Finest Issues To Do In Okinawa – Is It Price Visiting?

Are you occupied with planning a go to to Okinawa, Japan and ? We don’t blame you, the nation’s southernmost prefecture has among the nation’s greatest seashores and sunny tropical climate you received’t discover in the remainder of the nation. We discovered the islands of Okinawa extra much like French Polynesia than the remainder of Japan! 

The difficult half about placing collectively an itinerary of the most effective issues to do in Okinawa is deciding which of the prefecture’s 150 islands you need to go to. We narrowed it all the way down to the Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa Island, and the Miyako Islands. We’ve received journey, time lazing on the seashore, and heaps of tradition in retailer for you on this journey.

Final Information To Okinawa

This distinctive area of Japan has a great deal of distinctive experiences. We are able to’t wait so that you can uncover the entire greatest issues to do in Okinawa.

Why Okinawa Is Price Visiting

Okinawa is Japan’s southernmost prefecture. Not like the nation’s different prefectures which might be both on the mainland or an enormous island themselves, Okinawa is made up of greater than 150 small islands. 

Clustered collectively within the East China Sea between Taiwan and mainland Japan, they’ve a singular local weather and environment that’s fairly distinct from the remainder of the nation. Guests come to Okinawa for the tropical seashores and breathtaking coral reefs. 

As talked about, lots of it reminded of our time within the Pacific together with our epic 2 weeks in Tahiti.

The most important island is Okinawa Island, which has lots of World Conflict II Memorial Websites. If it’s white sand and pristine blue sea that will get you going, then head to Miyako Island. Adventurous souls will fall head over heels for Iriomote Island, which is a part of the Yaeyama Islands.

If we had been to summarize, listed here are 10 causes that assist reply “is Okinawa value visiting?”

1. Unbelievable Seashores – Crystal-clear turquoise water, smooth white sand, and a few of Japan’s greatest snorkeling and diving spots.
2. World-Class Diving – Residence to vibrant coral reefs, sea turtles, manta rays, and well-known websites just like the Blue Cave and Kerama Islands.
3. Distinctive Ryukyu Tradition – Distinct music, dance, crafts, and traditions you received’t discover wherever else in Japan.
4. Mouthwatering Okinawan Delicacies – From taco rice to Okinawa soba, rafute pork, and super-fresh native seafood.
5. Heat, Tropical Local weather – Seaside climate a lot of the 12 months, with hotter winters than mainland Japan.
6. Fascinating Historical past – Discover Shuri Citadel, Ryukyu heritage websites, and WWII memorials just like the Peace Park.
7. Laid-Again Island Vibe – Slower tempo, pleasant locals, and a relaxed environment good for unwinding.
8. Beautiful Nature & Open air – Waterfalls, jungle hikes, cliffside viewpoints, and luxurious islands throughout the prefecture.
9. Household-Pleasant Experiences – Churaumi Aquarium, eco-parks, glass-bottom boats, and simple seashore days.
10. Gateway to Distant Islands – Miyako, Ishigaki, and the Yaeyama Islands supply untouched seashores and world-class water actions.

Notable Lodges In Okinawa

Determining the place to remain can really feel like one other activity on the infinite to-do listing that comes with planning a visit. To offer you a head begin, listed here are our favourite resorts in Okinawa. 

• Almont Hotel – This contemporary and stylish resort is strategically positioned within the centre of Naha metropolis. It’s an ideal base as you discover Okinawa Island. One other plus is that breakfast is included, and there’s an indoor pool!
• Riad Lamp – For anybody in want of just a little luxurious, this beautiful adults-only resort is the one for you. It’s a little on the expensive facet, however should you can afford to splash out, it’s so value it. The rooms include sea views, and there’s a spa on-site the place you will get a therapeutic massage. Stopping over in Nanjo might be a should should you determine to go to Kudaka Island, so why not deal with your self? 
• Hotel California – Lodges on Miyako Island might be fairly costly, so we had been tremendous happy once we discovered this cozy and inexpensive resort on the outskirts of Hirara. It’s not too removed from Miyako Airport, so should you determine to fly from Okinawa Island to Miyako Island, it’s simple to get to the resort.
• Mayagusuku Resort – This homey and cute resort on Iriomote Island is a 4-minute stroll away from Tsuki-ga-hama Seaside and close to the Kanpira Waterfall, two bonus sights that didn’t make it onto our itinerary. The host is admittedly pleasant, and we had been capable of lease a automotive and comfortably discover the island from the resort. 

