6 Best Nightlife in Okinawa, Japan

Okinawa is the birthplace of karate and a place of pilgrimage for black belts from all over the world. During the day they punch, kick, and block under the tutelage of martial arts legends, then in the evening they eat and drink at the Dojo Bar. British ex-pat James Pankiewicz started the Dojo as a place where both locals and foreigners could mingle—it has great food and atmosphere. Try a shot of goya juice. Across the road is the Asato Dojo where you can try karate for the first time, or keep up with your training while visiting Okinawa.

Stop here for the smooth, relaxed atmosphere, and sample some of the 10,000 soul records the owner, Takeshi, has on display behind the bar. If you're in the mood to hear Marvin Gaye and the Isley Brothers, this is your place. There's usually a cover of ¥500.

In the admittedly seedier district of Matsuyama, Live House Gold Disc Okinawa (previously Live House Kento's) has been going strong for decades with mostly 1950s and '60s cover bands rocking the neon stage. Most nights there's an admission of ¥1,500. Walking from Kokusai-dori, follow Ichigin-dori north until you get to the bustling Matsuyama intersection and hang a left at the Lawson convenience store.

This American-style sports bar has free billiards and a friendly bar staff. It's also usually open long after all the other bars have closed and is a good option if you want to keep the party going all night long. The local Orion is always the most popular beer, although some go straight for the stronger awamori. Most locals take their awamori mixed with water and ice. They also say that a little turmeric is the key to avoiding a hangover.

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On Kokusai Street, close to the Tenbusu building and information center, Rehab is a relaxing place for a few drinks at the end of your night. Come in to hear stories from Norwegian ship captains on leave, multilingual local businesspeople, the convivial barstaff, or owner Paul Patry himself, the most gregarious person within the city limits.

This place is a shrine to Americana. Posters for Breakfast at Tiffany's, Pulp Fiction, and The Magnificent Seven adorn the walls, and models of the time-traveling DeLorean from Back to the Future sit on the bar. South Park is a bit of a hike east of the piers, near where Route 243 crosses Route 190.