Visiting Okinawa (Japan Travel Guide)
Way down south and far off the mainland in the East China Sea lies the paradise of Okinawa. A complete different lifestyle and experience from the rest of the country, on first glance you’d be forgiven to think this isn’t Japan.
Within this Guide I’ll be sharing information on how to get the very best out of a visit to the wonderfully tropical prefecture of Okinawa.
Why Okinawa?
If tropical Hawaiian vibes and relaxation is your cup of tea, then Okinawa is the place to be. Okinawa acts as a destination where you can mix adventure and leisure together, one minute you can be exploring the city or trekking through the lush landscapes, and the next you can be relaxing and taking it easy on the beach and taking a dip in the beautiful blue sea. Okinawa has plenty of history and culture to be found and explored, there are signs and locations which signify the importance of the prefectures background and past throughout the main island and the outer islands beyond. Once a key battleground in the Pacific during the latter stages of World War II, Okinawa is now thriving as a destination and one that is truly worth visiting.
When to Visit
Due to its subtropical climate, Okinawa can be enjoyed thoroughly all year round. The key feature to note is the sea temperature and if you plan on visiting the beaches and going for a Swim. If that is the case, then from April to October would be the best time to visit Okinawa.
However, due to its location, Okinawa does have a number of detrimental factors which can impact your visit. Firstly, the rainy season is typically between mid-May and late June, therefore even though the temperature will be warm, during this time you may see variable weather and more rainy days than elsewhere. Furthermore, Typhoon Season in this part of Asia starts in June to end of November, with August and September being the most frequent months for potential impacts. While direct impacts are rare and only a handful pass close enough to be of concern, be aware of the Weather when visiting as there will be travel restrictions surrounding travel in and out of Okinawa and on the island itself, cancellations of Flights and public transport while rare, can still happen.
Personally, I visited for a week in late August, and the Week I was there a Typhoon was hitting mainland Japan, and the next week when I was over on mainland Japan a new Typhoon was passing by near to Okinawa. Honestly, it’s a matter of luck with the Typhoon situation, however a vast majority of trips are made with no interruptions. The weather was glorious for the majority of my week in Okinawa, but I can say this… when it rains, it pours.
How Long and Where to Stay
Anywhere between 4/5 days to a Week will be enough, although it will depend on how much exploration and relaxation you are planning to do while here. I feel once you add in at least one day to visit the outer islands by boat, and at least a day or two to spend by the beach, although Naha isn’t overly big and other destinations on the main island are in reach, you will still want to keep a number of days aside to mooch around and explore.
If you are relying on public transport to explore more of the main island, then staying in Naha and somewhere near the monorail (Yui Rail) and also the Naha Bus Terminal would be best. I stayed in the area of the Asahibashi Yui Rail station, which was also conveniently was next to the Bus Terminal, and it was perfect. It was only a 15 minute ride from the Airport, and also close enough to walk or alternatively use the monorail each day to head more into the city centre of Naha.
If it’s just pure relaxation you are after, then it is also possible to stay on one of the outer islands. However be quick and plan ahead in advance, as I was told reservations and accommodations can book up weeks or even months in advance during the summer season.
Getting Here and Around
Naha International Airport is served by a large portion of Airports on mainland Japan and also a select number of destinations further afield in Asia. Flights on budget airlines are cheap and reliable to get to and from Okinawa, with many of them offering decent luggage allowances for free too. I flew into Okinawa from Busan, South Korea, and then onto Fukuoka on the mainland and it cost very little.
As mentioned previously, getting to the city from the airport is easy with the use of the Yui Rail, taking you into central Naha in around 20 minutes or less. However if you're looking to explore further afield of Naha on the main island, then this is where things can get a little tricky. The transport options aren’t as great as on the mainland, in fact far from it. The Yui Rail only takes you so far, just outside of Naha, and although the local buses can get you from A-to-B, I found many locations I wanted to visit would require changes and therefore issue much longer than wanted travel times. If you can drive and have the required paperwork and documents, renting a car to explore the mainland of Okinawa would definitely be the way to go.
Of course, to visit the outer islands the ride out there will be by boat. Once again, if planning to visit the outer islands it’s best to book travel in advance as certain boat times and express ride journeys sell out well ahead of time. As an alternative, several of the outer islands also have their own airport, so a flight straight into them would be another option to consider, although obviously the cost would be much higher than flying into Naha for example.
Photography/Camera Gear
As far as photography is concerned, Okinawa is a complete heaven. From lazy day beach snaps, to documenting the intriguing nature in the city and the laid back culture, all the way to still life and the sea, Okinawa has such a mix of photographic opportunities, the outcome of your snaps will provide such a variety after your time here, it will be amazing to look back on and see.
During my time in Okinawa, I almost exclusively used a 35mm throughout the whole stay. The narrow streets full of activity and energy are what a lens of this focal length was made for. Winding markets and hidden alleyways, open landscapes and close-up details, you name it, in a place like this, a lens such a 35mm will be your best friend.
Naha
As the capital of the prefecture of Okinawa, Naha stands as a prominent figurehead and a key destination in the area. Located at the southern end of the main island, Naha also serves as the main gateway to the rest of Okinawa and beyond, including the outer islands.
