Easily one of the best museums in Japan, this dual museum covers Okinawa's unique history, culture and natural history with superbly designed exhibits and excellent bilingual signage. You'll trace the story from the ancient Ryukyu Kingdom through the devastating Battle of Okinawa to the American occupation and reversion to Japan — a history most mainland Japanese barely know. The art museum section emphasizes local artists, offering a lens into Okinawan identity that you won't find anywhere else. The building itself, opened in 2007, is a striking piece of architecture.