On the Sapphire Princess arriving in Okinawa on 21 November for the day. Have tour choices of:

1. Shurijo Castle/ Kokusai street visit
2. Naha City Drive and Shopping
3. Okinawa World visit
4. Peace Memorial Park & Museum

We like to see how people live and the traditional crafts they make. The description of Okinawa World says "it is a nice replica of a traditional Ryukyu village with workshops introducing Okinawan crafts." Has anyone been there? Is it hokey or is it worthwhile.

We are not war buffs so the Peace Memorial really doesn't interest us. But if people think we shouldn't miss it we will reconsider.

We don't plan to BUY in Japan so the shopping trip doesn't seem to fit. But did wonder about the castle visit and walking the streets of Okinawa to see the markets which we do enjoy.

Feedback please.

There are other options, of course. You could rent a car or take a bus to wherever you want to go. My pick would be 1 or 3. That castle looks Chinese.

Go to the following link, read, scroll down to the map, then click on the locations on the map. For example, click on where it says Shuri Castle (Shurijo means Shuri Castle).

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e7116.html

Thanks for the link. I had already found it and printed off info from it. What I wanted was info from a tourist who had ACTUALLY done either the castle or Okinawa World. Tourism boards can make anything look good!

understood. we don't get many Okinawa inquiries or replies to inquiries here. you ought to try japan-guide for input, if you haven't already, and I suppose you have.

Thanks. I will try that. Appreciate the help!

ok, please come back and give us a trip report.

I will try and remember to report back. Thanks for the help!

I haven't been to Okinawa World, so cannot comment on the authenticity. Shurijo Castle does look Chinese, which makes Okinawa rather unique city within Japan. They were rennovated relatively recently, but we liked exhibitions.
Kokusai Dori is just a big thoroughfare. Though there is an area nearby that has local pottery and glassware shops. (Can't recall the name, sorry, but seems like a well-known one so maybe tourist board can help? Maybe it sounded like Kuraya or Kuroya or Tsuboya or something like that?)
Cannot imagine why anyone would opt for driving around often gridlock-prone Naha (where Spam and other US processed foods were often listed as don't-miss souvenirs!)

Having said that, there is a great locally produced ice-cream (again, cannot recall the name) that had interesting flavours--my favourites were local citrus-lime (sequwasa) and brown sugar.