Top 5 Things to do... in Koza

Koza, found in the heart of Okinawa City, is Okinawa’s second most populated municipality. It’s a hive of activity, with shops, restaurants and a vibrant night life. A stone’s throw from Kadena Gate 2 makes it a popular and easy to access site for entertainment. Here are my top 5 things to do in Koza.

1. Sun City

Sun City is a small indoor market, opposite Koza Music Town. It’s full of quirky little local shops, selling clothing, household goods and much more. My favourite shop is the homeware place, it has a huge variety of tea pots, catering to all budgets and tastes.

2. Red Kitchen

Had your fill of delicious Japanese food for now? Why not try some Brazilian street food at Red Kitchen? It’s a bar mostly, but has space available for food, and boy, is it good. Great value, generous portions and hearty flavour are all the persuasion you need. Wash it down with any of the alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages on sale, also a great price.

3. Koza Music Town

Possibly the best known place here, Koza Music Town plays host to a plethora of local (and not so local) music acts. It’s a great place to catch Eisa drummers, and has a multilevel pavilion, so you can enjoy music from any floor. There are also shops and restaurants, so even if there isn’t anything going on, you’ll still find something to do.

4. Ayurveda

Do you love Indian food? Look no further. A short walk across from Koza Music Town, you’ll find an authentic Indian restaurant. Small but perfectly formed, there’s a decent curry selection, set menu’s and traditional Indian drinks to keep you sated.

5. Shopping

You’ll find a lot of individual businesses in Koza. Head back to Kadena gate 2 from Koza Music Town, and you’ll find the street lined with all sorts! Gentlemen looking for suits have their pick of high quality Indian tailors, or ladies looking for something different can find colourful clothes shops (I particularly like the bold print leggings!). There are also bars, a vape store, clubs, tattoo studios (if you’re feeling really adventurous!) and restaurants, so you really won’t be bored at all.

Bonus Tip: Nightlife

Koza (especially its Gate 2 area) has a long history of lively nightlife. There’s a plethora of bars and clubs to be found here. For something a little different, check out Keystone Karaoke! It has that dive bar feel, but with the added bonus that you can embarrass yourself with a rendition of your favourite song!