High Issues To See in Okinawa

Okinawa is distinctly tropical and has an actual seashore vibe to it. There are such a lot of totally different islands that you may spend a lifetime touring the prefecture. We’ve handpicked the most effective of them that will help you get began. 

We advise that should you’re there in your first journey, you head to the principle island, Okinawa. You’ll have the ability to go island hopping from there, and there are lots of issues to do on the island itself – like lazing on white sand seashores and visiting WWII memorial websites.

Hoping for a beach-themed vacation and scuba diving journeys? Then go to the Miyako islands. And if you’re somebody who travels for journey, Iriomote Island might be extra your model. Hike via the island’s thick jungle at evening, and kayak via mangroves in the course of the day. 

If a tropical getaway is looking your identify, you’re in the proper place – listed here are the can’t miss issues to do in Okinawa.

What To See On Okinawa Island

Okinawa Island is the most important island within the cluster of islands that make up Okinawa. It’s an ideal start line while you’re exploring Okinawa. You possibly can attain a number of the area’s different islands on half-day or day journeys from Okinawa, so should you’re quick on time, you may use it as your base and journey round from right here.

There are a great deal of epic seashores, nice snorkeling spots, and historic websites on Okinawa. You’re in for an actual journey!

Soak within the solar on Mibaru Seaside

The seashores on Okinawa appear like they’re straight out of the tropics, and it’s arduous to consider that they’re a part of the Japan you think about. This epic seashore is nice for households because the water is shallow and the waves are at all times calm. 

Mibaru Beach stretches throughout 2 kilometers of gold sand lined by lush inexperienced forest. We liked the enormous boulders poking out of the ocean – they added a dramatic ingredient to our journey pics! 

While you’re there, ensure you journey the glass-bottomed boat that sails out to the coral reefs a few kilometer away from the seashore. Some insider data we didn’t get till we had been already there’s which you could get a reduction on their web site. Show them this link in your cellphone and save in your boat journey.  

Go snorkelling to the Blue Cave

Sure, Okinawa has its very personal blue cave! The sunshine beams in via the highest of the cave, illuminating the water a vibrant blue and lighting up all of the tropical fish and various sea life beneath. Should you’re in Okinawa, snorkeling within the Blue Cave must be excessive in your bucket listing.

You possibly can solely go to the cave on a guided tour. They’ll swimsuit you up with wetsuits and snorkeling gear earlier than taking you out by boat. From there, you’ll hop into the water and swim into the cave with an teacher main the way in which.

It’s properly definitely worth the journey to Ishigaki Island, and being contained in the cave was superior! There are colourful fish in every single place – preserve a glance out for oriental butterflyfish and Japanese parrotfish. On most of the excursions it’s also possible to feed the fish. We booked this tour with actually pleasant instructors.

Guide a Ryusuo photoshoot in Naha metropolis

Conventional Japanese costumes are so stunning, the colours and a spotlight to element take us without warning each time. Which is why we had been so completely happy once we discovered the place we may dress up in conventional ryusou robes and have our photographs taken in Okinawa’s capital.

We put aside a couple of hours one afternoon and headed to a pictures studio. There have been a great deal of kimonos to select from, with a formidable variety of choices. After looking via the robes we received dressed up and had been handed further props like solar umbrellas and ornamental head items. 

