Churaumi Aquarium is a popular tourist spot where you can see Whale sharks up close and personal.
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Parking available
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Reservation ok
You can learn about the history of Okinwan railway at the Yui rail exhibition hall. It is a 10 minutes walk from Naha airport.
- CategoryTourism・History/Culture・Themepark
- Phone number0988-59-2630
- AreaNaha/Shuri
- Parking For visitors:Free parking lots for 30 cars
- TagRailwayExhibition hallMonorailNaha
- Hours9:30-16:30(The last entry is at 16:00)
Yui rail opened as a way to connect Shuri station and Naha airport station. The Yui rail exhibition hall was built at the Okinawa Urban Monorail,Inc building.
The building is two-stories. The first floor exhibits the documents of Yui rail. On the 2nd floor, there are some documents explaining the railway. There are more than 400 pages of documentation, You can read them for free.
On the 1st floor, There is a movie corner showing the history of yui rail. You can learn about how Yui rail was made and why. On the 2nd floor, you can observe the many things that are related to railway. Such as old stamps, and other railway souvenirs, and very important documents about light railway that ran before WWⅡ.
Must-see sights
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Introduction of each station
The introduction of each station is exhibited with pictures and descriptions. For Information about facilities near the station, You can check for hotels and shopping malls close to the station. Moreover, you can check the good points of each station and know what to do at the station. You may be able to find a new feature about the station!
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Rail
You can observe the rails, that run in Okinawa, they are The Keibin railway Kadena line and Okinawa street car (Shuri train) rail. Both of them are very rusted however, you can feel the time from the rusted rail, and feel the history that is left behind.
The Keibin railway was a train used to transport sugar cane which was a very important industry in Okinawa. On December 1914, the first Yonabaru line was built. After that, the Kadena line and Itoman line were built. However, they were all destroyed during the war.
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Collection of Railways
There are goods adopted by railway collectors at the Yui rail exhibition hall. This is a very special place where you can see the ticket, hat, Armband, the guide-board, timetable, and the number plate of railways up close in person.
Tea cup, teapot, sample of Ekiben (the traditional Japanese lunch box which were sold at the stations) are exhibited and you can enjoy observing them.
History of Keibin railway and Yui rail

The railway in Okinawa was built the first time as Yonabaru line on 1914 December. Next, they were planning on making the 2nd Itoman line, but the construction was stopped due to the economic stagnation after WWⅠ in 1916. However, with the government's help, The Kadena line was built on 1922 March, and on July 1923 the Itoman line was built. From Naha, to Yonabaru, Kadena and, Itoman. The 3 lines were completed.
Unfortunately, the rail was used for shipping war equipment as the army shipping was proceeding at full speed on 1994 July. On the same year, Naha station was destroyed from the air raid, on November Itoman line was destroyed from the bomb attack, On 1945 March, the war got so heated that they stopped the railway completely. After the standstill, the railway was completely destroyed from the war. Unfortunately, the rail was used for shipping war equipment as the army shipping was proceeding at full speed on 1994 July.
After WWⅡ, the Korean War broke out and due to the iron shortage, the rail was collected for resources. Moreover, for building U.S. bases, the rail was separated and the railway industry in Okinawa disappeared from the island.
The economy grew rapidly in 1970, the population increased dramatically, especially Naha and middle part of Okinawa. The traffic jam was a big problem in Okinawa. In 1972, Okinawa was returned to Japan, and the government stated the new project for development of Okinawa. The new transportation route was considered by the Japanese government and Okinawa.
In 1982 September, Okinawa Urban Monorail, Inc was built and the construction of the Yui rail had began on 1996 November.
In Okinawa, there are still unexploded bombs from the War that haven’t been found The first survey for building the rail worker found an Unexploded bomb. During the construction, some bombs was discovered, but on 2003 August the railroad celebrated its 21st anniversary.
Yui rail exhibition hall is a place where you can learn about railways that run in Okinawa before WWⅡ. The exhibition hall opens on weekdays only. The place is not crowded and you can take your time observing the exhibits. The place is located next to Naha airport and very easy to get to.
Pictures
Yui rail exhibition hall Information
Name | Yui rail exhibition hall |
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Tel/Fax: |
TEL:0988-59-2630 FAX:0988-59-2941 |
Address: |
Postcode:901-0143 377-2 Ashimine Naha-city Okinawa |
Access |
It takes 10 minutes walking from Naha airport |
Hours |
9:30-16:30 Open only weekdays |
Closed |
Weekend/Holiday |
Fees
Fees |
Free |
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How to pay
Budget |
0 |
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Optional fee |
0 |
Credit card |
Not available |
Currency |
JPY |
Reservation |
Reservation is available Reservation is only available for group tour ※To make reservations, please contact the General affairs of Okinawa urban monorail,Inc. |
Facilities
Parking |
Car : 30 free parking lots Bus : 3 free parking lots |
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Information
Time |
About 1 hour |
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Smorking |
You are not allowed to smoke in non-smoking area. |
e.t.c |
The Yui rail exhibition hall welcomes visitors with disabilities. |
A little advise from Churashima travel
A brief comment |
At the exhibition hall, you can observe the special collection of Rail way goods. Kids can enjoy. |
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Important notice |
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What to bring |
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