Fodor's Expert Review Kokusai Street

You're sure to get caught up in the buzz of Kokusai Street, Naha's central hub for dining, shopping, and people-watching. It's an eye-popping introduction to Okinawa's varied demographics, from the crew-cut military personnel, Japanese teenagers on high school trips, honeymooning couples, and excited families, all while the local octogenarians do their daily shop at the market. You'll find many similarly laden souvenir shops filled with the local spirit awamori, shisa (lion-dog) figurines, purple sweet potato tarts, brown sugar, and Kariyushi shirts. However, amongst these you'll also find the stores of local craftsman selling traditional lacquerware, fabrics, and ceramics. The street is pedestrian-only on Sunday, making it the best time to visit.