Everybody again house liked the photographs, and they’re undoubtedly a should should you’re large on social media. You received’t remorse booking a session at this Ryusou studio.

Spend a day at Okinawa World

Okinawa World is a singular theme park that packs a great deal of cool sights into one. There’s a large cave, a craft village, and a snake museum (terrifying, however value a go to). We initially went for the enormous limestone Gyokusendo Cave, however didn’t realise there was the rest to do there.

The cave is the longest of the cluster of caves within the south of the island, and the second longest in Japan. It’s 5 kilometers lengthy in complete, though solely 850 meters of it are open to vacationers. In every single place you look there are monumental stalactites and stalagmites. It was superior strolling alongside a wood boardwalk via the center of the cave. 

Afterwards, have a wander across the little Kingdom Village, which is a reproduction of a standard Ryukyu village. There are a great deal of poky workshops the place you possibly can study conventional crafts. Then take a look at the snakes on the Habu Park, which is the place the snakes are.

Go to Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

No journey to to the principle island is full with no go to to the world-famous Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, one of many standard issues to do in Okinawa.

Positioned in Motobu, this aquarium is a must-see for households and marine fanatics alike. It’s house to one of many largest Kuroshio Tank reveals on this planet, the place you possibly can see majestic whale sharks, manta rays, and numerous different tropical fish.

Past the enormous tank, the aquarium additionally has interactive reveals, a contact pool the place you will get hands-on with starfish and sea cucumbers, and day by day feeding demonstrations which might be each academic and awe-inspiring.

Don’t miss the encircling Ocean Expo Park, which incorporates stunning gardens, a standard Okinawan village, and gorgeous views of the shoreline. This can be a good for a full day of exploring and price setting apart the time in your itinerary.

Uncover the Island’s WWII Websites

Should you’re a historical past buff you in all probability already know in regards to the Battle of Okinawa. It befell over the course of three months in 1945 throughout World Conflict II. At present, most of the previous battle websites have been became memorial parks and museums. 

There are a couple of totally different websites value visiting, however among the most notable embody the UNESCO World Heritage Web site Shuri Castle and Tabaru Park. The previous citadel was used because the Japanese Imperial Military Headquarters in the course of the battle, simply two miles away from Sugar Loaf Hill (one other fascinating historic web site linked to WWII).

Once you first arrive Tabaru Park seems to be like an peculiar metropolis park, however as you discover, you’ll uncover the quite a few tunnels across the fringe of the park. They had been used to because the underground headquarters for the Japanese Naval Base Forces in the course of the battle. The tunnels at the moment are closed, however you possibly can nonetheless peer in and it’s an superior little bit of historical past to see. 

Hop on a Ferry to Kudaka Island

Kudaka Island is likely one of the most vital of the Okinawa Islands, recognized for its non secular vitality and quite a few sacred websites known as utaki. Largely untouched by people, the island is a haven for wild subtropical nature, making it an ideal spot to discover.

An effective way to discover the island is on a motorbike. You possibly can cycle to sacred websites just like the gorgeous Ishiki Seaside (keep in mind you possibly can’t swim right here) which is carefully linked to the creation mythology of Okinawa. One other necessary web site is Fubo Utaki, the place an historic all-female ritual referred to as Izaiho was held each 12 years in historic occasions.

If you wish to dive into the historical past of the Ryukyuan individuals, then it’s a must-visit. Cease at an area restaurant while you’re there and take a look at the bizarre irabu (sea snake) soup, it’s a native specialty.

The island is reachable on a brief ferry journey from Okinawa Island. Head to Nanjo metropolis’s Azama Port, hop on a ferry or high-speed boat, and also you’ll be on this distant island in lower than half an hour. 

Go to Minna-jima

This tiny croissant-shaped island is spoiled with lush seashores and crystal-clear swimming spots. We heard it was among the best islands for water sports activities, so we needed to go and see for ourselves! 

