With pristine beaches and balmy weather, Okinawa is often called the ‘Hawaii of Japan’. Home to about 150 islands, it’s an ideal tropical escape from the mainland. Formerly the Ryukyu Kingdom, Okinawa’s culture is influenced by both China and Japan. The island’s subtropical climate, fresh ingredients, and pure air give Okinawans higher life expectancies. Among others, scuba diving, snorkelling, parasailing, and sea kayaking are considered some of the best things to do in Okinawa! Let’s explore this popular summer vacation spot more.
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Best time to visit Okinawa
Choosing when to visit Okinawa depends on the activities you want to experience. The best time to visit Okinawa is spring (February to March) or autumn (late October to November). The weather is pleasant, and plenty of cultural activities take place during this time.
Summer is the most popular season for tourists because it is the peak beach season and is perfect for water sports like diving, snorkelling, parasailing, sea kayaking, and stand-up paddle boating. Although marine activities are not ideal in winter (December to mid-February), it is the best time to visit Okinawa for whale watching and quiet travel.
Travel tip: Be cautious when travelling to Okinawa from June to November, as it is typhoon season. The unpredictable weather could disrupt your travel plans.
Things to do in Okinawa
There’s an activity for everyone to enjoy! Here are some of the best things to do in Okinawa.
Visit Shuri Castle
This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an existing cultural symbol of the Ryukyu Kingdom. The castle sits on top of a hill that offers panoramic views of Naha and the ocean. Early morning to noon is a good time to visit because it gets crowded later in the day.
Address: 1-2 Shurikinjocho, Naha, Okinawa 903-0815
Contact: 098-886-2020
Opening hours: 8 am to 6 pm
Admission fee: 400 JPY (HKD 20.22) for adults, 300 JPY (HKD 15.17) for high school students, 160 JPY (HKD 8.10) for Elementary high school students, and free for children under 6 years.
Go snorkelling at Blue Cave
Whether you are a beginner or an expert, divers and snorkellers of all levels can enjoy exploring the Blue Cave. Located near Cape Maeda on Onna Village, divers can get a chance to see rare sea life. We recommend a guided tour if this is your first time. They will provide life jackets, snorkelling gear, and underwater facilities. Whether you go snorkelling or diving, exploring the Blue Cave is one of the most popular things to do in Okinawa. You can book your tour here.
Address: 469-1 Maeda, Onna, Kunigami District, Okinawa 904-0417
Contact: 098-964-2722
Opening hours: 7 am to 5 pm
Tour price: 5,500 JPY (HKD 278)
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Experience Ryukyu glass-blowing
One of the best souvenirs to bring home from Okinawa is colourful Ryukyu Glassware. While you can purchase them at the Naha International Airport and local souvenir shops, we recommend making them from scratch at the Ryukyu Glass Village. For an immersive experience, book a glass-blowing workshop here.
Address: 169 Fukuji, Itoman, Okinawa 901-0345
Contact: 098-997-4784
Opening hours: 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
Workshop price: 4,400 JPY (HKD 222.45)
Visit the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
When in Okinawa, you must visit the Churami Aquarium. It’s one of the best things to do in Okinawa, as the aquarium is filled with incredible marine animals. The star attractions at this aquarium are the whale sharks and manta rays housed in the Kuroshio Sea Tank. Visitors can also enjoy an interactive experience at the touch pool exhibit, where they can feel starfish, sea cucumbers, and sea urchins.
Address: 424 Ishikawa, Motobu, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-0206
Contact: 0980-48-3748
Opening hours: 8:30 am to 6:30 pm
Admission fee: 2,180 JPY (HKD 110.20) for adults, 1,440 JPY (HKD 72.80) for high school students, 710 JPY (HKD 35.90) for Elementary high school students, and free for children under 6 years.
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Explore the Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum
Those looking to learn about the Ryukyu Kingdom’s heritage should visit this museum. Apart from learning about Okinawa’s artistic expressions, architecture, ancient artefacts and natural history, the museum offers interactive experiences for children and young adults.
Address: 3 Chome-1-1 Omoromachi, Naha, Okinawa 900-0006
Contact: 098-941-8200
Opening hours: 9 am to 6 pm
Admission fee: 530 JPY (HKD 26.80) for adults, 270 JPY (HKD 13,65) for high school and college students, and 150 JPY (HKD 7.60) for Elementary high school students.
