This page has been translated from Japanese. If anything is unclear, please get in touch.
Prefecture Guide  ·  Okinawa Region
沖縄県

Okinawa

Japan's tropical south, the islands of the old Ryukyu Kingdom, with the coral seas and white beaches, the whale sharks of Churaumi, the vermilion palace of Shuri above Naha, the clear water of the Kerama islands, and a food and culture all its own.

The prefecture

Coral seas, Ryukyu castles and the islands

Turquoise water and boats in a bay on Ishigaki Island
A stone gate set into the curved walls of Shuri Castle
A white sand beach and the Irabu Bridge on Irabu Island

Okinawa is Japan's southernmost prefecture, a chain of islands strung across the subtropical sea far southwest of the mainland, closer to Taiwan than to Tokyo. The long main island holds the capital Naha and the palace of Shuri in the south, the resort coast of Onna and the American Village of Chatan in the centre, and the Churaumi Aquarium and the Yanbaru forest in the north. Beyond it lie the Kerama islands off Naha, and far to the southwest the Miyako and Yaeyama islands of Ishigaki, Taketomi and Iriomote.

For four and a half centuries this was the independent Ryukyu Kingdom, and its own language, music, textiles and food still set it apart, layered now with the American influence of the postwar years. The draw is the sea and the islands, the coral reefs and the beaches, the whale sharks of Churaumi and the clear Kerama Blue, the red lacquered castles of the kingdom, and a table of pork, bitter melon, sea grapes and awamori found nowhere else in Japan.

The four seasons

Explore Okinawa by season

Okinawa is a region of its own, a subtropical island chain warm through most of the year, with the earliest cherry blossom and the latest swimming season in Japan. Choose a season to see what Okinawa looks like through the year.

Ie Island Lily Festival
春 Spring · March to April

Spring is warm and clear, the comfortable months before the rains and the heat, when the beaches open in March, the lilies flower on Ie Island in April and the sea warms for the first swimmers.

Spring in Kyushu and Okinawa
Aharen Beach, Tokashiki Island
夏 Summer · Late June to September

Summer is the long season of the sea, the beaches and coral reefs at their best from after the early rains into October, the time for snorkelling the Kerama Blue and island hopping out to Miyako and Ishigaki, with a watch on the typhoons.

Summer in Kyushu and Okinawa
Naha Great Tug of War
秋 Autumn · October to November

Autumn keeps the warm sea well into November, the crowds thinning and the diving still fine, the season of the great tug of war in Naha in October and the Shuri Castle festival.

Autumn in Kyushu and Okinawa
Humpback whale off Okinawa
冬 Winter · December to March

Winter is mild and bright, too cool for most swimmers but the season for whale watching off the Kerama islands, for the first cherry blossom, and for warm bowls of Okinawa soba.

Winter in Kyushu and Okinawa
Experiences

Must-See in Okinawa

From the great aquarium and forests of the north and the clear water of the Kerama islands to the royal palace of Shuri, the markets of Naha and the most sacred site of the old kingdom, here is where to start across the islands.

Transport

Getting to Okinawa

Okinawa lies far out in the subtropical sea, so getting there means flying. Naha Airport takes flights from cities across Japan, and from there the monorail, ferries and short island flights carry you on.

Naha Airport
Airfield at Naha Airport

All access is by air. Naha Airport takes direct flights from Tokyo in about two and three quarter hours, from Osaka in two, and from cities across the country, while a long distance ferry runs up from Kyushu for those with time. From Naha, short flights reach the outer islands.

Tokyo to Okinawa

By air

Fly from Haneda or Narita to Naha in about 2 hours 45 minutes, with dozens of flights a day on the full service and budget carriers, the main route from the capital.

Onward to the islands

From Naha, short flights carry on to the outer islands, about 50 minutes to Miyako and an hour to Ishigaki for the far southern beaches.

Osaka to Okinawa

By air

Fly from Kansai or Itami to Naha in about 2 hours, a frequent route served by both full service and budget airlines.

Nagoya to Okinawa

By air

Fly from Chubu Centrair to Naha in about 2 hours 15 minutes, with several flights a day in the holiday seasons.