We are able to verify Minna Island among the best spots for scuba diving we got here throughout in our time in Okinawa. The water is so clear and nonetheless which you could see as much as 30 meters beneath. Should you’re not so eager on snorkeling or scuba diving, you possibly can check out parasailing as a substitute.

To achieve Minna-jima from Okinawa Island, you’ll need to catch a ferry from Toguchi Port in Motobu. It takes lower than half an hour to achieve this tropical paradise. To make life easy, it’s also possible to book this scuba diving tour that leaves from the mainland and takes you to the breathtaking coral reefs round Minna-jima island.

Go to The Miyako Islands

The Miyako Islands are a cluster of six islands which might be grouped collectively and are part of the Okinawa Prefecture. The principle island is Miyako Island, known as Miyako-jima in Japanese. It’s recognized for having among the most spectacular seashores in Okinawa in addition to epic coral reefs. 

Miyako Island is very charming because of the sugar cane fields that blanket a lot of the panorama. The island isn’t big, but it surely has a number of small cities and many resort resorts to remain in. And a bonus: there are not any toxic habu snakes right here.

Take the children swimming at Maehama Seaside

This big seashore on the southernmost a part of Miyako typically ranks amongst the most effective seashores in Japan. It’s 7 kilometers (miles?) lengthy, so there’s loads of house for everybody, even on busy days. 

It’s a nice seashore for households as a result of the waves are usually calm, and there’s a rental store the place you possibly can rent SUPs, kayaks, and snorkeling units. Rent out some gear and luxuriate in a fun-filled day trip with the household. Maehama Beach has one thing for everybody!

Soak within the solar on Sunayama Seaside

This picture-perfect tropical seashore has all of it. The water is vivid blue, the sand is white and smooth, and there are epic rock formations alongside the shore. It’s an ideal place to go for a dip, or to laze on the seashore with a ebook in hand.

You possibly can drive your rental all the way down to the parking zone, after which from there climb over a sand dune to achieve Sunayama Beach. There are additionally showers and bogs, best for freshening up after a day within the water. 

Scuba dive on the Yabiji coral reefs

There are greater than 100 particular person coral reefs that make up the Yabiji corals, that are claimed to be Japan’s largest coral reef community, although it’s arduous to quantify that precisely. Both means, it’s an superior spot to go scuba diving. 

The corals are north of Miyako Island, close to the smaller island of Ikema. There aren’t any large worldwide tour operators that run excursions there, however we discovered Open Gate, an area tour firm that runs journeys to Yabiji. Check out the snorkeling and scuba diving trips they run.

Our journey to Yabiji was a spotlight of our journey, primarily as a result of we received to swim proper by some pleasant sea turtles! The colours of the corals and the variety of totally different tropical fish species we noticed had been out of this world.  

Go to the historic Tuyumya Grave

There’s extra to Miyako than simply gold sand seashores. The island additionally has a wealthy historical past and cultural heritage. One spot value testing is the Tuyumya Grave, the place Nakasone Tuyumya was buried. 

He was a frontrunner of Miyako again within the sixteenth century, and the massive burial floor can be the place his descendants had been laid to relaxation. The grandiosity of the grave offers away how necessary they had been. The burial is made out of huge stones stacked on prime of each other, and reminded us of among the previous ruins we’ve seen in Mexico. 

Cycle throughout the Irabu Bridge

To attach among the most important islands in Miyako, the enormous Irabu Bridge was constructed. It stretches 3.5 kilometers over the ocean and connects Irabu Island with the principle Miyako Island. You possibly can cross it by automotive, on foot, or on a motorbike.

We wouldn’t suggest doing it on foot because it’s a good means should you stroll there and again, so we determined to lease bikes as a substitute. The views of the islands and the ocean from the bridge are epic! 

Go to The Yaeyama Islands

Should you’re like us and also you’re eager to spend as a lot time outside exploring nature, climbing arduous trails, and getting up shut with the native wildlife, then the Yaeyama Islands might be your favourite of all of the Miyako Islands. 

