With kids · Okinawa · Japan
Okinawa with kids
Family-tested sights, a calm base and the practical details that make travelling with children easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Syohei Arai, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Okinawa is one of Japan's top family destinations: calm, netted beaches, a world-class aquarium, caves and short drives. Resort hotels on the west coast cater well to children. Top picks: Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, Okinawa World and Gyokusendo Cave and Kouri Island. Families usually base themselves in Onna.
Key facts
- Family picks
- 6
- Best area for families
- Onna
- Rainy-day options
- 2
- Busiest months
- July–August
Best things to do with kids
Aquarium · Motobu Peninsula
1.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. Coral-reef and deep-sea zones lead down to it, and the surrounding Ocean Expo Park has a free dolphin show, a turtle pool and Emerald Beach.
Watch a whale-shark feeding session at the big tank, then walk to the free dolphin show and Emerald Beach in the same park.
- Time needed
- Half a day with the park
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Kids
- Rainy day
Theme park · Nanjo and the south
2.Okinawa World and Gyokusendo Cave
This cultural theme park is built around Gyokusendo, a limestone cave about 5 km long, of which roughly 890 m is open on a walkway through stalactite halls and underground pools. Above ground are a recreated Ryukyu village with craft workshops, Eisa drum performances and a habu snake museum.
Do the cave first while you are fresh; it is cool and humid inside, a good choice on a rainy day.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
Island · Motobu Peninsula
3.Kouri Island
A road bridge about 2 km long crosses turquoise shallows to this small island, where Tinu Beach has the well-known Heart Rock formation. The beach by the bridge is a good place to paddle, and the island's restaurants serve sea-urchin rice bowls.
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
4.Bise Fukugi Tree Road
In the village of Bise, thousands of fukugi trees planted as windbreaks form shady green tunnels over sandy lanes that lead to the sea. You can walk, rent a bicycle or take a slow water-buffalo cart.
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
Neighbourhood · Chatan
5.Mihama American Village
A seafront shopping and dining complex built on reclaimed land, with brightly painted buildings, diners, bars and shops, a boardwalk and Sunset Beach next door. It is a popular evening spot with locals, US base personnel and visitors.
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
Religious site · Naha (Kokusai-dori)
6.Naminoue Shrine and Beach
Okinawa's most important Shinto shrine sits on a cliff above Naha's only city beach, a short walk from Kokusai-dori. It is the island's busiest shrine at New Year, and the small beach is pleasant for a swim between sightseeing.
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
Rainy-day ideas
- 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.
- 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.
Where families should stay
$$$$ · Best for luxury, beach, couples and families
Onna
Onna's west-facing coastline is lined with Okinawa's large resort hotels, most with their own beach, pools and marine activity desks. Cape Manzamo's elephant-trunk cliff and the Cape Maeda Blue Cave snorkelling site are here, and the drive to the Churaumi Aquarium takes about an hour on the expressway.
- Good
- Beachfront resorts with calm, netted swimming areas; Snorkelling and diving on the doorstep; Central for day trips north and south
- Watch out
- Expensive in summer; Car or resort bus needed to leave the hotel
- Nearby
- Cape Manzamo, Cape Maeda, Manza Beach
Family travel tips
- Swim at managed beaches with lifeguards and jellyfish nets, especially from June to September.
- Bring rash guards and reef-safe water shoes for children; the sun and sharp coral are the main hazards.
- Book child seats with the rental car in advance.
- Plan the aquarium for a rainy or very hot day; it is air-conditioned and part of a large park.
- Staying on the Motobu Peninsula for a night shortens the long drive from Naha with small children.
Day trips for families
- Kerama Islands (About 35–50 minutes by high-speed ferry) — Tokashiki and Zamami have white-sand beaches such as Aharen and Furuzamami, with coral and sea turtles close to shore.
- Yanbaru and Cape Hedo (About 2–2.5 hours by car) — The forested north of the island is a UNESCO-listed national park, home to the rare Okinawa rail.
When to go with children
The best months overall are April, June–July and October. July–August are the busiest, so book the big sights early. Weather by month.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Okinawa good for kids?
Okinawa is one of Japan's top family destinations: calm, netted beaches, a world-class aquarium, caves and short drives. Resort hotels on the west coast cater well to children.
+What can kids do in Okinawa?
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, Okinawa World and Gyokusendo Cave, Kouri Island, Bise Fukugi Tree Road and Mihama American Village.
+Where should families stay in Okinawa?
Onna: The main resort coast, with beachfront hotels, Cape Manzamo and dive sites.