Located in a corner of the Kahuna Asahibashi complex, which is directly connected to Asahibashi Station on the Okinawa Urban Monorail Yui Rail, and about a two-minute walk from HOTEL RESOL TRINITY NAHA, is the Okinawa Prefectural Library, a treasure trove of knowledge that condenses Okinawa's history and culture.

A place where you can experience the charm of Okinawa through books

"The Okinawa Prefectural Library is a place where you can experience the charm of Okinawa through books. Learning about the history and culture makes your visit even more enjoyable and meaningful."

That's what Nakao, who works at the Okinawa Prefectural Library, told us. The Okinawa Prefectural Library was established in 1910 (Meiji 43) as the "Knowledge Base of Okinawa," but lost many materials during the Okinawa Ground Battle of 1945 (Showa 20). However, the library continued to steadily collect materials from both inside and outside the prefecture, and now has a collection of about 950,000 books. Of these, more than 340,000 are local materials related to Okinawa Prefecture.

The current new building opened in December 2018 and has already attracted 1 million visitors in just two years, making it a popular spot not only among local residents but also tourists.

An oasis in the city that you can easily drop in to between sightseeing

The Okinawa Prefectural Library is directly connected to the bus terminal and Yui Rail Asahibashi Station, making it a perfect place to stop by between sightseeing trips or before heading to the airport.

"The library has many spaces where you can take a break while reading a book. It's a great place to stop by during your trip and take a break while reading an Okinawa guidebook or magazine."

"Some areas can also be used for studying or working. For example, the desks in the business area on the fourth floor are equipped with Wi-Fi and power outlets, so you can concentrate on your work in a relaxed environment. Seats are by reservation only, so please make a reservation at the counter."

The real and deep charm of Okinawa, revealed through a collection of 970,000 books

The Okinawa Prefectural Library is located on the 3rd to 6th floors of Kahuna Asahibashi Block A. The 3rd floor has children's books such as picture books and Kamishibai (Japanese traditional play), the 4th floor has general books such as newspapers, magazines, novels, and business books, and the 5th floor has a wide selection of books, newspapers, magazines, and other materials related to Okinawa Prefecture.

"If you visit the library, be sure to stop by the fifth floor. In addition to guidebooks, maps and other tourist materials, we have a wide selection of valuable materials that give you a real feel for Okinawa's history and culture, such as newspapers and photographs from over 100 years ago, and books about wars and times under Japanese rule."

Okinawa Prefecture has had a turbulent history, including the Ryukyu Disposition, the Okinawa Ground War, US rule, and return to Japan. This place is filled with the history of overcoming the harsh past and building and passing down a unique and fascinating culture.

"The more you get to know Okinawa, the more you'll want to return. I hope you'll experience the deep charm of Okinawa through these local materials."

The Okinawa Prefectural Library is filled with Okinawa's culture and history. If you visit this "hub of knowledge," you are sure to discover new charms of Okinawa.

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Okinawa Prefectural Library

電話：098-894-5858

Address: 1-20-1 Izumizaki, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture, 900-0021 Kahuna Asahibashi Block A

Access: Directly connected to Asahibashi Station

HP:https://www.library.pref.okinawa.jp/

SNS:https://x.com/OkinawaPrefLib

*For details on business hours and holidays, please check the link above.