Made up of 23 islands, we rapidly realised we’d must slim down which islands to go to on our journey. We selected Iriomote, Ishigaki, and Taketomi ultimately – and we don’t remorse our resolution!

Discover the jungle on Iriomote Island

Often known as the ‘Galapagos of the East’, Iriomote Island is roofed in thick jungle, house to uncommon wildlife, and a community of mangrove forests. It’s the center of journey within the Okinawa Islands!

Seeing as 90% of the island is jungle or mangrove forest, it’s not stunning there’s no airport and the island can solely be reached by boat. However the remoteness of Iriomote provides to its attraction.

Let’s check out among the coolest issues to do on Iriomote Island.

Go Mangrove Kayaking on Iriomote Island

Kayaking downriver via the thick mangrove forest is a should in your journey to Iriomote Island. It’s an island traditional, a form of ceremony of passage for each customer. The sound of chicken music and ominous jungle noises accompanied us as we paddled downstream, heading additional and additional into the dense mangrove. 

After some time, our teacher instructed us to tug up on the riverbank. We parked our kayak and hopped out, then headed on a hike via the mangroves. Our information identified among the uncovered mangrove roots and defined that the bushes are greater than 300 years previous! 

As we walked alongside, our information additionally identified among the native wildlife. We doubt we’d have noticed lots of it with out his experience, particularly issues just like the brown beetles clustered of their tons of beneath tree leaves, and styles of lizards and frogs hidden within the undergrowth. Check out the tour we went on.

Maintain a lookout for Iriomote wildcat merchandise 

A number of the most unusual souvenirs you will get within the Okinawa Islands are the Iriomote wildcat-inspired souvenirs. This critically endangered wildcat isn’t discovered wherever else on this planet, and it’s estimated that there are solely round 100 of them left on Iriomote Island. 

It’s uncommon to identify one in actual life as they’re largely nocturnal they usually have a tendency to cover away within the dense jungle and mangrove forests! As a comfort to ourselves, we picked up some key rings as items to take house for everybody. 

Go on a nighttime hike via the jungle

The opposite wonderful factor about being on a distant island with few inhabitants is the evening sky. With no mild air pollution round, the celebrities are vivid and visual. Strolling via the jungle and alongside the seashore at evening is unimaginable, and we had been shocked by how totally different the panorama felt from the way it had felt in the course of the daytime.

The opposite wonderful factor about occurring an evening hike is that there are a great deal of nocturnal animals on Iriomote Island which you could’t see in the course of the day. We got here throughout big crabs, noisy frogs, and birds. 

Understandably, it’s not protected to trek via the jungle at evening by your self – it’s worthwhile to ebook an area information. We went on this amazing tour and had a good time with our pleasant information. 

Uncover Native Tradition At Taketomi Island

One other of the Yaeyama Islands, Taketomi, is value a go to and one among our favorite locations to go to in Okinawa.

If Iriomote is the wildlife capital of Okinawa, then Taketomi is the tradition capital. It’s dotted with cute conventional villages, and water buffalo are nonetheless seen dragging carts across the island as a type of transportation. 

Journey a water buffalo cart

One of many coolest issues you are able to do on the island is be part of a standard water buffalo cart tour. The island may be very small and has a single city on it, so that you’ll get to discover most of it in your tour. One of many coolest issues is the Okinawan music they play on the sanshin, a stringed instrument from the realm, alongside the way in which. 

We additionally seen that our driver not often gave the buffalo any directions – the pleasant beast appeared to know the route off by coronary heart!

Take a look at the view from Nagominoto Tower

While you’re on the island, head to the 4.5-meter-tall Nagominoto Tower. It sits within the middle of the village on a small hill, so there are superior views over the island. You possibly can see the normal red-tiled roofs of the previous Ryukyan village homes and the glimmer of the ocean within the distance. 