Fukuoka to Okinawa

By air

Fly from Fukuoka to Naha in about 1 hour 35 minutes, the shortest hop to the islands from the mainland.

By sea

A long distance ferry sails from Kagoshima in southern Kyushu up to Naha by way of the Amami islands, around 25 hours, for those with plenty of time.

Sapporo to Okinawa

By air

Fly from New Chitose to Naha in about 3 hours 45 minutes on direct seasonal services, otherwise with a change at Tokyo, the longest hop within the country.

Transport

Getting around Okinawa

Okinawa has almost no railways beyond the Naha monorail, so getting around the main island means a rental car, with flights and ferries out to the other islands. Distances are short but the roads can be slow.

The Yui Rail monorail
The Yui Rail monorail runs from Naha Airport to Shuri and Tedako-Uranishi.

Naha runs on the Yui Rail monorail, from the airport past Kokusai-dori to Shuri, the only railway in the prefecture.

Beyond the city a rental car is all but essential, north up the expressway to Churaumi or down to the southern coast.

Buses link Naha with the towns and resorts, but they are slow, and a car is far freer for the beaches and the capes.

The Kerama islands are a short ferry from Tomari Port in Naha, an easy day trip for the famous blue water.

Miyako and the Yaeyama islands lie far to the southwest, reached by short flights from Naha or onward from Ishigaki by ferry.

Accommodation

Where to stay

From the city hotels of Naha by the monorail and the markets to the beach resorts of the Onna coast and the family resorts of Motobu near the aquarium, here is where to stay in Okinawa and how to book it. The outer islands of Kerama, Miyako and Ishigaki have resorts of their own.

