Kokusai Dori Street (International Street) ［国際通り］

Kokusai Dori Street Kokusai Dori Street

Kokusai Dori is a Naha City street stretching 1.6 kms from the Okinawa prefectural office north intersection to Asato intersection.

Before the war, this area used to be a wetland in a suburb, however, once the war started, the city center at that time was taken over by the U.S. military and people who lost their homes and shops started gathering in this wetland, creating a prosperous black market. This is the beginning of development of Kokusai Dori Street. This approximately 1 mile street is often called "the miracle mile" for the impressive accomplishment of its recovery from a burned field after the war.

With government offices located in the vicinity, Kokusai Dori Street is well known as Naha's most bustling area with a constant stream of tourists visiting hotels, souvenir shops, restaurants and department stores lining the street. There are also pilot shops handling variety of local specialty foods and craftworks. In the back alley of the intersection of Ichiba-Hondori Street, there are numerous souvenir shops and fruit stores, and Heiwa Street, offers sleek shops individually styled variety shops and cafes.

The Eisa Festival in August and the Naha Festival in October are held along Kokusai Dori Street every year.