Okinawa feels completely different from the Japan you might have pictured before your trip. Instead of bullet trains, skyscrapers and temples, think turquoise water, coral reefs, subtropical jungle, small villages and long coastal drives.

But Okinawa isn’t just a beach destination. The islands were once the heart of the independent Ryukyu Kingdom, and that history has shaped everything from the architecture and food to pottery and martial arts. Okinawa is, after all, the birthplace of karate.

If you’re visiting Okinawa’s main island, my biggest recommendation is not to spend your entire trip in Naha. Start there for the food, culture and history, then rent a car and make your way north for beaches, waterfalls, hiking and some of the island’s most beautiful scenery. And of course, visit some of the smaller islands as well!

Getting Around Okinawa: Rent a Car!

If there’s one piece of advice I’d give before visiting Okinawa, it’s this: rent a car. You can find the cheapest car rental here.

Naha itself is easy enough to explore without one, but once you leave the city, having your own car gives you so much more freedom. Some of my favorite places on the island are waterfalls, hiking trails, beaches and tiny villages that are much easier to reach independently.

Don’t forget your International Driving Permit

This is something you need to arrange before you arrive in Japan.

For many international visitors, driving in Japan requires an International Driving Permit issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention, together with your passport and home-country driving license. Some nationalities instead need an official Japanese translation of their licence, so check the requirements for the country that issued your license before traveling.

Travel tip: Okinawa’s roads contain limestone and can become particularly slippery when wet, so take it easy when it’s raining.

Take ferries/fly to the other islands

The advice above is for ‘mainland’ Okinawa. There are many more beautiful islands to explore, but for those you’ll need to either take a ferry or another flight.

Best Things to Do in Naha

Whale swimming or Watching in Okinawa

If you’re visiting in February or March, add whale watching to your itinerary. Humpback whales migrate to the warm waters around Okinawa during winter, with the official tourism board describing January through March as whale-watching season. February is one of the peak months. Tours operate from Naha as well as the Kerama Islands. This was actually my main reason for traveling to Okinawa, Japan.

There’s also the opportunity to swim with whales if you are scuba or free diving certified. You will be at the surface at all times and the activity is done while snorkeling. Although you’re mostly just floating at the surface, since you’re not allowed to chase or follow the whales. You have to get lucky enough to find a whale in ‘resting state’. When instructed you will quickly, but calmly enter the water and if you’re lucky you will see the whale pass underneath and if you’re extremely lucky they may stay in the area and even come up to you. Keep in mind that these are wild animals, so there is no 100% guarantee you will be able to see or swim with them. However, I went on three of these tours and managed to see whales on all the trips. Although the first two trips we had only short encounters it was still magical. The third time I got extremely lucky and was able to really observe them for a bit longer and take the photos I was dreaming off.

Take a Karate Class

This isn’t just a fun activity you could do anywhere in Japan: Okinawa is the birthplace of karate. Taking a beginner class is therefore one of the most interesting ways to experience Okinawan culture firsthand. Even if you’ve never practiced martial arts before, look for a dojo or cultural program that welcomes beginners. I met a lot of travelers staying for several months, mainly to learn Karate here. Asato Dojo excepts foreigners as students.

Visit the Okinawa Karate Kaikan Okinawa Prefecture Karate Museum (Nishihara)

Try a Kintsugi Class

For another hands-on cultural experience, book a kintsugi workshop. Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken ceramics rather than hiding the damage. It’s a lovely slower-paced activity to combine with a day exploring Naha and you leave with something much more personal than a standard souvenir.

Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum (Okimyu)

If you want some context before exploring the rest of Okinawa, add Okimyu to your Naha itinerary. I’d put this toward the beginning of your trip: understanding the Ryukyu Kingdom, Okinawa’s distinctive culture and its natural environment makes many of the places you’ll visit later much more meaningful.

Wander Along Tsuboya Pottery Street

Tsuboya Yachimun Street is one of my favorite places for a slower wander through Naha. Yachimun is traditional Okinawan pottery, and Tsuboya became an important center of pottery production after kilns were relocated here in 1682. Today, the limestone-paved street is lined with pottery shops and studios and sits surprisingly close to busy Kokusai Street. There’s also so much stunning Ryuku glass. alsoYou can find beautiful handmade souvenirs here. I was here at the beginning of a 4 month trip and did not dare to travel that long with ceramics, so I unfortunately couldn’t shop like I would have wanted to.

Visit Manko Waterbird & Wetland Center

For something completely different, escape the streets of Naha at the Manko Waterbird & Wetland Center. The wetlands are particularly interesting for birdlife and show you another side of Okinawa’s subtropical environment. I would try to go early morning or late afternoon.

Go Izakaya Hopping

Don’t over-plan every dinner in Naha. One of the most fun ways to experience the city at night is simply hopping between small izakayas.

One to save: 川かみ鮮魚 3号店

Order a few dishes, have a drink, then move on somewhere else. It’s a really fun way to sample Okinawan food. Although they are mostly famous for drinking.

Visit a Sea Grape Farm

You’ve probably seen umi budo, or sea grapes, on menus around Okinawa. These tiny green pearls burst in your mouth and are one of the ingredients I associate most with the islands. Visiting a sea grape farm gives you a chance to see how they’re cultivated and try them incredibly fresh.