Sadly, you possibly can’t climb to the highest of the tower anymore, but it surely’s nonetheless value a go to while you’re on the island.   

Actions We Advocate Reserving in Advance

Be sure you don’t miss out by reserving these superior excursions upfront. Japan can get busy, particularly in spring and autumn – so don’t go away it till the final minute.

• Okinawa Blue Cave – Book this snorkeling tour to the Okinawa Blue Cave ahead of time. Going to the island’s Blue Cave is excessive on most vacationers’ Okinawa bucket listing, so ensure you don’t miss out by reserving upfront. The instructors had been tremendous pleasant and we had an superior time. 
• Photoshoot – Hoping to depart Okinawa with some distinctive journey pics? Then book a photoshoot at this ryusou studio. Their ryusou robes are the normal costumes that had been worn within the Ryukyu Kingdom, which is now modern-day Okinawa! 
• Okinawa World – Grab your entry tickets to Okinawa World forward of time right here. If you wish to make a full day of it, you could opt for this epic tour instead. It takes you to Okinawa World in addition to visiting different sights within the space just like the Itoman Seafood Market, Ashibinaa Outlet, and Cape Chinen Park. It’s a actually good worth technique to see a couple of sights in a single go.
• Scuba Diving – Don’t miss out and book this awesome scuba diving tour. It leaves from the Yamakawa Port on Okinawa’s most important island, then takes you out to the colourful coral reefs round Minna-jima Island. The wonderful thing about scuba diving is that you simply don’t truly need to have earlier expertise. The instructors had been tremendous pleasant, and we felt protected the entire time we had been underwater. We are able to’t suggest it sufficient!
• Mangrove Kayaking – Kayaking via the mangrove forests in Iriomote Island is a should, so book this epic tour well in advance. We had a blast. Not solely did we uncover a great deal of wildlife and love the kayaking, however we additionally received to cook dinner outside within the wilderness and go for a dip within the swimming swimming pools deep within the jungle. 
• Iriomote Tour – Spend an evening exploring the jungle on the ‘Galapagos of the East’ and get conversant in the nocturnal wildlife that few vacationers will get to see. The most effective half? The clear sky and stars at evening are dazzling. We extremely suggest this amazing tour choice!
• Water Buffalo – Check out one of many oldest types of transport on the market on this water buffalo cart tour round Taketomi Island. The animal weaves out and in of the city’s slim streets at a tempo that’s gradual sufficient for you to have the ability to take within the structure and benefit from the surroundings!

Go Deeper In Okinawa

That is our very first Okinawa information, so we don’t have any extra region-specific guides to level you to. That doesn’t imply we don’t have any extra posts that can enable you to plan your journey or get you impressed to go to different areas of Japan. 

Listed below are just some:

• Undecided if Okinawa is the prefecture for you? No worries, you possibly can evaluate Okinawa to Japan’s different areas by studying our How To Decide Where To Go In Japan guide. This hefty information breaks down every of Japan’s areas, supplying you with a good suggestion of what there’s to do and the overall vibe of every, so you possibly can ensure you’re getting it good.  
• Need to strive ordering ramen like an area in your subsequent journey to Japan? Then take a look at our superior Rosetta Stone Japanese information, the place we uncover whether or not the Rosetta Stone App is any good for studying Japanese. We tried again and again studying Japanese, however we didn’t make a lot headway till we found this superior app – strive it out for your self!  
• The Art Of Trip Planning – This useful information isn’t region-specific, so it’s helpful wherever you’re going in your subsequent journey. It doesn’t matter should you’re a first-time backpacker or an previous hand on the artwork of touring, we promise you’ll discover a new trick that can prevent time, cash, and stress! With this information, you’ll be an knowledgeable traveler very quickly.
• Nobody is prepared for a visit to Okinawa till they’ve learn our 18 Of The Best Apps For Japan Travel information. We not too long ago prolonged it from 12 to 18 apps, so there are new scorching ideas that can assist make your journey journey a breeze. From language apps that can enable you to overcome language barrier issues to superior navigation apps that can preserve you from getting misplaced on the area’s volcano hikes, these 18 apps are a should. 

