Did you know that there is a jungle-like area in Naha City? The area is also incredibly close to Yui Rail’s Shiritsubyōin-mae Station (市立病院前駅) and Gibo Station (儀保駅)! Sueyoshi Park (末吉公園) has a very spacious ground of around 19 hectares. Taking many by surprise, a large part of the park looks just like a tropical jungle! With many walking trails in the park, it is considered one of the top destinations for locals to enjoy light trekking and nature.
Furthermore, Sueyoshi Park is a famous spot to adore the fireflies from mid-May to July. When the little bugs start dancing to attract potential partners with their glowing rears, nighttime events are held for us humans to see this rare seasonal scene!
Tip: The best time to visit Sueyoshi Park for fireflies is around 8 pm.
Also, Sueyoshi Park’s cherry trees blossom the earliest in Japan from mid to late January. Other plants’ flowers will then bloom one after another until autumn.
Sueyoshi Shrine (末吉宮)
Moreover, at the highest point of Sueyoshi Park, you will encounter Sueyoshi Shrine (末吉宮), one of the Ryūkyū Hassha (琉球八社) in Okinawa. While the structure was destroyed in World War II, it was previously deemed a national treasure. It is now known to be one of the important national cultural properties.
Tip: To get to Sueyoshi Shrine, we recommend taking the trail from the park’s north exit, as it is much easier to get to than the trail from the park’s south exit. But if you love taking long walks, you will love the trail from the south exit, particularly since it has some steep mountain roads.
Ryūkyū Hassha was one of the eight Shinto shrines that were deemed of great spiritual importance in the Ryūkyū Dynasty. The kings and high-ranked officials would perform rituals at these shrines for the kingdom’s prosperity.
What to Bring/Wear to Sueyoshi Park
- Insect repellent
- A pair of comfortable shoes as you will be walking on the earthen road and potentially slippery stone pavements
- Long pants and a long shirt to avoid insect bites
- Flashlight if you plan to head there at night, as the park will be completely dark after sunset.
How to Get to Sueyoshi Park
- Sumiyoshi Park is around a 5-minute walk from Yui Rail’s Shiritsubyōin-mae Station (市立病院前駅) and a less than 10-minute walk from Gibo Station (儀保駅).
- The park has a few car parks, but they are usually pretty full!
Discover Other Attractions in Naha
Your visit to Naha obviously won’t stop at Sueyoshi Park. The city is filled with a wide range of attractions for you to discover! But which attractions are worth your time?
If that is the question on your mind, our Naha City article has got you covered! Whether it is shopping on the famous Kokusai-dōri Street or visiting a shrine located atop a cliff next to a local beach, you will find all the information you need in the article (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
