The Okinawa archipelago is a region of Japan where you will discover a culture very different from the rest of the country. The Ryūkyū Islands, the name given to the group of islands stretching from the south of Kyūshū to the vicinity of Taiwan, has an enviable subtropical climate all year round and a very scattered geography along more than 1000 km from north to south, consisting of 160 islands, of which only 47 are inhabited. Within Ryūkyū is the prefecture of Okinawa, which in turn can be divided into three large groups of islands: Okinawa Shōtō, where the main island Okinawa Hontō and the islands Kerama or Kumejima, among others, are located; Miyako Rettō, whose main island is Mijakojima; and Yaeyama Rettō, where the islands of Ishigaki and Iriomote are located.
If you plan to travel to Japan and want to know a place with a different culture and less crowded than the golden roads of Honshū, Okinawa will surprise you. Although this prefecture is famous for its paradisiacal beaches and diving activities, Okinawa has much more to offer and is a highly recommended destination if you like nature in its purest form, hiking, adventure sports or martial arts. Here are some tips on how to get to and around the main islands, as well as some of the highlights we have visited on our trips to this tropical Japanese paradise.
How to get to Okinawa
It is possible to fly to Okinawa from Europe with stopovers in different airports in Asia, such as Seoul or Hong Kong, but the most common is to visit this island from Japan, either as your first destination upon arrival or as a visit within your long trip around the country. Although it is possible to stop for a couple of days to enjoy some of the islands of the archipelago, the ideal is to plan around 5-7 days in the prefecture to be able to enjoy different places in the region.
To get to Okinawa from Japan, the main airport is Naha, on the main island of Okinawa Hontō. It can be reached from many airports, among which we highlight those of Tokyo (mainly from Haneda, but also from Narita), Osaka (mainly from Kansai, but also from Itami) or Fukuoka. Two other very convenient airports if you intend to reach more western islands are Ishigaki and Miyako, also with direct connection from Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka. Domestic flights in Japan are usually not very expensive if you book them in advance and, as the rest of the services in the country, hospitality and comfort are assured in any Japanese airline.
Getting around Okinawa
Unlike in the rest of the country, in Okinawa the train will not be an option because, except for the urban monorail line in Naha, the archipelago does not have any rail transport. In Okinawa Hontō, if we want to go out to explore beyond Naha, the most advisable is to rent a car that will allow us to go to the north of the island in comfort. There is the possibility of moving by bus, but it is not a practical option if you want to optimize your time and move freely.
To move between islands there are several options. Between Naha, Miyako and Ishigaki you will use domestic flights that will connect you in a very short time between the different archipelagos. From the main islands you can use ferry services to go to nearby destinations, such as Iriomote from Ishigaki, or the Kerama Islands from Naha. It is important to keep in mind that in typhoon season you have to be very attentive to the forecasts of changes in the ferries, as they often have to stay docked for a couple of days until conditions improve.
On many islands you can rent bicycles to get around town, such as the beautiful Taketomi, near Ishigaki.
Okinawa Prefecture Highlights
Okinawa Hontō (沖縄本島)
The main island of the archipelago has numerous places and attractions to visit. As mentioned above, communications by urban transport are not the best option to travel throughout the territory, especially if we want to discover the most uninhabited area of the north, so we recommend renting a car for the days you are here. The city of Naha is the capital of the prefecture and is a relatively large city (about 300 thousand inhabitants) in which we can appreciate that unique blend of Japanese characteristics and tropical culture.
The main historical building you should visit is the Shuri Castle (首里城), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was the former palace of the Ryūkyū Kingdom and mixes Japanese and Chinese architecture in a quite extensive enclosure that will take you a couple of hours to walk around calmly. We highlight the beautiful gardens and views of the city from its walls. After the cultural visit it is time to enter the most vibrant area of the city, Kokusai Avenue (国際通り), full of stores, restaurants and markets and is one of the most representative images of Naha. At the end of the avenue we can find the Makishi market where we recommend you stop to admire the various local products and taste them on the second floor, full of small izakayas with different typical dishes, such as goya champurū (ゴーヤーチャンプルー) a sautéed bitter melon with other ingredients such as tofu, egg or meat.
One activity that we recommend is to ride a section of the Yui Rail monorail, a railway system that flies over part of the city and, in addition to being a practical system to reach the Castle or Kokusai Avenue, for example, has spectacular views of Naha. And if you have time and you like historical museums, go to the Peace Memorial Park dedicated to the battle of Okinawa during World War II. It’s a bit far from downtown and you’ll have to hop on a couple of buses to get there if you don’t have a rental car, but once you’re there you’ll be impressed by its location on the coast and by the stories of one of the most harrowing confrontations in the country’s history.
North Okinawa Hontō offers must-see places such as the Churaumi Aquarium, the Cape Manzamo cliff, the beautiful Kouri Island and the subtropical forests of Yanbaru, perfect for hiking. From Motobu you can visit nearby islands such as Iejima and Minna by ferry. To the west, off the coast of Naha, the Kerama islands stand out for their crystal clear waters and are ideal for snorkeling or diving on a one or two day trip.uno o dos días.
Miyakojima (宮古島)
Okinawa is much more than beaches, but they are still a major tourist attraction for the region. If you are looking for the perfect beach paradise, you have to visit Miyakojima, southwest of Okinawa Hontō, famous for its turquoise waters and white sand beaches, such as Yonaha Maehama, considered one of the best in Japan. It is connected by bridges to the islands of Irabu, Shimoji, Kurima and Ikema, allowing you to explore hidden coves and spectacular viewpoints by car. It is an ideal destination for diving, snorkeling and cycling, with a relaxed atmosphere, few tourists and well-preserved natural landscapes.
Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park (西表石垣国立公園)
One of Asiahop‘s favorite destinations in Okinawa. Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park is one of the most important and biodiverse national parks in Japan. The islands of Ishigaki, Iriomote and Taketomi, in the Yaeyama Archipelago, southwest of Okinawa, offer a unique experience of nature and tradition. Ishigaki is the main base, with beautiful beaches such as Kabira Bay and good accommodation and dining options. From there you can visit by ferry Iriomote, an almost untouched jungle island, ideal for kayaking in mangroves or hiking. On this island lives the Yamaneko (ヤマネコ) or Iriomote cat, a species of wild cat endemic to the island. Nearby, Taketomi retains the charm of old Okinawa, with red-roofed houses, white sand roads and picturesque water buffalo cart rides. Without a doubt an authentic experience in one of the most remote regions of Japan, very close to Taiwan.
Do you want to travel to Okinawa prefecture, discover remote islands and enjoy all its attractions? Contact us and we will design the perfect experience for an unforgettable trip.
Image credit: Visit Okinawa (Miyakojima)