No properties match this filter. Try another category.
Naha & the South
Hotel Luxury
Hyatt Regency Naha, Okinawa
Best for: Couples, central Naha
By Kokusai-dori Near the monorail Indoor and outdoor pools
An upscale hotel in the heart of Naha, steps from the Makishi market, Kokusai-dori and the monorail, with pools and a spa, the most comfortable city base for arriving and exploring the south.
Compare prices
Hotel Mid-range
Loisir Hotel Naha
Best for: Families, with a hot spring
Natural hot spring Near Tomari Port Several restaurants
A large hotel near Tomari Port with its own natural hot spring and pools, handy for the Kerama ferries and a short ride from Kokusai-dori, a comfortable family base in the city.
Compare prices
Hotel Budget
Daiwa Roynet Hotel Naha-Kokusaidori
Best for: Value, on Kokusai-dori
On Kokusai-dori Near the monorail Good value
A dependable, good value hotel right on Kokusai-dori with the monorail close by, well placed for the food, shops and night life of central Naha.
Compare prices
Resort Mid-range
Ryukyu Onsen Senagajima Hotel
Best for: Families, by the airport
Sea-view onsen Minutes from the airport On Senagajima island
A resort on the little island of Senagajima just off the airport, with a sea view hot spring and the Umikaji Terrace shops below, an easy first or last night beside the runway and the sea.
Compare prices
Hotel Budget
OMO5 Okinawa Naha by Hoshino Resorts
Best for: Value, a design stay
By Asahibashi monorail Central Naha Lively base
A bright, design led budget hotel by the monorail in central Naha, a sociable and affordable base for the markets, the pottery lane and the city's food.
Compare prices
Onna & the West Coast
Resort Luxury
Halekulani Okinawa
Best for: Couples, an ocean view resort
All ocean view rooms Five pools On a quiet peninsula
An elegant beach resort in the Hawaiian tradition on a peninsula in the Onna Coast National Park, all rooms facing the sea, with pools and fine dining, one of the island's most refined stays.
Compare prices
Resort Luxury
ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort
Best for: Families, marine activities
By Cape Manza Marine sports park Many restaurants
A long running resort on the Manza peninsula in Onna, with a fine beach, a large marine sports park and ocean view rooms, a comfortable family base on the central west coast.
Compare prices
Resort Mid-range
Renaissance Okinawa Resort
Best for: Families, with dolphins
Private beach Dolphin programmes Pools and water sports
A lively family resort on the Onna coast with its own beach, dolphin encounters and a full range of water sports, an easy and fun base for travelling with children.
Compare prices
Resort Mid-range
Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island Okinawa
Best for: Couples, an island resort
On Seragaki island Several pools Sea views throughout
A resort on its own little island off the Onna coast, linked by a bridge and an hour from the airport, with several pools and a sheltered cove, a relaxed island stay close to the beaches.
Compare prices
Resort Mid-range
Hilton Okinawa Chatan Resort
Best for: Families, by American Village
By American Village Lagoon pools Dining and shops nearby
A resort beside the Mihama American Village in Chatan, with lagoon pools and the shops, dining and Ferris wheel of the village at the door, a convenient central base for the whole island.
Compare prices
Motobu & the North
Resort Luxury
The Busena Terrace
Best for: Couples, a private beach
Private Busena beach Sea-view pools On a cape near Nago
A celebrated resort on the Busena cape near Nago, with a private beach, sea view pools and a marine park, one of the finest beach resorts in Okinawa and a graceful base on the way north.
Compare prices
Resort Luxury
Hilton Okinawa Sesoko Resort
Best for: Families, near Churaumi
On Sesoko island Lagoon pools Near Churaumi
A large resort on Sesoko island off the Motobu peninsula, with lagoon pools and a long beach, close to the Churaumi Aquarium and Emerald Beach, a strong family base for the north.
Compare prices
Resort Mid-range
The Orion Hotel Motobu Resort & Spa
Best for: Families, beside the aquarium
Next to Churaumi On Emerald Beach Hot-spring spa
A resort right beside the Churaumi Aquarium and Emerald Beach, with ocean views from every room and a hot spring spa, the most convenient stay for the aquarium and the northern sights.
Compare prices
Resort Mid-range
Kanucha Resort
Best for: Families, a bay resort
Garden bay setting Many pools Plenty for families
A sprawling garden resort on Kanucha Bay on the quieter east side of the north, with a string of pools, beaches and restaurants, a self contained base for a relaxed family stay.
Compare prices
Hotel Budget
Centurion Hotel Churaumi
Best for: Value, near the aquarium
Good value Near Churaumi Motobu coast
A simple, affordable hotel on the Motobu peninsula near the Churaumi Aquarium, a practical budget base for the north when the resorts are full or out of budget.
Compare prices
Food culture

Where to eat

Okinawa eats unlike anywhere else in Japan, a Ryukyu table layered with American influence. Expect the pork, bitter melon and wheat flour soba of Naha, the taco rice and marbled agu pork of the centre, the sea grapes and island beef of the far isles, and awamori, doughnuts and ice cream to finish. Here is where to eat, and what to order, across the islands.

Okinawa soba with pork
Naha & the Markets

Naha keeps the heart of the Ryukyu table, eaten in the diners and the Makishi market. The island's own wheat flour noodles, the bitter melon stir fry of every home kitchen, and the slow cooked pork belly of the old court.

Noodles & Stir-Fry
Okinawa Soba
沖縄そば

The island's own noodle, thick and made from wheat flour rather than buckwheat, served in a clear pork and bonito broth with kamaboko fish cake, spring onion and pickled red ginger. Topped with stewed pork ribs it becomes soki soba, the everyday bowl of Okinawa.

Okinawa soba noodles
Naha
Goya Champuru
ゴーヤーチャンプルー

The signature stir fry of bitter melon with tofu, egg and pork or spam, champuru meaning mixed in the island dialect. The goya's clean bitterness is balanced by the egg and the pork, the most everyday of all Okinawan dishes.

Goya champuru bitter melon stir fry
Naha
Ryukyu Pork
Rafute
ラフテー

Thick cuts of pork belly simmered slowly in soy, awamori and sugar until they are tender enough to fall apart, a dish of the old Ryukyu royal court now eaten across the islands. Rich and sweet, the long cooking renders away much of the fat.