Snorkeling at Odo Beach

Odo can be particularly useful when northerly winds make other snorkeling locations less appealing, provided local sea conditions are safe. We went here when Cape Maeda was too windy. It was quite chilly without a wetsuit, so it might be good to bring it or find a rental before you go. We did see turtles, sea snakes and all types of fish here! So definitely worth the swim.

Best Day Trips from Naha

Ferries are an essential part of travelling around Okinawa, especially if you want to venture beyond the main island. While some of the larger islands have airports, many of Okinawa’s smaller islands can only be reached by boat. Just keep in mind that ferry schedules aren’t always as frequent as you might expect. Some routes don’t operate every day, and departure times and frequency can change throughout the year.

It’s therefore worth checking the latest timetable before building your itinerary around a particular ferry, especially if you need to connect with a flight or accommodation booking.

Weather is another important factor when island hopping in Okinawa. Strong winds and rough seas can delay or cancel ferries, and journey times aren’t always guaranteed. While I was in Okinawa the ferries were not departing for 3 days in a row. Leave some flexibility in your itinerary and check the latest ferry status when the weather isn’t looking great.

Good to know: If you have an international flight to catch, I wouldn’t plan to return from a remote island on the same day. Give yourself some buffer in case ferries are cancelled due to weather.

Day Trip to Zamami Island

If you only have time for one island trip from Naha, Zamami is an excellent choice.The island is part of the Kerama Islands and is known for its almost impossibly blue water, white beaches and snorkeling. The express ferry from Naha takes roughly 50 minutes, making a day trip possible.You could easily spend the day swimming, snorkeling and beach hopping before taking the ferry back to Naha. A perfect way to explore is renting an electric bike and making your way around the island.

Day Trip to Tokashiki Island

Tokashiki is another beautiful Kerama Islands option and works well as a separate day trip. Here I’d also rent an electric bike or scooter and make your way around the island. It has some incredible beaches with good snorkeling! We were the last people to get our hands on some electric bikes before they sold out. So if you have chance to reserve some, that may be a good idea. Or go early and make sure to get to the rental spot quickly. We found our rental bikes here.

Ferries between Naha’s Tomari Wharf (Tomarin) and Tokashiki Island take 35 to 40 minutes on the high-speed boat or 70 minutes on the regular car ferry

Exploring Central Okinawa

Cape Maeda & the Blue Cave

Cape Maeda is one of Okinawa’s best-known snorkeling and diving areas and the access point for the famous Blue Cave. The cave gets its name from the intense blue light created as sunlight enters through the water. You can visit on snorkeling and diving tours, but conditions matter enormously. This is another place where it’s important to check the weather, wind and official access status on the day. If you are unsure, ask a local!

American Village

American Village is completely different from Okinawa’s nature spots, but that’s part of the fun. The colorful waterfront complex reflects the strong American influence that remains part of modern Okinawa. There is a very large US military base on the island. Come toward late afternoon, explore the shops and cafés, then stay for sunset drinks. I personally prefer the more Japanese restaurants outside of the American village, but it is a fun stop.

Northern Okinawa: Where the Island Gets Wild

Check the Wind Before Planning Your Day

One app I’d definitely download before your trip is Windy.

Weather forecasts only tell you part of the story in Okinawa. Wind direction and swell can make a huge difference to which beaches are good for swimming and snorkeling on a particular day. Rather than planning every beach several days ahead, check the conditions and adjust your itinerary accordingly. This is especially useful if snorkeling is one of the main reasons you’re visiting.For example, Odo Beach can be a good snorkeling option when the wind is coming from the north, depending on the day’s sea conditions. Always prioritize local warnings and closures over an app forecast.

Where to Stay in Okinawa

I wouldn’t choose one hotel for your entire trip unless you’re only visiting for a few days.

Naha: best for culture, food & day trips

Spend your first few nights in Naha. It’s the best base for exploring Okinawan culture, eating your way through the city’s izakayas and taking ferry trips to the Kerama Islands.

Budget option: My Place is located in Naha, just a minute’s walk from the North pier of Tomari Ferry Terminal. This makes it a great location if you’d like to do some day trips. It’s a social hostel, so also great if you’d like to connect with other travelers. I really enjoyed my stay here a lot!!

Mid range: The Royal Park Hotel Iconic Naha is a hotel that feels very comfortable. Great location next to the monorail, amazing rooms with comfy bed. The breakfast selection was excellent and staff very sweet and helpful.

Central Okinawa: best for beaches & diving

Move north toward Onna if you want easier access to Cape Maeda, the Blue Cave and the west coast.

In the center of the island in a beautiful spot, you’ll find Karin Design Cottage. A lovely cozy wooden cottage with a small backyard, perfect for a family trip. Everything is neat and well equipped. If you have a car there are many destinations near here.

Northern Okinawa: best for nature

You can either visit from central Okinawa or spend another couple of nights farther north if hiking and nature are priorities. Northern Okinawa is home to the forested landscapes of Yanbaru, part of which was designated UNESCO Natural World Heritage in 2021. Personally I think I would opt to spend more time on the other islands.

Up North stay at: 比地の宿. Located in Kunigami, 1.8 km from Okuma Beach and 21 km from Hedo Misaki (Cape Hedo), it offers mountain views. This villa features a garden, barbecue facilities, free WiFi, and free private parking.