Travel guide · Japan
Okinawa travel guide
Subtropical beaches, Ryukyu castles, coral reefs and island cooking
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Image Science and Analysis Laboratory, NASA - Johnson Space Center. "The Gateway to Astron, Public domain
Quick answer
Okinawa Island, about 100 km long and the largest of Japan's subtropical Ryukyu Islands, was the centre of the Ryukyu Kingdom until 1879, and its food, music, crafts and stone gusuku castles still feel distinct from mainland Japan. Naha, the capital, has the airport, the Yui Rail monorail, Kokusai-dori and Shuri Castle. North of the city, the west coast is lined with resort hotels at Chatan, Yomitan and Onna, and the Motobu Peninsula holds the Churaumi Aquarium. The south has the island's most important Battle of Okinawa memorials. Most visitors rent a car, and ferries reach the clear water of the Kerama Islands in under an hour. Plan 6 days for a first visit; the best months are April, June–July and October.
Key facts
- Country
- Japan
- Best time to visit
- April, June–July and October
- Ideal stay
- 6 days
- Main airports
- OKA
- Mid-range daily budget
- $140–$260 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Beaches and coral reefs, Churaumi Aquarium, Ryukyu Kingdom castles and Okinawa soba
Why visit Okinawa
- Warm sea from about May to October, with coral reefs and snorkelling off the Kerama Islands, Cape Maeda and Sesoko island.
- The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium's giant Kuroshio Sea tank holds whale sharks and manta rays.
- UNESCO-listed Ryukyu Kingdom sites — Shuri Castle, Nakagusuku, Nakijin, Zakimi and the sacred grove of Sefa-utaki — are spread across the island.
- Okinawan cooking is its own cuisine: goya champuru, Okinawa soba, rafute braised pork, taco rice and awamori spirit.
- Winters stay around 20°C by day, making Okinawa Japan's warmest escape from December to February.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 18 things to do.
Aquarium · Motobu Peninsula
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
The aquarium's centrepiece is the Kuroshio Sea tank, holding about 7,500 cubic metres of water, in which whale sharks and manta rays swim behind one of the world's largest acrylic panels.
- Time needed
- Half a day with the park
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Kids
- Rainy day
Castle · Naha (Kokusai-dori)
Shuri Castle
The hilltop palace of the Ryukyu kings is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Views
Street · Naha (Kokusai-dori)
Kokusai-dori
Naha's main street runs for about 1.6 km past souvenir shops, awamori bars, Okinawan restaurants and live-music venues.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
- After dark
- Free
Market · Naha (Kokusai-dori)
Daiichi Makishi Public Market
Naha's 'kitchen' reopened in a new building in 2023.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Food
- Rainy day
- Shopping
Street · Naha (Kokusai-dori)
Tsuboya Yachimun Street
Since 1682, when the royal government gathered potters here, Tsuboya has been Naha's pottery district.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- History
- Art
- Free
Historic site · Nanjo and the south
Okinawa Peace Memorial Park
On the cliffs at Mabuni, where the Battle of Okinawa ended in 1945, the Cornerstone of Peace lists the names of more than 240,000 people of all nationalities who died in the battle.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Views
Where to stay
Naha (Kokusai-dori) is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 8 areas.
$$ · Best for first-timers, budget, food lovers, nightlife and shopping
Naha (Kokusai-dori)
City base on the monorail with Kokusai-dori, the markets and late-night izakaya
$$$ · Best for families, shopping, nightlife and couples
Chatan
Seafront mall district with American Village, sunset beaches and a seawall promenade
$$$ · Best for quiet stays, culture and couples
Yomitan
Quiet west-coast villages with potters, Zakimi Castle and Cape Zanpa
$$$$ · Best for luxury, beach, couples and families
Onna
The main resort coast, with beachfront hotels, Cape Manzamo and dive sites
What to eat
- Goya champuru — Okinawa's best-known home dish: bitter melon stir-fried with island tofu, egg and pork or luncheon meat.