Rafute braised pork belly
Naha
An Okinawan diner plate
Central Okinawa

The central towns around the old American bases gave the island a fusion food and a beloved sweet. The Tex-Mex rice plate born in a base town, the rare marbled pork of the islands, and the purple sweet potato of Yomitan.

Rice & Pork
Taco Rice
タコライス

Born in the base town of Kin after the war, a plate of seasoned taco beef with lettuce, tomato and cheese piled over white rice and eaten with a spoon. An inexpensive, filling meal that became one of Okinawa's most loved everyday dishes.

Taco rice
Kin, Central Okinawa
Agu Pork
あぐー豚

The meat of the agu, a rare native black pig brought from China centuries ago, intensely marbled with a fat that melts at a low temperature for a sweet, tender bite. It is at its best in shabu-shabu, swirled briefly through a light kelp broth.

Agu pork for shabu shabu
Central Okinawa
A Purple Sweet
Beni-imo Tart
紅芋タルト

The bright purple sweet potato of Okinawa baked into a soft tart, the island's most famous souvenir sweet, with a gentle, nutty sweetness. The beni-imo of Yomitan also turns up in ice cream, pies and cakes across the islands.

Beni-imo tart
Yomitan
A sand lane on Taketomi
The Islands & the Sea

The reefs and the far islands give Okinawa its sea and its produce. The sea grapes that pop with brine, the marbled wagyu of Ishigaki, and the tropical fruit of the warm southern isles.

Sea & Beef
Umibudo
海ぶどう

Sea grapes, a delicate seaweed of tiny green beads that burst with a clean, briny pop, served raw and chilled with ponzu or a squeeze of shikuwasa citrus on the side. Okinawa is the country's leading producer of this island delicacy.

Fresh sea grapes
the Onna coast
Ishigaki Beef
石垣牛

The wagyu of Ishigaki in the Yaeyama islands, raised on the warm southern pastures for a fine marbling and a soft, tender flesh, eaten as yakiniku, on a sizzling skillet, or briefly seared as sushi at the island's beef houses.

Ishigaki beef
Ishigaki
Island Fruit
Okinawa Mango
沖縄マンゴー

The mango of the southern islands, grown in the heat of Miyako and Ishigaki and ripened to a deep, perfumed sweetness, the prize of the island summer. It is eaten fresh in season and folded through the islands' ice creams and sweets year round.

Fresh sliced mango
Miyako & Ishigaki
Awamori in Ryukyu glass
Drinks & Sweets

Okinawa drinks and finishes a meal its own way. A distilled spirit unlike any mainland sake, a deep fried doughnut sold at every market, and the island's own American born ice cream.

Spirit & Doughnut
Awamori
泡盛

The distilled spirit of Okinawa, made from long grain Thai rice and the island's black koji mould, stronger than sake and aged for years as kusu. It is drunk neat, on the rocks or cut with water, and mixed into the cocktails of the Naha bars.

Awamori served in Ryukyu glass
across Okinawa
Sata Andagi
サーターアンダーギー

The Okinawan doughnut, a ball of cane sugar dough deep fried until golden and crisp outside and dense and fluffy within. Sold warm at markets and stalls across the islands, it is the everyday sweet of Okinawa, plain or flavoured with brown sugar and beni-imo.

Sata andagi
across Okinawa
Island Ice Cream
Blue Seal
ブルーシール

The island's own ice cream, born to serve the American forces after the war and now an Okinawan institution, in flavours found nowhere else such as beni-imo, shikuwasa and chinsuko biscuit. Its parlours and stands are all over the islands, down to the airport.

The Blue Seal Big Dip shop in Makiminato
Central Okinawa
Plan your trip

Book your stay in Okinawa

Search accommodation across Okinawa, from the city hotels of Naha to the beach resorts of the Onna coast, the family resorts of Motobu near the aquarium, and the island resorts of Kerama, Miyako and Ishigaki. Compare options across the major booking platforms.

Book with
Pick a site. Your dates and details are carried over so you can check prices and book there.

Ready to plan your Okinawa trip?

Browse itineraries built specifically for this region, from first time visitors to return travellers.

View Okinawa Itineraries →