Here you will find a fascinating blend of the old and the new, depending where you are in the city, there are constant reminders of Okinawa’s past, but also signs of how far it’s come and developed over the years. The Battle of Okinawa during the latter stages of World War II was a promiment battle in the Pacific Theater, and as a result the scars and impacts of the war can still be found in Naha and beyond today. Shuri Castle is an example of a key location and significance of Okinawa’s history, as the Imperial Japanese Army built their headquarters in and around the Castle, resulting in the location being almost completely destroyed from the War. Although rebuilt, it recently burnt down partially once again in 2019 and is currently closed to the public and undergoing reconstruction repairs.
Moving forward into the modern day, like many parts and areas of Japan which were heavily impacted as a result of World War II, Naha and Okinawa as a whole has recovered significantly and is now a subtropical paradise for local Okinawans to live, and also a travel destination for tourists enjoy.
To kickstart your visit to Okinawa, I suggest heading towards the centre of Naha, and more specifically focusing on the area around Kokusai-dori Street. This is where the central hub of Okinawa can be found, from major businesses, corporate locations and hotels, to the endless selection of shops and restaurants lined up along each side, you’ll find yourself visiting here day after day as there is plenty to keep all entertained.
Within the street you’ll also find a number of markets and other hidden passageways that branch off from the main road that are well worth taking the time to explore, it’s somewhere that you’ll need to keep your eyes peeled in order to scope out all the possibilities to explore around you. One of the best things about Naha is that each day you’ll always find and discover new areas and points of interest, Naha as a whole is incredibly fun to indulge in and explore.
After keeping yourself entertained for hours on end within the centre of Naha, maybe you want to spend a day or two relaxing and topping up the tan by the beach. Thankfully, being based in Naha means you wont have to go far, having an inter-city beach right on your doorstep is like a blessing. As the only public beach you can safely swim at within the area, Naminoue Beach is uniquely located opposite the highway on the west side of Naha. Within easy walking distance of central Naha, the beach contains clear blue water and the golden sand we all love to see. The facilities besides the beach contains a variety of pop-up food stalls and a small convenience store where you can also rent equipment such as sun loungers and parasols to keep yourself cool and hydrated throughout the day.
Just next to the beach and perched up on the cliff is Naminoue Shrine. First opened in 1368, the shrine offers an insight into the cultural side of Naha and its fabled past. As a show of the heritage connected to Okinawa, the shrine is one worth visiting just for the detailed look at the architecture involved alone. In order to gain a unique perspective, it may actually be best viewed from the highway opposite the beach below.
Heading towards the north end of the city, up this end of town you can learn about Okinawa’s history and past. Furthermore, this is where you will find a more local way of life, and therefore get to experience how and where the real locals of Okinawa live.
Start off by heading to the Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum, not too far north of central Naha, which is easily accessible and within reach by foot. From the outside, the Museum resembles something out of a Sci-FI movie, and its architecture is something to behold. Especially when the Sun is out, the shadows and contrasts portrayed across the building make for some fantastic photo opportunities. Within the location itself, the museums offer insights on a variety of topics related to Okinawa, including its history and iconic art.
From here, make your way east and across to an area known as the Sakemachi Arcade. A more secluded area away from the tourists, this space is an area where mainly locals hang out. Littered with small bars and restaurants, this is somewhere where you can escape for a bite to eat or even a drink away from the crowds. Even if you don’t stop for any food or drink, it’s a fascinating area to stroll around and walk through to gain a better understanding of Naha and Okinawa from a local point of view.
On the face of things, Naha may seem small and a quick fling to explore, however the more hours you invest into spending the time to explore the city inside-out, the further you will fall in love with Naha whilst discovering its hidden gems and secrets galore.
Outer Islands
To get a real feel of the tropical vibe Okinawa has to offer, there’s no better way to do it than to experience the incredible scenic landscapes the prefecture has on its doorstep.
By taking a boat trip or two across to a selection of the outer islands, here you’ll come across lush blue seas and exotic nature reserves rarely seen and unknown from the rest of mainland Japan. As mentioned earlier, you’d be forgiven on first glance to think this isn’t Japan.
To reach one of the outer islands from Naha, head to the west side of the city and to Tomari Port. Once at the port, head inside the main building and collect or book your tickets there. Bookings can be made on the day, however I would advise to book trips in advance especially if you are thinking of taking an express ferry as departures can sell out well ahead of time.
The port offers transport to a series of locations such as Tokashiki, Zamami, Aguni, Kume and a number of others. Of course each island will differ in travel time, therefore this could impact the selection of your chosen location. Personally, I took a trip to the closest island of Tokashiki and it was stunning. The incredible colour of the clear blue sea, the beautiful golden white beaches, if heaven is a real place, this wasn’t far from it.
As a rough idea, the travel time to Tokashiki is 40 mins by express ferry, and 70 mins by the regular service. Another popular day trip location which is Zamami Island just beyond Tokashiki takes around an hour by the express line, and 2 hours by the regular service. Planning in advance will be beneficial if planning to travel to the outer islands as departure times on a number of services are also limited and very few and far between.
Overall, Okinawa is a subtropical paradise waiting to be loved and explored. With its rich history and exotic background, the prefecture is a wonderful location to visit and explore, it has something for everyone. It’s so different from the rest of Japan, and that’s what makes it unique and incredibly special, each day spent there feels like a blessing.
Planning will be your key to getting around the prefecture, especially if you’re thinking of going north of Naha on the mainland and also the outer islands. The more you put into your adventure to Okinawa, the more the stunning beauty of this prefecture will love you back. This was my third trip to Japan, but my first time experiencing Okinawa. I wish I visited sooner, and I definitely cannot wait to visit here again.
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