Okinawa Japan: The Complete Traveler's Guide in 2025
- Noa
If you are looking for an exotic and super special vacation destination, Okinawa Japan is the perfect choice for you and is a short flight from Osaka or Tokyo . The island offers many attractions, from stunning beaches to ancient temples, along with a rich culture and delicious cuisine. Okinawa was once a semi-independent kingdom and only returned to Japanese rule in 1972, which explains the unique features of the Ryukyu Kingdom and the American bases throughout the island. Here you will find all the information you need to have a perfect trip to Okinawa.
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Table of Contents
Okinawa weather
The seasons are similar to those in Japan but warmer and rainier, as it is a subtropical climate.
winter
December – February, 10-20 degrees. Cold and a little rainy. Beginning of the Okinawan sakura blossom.
spring
March – April, 15-24 degrees. Recommended season! Pleasant and slightly rainy.
summer
July – September, 26-30 degrees. High humidity and rainy.
autumn
October – December, 20-25 degrees. Recommended season, similar to spring, pleasant weather.
How do you get to and get around the island?
The most convenient way to get to Okinawa is by plane. There are direct domestic flights from Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka that connect the island to major destinations in Japan. In addition, there are also direct international flights from Hong Kong, Taipei, and Seoul, making getting to Okinawa easy and convenient from other destinations in Asia.
Public transportation is convenient and includes buses and trains with excellent frequency, but there are many places around the island that can only be reached by car. Therefore, it is recommended to rent a car to explore the island in comfort and reach all the attractions and beautiful beaches in the area.
Electricity and sockets in Okinawa
Okinawa (and all of Japan) uses type A and B electrical outlets, like in the US, with a voltage of 100 volts. Most travelers will need a compatible adapter to charge a phone, camera, or laptop.
I recommend bringing a good universal adapter, especially if you plan to travel to other countries on the same trip.
To purchase a recommended adapter:
The special food of Okinawa Japan
Most of the food you'll find in Okinawa is similar to that in Japan itself, but there are a few dishes that are unique to the island:
corpse
A green vegetable that looks like a rough cucumber. Common in many dishes and very bitter!
Chanpuro Goya
Stir-fried noodles with tofu with vegetables and meat or fish.
Okinawan soba
The noodles are made in Okinawa. The dish is served with konbu noodles, bonito, and pork.
Taco Rice
A rice-based, deconstructed taco.
Where should you stay in Naha?
The city center is around Asahibashi train station. You can find plenty of hotels there for all budgets.
Here are some recommended hotels in the city center:
⭐ Rating of 8.3 on Booking.com
✅ Fifteen minutes walk to Miyabashi Station
✅ Private, air-conditioned rooms
✅ There is a pool!
✅ Starting from $45 per night
Compare prices to get the best price:
⭐ Rating of 8.9 on Booking.com
✅ Excellent location in the city center
✅ Apartment with kitchen, washing machine, WiFi and bathroom
✅ Starting from $52 per night
Compare prices to get the best price:
⭐ Rating of 8.8 on Booking.com
✅ Excellent location
✅ Luxurious, large and comfortable rooms
✅ Excellent breakfast for an additional fee
✅ Starting from $104 per night
Compare prices to get the best price:
Naha, the capital of Okinawa, is a unique city. You can find culture like nowhere else, castles, special food, shopping, and plenty of peaceful parks.
Naha, the capital of Okinawa
What do we do in Naha?
In the city you can visit historical sites, stroll through colorful markets and enjoy the unique local cuisine. Here are two attractions you shouldn't miss if you have a few days to spend in the city, and a recommendation for shopping.
Shuri Castle
Remnants from the Ryukyu Kingdom period. You can walk around the kingdom, most of it is free but there are areas where you have to pay. You can also try on authentic local clothes.
The kingdom was abandoned in 1879 and almost destroyed in 1945 during the war. The Japanese managed to preserve significant parts of the remains of the kingdom, which is why the place is very impressive and interesting!
Afterwards, you should go eat at a tofu restaurant called Beans. A very tasty local restaurant located close to the castle. But make no mistake, in Japan a tofu restaurant is not a vegan restaurant. Tofu in Japan is not served as a protein and always comes with some kind of meat.
