these places are full of junkies and rubbish, here you'll have the feeling of being in a ghost-town or a haunted house.
2. Araha Park (Araha Beach)
Overall Ratings
4 based on 206 reviews
Reviewed By ShonanNeko - Tokyo, Japan
Nice little beach. Reservable tables, BBQ, basketball courts, rentable canoes, outdoor cafe, volleyball and play area for the kids. Great for a Sunday out with friends or family. Or just to relax, splash and people-watch.
Coin showers and lockers, western toilets and outdoor foot wash. Netted swimming area enforced. Beach opens at 9am.
3. Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 562 reviews
Reviewed By Cyber0515 - Tokyo, Japan
まるで『白色のウルル』を彷彿させる、シンプルながら印象に残るポストモダンな建築物で、広々とした建物の中に博物館と美術館が併設されています。建物の高さはそれほど高くありませんが、その分外の光をふんだんに取り入れているため、内部は全体的に（特にロビー）明るい雰囲気が保たれています。建物内の構成や標識もシンプルで機能的になっており、とても分かりやすく、初めて訪れた人でも迷うことはありません。また、主に子供たちを対象とした体験コーナーも設置されており、年齢に関係なく誰でも楽しめるスポットのなっています。
料金は、博物館（常設展）は410円、美術館は310円と、やや安めに設定されていることも、利用し易い特徴の一つと思います。但し、博物館と美術館をセットで利用するチケットは存在せず、それぞれの施設で利用する際は必ずチケット売り場で購入する必要があるようです。
博物館の常設展は、先史から近現代史、沖縄の風俗に至るまで、沖縄ならではの非常に興味深い自然や文化の展示物が並び、常設展だけで3時間以上滞在しましたが全く飽きることがありませんでした。それぞれの展示には、様々な困難や悲劇に見舞われながらも、強かに逞しく歴史を紡いできた沖縄そのものを感じることが出来ると思います。ビーチやレジャーで遊ぶのもいいですが、こうした博物館で沖縄の歴史を体感するのもいいかもしれません。
The appearance of building is as "White Uluru"! It is a very spacious building, and has historical museum and art museum. Because the height of the building is not very high, I feel that the light from the outside is sufficiently taken inside. Especially the lobby is very bright! Because the composition and signs in the building are simple and functional, people who have visited there for the first time will not get lost. Of course, guidance of each language such as English is also complete. There are experience rooms for children in the building. Everyone regardless of age will be able to use and enjoy this museum.
I think that the fees of those museums are a little cheaper than other museums(Historical museum: 410 Yen/Adult, Art museum: 310 Yen/Adult). Fees of historical museum and art museum are completely separated.
The permanent exhibition of the historical museum exhibits very interesting nature and culture unique to Okinawa, from prehistoric natural environment to modern history. I stayed at the museum for over 3 hours, but I did not get tired of it at all. As you know, Okinawa has suffered from various difficulties and tragedies so far. But still it has weaved their own history strongly. You'll feel the power of Okinawa from the exhibits.
If necessary, you can take a guide explanation. However, there are guides that can not be explained in foreign languages such as English, attention is necessary.
4. Urasoe Sports Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By BB100 - Hong Kong, China
A must-go for any family with children. Amazing, fun park with lots of climbing and sliding for children (and adults)!!! The roller slides are long and fun- there's even one for my 1-year-old! The kids spent so much time just climbing and playing on the playground, trying out the slides and playing in the sandbox. We will definitely play here again the next time we visit Okinawa. From the Ritz Carlton Okinawa Hotel, it's around a 50-minute (71km) drive.
5. Urasoe Castle Ruins
Overall Ratings
4 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By MaxYourLife - United States
Definitely stop in the visitors center for 100 yen each. Watch the video about the royal tombs and see the replica of King Eiso's tomb. The staff here are incredibly friendly, although their English is limited. You can get a map, which may help.
There is no charge to walk up to the castle, ridge and Needle Rock.