- Okinawa soba — Thick wheat noodles, not buckwheat, in a light pork-and-bonito broth topped with braised pork ribs (soki) or pork belly.
- Rafute — Pork belly braised slowly in awamori, soy sauce and brown sugar until it falls apart; a dish from the Ryukyu court kitchen.
- Taco rice — Taco filling — spiced minced beef, lettuce, cheese and tomato salsa — served over rice.
- Sea grapes — Strands of tiny green seaweed bubbles that pop in the mouth with a salty taste, eaten fresh with a vinegar or soy dip.
- Agu pork — An Okinawan heritage pig breed with sweet, well-marbled meat, often served as shabu-shabu hotpot or grilled.
When to go
For beaches, the best months are April and late June to early July (before the summer peak) and October, when the sea is warm and the weather settled. July and August are hottest and busiest, and August–September carries the highest typhoon risk. November to March is mild and cheap, ideal for sightseeing and whale watching, but usually too cool for long swims.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Warm, sunny days, beaches opening and Golden Week crowds; the rainy season usually begins in May. |
| Summer | June–August | Rain clears by late June, then hot, humid weather with the warmest sea, peak prices and a rising typhoon risk. |
| Autumn | September–November | Warm sea and festivals, with typhoons in September giving way to settled, pleasant days in October and November. |
| Winter | December–February | Mild days around 20°C, cherry blossom in the north, whale watching and the lowest prices; windy and too cool for most swimmers. |
Getting there and around
Naha Airport is about 5 km south-west of the city centre, and the Yui Rail monorail reaches Kenchomae (for Kokusai-dori) in about 15 minutes. Airport limousine buses run to the resort hotels at Chatan, Onna and Motobu, taking roughly 1–2.5 hours, and car-rental shuttles leave from outside arrivals.
Only Naha has rail: the Yui Rail monorail. Beyond the city, most visitors rent a car to reach the beaches, castles and the north; express buses cover the main routes more slowly, and ferries serve the outer islands.
Plan your days
Three days covers Naha and Shuri, one beach day and the drive north to the Churaumi Aquarium. Six days lets you add the southern memorials, a ferry day to the Kerama Islands and a slower stay at a west-coast resort. Driving from Naha to Motobu takes about 1.5–2 hours.
Practical information
- Currency
- JPY
- Language
- Japanese
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 100 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Emergency number
- 110 (police), 119 (fire and ambulance), 118 (coast guard)
- Tipping
- Tipping is not expected in Okinawa, as elsewhere in Japan.
Okinawa has low crime. The main risks are the sea and the sun: swim at managed beaches, beware of currents near reef edges, and watch for box jellyfish (habu-kurage) roughly from June to September. Typhoons can halt flights and ferries, and habu snakes live in long grass and forests, so stick to paths after dark.
Flights to Okinawa
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Okinawa?
Three days covers Naha and Shuri, one beach day and the drive north to the Churaumi Aquarium. Six days lets you add the southern memorials, a ferry day to the Kerama Islands and a slower stay at a west-coast resort. Driving from Naha to Motobu takes about 1.5–2 hours. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Okinawa?
For beaches, the best months are April and late June to early July (before the summer peak) and October, when the sea is warm and the weather settled. July and August are hottest and busiest, and August–September carries the highest typhoon risk. November to March is mild and cheap, ideal for sightseeing and whale watching, but usually too cool for long swims.
+What is Okinawa known for?
Beaches and coral reefs, Churaumi Aquarium, Ryukyu Kingdom castles, Okinawa soba, Awamori, Shisa guardian lions and Battle of Okinawa memorials. Warm sea from about May to October, with coral reefs and snorkelling off the Kerama Islands, Cape Maeda and Sesoko island.
+Is Okinawa expensive?
Okinawa is moderately priced for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $140–$260 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Okinawa?
Yes, for almost any trip beyond Naha. The north and the Motobu Peninsula are slow to reach by bus. Non-drivers can base themselves in Naha and use tours, highway buses and ferries.