Travel tips · Okinawa · Japan
Okinawa travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
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 was the independent Ryukyu Kingdom, trading with China, Japan and South-East Asia, until it was annexed by Japan in 1879. It suffered the Battle of Okinawa in 1945 and was under US administration until 1972, and US bases still occupy a large part of the island. This history shows in the food, the sanshin music, Eisa drum dances, shisa lion-dog guardians on rooftops and the slower 'island time' pace locals call uchinā-taimu.
Key facts
- Language
- Japanese
- Currency
- JPY
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 100 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Emergency
- 110 (police), 119 (fire and ambulance), 118 (coast guard)
Things to know
- Utaki sacred groves such as Sefa-utaki are active places of prayer; don't touch offerings or enter roped-off areas.
- Wear a T-shirt or rash guard over swimwear away from the beach; walking around towns in swimwear is frowned on.
- Don't take coral, shells or sand from beaches, and don't stand on reefs while snorkelling.
- Remove shoes where you see a step up onto wooden or tatami floors.
- Approach war memorials quietly and respectfully; many families visit to remember relatives.
- Visit from November to March or in late May and June for lower hotel and rental-car prices than in July and August.
Tipping
Tipping is not expected in Okinawa, as elsewhere in Japan. Resort hotels and some restaurants add a service charge.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Haisai | Hello (Okinawan, used by men) |
| Haitai | Hello (Okinawan, used by women) |
| Mensōre | Welcome (Okinawan) |
| Nifēdēbiru | Thank you (Okinawan) |
| Arigatō gozaimasu | Thank you very much (Japanese) |
| Sumimasen | Excuse me |
What to wear
Light, breathable clothes most of the year, plus a hat and strong sunscreen. Kariyushi shirts, Okinawa's printed short-sleeve shirts, are accepted even as office wear in summer.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type A and B sockets, 100 V, 60 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Emergency number
- 110 (police), 119 (fire and ambulance), 118 (coast guard)
- Phone and internet
- Free Wi-Fi is common in Naha's hotels and cafés, and mobile coverage reaches most beaches; SIM cards, eSIMs and pocket Wi-Fi are available at Naha Airport.
- Time zone
- Asia/Tokyo
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.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Japan's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Okinawa?
Tipping is not expected in Okinawa, as elsewhere in Japan. Resort hotels and some restaurants add a service charge.
+Can you drink the tap water in Okinawa?
Tap water is safe to drink.
+What plugs are used in Okinawa?
Type A and B sockets, 100 V, 60 Hz
+What language is spoken in Okinawa?
Japanese.