Unwind at Okinawa World
Another fun way to learn about Okinawa’s rich culture and history is to visit Okinawa World. It’s a cultural theme park with a craft village, a snake museum, and a massive limestone cave.
Also, read our guide to the most unique theme parks in Japan.
Address: Maekawa-1336 Tamagusuku, Nanjo, Okinawa 901-0616
Contact: 098-949-7421
Opening hours: 9 am to 5:30 pm
Admission fee: 2,000 JPY (HKD 101.10) for adults and 1,000 JPY (HKD 50.55) for children.
Shop for souvenirs at Naha Kokusai Dori Street
The Naha Kokusai Dori Street is a bustling 1.6-kilometer stretch filled with shops, street food stalls, and restaurants. Be sure to carry cash, as most shops prefer it over credit cards. Prices for souvenirs are usually fixed, so bargaining isn’t common. Popular Okinawa souvenirs include seashell accessories, yachimun pottery, Awamori liquor, Ryukyu glassware, Shisa statues, and sweet treats like brown sugar candies and sweet potato delights.
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Address: 3 Chome-2-10 Makishi, Naha, Okinawa 900-0013
Contact: 098-863-2755
Opening hours: Open 24 hours
Uncover Okinawa’s American Village
This is a large entertainment complex located in Okinawa Honto. Over here, you can find shops dedicated to American Fashion, food, and pop culture merchandise. If you love Pokemon, there are Pokemon photo spots spread across American Village where you can pose and take pictures for free. Can you find them all?
Address: Mihama, Chatan, Nakagami District, Okinawa 904-0115
Opening hours: 10 am to 10 pm.
Indulge in sweet treats
If you thought Okinawa cuisine was unique, wait till you try their traditional sweets! At almost every shopping street, you will find a sweets shop that sells Saataa Andagii (deep-fried doughnuts), Chinsuko (shortbread cookies), Beniimo Tart (purple sweet potato tart), and Kunpen (pastry filled with sesame paste), and pineapple sweets. Those who prefer ice cream to traditional local sweets must visit Blue Seal. They sell a variety of unique flavours like tiramisu, choco mint, and coffee affogato.
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Address: 3 Chome-1-8 Makishi, Naha, Okinawa 900-0013
Contact: 098-862-9888
Opening hours: 9 am to 9 pm
Top beaches in Okinawa
Okinawa is home to some of the prettiest beaches in Japan. Many are free and open to the public, but some are reserved for hotel guests. It’s best to research in advance before visiting.
Emerald Beach
This cosy beach is a 3-minute drive from Churaumi Aquarium. Come here to enjoy the ocean view and watch the sunset.
Zanpa Beach
A family-friendly busy beach where visitors can rent beach towels, parasols, coin lockers, and access an inflatable water activity area.
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Manza Beach
A beautiful semi-private beach, it is recommended for scuba divers. It has a small swimming area, plenty of public washrooms, and beach seating.
Travel tip: Guests of the ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort can enjoy free access to sun loungers, water sports equipment, and parking.
Sunset Beach
With white sand and clean water, this beach is ideal for long walks and picnics. Since jellyfish inhabit the waters, swimming and water activities are not encouraged.
Azama Sansan Beach
It’s a serene and peaceful beach that’s not crowded. Visit to meditate, read your favourite book, and spend some time with yourself.
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Kondoi Beach
If you intend to visit Taketomi Island in Okinawa, don’t miss out on Kondoi Beach. Known for its crystal blue water, white sand, and rare seashells, this beach attracts tourists from all over.
Things to do in Okinawa at night
Most shopping streets and tourist areas shut by 10 pm. Izakayas, karaoke, restaurants, party clubs, and bars will likely run from early evening until 2 am. Some public beaches close between 5 pm to 7 pm. However, if you stay at a popular resort in Okinawa, you can access private beaches, indoor onsen areas, gaming arcades, and private karaoke booths anytime.
