The “Kokusai-dori Shopping Street” in Naha City is visited by most visitors to Okinawa. Many people probably include it in their Okinawa travel plans.
Kokusai-dori Street, also known as the entrance to Okinawa sightseeing, is approximately 1.6 km long from the north exit of the Prefectural Government Office to the Asato three-way intersection. It is also easily accessible by car or monorail from Naha Airport. Its proximity to the Okinawa Prefectural Government Office and the Kumoji office district attracts many businessmen on business trips to Okinawa.
At night, there are many local after-workers at the izakayas around Kokusai-dori. This street main street is the center of sightseeing in Naha, where sightseeing, gourmet food, souvenirs, and hotels also converge.
History of Naha City Kokusai-dori Shopping Street
The “Naha City Kokusai-dori Shopping Street” was once called “New Prefectural Road” or “Makishi Kaido” as a prefectural road connecting Shuri and central Naha City. It was scorched by the Battle of Okinawa, but after the Makishi Kaido was repaired in 1953, it became a busy shopping street with many stores.
It has come to be called a miraculous mile as a symbol of Okinawa’s postwar recovery. The name “Naha City Kokusai-dori Shopping Street” was derived from the fact that after the war, there was a movie theater called “Ernie Pyle International Theater” near the center of Kokusai-dori (near present-day Tembusu Naha).
Characteristics of the Kokusai-dori Shopping Street area in Naha City
Kokusai Dori is a road that crosses the area from the north exit of the prefectural government building to Kumoji, Matsuo, Makishi, and Asato.
Kumoji has many restaurants that attract businessmen as there are many government offices and offices in the area. Kumoji is also characterized by its many bargain-priced lunches.
Matsuo is an area with “Ukishima Street” lined with fashionable select stores. A road called “Ichigin Dori” leads to Route 58.
Makishi is an area where residents shop and enjoy traditional Okinawan food culture, such as “Ichiba Hondori,” “Heiwa Dori,” and “Makishi Public Market.
Asato is located near Sakae-machi, a restaurant district famous for Senbero.
Events held in Naha City’s Kokusai-dori Shopping Street are also noteworthy!
Various events are held every year in the International Street Shopping Arcade in Naha City. The “10,000 Eisa Dancing Team,” in which youth associations from various regions perform the traditional Okinawan art of “Eisa” on Kokusai-dori, the “Ryukyu Dynasty Picture Scroll Procession,” which recreates the gorgeous ceremonies and events of the Ryukyu Dynasty, and the red carpet for the “Okinawa International Movie Festival” are also held on Kokusai-dori.
In addition to the usual sightseeing, Kokusai-dori is also the site of many unique Okinawan events. When you travel to Okinawa, be sure to check out the event information!