Our Okinawa Journey Ideas

You recognize what there’s to do on the island now, however you’re in all probability questioning what else it’s worthwhile to know forward of your vacation to Okinawa? There are such a lot of issues to contemplate while you’re planning a visit, so allow us to offer you a hand.

We’ve put collectively this useful part so you will get your bearings with out having to do hours of analysis. 

When is the most effective time to go to Okinawa

The climate in Okinawa’s islands is totally different from the remainder of Japan. As a result of it’s the southernmost prefecture, it has a way more tropical local weather. Not like well-known cities like Tokyo and Osaka that have 4 very distinct seasons, Okinawa is tropical year-round. 

It does get barely colder in January and February, but it surely’s nonetheless sunny and heat! 

That stated, there are nonetheless some higher and worse occasions of 12 months to go to. Visiting in summer season could be a bit dangerous as a result of that’s when storm season is. The worst of it tends to hit in August and September, so it could be a good suggestion to keep away from these months should you can. 

Should you’re touring on a funds and hoping to get the most effective flight and resort offers, otherwise you simply hate large crowds, then you definately also needs to keep away from coming in April or November. It additionally will get fairly busy in July. 

We reckon March is the most effective time of 12 months to come back. You’ll simply miss the worst of the crowds (who flock to mainland Japan to see the cherry blossom), and the climate is nice this time of 12 months. 

What you shouldn’t miss in Okinawa

There are such a lot of epic issues to do in Okinawa that narrowing it down to a couple ‘must-do’ actions is not any simple feat. We predict all the things on this information is value doing, but when we needed to choose our favorites, it’d undoubtedly embody scuba diving on the Yabiji corals. 

We’d additionally put kayaking via the mangroves on Iriomote Island on the prime of our listing. Additionally, it’s arduous to beat the sensation of driving a cart being pulled alongside by a water buffalo via the normal city of Taketomi Island, in order that’d be on there too. 

Should you’re questioning which had been our favourite seashores, we’d need to say the golden sand seashores on the croissant-shaped Minna-jima Island. 

There isn’t as a lot data on-line about Okinawa in comparison with different prefectures, so we all know it may be complicated determining the place to go. Hopefully, that offers you a good suggestion of what to prioritise throughout your time within the Okinawa Prefecture! 

How you can get round Okinawa:

As you may think, getting round Okinawa’s quite a few islands includes a little bit of creativity. There are some most important modes of transport on greater islands, just like the Yui Rail on Okinawa Island, however smaller islands received’t have as a lot infrastructure.

The principle worldwide and home airport within the Okinawa Prefecture is Naha Airport. It’s on Okinawa Island, which is the place we suggest beginning your journey anyway. There received’t be any direct flights from the US and Europe, so that you’ll doubtless want to alter over in Tokyo and catch a home flight for the final leg of your journey.  

There are native buses on lots of the larger islands, and once we had been on smaller islands, we had been typically there on a tour or we rented bikes and peddled round, so it didn’t matter an excessive amount of. That stated, renting a automotive may very well be choice while you’re in Okinawa. You’d have the ability to attain out-of-the-way sights and secluded seashores that different vacationers can’t get to. 

Reserving excursions is one other nice technique to get round. We all know it might get costly to ebook a number of excursions, however all of the journeys we did with guides in Okinawa had been tremendous inexpensive, in order that they shouldn’t make a dent in your checking account. 

Once you’re getting between islands, you’ll largely depend on native ferries. There are sometimes categorical ferries as properly if you wish to get there faster. For longer journeys, there are additionally home flights between Naha Airport and islands like Miyako and Yaeyama. 

