Turquoise water, coral reefs, a culture distinct from mainland Japan, and beaches that feel more like Southeast Asia than Tokyo. Okinawa is Japan’s southernmost prefecture, a chain of over 160 islands stretching from the southern tip of Kyushu toward Taiwan, with a subtropical climate, turquoise water, coral reefs, and a culture (the Ryukyu Kingdom culture) that is distinct from mainland Japan in language, architecture, food, and tradition.
It is also one of the world’s designated Blue Zones areas with unusually high concentrations of people living past 100. The Okinawan diet and lifestyle have been studied extensively. Whether or not that is the reason you visit, the island is genuinely extraordinary.
Getting to Okinawa
- By plane from Tokyo (Haneda or Narita): Around 2.5 to 3 hours, the main route. Flights run frequently with ANA, JAL, Peach, and Jetstar budget: around 10,000 to 20,000 yen one-way if booked in advance.
- By plane from Osaka (Itami or Kansai): Around 2 hours.
- By ferry from Kagoshima: 25 hours by overnight ferry. Only worth considering if you have significant time to spare.
Naha Airport on the main island (Okinawa Honto) is the main arrival point. A monorail (Yui Rail) connects the airport to Naha city centre in around 15 minutes.
Getting Around Okinawa
Okinawa’s main island is best explored by rental car. The bus network exists but is slow and infrequent outside Naha. Driving on the main island is straightforward; it is smaller than you expect. Car rentals at Naha Airport range from around 4,000 to 8,000 yen per day.
For the outer islands (Ishigaki, Miyako, Kerama), domestic flights from Naha are the most practical option (30 to 60 minutes). Ferries are available but slower.
What to Do on the Main Island (Okinawa Honto)
Naha and Shuri Castle
Shuri Castle was the royal palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It featured visually distinctive red-lacquered, Chinese-influenced architecture unlike that of any other castle in Japan. The main hall (Seiden) was destroyed in a fire in 2019 and is currently being reconstructed. The outer grounds and several secondary halls are open and worth visiting. Entry costs 400-820 yen, depending on which sections are open at the time of your visit.
Kokusai Dori (International Street) in Naha is the main tourist shopping and dining strip, featuring Okinawan crafts, awamori (local spirit), and the distinctive blue-and-white pottery (tsuboya ware) that Okinawa is known for.
Ocean Expo Park and Churaumi Aquarium
The Churaumi Aquarium houses the world’s second-largest acrylic tank, which contains whale sharks, manta rays, and an extraordinary concentration of deep-sea life. It is one of the finest aquariums in Japan. Entry costs 2,180 yen. The surrounding OOceanExpo Park is free to enter, with excellent beaches and facilities.
Northern Okinawa – Yanbaru Forest
The northern third of the main island is a UNESCO-listed subtropical rainforest (Yanbaru) that is home to the Okinawa rail, a flightless bird found only here. Hiking, kayaking through mangrove rivers, and the Daisekirinzan rock formations in the far north are all worth the drive, with far fewer tourists than the south and central areas.
Okinawa Battlefield Sites
Okinawa was the site of the only land battle of World War II on Japanese soil, and the suffering of the civilian population was extraordinary. The Himeyuri Peace Museum (nursing students forced to serve in the military and died in the final days of the battle) and the Cornerstone of Peace memorial (naming every individual who died in the battle) are among the most moving war memorial sites in Japan.
The Outer Islands
Kerama Islands
30 minutes from Naha by high-speed ferry. The Kerama Islands have some of the clearest water in Japan, exceptional coral reefs for snorkelling and diving, and whale watching from January to March. Tokashiki and Zamami islands are the main ones with accommodation.
Ishigaki and the Yaeyama Islands
A 45-minute flight from Naha, Ishigaki is the main island of the Yaeyama group, a cluster of smaller islands with exceptional marine environments, manta ray snorkelling at Kabira Bay, and some of the most remote scenery in Japan. Iriomote Island (accessible by ferry from Ishigaki) is 90 percent jungle with river kayaking through mangroves.
When to Visit Okinawa
- Spring (March to May): Cherry blossoms arrive in January to February (the earliest in Japan). By March, the weather is warm and pleasant. The best time to visit is when temperatures are comfortable and to avoid the main summer crowds.
- Summer (June to August): Typhoon season (June to September). July and August are hot, humid, and the most crowded. Typhoons can disrupt travel, so check forecasts and consider flexible bookings.
- Autumn (September to November): Still warm, typhoon risk decreasing through October. Sea water remains clear and swimmable into November.
- Winter (December to February): Mild (18 to 20 degrees Celsius average) compared to mainland Japan. Quiet, fewer tourists, and humpback whale watching from January to March in the outer islands.
