tourism・experience・eat・shopping 2023.12.14

Walk around Okinawa’s largest downtown area “Kokusai Dori” wearing Ryuso costumes

Writer

三木愛美

Photographer

小橋川恵里奈

A photographer from Okinawa Prefecture. He moved to Tokyo in 2006 to study under Tomohiko Tagawa, and became independent in 2008.
He mainly shoots magazines, advertisements, portraits, etc.

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The area, which is one of Okinawa’s busiest downtown areas, is lined with souvenir shops selling sweets and folk crafts, apparel shops, restaurants, hotels, and more. If you stay on Kokusai Dori, you can do all your shopping and dining in one go, so you may be able to use your time more effectively.

Another thing I would like to try when I come to Okinawa is to make memories by wearing traditional Okinawan costumes. There are also shops on Kokusai Street where you can rent Ryuso, the traditional Okinawan costume. Enjoy a commemorative photo while walking around town dressed in Ryuso! It looks like you’ll have some great memories.

“Kokusai Dori” is the main street of Naha City

Branching off from here, streets, Heiwa Dori, Okiei Dori, and Ukishima Dori, are lined with souvenir shops selling sweets and folk crafts, apparel shops, restaurants, hotels, and more.

Tsuboya Yachimun Street is located a little away from the main street. There are many shops selling Yachimun, a famous Okinawan traditional craft. You can also see traditional Okinawan houses. You can see a different scenery from the lively atmosphere of Kokusai Dori, so if you have time, be sure to stop by.

Try on Ryuso, the traditional Okinawan costume, on Kokusai Street

Shopping and dining aren’t the only things you can enjoy on Kokusai Street. If you are visiting Okinawa, why not try Ryusou? Near Makishi Station on the Okinawa Urban Monorail, there is a shop called “Rental Ryuso veni” where you can rent Ryuso.

Ryuso is the traditional costume of Okinawa. Born during the Ryukyu Kingdom era, it is also called “Uchinasugai” in Okinawan language. Ryuso is worn as formal attire for occasions such as celebrations. In the past, gorgeous Ryuso costumes in red and yellow colors were only allowed to be worn by royalty and people of high status.

The Ryuso clothing decorated with bingata is beautiful and will become a memorable memory of your trip. Why not take a commemorative photo while enjoying a walk around town dressed in Ryuso costume? It looks like you’ll have some great memories.

Facility name

Rental Ryusou veni

Address

2nd floor, Tomiya Building, 3-13-16 Makishi, Naha City, Okinawa PrefectureGoogleMap

Business hours

10:00-19:00
Closed on Wednesdays (open on holidays)

Official site

https://www.nagopine.com

Kokusai Street is not just about shopping and eating. Make good use of events

Kokusai Dori is a fun place with a variety of stores. Time passes quickly. Just being able to enjoy shopping and dining is satisfying, the many activities are also part of the charm. Events where you can experience Okinawan culture are also held here..

Among them, the Pedestrian’s Paradise, which is held regularly every Sunday from 12:00 to 18:00, is an event that will make you feel like you have earned something. It is a road that is closed to general vehicles and gives priority to pedestrians. Therefore, you can walk including the lanes, so you can enjoy shopping in a different atmosphere than usual.

There are also open cafes, street performances, etc. here, and you can see the lively Kokusai Street that is different from the past.