Okinawa Monorail ‘Yui Rail’: What It Is, Routes, Tourist Spots, Tickets, and Discount Information

It is often thought that there are no railways in Okinawa Prefecture, but on Okinawa's largest island, Okinawa Main Island, the monorail 'Yui Rail' operates.

By reading this article, your questions will be answered, such as: 'What is Yui Rail?', 'Where does it run?', 'What tourist spots are near the stations?', and more! It also introduces useful information like how to ride, tickets, free ride passes, and discount facilities, so please refer to it.

1.What is Yui Rail?

"Yui Rail" is the Okinawa Urban Monorail that connects Naha Airport Station to Tedako-Urasoe Station. It runs at a height of about 8 to 20 meters above the ground, giving you a pleasant feeling as if you're walking in the sky and offering scenic views of Naha City from the train window. Furthermore, you can efficiently visit tourist spots while avoiding traffic, making it a perfect experience!

In addition, one of the enjoyable features of Yui Rail is the melody. The in-car chimes that play before arriving at each station feature Okinawan folk songs related to the stations, such as "Asadoya Yunta" and "Karakasa Dooi." These tunes are fresh and interesting to tourists. The same melody is used in the station announcements as well.

2.What is the Yui Rail Route?

The Yui Rail route, which opened in August 2003, initially connected Naha Airport Station to Shuri Station.

In October 2019, 16 years later, the route was extended to Urasoe. Four new stations were added beyond Shuri Station: Ishimine Station, Keizuka Station, Urasoe-Maeda Station, and Tedako-Urasoe Station. This completed the rail network between Naha City and Urasoe City.

Around the final stop, "Tedako-Urasoe Station," there is also a Park & Ride parking lot. It is perfectly connected to the Okinawa Expressway and bypass routes.

3.How to Ride Yui Rail, Tickets, Free Ride Passes & Discount Facilities

Yui Rail's automatic ticket gates also support IC cards. You can use Okinawa's "OKICA," as well as Suica, Kitaca, PASMO, manaca, TOICA, PiTaPa, ICOCA, Hayakaken, nimoca, and SUGOCA.

For those who want to explore Naha to the fullest using Yui Rail, a Free Ride Pass is recommended. The "1-Day Free Ride Pass" is valid for 24 hours from purchase and costs 800 yen. The "2-Day Free Ride Pass" is valid for 48 hours and costs 1,400 yen. There are also facilities like Shurijo Castle and Tamaudun (Royal Tomb) that offer discounted admission when you show your pass, making it even more worthwhile!

For those who also want to take a bus, the "Grutto Naha Bus Monopass," a 1-day pass that covers both Yui Rail and buses, is convenient. It costs 1,000 yen (for middle schoolers and older), and can be purchased at the Department Store Ryubo 7F "Travel Salon."

Choose the best ticket according to the places you want to visit or the course you want to take.

4.What Tourist Spots Can You Visit on Yui Rail?

Yui Rail extends from Naha Airport to the central area of Naha and the Urasoe area. Here are some popular tourist spots you can visit by riding Yui Rail.

◆"Kencho-mae Station" and "Makishi Station" to Kokusai Dori

To get to Kokusai Dori, the western entrance is "Kencho-mae Station" and the eastern entrance is "Makishi Station."

Kokusai Dori, which stretches about 1.6 km, is lined with tourist spots where you can enjoy shopping and sweets. Souvenir shops and boutiques abound, and if you venture a little off the main street, you’ll find trendy, curated shops. The Kokusai Dori Yatai Village and the first Makishi Public Market are closest to "Makishi Station."

There are always new shops popping up, so you’ll always feel like you're exploring something fresh on Kokusai Dori. The ride time from "Naha Airport Station" to "Kencho-mae Station" is about 12 minutes, and to "Makishi Station," it's about 16 minutes.

◆ Kokusai Dori Yatai Village - A Gourmet Spot about 4 Minutes' Walk from "Makishi Station"

Kokusai Dori Yatai Village, a food stall gathering place featuring Okinawan cuisine, sushi, international dishes, and izakayas, is a fun and vibrant hotspot. Opened in June 2015, the village is illuminated by lanterns, creating a lively and exciting atmosphere.