Frequent journey errors:

• Be sure you join the Okinawa World craft workshops at reception while you arrive – We missed out on among the craft workshops as a result of we didn’t realise you had to enroll. Once you arrive, head straight to reception and get your identify put down for the workshops you need to become involved in. They don’t all get booked up, however some do. 
• Keep in mind that you’ll must cowl up your tattoos on Japanese seashores – The foundations on tattoos are nonetheless fairly strict in Japan. It won’t be explicitly talked about that it’s worthwhile to cowl your tattoos on the seashore, however due to the cultural associations of tattoos with organized crime, we advise masking them up simply in case. Fortunately for you, you received’t be the primary individual to come back up in opposition to this downside! The Suhada Seal is a sticky, skin-colored patch which you could stick over your tattoos to cowl them up. Be sure you take sufficient to final your full journey. It could suck to overlook out on lounging in Japanese scorching springs due to a tattoo. 
• Maintain a lookout for habu snakes while you’re out climbing – The Okinawa habu is a species of pit viper that lives on the Okinawa Islands. They’re significantly toxic, and they could be a bit temperamental. While most snakes have a tendency to cover away from individuals, the habu snake likes to sit back within the solar on paths or low-hanging branches, so watch the place you step!
• Learn in regards to the island’s community of ferries forward of time – We didn’t plan our ferries forward of our journey, so we wasted lots of our vacation time scrolling via ferry schedules and determining which port we needed to journey from. Check out the Visit Okinawa Japan website to seek out out extra. 

What To Pack For Okinawa

This useful packing listing is right here that will help you ensure you don’t overlook something necessary! You possibly can even print it out and use it as a guidelines forward of your journey:

• Pack comfortable shoes. You’ll be occurring a number of hikes on this journey, particularly should you go to Iriomote Island.  
• Deliver a lightweight raincoat should you’re visiting in the course of the storm season. 
• Don’t overlook your flip flops!
• Pack loads of sunscreen.
• Add a quick-dry towel to your bag for seashore days. 
• Deliver hand sanitizer. It’s commonplace for there to be no cleaning soap in public and restaurant bogs in Japan. 
• Deliver your best camera. You’re about to make recollections you’ll need to bear in mind for a lifetime, so ensure you seize them in prime quality! You may additionally need to contemplate bringing different equipment like selfie sticks and digicam hood lenses.
• Pack some Suhada Seal tattoo patches so you possibly can cowl up your tattoos on the area’s scorching springs. 
• Keep in mind to pack a travel adapter. You’ll want a two-pronged Kind A for Japan, so verify your plugs to see if it’s worthwhile to get an adapter forward of your journey.
• Get some Japanese Yen prepared earlier than your journey. It’s at all times a good suggestion to pack some money within the native foreign money earlier than your journey, in case you want money to pay on your transport from the airport or you end up in a sticky state of affairs. 
• Examine forward of time that you should use your financial institution card to take out Japanese Yen while you’re overseas with out being charged hefty charges! If not, plan forward and produce all of the journey cash you assume you’ll want. In our 10-day Japan itinerary, we estimated that it prices about $147 per individual per day to journey in Japan.
• Examine should you want a Visa forward of your journey! Most international locations don’t want a Visa for a brief vacation in Japan, however ensure you verify the distinctive necessities on your nation so that you don’t run into any surprising issues. You will discover out extra on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan website.

Dive Head First Into Okinawa’s Beautiful Seashores, Mangrove Forests, And Wealthy Heritage

Put collectively the uncommon wildlife, gold sand seashores, and tropical climate and it’s simple to see why we fell head over heels for Okinawa. Plus, the hospitality of the Okinawan individuals was the cherry on prime. 

Be sure you put aside at the very least two weeks if you wish to correctly discover the highest issues to do in Okinawa akin to Iriomote, Okinawa Island, and Miyako Island. Every one is so distinctive, it’d be a disgrace to need to skip any of them.

Prepare for the journey of a lifetime! 

Often Requested Questions