Okinawa belongs to the Ryukyu archipelago that includes several settlements. There are a large number of cafes and restaurants, historical sights, and other entertainment.
The island also boasts a large number of resorts, that attract tourists to the island. To find the island on the map, look a little southwest of Japan itself, in the waters of the East China Sea.
These islands are within easy reach of Taiwan. The length of Okinawa island is about 112 km. You can get to the island from Tokyo and Osaka, flights depart regularly.
Check our first timers guide to the best things to do in Okinawa, stay updated on the most important tourist places to visit on this Japanese island.
Explore Naha City
Travelers looking for a relaxing holiday in Okinawa can go to the south of the island. Here you can find wonderful sandy coasts and plenty of diving sites. Not so far is the capital of the entire archipelago – Naha city.
Naha city is a great place to explore, you can visit some popular Japanese castles and parks. Naha is also poetically called the “castle town”. Castles here are considered the most picturesque in the country; their roofs attract the eye with their red tiles.
Spend Great Beach Holidays
The northern part of the island is a place of beautiful landscapes and expensive hotels. If you have a chance, make sure to visit Cape Hedo. It is the northernmost point of Okinawa, where the waters of the Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea meet.
There you can admire the beauty of sunset under the roar of mighty waves beating against the rocks, go down the path to a deserted beach and enjoy complete unity with nature.
Explore Kudaka Island
One of the best places for a beach holiday in Okinawa is Kudaka Island. It is located 5 km from Okinawa island, there are many great spots for snorkeling and diving. You can book a diving tour by clicking on the link. Also popular among travelers and locals are Imbu region and Seragaki island.
Itoman city
Not far from Itoman city there is a coast with the funny name – BiBi beach. It is considered one of the most sparsely populated; here you can spend a great time, dine in colorful small cafes.
Onna Village
On the north of the island is the village of Onna. It is deservedly nicknamed the “paradise” of the island of Okinawa. Along the coast there is a chain of hotels that often attract newlyweds who want to spend a bright wedding celebration here.
Fiji Falls
Another place worth visiting on Okinawa island is Hiji Falls, which is considered the highest on the island. The walk to the waterfall can take up to 40 minutes, the walk is suitable for travelers of all ages. But you should be careful, as the road is mostly wet and slippery.
Places to Visit in Okinawa
The main attraction in Okinawa is the oldest underground cave. It was formed here 300 thousand years ago. Its length is 5 km and almost 900 m are available for exploration.
In the city of Itoman, there is another noteworthy place – Memorial Museum. The last battles for the island took place here. To honor the memory of the dead, the names and surnames of 237,779 people were engraved on stone tombstones.
The so-called “gusuku” are scattered here and there throughout the island. These are the feudal fortresses of the Ryukyu era; they are on the UNESCO list. The main and most popular is Shuri Castle. This is a completely reconstructed ensemble of the palace that existed here in the XIV-XV centuries.
It is also worth visiting the Botanical Gardens, which feature a huge variety of unusual plants – more than two thousand species in total.
Visit Churaumi Aquarium in Okinawa
Okinawa aquarium Churaumi, also deserves attention. Translated, this word means “beautiful sea.” In the aquarium, you can admire the flora and fauna of the island and the Kuroshio sea current.
Its representatives are manatees, sharks, dolphins, a stingray of the Sea Devil breed. These creatures are the main pride of the aquarium.
You can visit aquarium at any time of the year. Outside the main aquarium building is a turtle pool, a manatee pool, and dolphin lagoons.
You can buy tickets at a discount to the Churaumi Aquarium by clicking on the link
Before or after visiting the aquarium, visit a small restaurant nearby, which is located on top of a mountain. They serve delicious pizza, amazing views from the top are great bonus.
Don’t miss the opportunity to try Awamori rice liquor, which is the original drink in Okinawa. Due to the peculiarities of the brewing process, the liquor resembles soju more than sake. The drink does not have a pronounced taste, but it intoxicates quite well, so watch the amount you drink.
When you go on vacation to Okinawa island in Japan, you probably expect to eat nothing but sushi. You’ll be surprised but the main product on the island is pork.
Pigs were first brought to the island by the Chinese, it was back in the 15th and 16th centuries, since then the inhabitants of the island of Okinawa eat absolutely all parts of the pig, with the exception of the pig squeal.
When it comes to food, if you really want to eat something delicious, then it is better to avoid visiting places recommended by Google.
The best reference point is a large number of locals in the establishment. Most likely, there you will not even be offered a menu in English and you will need to rely only on the recommendations of the waiter, chef or owner of the place.
Another important point of your trip to Okinawa island – be sure to rent a car if you are going to travel outside the capital – the city of Naha.
Considering that most of the best beaches, hotels, and diving spots are located in the northern part of the island, and the cost of a taxi ride, it is better to take care in advance and book a car.
The Weather in Okinawa
The island is located in a subtropical climate. The coldest weather in Okinawa is in January. At the beginning of the year, the air temperature here rarely rises above +16 ° C. And the hottest month is July – + 28 – + 29 ° C.
Going to the island of Okinawa in winter, do not miss the opportunity to see humpback whales. All you need is to book a tour by clicking on the link. The duration of the tour is 3 hours, a full refund is possible, details can be found on the website.