Okinawa Museum of History and Art
Two museums located in the same complex, one with lots of interesting items collected from around Okinawa and illustrating life there. The other is a local art museum with changing exhibitions. You can buy a combined ticket for both museums and the changing exhibitions (prices vary, usually up to 1500 yen for everything). It is recommended to dedicate a whole day to the entire museum because there is a lot to see and the walk is a bit tiring.
It is about 25 minutes by bus or train from the city center.
Second-hand stores
The best value! There are lots of second-hand stores all over Naha with really good products and really cheap prices! There are two stores that are chains and you can easily find them both around the island and in Japan itself: Second Street, mainly clothes, and Mangasouko - clothes, camping equipment, appliances, fishing equipment and much more.
Okinawa Tours and Destinations Across the Island
Most of the island's attractions and areas of interest are located north of Naha. The attractions include the most beautiful, clean, white beaches, nature trails, waterfalls, lookouts, and lots of places to explore.
In the center of the island are the cities of Motobu and Nago, both of which are excellent starting points for trips and pleasant cities to stay in. There are many inhabited areas in this area, but also many natural parks that are easily accessible. It is also interesting to know that many Americans live there, as the Japanese have had an agreement with the United States since World War II, according to which they can establish bases in Okinawa and live there with their families.
The northernmost part is not as populated as the southern part and sometimes even looks deserted. Rumor has it that this part was abandoned when the tsunami in 2011 occurred, which led to the release of radioactive radiation in Fukushima, after which businessmen who were building there decided to stop everything in the middle. The area is very wild and beautiful, but I would not recommend going beyond Yamboro Park.
💧 Good to know! Tap water in Japan is safe to drink. If you travel with a collapsible, reusable water bottle, you can save a lot of money and plastic.
Here are all the attractions that are best to do on the island, from the center to the north.
Cape Manzamo
A stunning viewpoint over the sea, a very special cliff. About an hour's drive from Manah, and a good starting point for a trip around Okinawa.
In addition, the area has many beautiful beaches that you can reach on foot from the parking lot, stroll around the area, and reach the Azumaya viewpoint.
Motobu and Nago - recommended cities for accommodation in the center of the island
Motobu and Nago are two pleasant and relaxed cities, about a twenty-minute drive from each other. It is recommended to sleep in one of them in order to visit the surrounding attractions.
Recommended places to stay in Motovun
⭐ Rating of 9.1 on Booking.com
✅ 3 star hotel
✅ Right on the sea
✅ Starting from $103 per night
Compare prices to get the best price:
⭐ Rating of 9 on Booking.com
✅ Luxurious 4-star hotel with a pool
✅ On the beach
✅ Breakfast included
✅ Starting from $175 per night
Compare prices to get the best price:
Recommended places to stay in Nago
⭐ Rating of 8 on Booking.com
✅ 3 star hotel
✅ Convenient location
✅ Starting from $43 per night
Compare prices to get the best price:
⭐ Rating of 8.2 on Booking.com
✅ 3 star hotel
✅ Excellent breakfast for $10
✅ Starting from $112 per night
Compare prices to get the best price:
What to eat in Motobu and Nago
Without exaggerating, the food in Japan is simply delicious no matter where or what you eat. Here are recommendations for three very special places where I ate perhaps the most delicious dishes in all of Okinawa, each dish costing up to a thousand yen:
Gajumaru - Gajumaru
A local restaurant in Motobu. We ate yakisoba there, which comes with soup and vegetables.
Umusanomori Shokudo - Umusanomori Shokudo
In the city of Nago. We ate a set meal of karaage (fried chicken) that comes with miso soup, rice, vegetables, and tofu.
Owase Sushi
In the city of Motobu. Fresh, high-quality, and stunning sushi that comes accompanied by miso soup with seafood.
Tropical Dream Center - Botanical Garden in Motovun City
On the edge of the city and by the sea, an impressive and well-maintained botanical garden! There is a route along the garden that passes through 14 points and takes about an hour and a half to go through them all (depending on how much you like to linger). The garden is full of colorful and stunning orchids, the amazing smell of flowers, exotic plants, fruit trees, a lake with lotuses and lots of other mesmerizing vegetation.