The stalls are arranged on both sides of "Nakayama Street," "Kitayama Street," and "Minamiyama Street." There are 20 stalls across the three areas.

Kokusai Dori Yatai Village is located just a 4-minute walk from Yui Rail's "Makishi Station," making it very convenient. If you're heading to Kokusai Dori, don't miss this energetic food stall village for a fun experience.

◆ Stroll to the First Makishi Public Market from "Makishi Station"

Take a leisurely walk west along Kokusai Dori from "Makishi Station," turn left at the Mutsumi Bridge intersection, and walk a little further down the arcade of the Market Main Street. On your right, you'll find the "Naha City First Makishi Public Market," the largest market in Okinawa.

This market is always bustling with both tourists and locals! It's a perfect example of Okinawan culture. On the first floor, you’ll find the meat, seafood, and fresh food sections, where you can buy fresh ingredients. On the second floor, there’s a restaurant where you can have the ingredients you bought on the first floor cooked for you. In this case, you only pay for the cooking fee at the restaurant.

The market is full of colorful fresh fish, local ingredients, and tropical fruits, allowing you to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.

◆ T Galleria Okinawa by DFS - A Duty-Free Shop Directly Connected to "Omoromachi Station"

From "Naha Airport Station," it takes 10 stations and about 19 minutes to get to "Omoromachi Station," the second station from "Makishi Station" toward Urasoe.
T Galleria is a duty-free shopping destination for tourists departing from Okinawa. No passport is needed, and you can enjoy duty-free shopping like abroad. About 120 famous brand stores are available, offering a variety of items such as cosmetics, perfumes, bags, and shoes, often at lower prices than in Japan. Shopping in a luxury department store-like atmosphere gives you a sense of fulfillment.

The first floor features a souvenir section with a wide range of products, from classic Okinawan sweets to unique items. There’s also a rental car service counter, so even if you end up buying a lot, you don’t need to worry! The parking lot is also available. This spot is popular with brand-conscious tourists and always busy.

◆ Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum (OkiMu)

The Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum is a comprehensive cultural facility located about a 10-minute walk from T Galleria. It is affectionately known by the nickname "OkiMu" and its mascot character is "OkiMyu-chan." The exterior of the building is designed to resemble a castle (gusuku), which is one of its distinctive features.

This facility houses both a museum and an art museum, offering exhibits related to the history and culture of the Ryukyu Kingdom, as well as works by artists from Okinawa.

◆ From "Shuri Station" to Shurijo Castle

It takes about 27 minutes from Naha Airport Station to reach "Shuri Station." This station is located behind Shurijo Castle, just over 1 km from the Shureimon gate. Along the way, you can enjoy beautiful curving stone walls.

The expansive grounds have numerous historical sites and cultural heritage attractions, so it's recommended to take a leisurely walk to explore. Reconstruction of the Seiden (Main Hall) is underway, with a target completion in 2026, and you can observe the framework and restoration process. If you get tired or hungry, there are cafes and restaurants available on-site.

◆ From "Urasoe-Maeda Station" to Urasoe Castle Ruins

The newly established "Urasoe-Maeda" Station is the closest station to the famous tourist spot "Urasoe Castle Ruins." Although it's the nearest station, the entrance is about 2 km away, and it takes around 30 minutes to walk there, so you may want to take a taxi.

◎ Summary of "Yui Rail" Routes, Tickets, Discount Information, and Tourist Spots

We have introduced the routes, tickets, discount information, and recommended tourist spots around the stations of the Okinawa Monorail "Yui Rail." With Yui Rail, the only railway line in Okinawa Prefecture, you won’t have to worry about traffic jams! If you buy a free ride pass, you can easily hop on and off multiple times for a great deal.

Naha City has different attractions in each area, but when you travel by car, you often pass by without realizing their charm. By using Yui Rail and exploring on foot, you may discover new aspects of Okinawa that you might have missed before. Now that the extension from Shuri Station to Tedako-Urasoe Station has been completed, making it a total of 19 stations, let’s make the most of Yui Rail for efficient sightseeing.

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Okinawa Monorail ‘Yui Rail’: What It Is, Routes, Tourist Spots, Tickets, and Discount Information