We left the car here and walked, but you can also park closer.
From the closer parking lot, the castle is up the path to your left. The path to the right (again chained but walk through the opening to the right of the chain) goes up to the Hacksaw Ridge as well, just a different route and passes a monument commemorating the building of the road to Shuri Castle.
Visit the Urasoe Castle and royal tombs and continue up the hill. There is a beautiful Buddha statue on the right, and another tomb in a cave on the left.
Proceed up to the pavilion. To the right of this begins the actual ridge. You can follow the path along it, down the steep steps, and on the right is a peace memorial and Japanese military monument.
Walk away from this keeping the graves on your left, go to the far end where you will see the road going down to the left. Take this, but take the first right up the hill. Go all the way up, and through a wire gate, up the stairs to the right. Behold the Needle Rock. We missed it the first time because we walked down through the graveyard without taking the first right up the hill.
Go back down the way you came and turn right to take the road to the exit of the graveyard to the main road. Turn left and follow it past the last grave. On your left, you will see a paved road --chained off so cars can't go on it but you can. This will take you back up the hill below the castle (good photo shot) and back up to the parking area.
6. Aeon Mall Okinawa Rycom
Overall Ratings
4 based on 347 reviews
Reviewed By jeffayn - Malaysia
I really do not know why they built such a big mall in Okinawa, but thanks to them I have destination to go to during the evening as I am not a fan of early bed time.
Also thanks to my wife 'pestering' me to rent a car while in Okinawa, I am able to visit this Rycom and leave till it closing time.
This mall is huge, new and definitely you need hours to walk around just windows shopping. The food court is big and vast selection of food, decent pricing too.
This mall got a full size supermarket , I get my refill of snacks, refreshment, candy, band aid and others... The reason why I am so happy in here is because in Okinawa is very different from Tokyo, Osaka or other main city in Japan where you see dozens of convenience store & pharmacy on one city block.
Of course the lady can shop here for hours....hahaa...
Plus the fact I am staying at one of the secluded resort hotel, therefore I am feel relieve where all the convenience I can get under one roof
Don't worry about the car park , this mall car park is enormous & FREE ...lol
7. Shurijo Castle
Overall Ratings
4 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By A TripAdvisor Member
My husband brought me to the historical castle in Okinawa. Easy access From Shuri Monorail station, it’s only 10-15 minutes walk. It’s is a nice place overlooking the town. A castle filled with Okinawan history. One of the must see place in Okinawa. Entrance fee can be a bit pricey tho, If you have a one day rail pass and you’ll get a discount for the Castle’s entrance fee.
8. Nakamura Family Resident
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 93 reviews
Reviewed By Tanaka G - Tokyo
I just loved this old building full of history! We were told the tour will cost 500￥and wouldn't take more than 20min. Well, we were there for more than 30 minutes and loved everything.
9. Urasoe Yodore Site
Overall Ratings
4 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By richdjing
An awesome castle with an awesome view, there are two parts to the site
10. Tropical Beach
Overall Ratings
4 based on 188 reviews
Reviewed By wedgie78 - hong kong
During our 6 day visit to Okinawa we visited Tropical Beach twice. We were very impressed with how clean the water and beach was.This particular beach didn't have any coral on the beach but nice clean sand which made it pleasant to walk on compared to some Beaches. It doesn't cost you anything to park your car but the carpark does get busy closer to lunchtime. There are tables available towards the back of the beach under the shade that are free to sit at, some Beaches in the south charge a fee of 500 YEN per person. On the beach you can rent lounge chairs and umbrellas. To the side of the beach you can also hire banana boats, jet ski's and snorkel gear. I did see locals cooking on BBQ's which I think you can hire. The beach has a special netted swimming section to keep out the Box jellyfish. I visited this beach with my 8 month old and 5 year old which was perfect as the beach was very calm and my 5yo was able to paddle on her own with my supervision. Out of the 5 Beaches we visited in the south and right up to Ikei beach this was by far our favorite.
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