Best restaurants in Okinawa
Okinawa cuisine is different from mainland Japan. The flavours are heavily influenced by Chinese, American, and Southeast Asian food. Make sure you sample local dishes like umibudo (Seagrapes) mozuku (edible seaweed), beni imo (sweet potato) and Goya Champuru (Bitter melon, egg, tofu and pork stir-fried dish).
Adan Okinawa
The bright interiors of the restaurant reflect Okinawa’s lively energy. The most popular dishes on the menu are shabu-shabu (Japanese hot pot dish), purple sweet potato croquettes, and rafute (stewed pork belly).
Address: 2585 Onna, Kunigami District, Okinawa 904-0411
Contact: 098-982-3272
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La BOMBANCE Kouri jima
Treat your taste buds to a lavish meal at La BOMBANCE on Kouri Island in Okinawa. Reservations are required. The service is impeccable, and the dishes are creatively prepared and served. It’s the ideal restaurant to celebrate a honeymoon, birthday, or wedding anniversary.
Address: 2451 Kouri, Nakijin, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-0406
Contact: 090-7587-5770
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Gordie’s
If you’re craving a juicy burger with a portion of fries and a thick milkshake, head to Gordie’s Hamburger. Their teriyaki burger and bacon cheeseburger will send you to a food coma!
Address: 100 Sunabe, Chatan, Nakagami District, Okinawa 904-0111
Contact: +81 98-926-0234
Rose Garden
This pretty restaurant in Okinawa gives off cottage-core vibes. During the day, it is known for its brunch menu, which includes pancakes, waffles, eggs, spicy sausages, and French toast with coffee. In the evening, it is popular for its steak and seafood courses.
Address: 165-1 Yagibaru, Kitanakagusuku, Nakagami District, Okinawa 901-2304
Contact: 098-932-2800
Danran Sakaba Akatonbo
This restaurant is a 1-minute walk from Asahibashi Station and mostly requires a reservation. Enjoy authentic Okinawan cuisine and seafood here. They also have private dinner areas for corporate parties and private celebrations.
Address: Near Asahibashi Station
Contact: 050-5590-9315
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(Feature image credit: OIST, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Three days to a week is a decent amount of time to spend in Okinawa. The longer you stay, the more time you have to explore beaches, cultural immersion, and sample Okinawan cuisine.
Compared to mainland Japan, Okinawa cuisine is dominated by local ingredients such as herbs, tropical fruits, bitter melon, purple sweet potato, and pork. When in Okinawa, indulge in Okinawan cuisine like taco rice, umi budo (sea grapes), goya champuru (stir-fried dish), rafute (braised pork belly), and Okinawa soba.
Okinawa offers tourists several cultural experiences, such as Ryukyu-making workshops, Shisa painting, bingata dyeing, sanshin music classes, and awamori tasting tours. Also, the Eisa Festival in August and the Shuri Castle Festival in November are must-see events. Attending either festival is one the best things to do in Okinawa.
Okinawa has plenty of historical sites, such as castles, markets, and museums across the island. If you had to pick the most popular ones, they would be the Shurijo Castle, Nakaguske Castle, Himeyuri Peace Museum, Makishi Public Market, and the Katsuren Castle Ruins.
Yes, you can, but we do not recommend it. 3-5 days in Okinawa is a decent amount of time for a vacation. Since Okinawa Island is about 400 miles south of mainland Japan, you can only get there by flight or ferry.
Okinawa is home to about 150 tiny islands, and some of the most popular ones among tourists are Ishigaki, Iriomote, Miyako Island, Kerama Islands, Zamama Island, and Taketomi Island.
For off-the-beaten-path activities in Okinawa, check out the ancient limestone caves of the Valley of Gangala, drive to Hedo Misaki for gorgeous ocean views, or hike in Yanbaru National Park Daisekirinzan.
Thanks to Okinawa's pristine beaches and balmy weather, it is the ideal destination for snorkelling and scuba diving. Kerama Islands and the Blue Cave in Ishigaki Island are the best spots to indulge in these underwater activities.
Okinawa is home to several islands. After exploring the main Okinawa Island, you could catch a ferry and explore the other nearby islands like Kerama Islands, Minna Island, Miyako Islands and Le Island.
Written By
Sharon Alphonso
Sharon is from Mumbai and currently lives in Tokyo with her Japanese husband. Before moving to Japan, ..Read More