Hiji Falls in Yambaru Park
It's about an hour's walk each way in the middle of a stunning tropical forest. It costs 500 yen to enter the site.
The route starts from a camping site where you can sleep (about 2000 yen to set up a tent there).
Ta-taki Falls - Ta-taki
One of the most beautiful natural sites in Okinawa! The trail leading to the waterfalls passes through a forest and breathtaking views, allowing visitors to enjoy nature in its full force. Getting to the waterfalls involves a relatively easy hike. Please note that part of the trail goes in the water, so it is important to arrive with the appropriate equipment and in warm weather.
A trip through the mangrove forest
Mangroves are trees that grow in the area between land and sea. They are very characteristic of tropical and subtropical climates and you can see many of them around the island. The forest has a path that crosses it so you can walk through the mangroves without getting stuck in the mud. A really special area that even looks a bit like outer space.
The 7 waterfalls of Kijuka
A magical place in its own right, quiet and peaceful. A minute's walk from the parking lot, there is also a temple nearby, highly recommended.
Okinawa Day Trips
It is well worth exploring the area in depth with day trips! All trips are with a private, professional guide and are excellent value for money.
✅ Rating of 4.5 ⭐ on VIATOR out of 92 raters!
✅ Snorkeling in an area full of sea turtles
✅ Includes snorkeling equipment
✅ Starting from $52
Reserve your spot on the trip now! ￬
✅ Rating of 5 ⭐ on VIATOR out of 100 raters!
✅ Includes SUP/Kayak equipment
✅ Includes entrance fee
✅ Starting from $52
Reserve your spot on the trip now! ￬
✅ Rated 5 ⭐ on VIATOR from 82 travelers!
✅ Includes all necessary equipment
✅ Full day of mangrove river trip
✅ Starting from $83
Reserve your spot on the trip now! ￬
Small islands connected to Okinawa
You can visit small, charming islands connected to the main island by bridges. The islands have stunning beaches, natural landscapes, and a quiet, relaxing atmosphere. Traveling to the islands by bridge is an experience in itself, allowing you to explore the lesser-known corners of the island.
🐠 If you're into snorkeling, this is one of the most amazing areas to snorkel! I recommend bringing a snorkel set and mask that suits you and diving at every opportunity.
🩴There are lots of sea urchins in the shallow water and it's dangerous to step on them! It's a good idea to go to the beach with comfortable beach shoes that dry quickly .
Sesoko - Sesoko
A beautiful little island, about a 9 minute drive from Motobu. A perfect place to watch the sunset or spend time on the beach.
🏖️ Many beaches around the island don't have a designated place to sit, so it's a good idea to bring a comfortable beach towel , one that also dries quickly.
Yagaji - Yagaji
A small island that leads to Kouri Island, which is a magical little gem in its own right. The island is full of beautiful beaches and tranquil landscapes, making it a perfect place for hiking, swimming, and exploring the local nature.
Kouri
A small, picturesque island, full of lookout points, white beaches, and places to stop and rest.
Sakura blossoms in Okinawa
The sakura in the area begins blooming in early January and ends around mid-February, with the peak at the end of January.
Compared to the cherry blossoms in Japan itself, the blossoms in Okinawa are pinker and the trees are generally smaller. The Japanese really love cherry blossoms! In other words, you can see the blossoms almost everywhere on the island. For example, Yaedake Sakuranomori Park is a great place to see the blossoms.
The Nago Sakura Festival – Held every year in late January, usually for three days, the festival features local food stalls, sakura ice cream, and ancient ceremonies celebrating the blossoms.
Recommended equipment for Okinawa
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Other interesting destinations in Japan
If you want to continue from there to other fascinating destinations, you can continue with a direct flight to Fukuoka, the capital of Kyushu , which is an area full of wild nature, hot springs, villages and amazing food. You can also take a direct flight to Osaka , which is a wonderful destination to explore the history and nature of Japan. In addition, the city of Kyoto is only an hour's drive from Osaka and is full of temples, castles and nature right in the middle of the city. Of course, it is also worth getting to Tokyo , the capital of Japan, to which there are direct flights from Okinawa.
