Okinawa Travelers Recommend

Okinawa is an island with a deep history, diverse culture and strong political leanings where travelers can spend as much time exploring as they can learning and doing. Three days provides visitors with just enough time to tap into history and dive deep into the ocean for a truly memorable visit.

Go Royal

Spend the day on a historic adventure and learn about Ryukyu Kingdom on a visit to Shuri Castle. Wander the traditional gardens and iconic temples before heading to Nakijin Castle. Stroll through the remains of a 13th century fortress that includes ceremonial grounds, ancient living quarters and excavated archeological sites. 

Explore the City

Take a day to venture into Okinawa City—an urban center steeped in history, culture, politics and traditions. Visit the popular botanical gardens, where indigenous plants and rare species are always on display. Experience the electric energy of Daiichi Makishi Public Market before taking a moment of quiet reflection and remembrance at the sobering Himeyuri Peace Museum. Then sing the night away at one of the city’s popular karaoke bars.

Bum around the Beach

Head to one of Okinawa’s famous beaches and spend the afternoon lounging on sandy shores or diving deep into the clear waters. Expansive corals reefs and protected waterways make for memorable snorkeling at places like Cape Maeda, while jellyfish-free waves at Haimurubrushi make it one of the best locations for a relaxing tropical island dip.

From the 15th to the 19th centuries, the kingdom of Ryukyu spread over Okinawa and the Amami, Ryukyu, and Sakishima Islands. Despite its fairly small geographical size, it played an important role in maritime trade with Southeast Asia and was connected to the Ming Dynasty. Although the kingdom dissolved by the 19th century, visitors can still get a taste of its former glory by exploring a number of interesting sites in the region. 

Shuri Castle

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Shuri castle (located in the Shuri neighborhood in Okinawa’s capital city Naha), was once the home of the Ryukyu emperors. Although it was nearly completely destroyed in 1945 during the Battle of Okinawa, it has since been meticulously reconstructed to its former glory thanks to photographs, historical records, and recollections of local inhabitants. Today visitors can see the Chinese influence on the building in the red lacquer and dragon motifs, walk under the restored Shureimon Gate in the castle grounds, tour the royal mausoleum, and see the entrance to Sonohyan-utaki, a sacred grove of trees.  

Taketomi Island

With just over 300 inhabitants, the island of Taketomi in Okinawa might be small, but it packs a punch when it comes to the history of the Ryukyu kingdom. Here you can tour a well-preserved Ryukyu-style village; the one-story homes with red-tiled roofs will take you back in time. 

Nakagusuku and Zakimi Castle Ruins

These two important Ryukyu structures are located around 30 minutes away from each other on the island of Okinawa. Both speak to the heyday of the kingdom, when they served a strategic purpose as defensive outposts against northern rebels. At Zakimi, only the stone walls remain, but visitors can climb up for great views over the surrounding landscape. There’s also a small museum exploring local crafts and history, including funerary customs. At Nakagusuku you can clearly see the ruins of the separate citadels that made up the castle.

Okinawa and the surrounding islands are home to some of the region’s most beautiful beaches and spectacular islands. Whether it’s a day away from the city or a week spent island hopping through the Yaeyama archipelago, visitors to this aquatic destination will find plenty to love under the tropical sun. 

Okuma Beach

Located in the JAL Private Resort, the white sands of Okuma offer travelers a vast stretch of perfect beach. Although popular among visitors, the spread-out feel of this luxury destination means travelers will never feel like they’re trapped in a crowd. 

Haimurubushi Beach

This long stretch of sandy shore is located on the island of Kohama. Travelers love that its crystal clear waters are protected by jellyfish nets. The quiet beach can become a bit of a scene during high season, but there are usually enough comfortable beach chairs and shady umbrellas to meet the demands of beach combing crowds. 

Zampa Beach

Tucked into central Okinawa Honto, this 220-yard-long (200-meter-long) stretch of white sand and quiet waters is ideal for visitors looking to swim, lounge, or play a match of beach volleyball. 

Cape Maeda

This popular destination may not have the perfect sandy shores of some of Okinawa’s other beautiful beaches, but its clear waters, diverse wildlife, and natural beauty make it the top spot for snorkelers and divers. Those with a more adventurous spirit can even swim to the nearby cave known for its marine life.

Kondoi Beach

Stationed on the west coast of Taketomi Island, this beautiful beach offers travelers unlimited access to vast turquoise waters and perfect white sandy shores. Locals agree that some of the best snorkeling in the region can be found here, but visitors should know that it comes at a price. Access to snorkels, masks, and beach amenities costs about 1500 yen per day.

Hatoma Island

The tiny island of Hatoma is barely a kilometer wide and home to just 50 residents. But with three full-service hotels, long stretches of white sandy beach, crystal blue waters and classic tropical island views, Hatoma is a gem of a destination for travelers looking to escape. Towering palm trees and shallow clear waters, as well as a picturesque lighthouse make this the perfect tropical escape for travelers looking to get away.