5 days in Okinawa

Day by day

1. Day 1: Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium and Nakijin Castle

   Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, Nakijin Castle and Kouri Island, then Kokusai-dori in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

      Watch a whale-shark feeding session at the big tank, then walk to the free dolphin show and Emerald Beach in the same park. (Half a day with the park, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Nakijin Castle

      Combine it with the Churaumi Aquarium, about 15 minutes away by car. (1 hour, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Goya champuru

      Every shokudō diner and izakaya on the island; it is the default order in local canteens.

   4. Afternoon

      Kouri Island

      Stop at the beach at the island end of the bridge for the classic photo looking back over the water. (2 hours, free).

   5. Evening

      Kokusai-dori

      Explore the covered side arcades rather than the main street for better prices on crafts and snacks.

2. Day 2: Shuri Castle and Daiichi Makishi Public Market

   Shuri Castle, Daiichi Makishi Public Market and Tsuboya Yachimun Street, then Mihama American Village in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Shuri Castle

      Ride the Yui Rail to Shuri station and walk up through Shureimon gate, then continue down the Kinjo-cho stone-paved path. (2 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Daiichi Makishi Public Market

      Ask the fishmonger to recommend a cooking style and which upstairs restaurant to use before you buy. (1–1.5 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Okinawa soba

      Soba shops across the island, including old wooden houses in the Motobu area known as the 'soba road'.

   4. Afternoon

      Tsuboya Yachimun Street

      Look for the old Arayachi climbing kiln along the lane, and buy shisa figurines direct from the workshops. (1 hour, free).

   5. Evening

      Mihama American Village

      Arrive before sunset, walk the seawall to Sunset Beach and stay for dinner and drinks.

3. Day 3: Okinawa Peace Memorial Park and Himeyuri Peace Museum

   Okinawa Peace Memorial Park, Himeyuri Peace Museum and Sefa-utaki, then Kokusai-dori and Sakaemachi, Naha in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Okinawa Peace Memorial Park

      Allow time for the museum's testimony rooms, and visit with the Himeyuri Peace Museum nearby to understand the civilian experience. (2 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Himeyuri Peace Museum

      It is emotionally heavy; combine it with a quiet walk or cliff-top café rather than a theme park afterwards. (1 hour, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Rafute

      Okinawan restaurants and izakaya in Naha, often as part of a set meal.

   4. Afternoon

      Sefa-utaki

      Wear shoes with grip for the uneven stone paths, and treat it as an active place of worship by keeping voices low. (1 hour, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Kokusai-dori and Sakaemachi, Naha

      Izakaya, awamori bars and folk-music venues around Kokusai-dori, plus tiny bars inside the Sakaemachi market after dark.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Kerama Islands

   About 35–50 minutes by high-speed ferry each way. Getting there: Ferry from Tomari Port in Naha.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Kerama Islands

      About 35–50 minutes by high-speed ferry (Ferry from Tomari Port in Naha); about 35 km.

   2. Day

      Kerama Islands

      Tokashiki and Zamami have white-sand beaches such as Aharen and Furuzamami, with coral and sea turtles close to shore. Best for beach, couples and families.

   3. Evening

      Back in Okinawa

      Dinner: try Taco rice.

5. Day 5: Okinawa World and Gyokusendo Cave and Nakagusuku Castle

   Okinawa World and Gyokusendo Cave, Nakagusuku Castle and Zakimi Castle, then Mihama American Village, Chatan in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Okinawa World and Gyokusendo Cave

      Do the cave first while you are fresh; it is cool and humid inside, a good choice on a rainy day. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Nakagusuku Castle

      Visit in the late afternoon for soft light on the walls and fewer visitors. (1 hour, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Taco rice

      Diners in Kin and Chatan, and casual cafés and convenience stores across the island.

   4. Afternoon

      Zakimi Castle

      Walk the top of the walls at sunset, then visit the Yachimun no Sato pottery village a short drive away. (45 minutes, free).

   5. Evening

      Mihama American Village, Chatan

      Seafront bars, craft-beer pubs and restaurants that stay busy into the evening.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Naha (Kokusai-dori) keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Chatan ($$$) suits families, shopping, nightlife and couples. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 22–25 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 10.5 hours in December to 13.8 hours in June.

More or fewer days

• One day in Okinawa
• 2 days in Okinawa
• 3 days in Okinawa

Questions travellers ask