Essentials

πŸ™οΈ City Naha is the capital city of Okinawa Prefecture, located on the southernmost tip of Japan. It has a unique blend of Japanese and Ryukyu culture.
πŸ‘₯ Population Approximately 320,000 residents.
πŸ’» Internet Speed Average internet speed is around 50 Mbps.
πŸ’Έ Currency & Banking 1 JPY β‰ˆ 0.0066 USD. ATMs available that accept foreign cards, including Japan Post ATMs.
🚰 Tap Water Tap water is drinkable and treated to high standards.
πŸ”Œ Power 100V, 50/60Hz, plug type A plugs.
πŸ“Ά SIM Card Major providers include NTT Docomo, SoftBank, and Rakuten Mobile. Prepaid SIMs are widely available.
πŸ’³ Banking for Expats Banking services include Shinsei Bank, and several international banks like HSBC have services.
πŸ›Œ Accommodation Airbnb and local guesthouses are popular. Conventional rentals start at around Β₯60,000 for a 1-bedroom apartment.
πŸ’³ Cashless Friendly Yes, most places accept cards including international credit cards.
🏠 Short Term Rentals Airbnb and local guesthouses are available. Short-term rentals start at around Β₯5,000 per night.
πŸ›οΈ Budget Accommodation Hostels like Guesthouse Hari and Kokusai Dori area guesthouses offer beds from Β₯2,500.

Working and Networking

🏒 Best Coworking Space COWORKING SPACE Naha offers modern facilities and a vibrant community.
β˜• Best Cafe for Work Cafe Dera located on Kokusai Street is popular for remote work with free wifi.
πŸ’Ό Networking Events Regular events organized by Okinawa Expats and Meetups in the Naha Area.
πŸ₯‚ Social Events for Expats Facebook groups like 'Okinawa Expats' hold community meetups frequently.

Transportation

πŸš• Best Taxi/Ride App JapanTaxi and Uber operate in Naha.
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental Okinawa Bike Rental offers affordable cycle rentals for exploring.
πŸ–οΈ Best Beach Nearby Naminoue Beach is just a few minutes from downtown.
✈️ Top Regional Airline ANA and Peach Aviation are popular for regional travel.
✈️ Top International Airline All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines connect to major international hubs.
πŸ›£οΈ Highway Access Access to Okinawa's expressways that connect the island.
πŸš‰ Main Train/Transit Hub Naha Bus Terminal connects to local and regional buses.
🚍 Public Transport Passes Single use tickets and a prepaid card system (Okinawa Monorail) are available.
✈️ Regional Travel Buses operate across the island connecting main towns and attractions.

Health and Wellness

πŸ₯ Best Hospital Okinawa Chubu Hospital provides comprehensive healthcare services.
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers The Yoga Room Naha offers daily classes for all levels.
πŸ‹οΈ Gyms & Fitness Centers Gold's Gym Naha has extensive facilities and free trials.
🧺 Laundry Services Self-service laundromats are common, with prices starting from Β₯300 for a wash.

Food and Drink

πŸ“± Best Food Delivery App Uber Eats operates in Naha offering local and international cuisine.
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try Don't miss Okinawa Soba, served throughout local eateries.
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options A.O.C (All Organic Cafe) offers a full vegan menu.
🍫 Best Dessert Spots Kokusai Dori has many sweet shops serving traditional Okinawan treats.
πŸ›’ Affordable Shopping Spots Makishi Public Market is an excellent place for budget shopping.
πŸ›’ E-commerce/Online Store Rakuten and Amazon Japan are popular for online shopping.
πŸ›’ Grocery Delivery Seiyu and Aeon offer grocery delivery services in Naha.
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area Kokusai Dori is famous for its vibrant nightlife and izakayas.
🍻 Local Brewery Okinawa Soba Brewery is worth a visit for local craft beers.
🍷 Wine Bars Bar Kd is a charming spot known for its unique wine selection.
🍲 Street Food Stalls Makishi Market features various street food vendors, especially on the weekends.
πŸ• Popular International Cuisine Try El Pato for delicious Mexican food.

