Okinawa Japan
3
Day Itinerary •
Japan
Three days in Okinawa reveals Japan's most extraordinary subtropical island chain, its remarkable turquoise coral reef waters, the finest beaches in Japan, the extraordinary Ryukyu Kingdom castle heritage and the remarkable Okinawan cuisine and longevity culture giving the most unique island experience in the country. This route covers the essential Okinawa: the extraordinary Churaumi Aquarium with whale sharks, the remarkable Nakijin Castle UNESCO ruins, the finest Naha Kokusai Street food, the extraordinary Cape Manzamo cliffs and the remarkable Shuri Castle Ryukyu heritage.
Best Time To Visit
May to October for beaches and diving. Avoid typhoon season.
Getting There
Fly to Naha Airport (OKA) from Tokyo in 2.5 hours.
Getting Around
Car essential for north Okinawa. Monorail for Naha.
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 160 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy , driving, walking and snorkelling
DAY 1
NAHA
MORNING
SHURI CASTLE UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE
Shuri Castle is the most extraordinary Ryukyu Kingdom heritage site in Japan, its remarkable main hall painted in extraordinary red and gold lacquer giving the finest example of Ryukyu architecture in the world. The extraordinary UNESCO-listed complex on the hilltop above Naha and the remarkable views over the city and the East China Sea give the finest castle experience in Okinawa. The remarkable Shureimon gate is the finest symbol of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Entry approx 820 yen. Drive: 20 min by monorail
MIDDAY
KOKUSAI STREET AND MAKISHI PUBLIC MARKET
Kokusai Street is the most extraordinary shopping street in Okinawa, its remarkable 1.6km of Ryukyu glassware shops, extraordinary awamori spirit bars and the finest local craft shops in the prefecture giving the finest street experience in Naha. The extraordinary Makishi Public Market, the finest wet market in Okinawa, gives the most extraordinary display of tropical fish and Okinawan produce in Japan. Free to walk. Drive: 10 min walk
AFTERNOON
TSUBOYA POTTERY DISTRICT AND NAMINOUE
Tsuboya is the most extraordinary pottery district in Okinawa, its remarkable traditional kilns producing the finest Okinawan shisa lion dog ceramics and the extraordinary local pottery traditions giving the finest craft heritage in Naha. The remarkable Naminoue Shrine perched on extraordinary cliffs above the sea and the fine beach below give the finest afternoon in the city. Free to walk the district.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Shikinaen Royal Garden in Naha is the finest Ryukyu royal garden in Okinawa, its remarkable Chinese-influenced design and extraordinary pavilions over the central pond giving the most atmospheric garden heritage in the prefecture. Entry approx 400 yen. 15 min from Shuri Castle.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Naha soba restaurant Outstanding Okinawa soba with extraordinary pork belly and the finest local noodle broth in Japan for breakfast. | Lunch: Makishi Market second floor Outstanding Okinawan cuisine cooked from the extraordinary fresh market ingredients on the second floor restaurant. | Dinner: Kokusai Street awamori bar Outstanding Okinawan dinner with the finest goya champuru stir fry and local awamori spirit distilled from rice.
DAY 2
NORTH OKINAWA
MORNING
OKINAWA CHURAUMI AQUARIUM
Churaumi Aquarium is the most extraordinary aquarium in Japan, its remarkable Kuroshio Tank, the largest acrylic panel in the world at 8.2 metres high, containing whale sharks and manta rays swimming with thousands of fish giving the finest aquarium experience in Asia. The extraordinary outdoor dolphin shows and the remarkable coral reef section with extraordinary fluorescent coral give the finest marine life experience in Okinawa. Entry approx 2180 yen. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
CAPE MANZAMO CLIFFS
Cape Manzamo is the most extraordinary coastal viewpoint in Okinawa, its remarkable elephant-trunk shaped limestone arch eroded by the extraordinary Pacific waves giving the finest cliff scenery in the prefecture. The remarkable turquoise water against the extraordinary white coral limestone and the fine views along the Okinawan coastline give the finest Cape experience in Japan. Free. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
NAKIJIN CASTLE UNESCO RUINS
Nakijin Castle is the most extraordinary UNESCO castle ruin in Okinawa, its remarkable 1.5km of extraordinary dry stone coral limestone walls winding through the hilltop forest giving the finest Ryukyu Kingdom fortification in the north of the island. The remarkable cherry blossoms in January and the extraordinary views over the East China Sea give the finest castle heritage in northern Okinawa. Entry approx 600 yen.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Okinawa Memorial Park surrounding Churaumi Aquarium contains the finest tropical botanical garden in Japan, its remarkable collection of extraordinary Ryukyu endemic plants and the fine ocean view promenade giving the finest park experience in northern Okinawa. Free with aquarium ticket.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast before north drive Early start for northern Okinawa. The extraordinary Churaumi Aquarium opens at 8.30am , arrive before tour groups. | Lunch: Restaurant near Churaumi Aquarium Outstanding Okinawan lunch near the finest aquarium in Japan. Local umi-budou sea grapes and Okinawan taco rice. | Dinner: Return dinner in Naha Outstanding Okinawan dinner on return to Naha. Local pork dishes, the finest goya vegetables and Orion beer.
