Okinawa Island

Okinawa Island is situated about 400 miles south of Japan, and though now a Japanese prefecture, its origins in the Ryuku Kingdom can still be felt in the ruined castles and traditional villages that sit comfortably among pristine beaches and modern markets. Whether you want to tour the 14th-century Shuri Castle or wander down the Bise Fukugi Tree Road, for curious visitors, Okinawa is an open-air museum.

Leisure seekers will also find plenty to love, as the island offers stunning sunsets, great surfing, and eclectic shops like the Yomitan Pottery Village, where you can find a one-of-a-kind souvenir.

Top destinations in Okinawa Island

Where will you go next?

Naha
Naha, Japan, is the capital of Okinawa and is famed for Shuri Castle, once the royal palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom where karate is said to have been invented. An interesting adventure for the whole family is to take a...
Miyakojima
Miyakojima or Miyako Island is a stunning slice of paradise near Okinawa’s main island where travelers can unwind on pristine beaches and enjoy aquatic adventures. With a subtropical climate, the island is warm and welcoming virtually all year long, though...

What to see & do in Okinawa Island

Where & what to eat in Okinawa Island

Food and dining in Okinawa offer a world of specialty foods and restaurants that serve traditional local cuisine and fusion foods that blend East and West. While here, you'll want to experience Okinawa soba, a noodle dish that dates back thousands of years with pork ribs and fish cake. You can try it at Akisoba in Haha-shi. Goya champuru is a famous 'anything goes' dish often made with tofu, meat...

Top 10 Dishes Locals Love in Okinawa
Okinawa has nurtured its own unique food culture since the era of the Ryukyu Dynasty. Pork is an essential feature of Okinawan cuisine – there's even a saying that goes like this: “You can eat every part of the pig...
10 Great Restaurants in Naha
Great restaurants in Naha are quintessential spots for sampling old Ryukyu cuisine. Drawing on the bounty of the East China...
10 Great Restaurants in Okinawa
Okinawa has cultivated its own food culture since ancient times and is full of restaurants, izakayas, and candies shops where...

Where to shop & what to buy in Okinawa Island

Shopping in Okinawa offers everything from ultra-modern shopping centres to unique and independent boutique shops selling locally handmade arts and crafts or speciality foods and drinks. At American Village, you can explore a combination shopping centre and amusement park with a stunning juxtaposition of Eastern culture and American style. At Minsā Kōgeikan, you'll learn about weaving and textiles on the island, and you can buy handmade items or try weaving...

10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Okinawa
Okinawa attracts huge numbers of tourists both from Japan and abroad. Of course, shopping is an integral part of sightseeing. Speaking of shopping in Okinawa, Kokusai-dori was and still is the first commercial hub to make a name for itself on...
10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Naha
This guide to the best places to go shopping in Naha will give you an insight into the city’s retail...
10 Best Markets in Okinawa
Wherever you go in Japan, visiting the best markets is a great way to get a better idea of the...

Where to go & what to do at night in Okinawa Island

Nightlife in Okinawa has changed over time but has always been vibrant in this thriving trade hub with teahouses, pubs and live entertainment. At local Izakaya establishments, you'll find businesspeople sitting on tatami mats enjoying all-you-can-eat and all-you-can-drink specials. The region also has plenty of local beverages to enjoy from Orion beer to awamori rice wine. A unique hot spot here is The Dojo Bar, owned by a British ex-pat...

10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Okinawa
Okinawa may well be a paradise of endless summer renowned for its daytime sunshine, but it also has unique charms after the sun sets. If you're an outdoors kind of person, try a night dive in the waters of the...
10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Naha
The best things to do after dinner in Naha are great for experiencing the city’s nightlife scene, which is as varied as its daytime offerings. The city might be best known for the montage of pearly white beaches that strings...

Useful information

Okinawa Travel Essentials
Our Okinawa Travel Essentials include all of the important facts you need to know to make the most out of your vacation to this Japanese island prefecture. We will examine aspects of the island like climate, travel seasons, power outlet...
Naha Travel Essentials
Our Naha Travel Essentials includes important information you need to enjoy your trip to Okinawa's capital of Naha. We will go over aspects of the city you need to know, including the local climate, travel seasons, outlet types, currency and...