Culture and Attractions

🎟️ Must-See Landmarks Shurijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a must-visit.
πŸ›οΈ Museums & Art Venues Okinawa Prefectural Museum offers insights into local history and culture.
🏰 Historical Sites The remnants of the Battle of Okinawa are significant historical sites.
πŸ• Religious Sites Kannon Temple is an important place of worship.
πŸŽ‰ Annual Events Naha Tug-of-War Festival in October is a highlight.
🎨 Cultural Districts Visit Tsuboya Pottery District for traditional pottery.
🎭 Theater Venues Okinawa Actors’ Studio hosts numerous performances.
πŸ›οΈ Local Markets Makishi Market is a lively place to explore local culture and cuisine.
🎼 Music Scene Live music can often be found at bars along Kokusai Dori.
🎨 Street Art Walk through Naha to discover vibrant murals and street art.
πŸ§‘β€πŸ³ Cooking Classes Okinawa Cooking School offers classes in local cuisine.
πŸ‘©β€πŸŽ¨ Art Galleries Gallery Hana features works from local artists.
πŸ•°οΈ Historic Buildings The former Okinawa Prefectural Office building has stunning architecture.
🏴 Local Heritage The Shuri Castle symbolises Okinawa’s unique cultural history.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

πŸŒ… Nearby Nature Escapes Cape Zanpa offers breathtaking coastal views.
🏞️ National Parks Nearby Yanbaru National Park is located 1.5 hours north and has stunning nature.
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths There are coastal paths along Naha's waterfront perfect for cycling and walking.
πŸŒ„ Scenic Viewpoints The view from Shurijo Castle is stunning, overlooking the city.
πŸ¦‰ Birdwatching Locations Yambaru is a great spot for birdwatching.
πŸ”₯ Bonfire-Friendly Spots Some areas along the coast allow bonfires, check local regulations.

Other Services and Amenities

πŸ“¦ Parcel Delivery Service Yamato Transport and Sagawa Express offer domestic shipping services.
πŸ› οΈ Tech Repair Services Local shops in Kokusai Dori provide device repair services.
πŸ“ Table Tennis Spots Public parks near Naha often have tables for enthusiasts.
πŸ§‘β€πŸ« Language Classes Language schools such as Okinawa Language Academy offer classes.
πŸ“š Libraries & Study Spots Naha City Library is a peaceful place for reading and studying.
🏘️ Community Centers Cultural centers around Naha host local events and activities.
πŸ•ΉοΈ Gaming Lounges There are several gaming cafes, like Game On, in Naha.
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls Casino games are not common in Japan, but pachinko parlors are widely available.

Business

🏒 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. Β₯300,000 per mΒ² (e.g., 30 mΒ² = Β₯9,000,000)
🏒 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. Β₯220,000 per mΒ² (e.g., 30 mΒ² = Β₯6,600,000)
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. Β₯280,000 per mΒ² (e.g., 60 mΒ² = Β₯16,800,000)
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. Β₯230,000 per mΒ² (e.g., 60 mΒ² = Β₯13,800,000)
🏑 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. Β₯250,000 per mΒ² (e.g., 80 mΒ² = Β₯20,000,000)
🏑 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. Β₯200,000 per mΒ² (e.g., 80 mΒ² = Β₯16,000,000)
πŸ’Ό Corporate Tax 23.2%
πŸ’΅ Dividend Withholding Tax 20.315%
🏦 Tax System Japan taxes residents on worldwide income.
πŸ“ˆ Highest Income Tax Bracket ζœ€ι«˜η¨ŽηŽ‡γ―45%です。
🧾 VAT 10% consumption tax.
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules Japan has rules for CFC taxation.
🏠 Property Tax Annual property tax based on asset valuation.
🏠 Property Transaction Tax Transaction tax is generally 3% of the sale price.