DAY 3
SOUTH OKINAWA
MORNING
OKINAWA WORLD GYOKUSENDO CAVE
Gyokusendo is the most extraordinary limestone cave in Japan, its remarkable 890,000 stalactites and stalagmites in the extraordinary 5km cave system giving the finest cave experience in Okinawa. The remarkable Habu Park adjacent with the extraordinary Habu vs mongoose displays and the fine Ryukyu crafts village above the cave give the finest attraction complex in southern Okinawa. Entry approx 1650 yen. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
HIMEYURI PEACE MEMORIAL
The Himeyuri Memorial is the most extraordinary peace heritage site in southern Okinawa, its remarkable museum commemorating the extraordinary sacrifice of 240 student nurses in the 1945 Battle of Okinawa giving the most profound war memorial in the prefecture. The remarkable ossuary gardens and the extraordinary testimony films give the finest peace experience in the Okinawan south. Entry approx 310 yen. Drive: 15 min drive
AFTERNOON
OKINAWA PEACE MEMORIAL PARK AND BEACHES
The Okinawa Peace Memorial Park at Mabuni is the most extraordinary war memorial in Japan, its remarkable Cornerstone of Peace inscribed with the extraordinary 240,000 names of all who died in the Battle of Okinawa regardless of nationality giving the finest inclusive peace memorial in the world. The remarkable cliffs and the extraordinary turquoise water below give the finest coastal scenery in southern Okinawa. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Cape Kyan at the southern tip of Okinawa is the finest hidden viewpoint in the south, its remarkable lighthouse above extraordinary cliffs and the fine views of the southern reef giving the most dramatic coastal scenery beyond the Peace Memorial. Free. 15 min from Peace Park.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Naha cafe before south drive Outstanding Okinawan breakfast before exploring the extraordinary caves and peace memorials of southern Okinawa. | Lunch: Okinawa World restaurant Outstanding Okinawan traditional cuisine at the finest Ryukyu crafts village complex in the south of the island. | Dinner: Farewell dinner in Naha Outstanding final Okinawan dinner. The finest champuru stir fry, sea grapes and Orion beer farewell in Kokusai Street.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Naha, Nights 1 to 2 Best transport hub. Hotels from 70 to 160 euros. Monorail to Shuri Castle and easy airport access. North resort option Stay in a resort near Churaumi. Beach resorts from 120 to 300 euros per night with pool access. Budget option Guesthouses in Naha from 40 euros. Excellent base for Shuri Castle, Kokusai Street and day trips.
Top Tips
1. Churaumi Aquarium: arrive at opening (8.30am) on weekdays. The extraordinary whale shark feeding is at 10am and 3pm , schedule your visit around these times for the finest experience.
2. Okinawa beaches: the extraordinary water is swimmable from May to October. The finest beaches , Moon Beach, Emerald Beach , require a car. Naha itself has no swimming beaches.
3. Okinawan food: the finest local dishes are goya champuru (bitter melon stir fry), taco rice and Okinawa soba. The extraordinary longevity cuisine is the healthiest in Japan.
4. Shuri Castle: the extraordinary main hall was destroyed by fire in 2019 and is under reconstruction until
2026. The remarkable outer buildings and gardens are still extraordinary.
5. Awamori: the finest Okinawan spirit is distilled from Thai rice and aged in clay pots. The extraordinary vintage awamori called kusu is the finest spirit in Japan. Try it at any Kokusai bar.
6. Cape Manzamo at sunset: the extraordinary elephant trunk arch is at its finest at sunset when the turquoise water turns gold. Arrive 30 minutes before sunset for the finest light.
Total Budget
80 to 160 euros/day