Dip into the rich history and culture of Okinawa at Okinawa World. See how the acclaimed Nanto beer is manufactured; visit the Kingdom History Museum to learn about Ryukyu history; dress up in royal kimonos at the Traditional Crafts Village; watch an Eisa traditional dance; and catch a fun show featuring poisonous Habu snakes at the Habu Museum Park.

Visit www.gyokusendo.co.jp/okinawaworld/en/

Located at Okinawa World, the Gyokusendo Cave is known to be Japan’s largest underground cave systems, spanning an overall length of 5,000 m with 890 m opened to the public to explore. Marvel at nature’s beauty, made up of over a million stalactites, inside.

Visit www.gyokusendo.co.jp/okinawaworld/en/

The splendor of the Ryukyu Kingdom is a sight to behold at Shurijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inside the castle’s vermillion walls, walk through the halls where great emperors once lived and view ancient royal artifacts.

Visit http://oki-park.jp/shurijo/en/

Considered a must-visit by many tourists, the Sefa-Utaki Sacred Site, once used for religious pilgrimages, is now an UNESCO World Heritage Site. A tour of the holy site’s ancient ruins is also like a walk through a beautiful nature reserve trail.

Visit http://okinawa-nanjo.jp/sefa/pdf/001.pdf

Housing over 700 species of marine life, the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, located at the Ocean Expo Park, has an impressive showcase – the mammoth 7,500 m3 tank which houses three whale sharks and manta rays. Kids will love the exciting dolphin shows which take place near the ocean front.

Visit http://oki-churaumi.jp/en/

Located within Ocean Expo Park, the Tropical Dream Center is a flower lover’s Eden. Over 2,000 orchids are on display here, plus rare plant species, exotic fruit trees, aquatic plants and greenhouses filled with vibrant flowers. A climb to the top of the 36-m observatory tower is highly recommended as you can enjoy a panoramic view of the ocean there.

Visit http://oki-park.jp/

Want a break from all the sight-seeing? Try these activities: Design your own Bingata, an Okinawan traditional dyed cloth made using coral stencils. Visit www.shuri-ryusen.com/en/

Or drop by Okashigoten to make delicious Okinawan beni-imo tarts made with purple sweet potato. Visit www.okashigoten.co.jp

Always wanted to try your hand at pottery? Home to more than 30 pottery stores and workshops, Tsuboya Yachimun Street (about 10 minutes walk from Heiwa Street off Kokusai Street) is the place to shop for beautiful ceramic crafts made by local potters from all over Japan. Some of the potters here conduct workshops so you can learn pottery with a hands-on experience. Visit http://okinawatravelinfo.com/sightseeing/yachimundori/

Okinawa may not be a shopping paradise like Tokyo, but the avid shopper can still have a field trip. Kokusaidori in Naha is a 2-km stretch filled with shops large and small. If you prefer mega malls, head over to Aeon Mall Okinawa Rycom where it’s a shopaholic’s and foodie’s heaven made up of over 200 shops and food stores to explore.

Visit http://en.okinawarycom-aeonmall.com

Enjoy a fun cart ride (kids will especially love this!) to the top of the Kouri Ocean Tower where a panoramic ocean view awaits. Ring the large nautical perched at the tip and take lots of picturesque photos, followed by an al fresco lunch at the restaurant.

Visit www.kouri-oceantower.com/en/index.html

A stunning vista greets you at the famous “Heart Rock” on Kourijima Island which a local legend of Adam and Eve is based on. Viewed from a certain angle, the two rocks form the shape of a heart. It’s also known that couples who want to have children visit the “Heart Rock” to pray for success.

Visit www.mapitokinawa.com/2014/11/the-heart-rock-kouri-jima.html

Tired from all the sightseeing? At Taabaa-ya, you can get some private pampering at this quaint spa located in an olden Japanese house. Book ahead as this spa accommodates only two people at one time. Now this is what we call the ultimate couple spa!

Visit www.shimaspa.com/en/taabaaya

Long used as bases for the US military troops, Okinawa has had a strong American influence on its culture. The charming American Village and Depot Island, a huge entertainment area, is perfect representation of this cultural fusion. Shop and dine at the hundreds of stores here, and explore cinemas, live bands, beauty spas, bowling alleys and arcades.

Visit www.okinawa-americanvillage.com/?lang=en and www.depot-island.com/en/