Free things to do · Okinawa · Japan
8 free things to do in Okinawa
Okinawa without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: 663highland, CC BY 2.5
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Okinawa without paying an entry fee: Kokusai-dori, Tsuboya Yachimun Street, Okinawa Peace Memorial Park and Zakimi Castle are all free. Visit from November to March or in late May and June for lower hotel and rental-car prices than in July and August.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 8
- Low-cost extras
- 6
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- November–February
Free sights and experiences
Street · Naha (Kokusai-dori)
1.Kokusai-dori
Explore the covered side arcades rather than the main street for better prices on crafts and snacks.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
- After dark
- Free
Street · Naha (Kokusai-dori)
2.Tsuboya Yachimun Street
Look for the old Arayachi climbing kiln along the lane, and buy shisa figurines direct from the workshops.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- History
- Art
- Free
Historic site · Nanjo and the south
3.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.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Views
Castle · Yomitan
4.Zakimi Castle
Walk the top of the walls at sunset, then visit the Yachimun no Sato pottery village a short drive away.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Views
- Off the beaten path
Neighbourhood · Chatan
5.Mihama American Village
Arrive before sunset, walk the seawall to Sunset Beach and stay for dinner and drinks.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- After dark
- Couples
- Free
- Food
Island · Motobu Peninsula
6.Kouri Island
Stop at the beach at the island end of the bridge for the classic photo looking back over the water.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
- Free
- Kids
Nature · Motobu Peninsula
7.Bise Fukugi Tree Road
Rent bikes at the village entrance and ride to the small beach at the far end of the lanes.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Couples
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
- Kids
Religious site · Naha (Kokusai-dori)
8.Naminoue Shrine and Beach
Photograph the shrine from the beach below, then walk the seafront to the Tsuji district for dinner.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Views
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Naha (Kokusai-dori) | Kokusai-dori, Tsuboya Yachimun Street and Naminoue Shrine and Beach | 2 hours + 1 hour + 1 hour |
| Nanjo and the south | Okinawa Peace Memorial Park | 2 hours |
| Yomitan | Zakimi Castle | 45 minutes |
| Chatan | Mihama American Village | 2–3 hours |
| Motobu Peninsula | Kouri Island and Bise Fukugi Tree Road | 2 hours + 1 hour |
Worth a small ticket
Castle · Naha (Kokusai-dori)
Shuri Castle
Ride the Yui Rail to Shuri station and walk up through Shureimon gate, then continue down the Kinjo-cho stone-paved path.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Views
Museum · Nanjo and the south
Himeyuri Peace Museum
It is emotionally heavy; combine it with a quiet walk or cliff-top café rather than a theme park afterwards.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
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Religious site · Nanjo and the south
Sefa-utaki
Wear shoes with grip for the uneven stone paths, and treat it as an active place of worship by keeping voices low.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Nature
Castle · Okinawa City (Koza)
Nakagusuku Castle
Visit in the late afternoon for soft light on the walls and fewer visitors.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Architecture
Castle · Motobu Peninsula
Nakijin Castle
Combine it with the Churaumi Aquarium, about 15 minutes away by car.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Photo spot
Viewpoint · Onna
Cape Manzamo
Come in the late afternoon, when the light is behind you for photos of the rock arch.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Photo spot
- Couples
More ways to save
- Visit from November to March or in late May and June for lower hotel and rental-car prices than in July and August.
- Book rental cars early for Golden Week and summer, when prices rise and cars sell out.
- Eat lunch at shokudō canteens and soba shops, where set meals cost far less than resort restaurants.
- Many castles, beaches, Zakimi Castle and the Peace Memorial Park are free or low-cost.
- Supermarkets sell Okinawan snacks and awamori for much less than Kokusai-dori souvenir shops.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Okinawa expensive to visit?
Okinawa is moderately priced for most visitors, but 8 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Okinawa?
Kokusai-dori: Explore the covered side arcades rather than the main street for better prices on crafts and snacks.