Facing the East China Sea and filled with pink cherry blossom trees, Nago is considered one of Japan's most beautiful cities. It's brimming with family-friendly attractions, including a colourful pineapple plantation and an underwater aquarium. Nago is also a great base for exploring the picturesque island of Okinawa.
Things to do in Nago
Kids will love the colourful attractions at Nago Pineapple Park. It's best explored by golf carts, which zip around the tropical pineapple plantation. Don't miss the gift store, where you can stock up on pineapple treats, merchandise and beauty products.
Sitting high on a hillside, the ruins of Ryukyu Gusuku castle offer a fascinating glimpse at Okinawa's ancient history and date back to the 14th century. From the top you'll get sweeping views over the city, while in spring it’s considered one of Japan's most beautiful cherry blossom viewing destinations.
Okinawa is famous for awamori, an alcoholic beverage made from long grain rice. You can learn about the process at Helios Distillery. Guided tours offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the production process, from grain to glass, and offer a chance to sample the final product.
Okinawa is surrounded by the sparkling South China Sea, and there's no better place to discover the area’s diverse marine ecosystem than Busena Marine Park. You can get up close with sea creatures in the underwater observatory or step aboard a glass-bottom boat tour. Divers can explore unique sites, such as Blue Cave, known for its coral reefs and colourful fish.
Getting around Nago
Nago is easy to get around on foot and there are local buses and taxis cruising the streets. Flights arrive at Naha Airport, located around 1.5 hours from Nago City. Hiring a rental car or private driver is the best way to explore attractions in North Okinawa.