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Updated January 2025
The Muslim-Friendly Okinawa, a Popular Resort Area in Japan
Okinawa, the southernmost part of Japan, was known as the Ryukyu Kingdom. It is rich in cultures that are touched by the combination of Chinese and Japanese cultures. Popular as a leisure resort in Japan, Okinawa has a strong image with a beautiful blue beach, blue sky, and white sand. But the charm of Okinawa does not stop there, which will make you can’t wait to visit Okinawa very soon!
Local Halal Food and Comfy Prayer Room at Naha Airport
Naha Airport as the entrance of Okinawa Prefecture is completely Muslim-friendly with the availability of Muslim-friendly food options and a comfortable prayer room!
Donburi Nantoya is a specialized rice bowl restaurant located within Naha Airport 4F domestic-international connecting terminal, offering rice and noodle food options that cater to vegans, vegetarians, halal, and allergies.
Donburi Nantoya
Vegetable tempura rice bowl
Yakisoba
Naha Airport’s prayer room is conveniently located at the 4F restaurant level, and it is designed with Ryukyu tatami, providing a local touch. It has two separate rooms for men and women, each fully equipped with prayer mats and a corner for Wudu.
Naha Airport’s prayer room
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Shuri Castle, Brings to Life the History of the Ryukyu Kingdom
Shuri Castle in Naha City, the capital of Okinawa, was the center of Ryukyu Kingdom. The castle appears in a brilliant reddish-orange color and was designated as UNESCO’s World Heritage Site in 2000. In the main area of Shuri Castle, you will be allowed (with an admission fee) to enter the buildings of bandokoro, nanden, to the main castle called Seiden which is filled with the history of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Inside the seiden, you will be able to see the great architecture of the Ryukyu King’s throne, also his crown displayed nearby.
Please note that there are places where taking videos or photographs is prohibited.
*The Shuri Castle was on fire in October 2019 and is currently under construction which is predicted to be completed in 2026.
Shuri Castle with a blue sky (Seiden building)
Ryukyu King’s throne
In the area, there is a Suimui restaurant that serves Muslim-friendly and vegetarian-friendly foods! It is available in two menus, keema curry and mabodofu (using soy meat!).
Suimui restaurant
Keema Curry
Mabodofu
About Suimui Restaurant
- Address
- 1-2 Kinjo-cho, Shuri, Naha City, Okinawa 903-0815 (Google Maps)
- Open hour
- 08:30-18:00 (Dec-Mar) ; 08:30-19:00 (Apr-Jun, Oct-Nov) ; 08:30-20:00 (Jul-Sep)
- Close
- First Wednesday and Thursday of July
- TEL
- 098-886-2020
- Website
- http://oki-park.jp/shurijo/guide/59/159
- Halal Gourmet Japan
- https://www.halalgourmet.jp/restaurant/619544
Ryukyu Mura, A Must-Visit Ryukyu-themed Park!
In Ryukyu Mura, you will be able to experience going back to the Ryukyu dynasty! There are Okinawan traditional houses, attractions, and shops inside the park to experience Okinawan kimono! Okinawan kimono has a different style from common Japanese kimono which makes it so attractive.
If you come on a rainy day and cannot go outside, don’t worry, Ryukyu Mura has both outdoor and indoor activities! Indoor activities are available from handmade ocean-themed accessories experience to shisha painting experiences, Ryukyu Mura has a lot of things to enjoy!
Here in Ryukyu Mura, you can pray inside an Okinawan traditional house with tatami! Please inform the staff if you want to use the house. Also available wudu’ space.
See Also
Ryukyu Mura in Okinawa Now Have Prayer Space!
About Ryukyu Mura
- Address
- 1130, Yamada, Onna-son, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa 904-0416 (Google Maps)
- Open hour
- 09:00 – 18:00
- TEL
- 098-965-1234
- Website (about prayer space)
- https://www.ryukyumura.co.jp/en/
- Japan Masjid Finder
- http://www.masjid-finder.jp/pray/271
Get Closer to Okinawa Culture Through Music in Live House Kalahaai
Okinawa has unique cultures, including music. Okinawan music mostly uses sanshin, a three-string guitar which is also known as the precursor of Japanese shamisen. In Live House Kalahaai in American Village, you can enjoy the live performances of local artists! By visiting the live house, you will realize that Okinawa has its own dialect!
Live performance of local artists, TinkTink
At the end of the show, you will be able to take pictures together with TinkTink
About Live House Kalahaai
Ready to Get Muddy? Adventure to the Forest with Buggy Ride
Okinawa has a great virgin nature that lets you have experience in buggy riding!
Yambarunture, a buggy ride service in Nago City, Okinawa will bring you an adventurous experience with a buggy ride!
Before getting into the forest, you can borrow (for free) jackets, bottoms, and shoes to protect your outfit from mud.
First-timer? Don’t worry! Yambarunture staff as a teacher, will teach you how to ride, what to be careful about, etc. You will have a chance to try to ride in a training area (together with the teacher) before ready to explore the muddy shady forest!
※ No driving license required.
About Yambarunture
- Address
- 1084 Yofuke, Nago, Okinawa Prefecture 905-0022 (Google Maps)
- Website
- http://www.yambarunture.okinawa/index.html
- Reservation
- https://urakata.in/new_reserve/en/courses/yambarunture
- Time required
- 60 min
- Price
- Adult (over age of 16) ￥6,500, Child (age of 11 to 15) ￥4,500, kid (age of 4 to 10) ￥500
Senaga-jima, a Photogenic Spot Close to the Airport
Looking for a place to kill time while waiting for your flight?
Senaga-Jima is a place with a lot of shops as well as a hotel that faces the emerald blue ocean. There you can explore Okinawa products and souvenirs with a refreshing sea breeze.
As it is located close to the airport, you can see the aircraft landing and take-off.
Looking For More Photogenic Spot? American Village is Your Choice!
American Village located in Chatan, the center of Okinawa’s main island is a place filled with both American and Okinawan shops and restaurants with an abundance of photogenic spots! When night comes, the area will be lit up with beautiful illumination that lasts throughout the year!
