How many days · Okinawa · Japan
How many days do you need in Okinawa?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: 663highland, CC BY 2.5
Quick answer
6 days is the sweet spot for Okinawa, and 3 days is the minimum to see the main sights. 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.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 6 days
- Minimum
- 3 days
- Day trips available
- 5
- Daylight
- 10.5 h (Dec) to 13.8 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, Shuri Castle, Kokusai-dori and Daiichi Makishi Public Market |
| 2 days | Rushed | Daiichi Makishi Public Market, Tsuboya Yachimun Street and Okinawa Peace Memorial Park |
| 3 days | Good | Himeyuri Peace Museum, Sefa-utaki and Okinawa World and Gyokusendo Cave |
| 5 days | Good | The highlights plus a day trip to Kerama Islands |
| 7 days | Relaxed | A slow trip with day trips such as Kerama Islands and Yanbaru and Cape Hedo |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Okinawa add up to roughly 18–20 hours of visiting time — about 3 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (Half a day with the park), Okinawa World and Gyokusendo Cave (2–3 hours) and Shuri Castle (2 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium | Half a day with the park | Motobu Peninsula |
| Shuri Castle | 2 hours | Naha (Kokusai-dori) |
| Kokusai-dori | 2 hours | Naha (Kokusai-dori) |
| Daiichi Makishi Public Market | 1–1.5 hours | Naha (Kokusai-dori) |
| Tsuboya Yachimun Street | 1 hour | Naha (Kokusai-dori) |
| Okinawa Peace Memorial Park | 2 hours | Nanjo and the south |
| Himeyuri Peace Museum | 1 hour | Nanjo and the south |
| Sefa-utaki | 1 hour | Nanjo and the south |
| Okinawa World and Gyokusendo Cave | 2–3 hours | Nanjo and the south |
| Nakagusuku Castle | 1 hour | Okinawa City (Koza) |
| Nakijin Castle | 1 hour | Motobu Peninsula |
| Zakimi Castle | 45 minutes | Yomitan |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 6 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 3 days | Focus on Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium and Shuri Castle |
| With children | 7 days | Slower days and time for Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium |
| With day trips | 8 days | Add Kerama Islands and Yanbaru and Cape Hedo |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 10.5 hours of daylight) than in June (about 13.8 hours). Daylight varies little through the year, so plan by weather instead.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Okinawa with other destinations
Questions travellers ask
+Is 3 days enough in Okinawa?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 6 days is more comfortable. 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.
+Is a week too long in Okinawa?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Kerama Islands and Yanbaru and Cape Hedo.