Japan · Region
Okinawa
Okinawa is Japan's subtropical southern gateway, a chain of Ryukyu islands with turquoise reefs, distinct Ryukyuan culture and cuisine, and a complex history shaped by the Ryukyu Kingdom, WWII, and decades of US military presence. Its landscape ranges from Naha's dense urban core to jungle-covered northern hills and remote outer islands prized for diving.
Top attractions
attraction Ocean Expo Park: Okinawa Travel Guide (4.5★)
Ocean Expo Park in Motobu, northern Okinawa, is open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM and is best tackled first thing at opening or after 4pm when tour buses thin out. 4.5★ (19,231 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum: Travel Guide
The Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum sits inside Peace Memorial Park in Mabuni, Itoman City, at the southern tip of Okinawa where the Battle of Okinawa's final fighting took place. 4.5★ (2,031 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction Shuri Castle: Okinawa Travel Guide (4.2★)
Shuri Castle in Naha, Okinawa, is a hilltop reconstructed royal castle open daily 8:30 AM–7:00 PM, with sweeping views over the city. 4.2★ (34,208 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction Southeast Botanical Gardens: Okinawa Travel Guide
Southeast Botanical Gardens (東南植物楽園) in Okinawa City is a large tropical garden with lakes, orchid houses, and animal encounters, best visited on a half-day trip combined with a rental car since it sits inland, away from the coastal bus routes.
Hidden gems
hidden gem Makishi Public Market: Okinawa Travel Guide (4.1★)
Makishi Public Market sits in Naha's Matsuo district, one block off Kokusai Street, open daily 8am to 10pm. 4.1★ (3,241 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
hidden gem Okinawa World: Travel Guide
Okinawa World in Nanjo City is best visited as a half-day trip from Naha (about 30–40 minutes by car), combining a walk through the illuminated Gyokusendo Cave, a traditional Ryukyu-village crafts area, and an Eisa drum show.
hidden gem Tamaudun: Okinawa Travel Guide (4.1★)
Tamaudun is the royal mausoleum of the Second Shō Dynasty in Shuri, Naha, a short walk west of Shuri Castle and about 15 minutes on foot from Shuri Station on the Yui Rail monorail. 4.1★ (1,677 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
Top-rated things to do in Okinawa
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Where to stay in Okinawa
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Frequently asked questions about Okinawa
How do I get to Okinawa?
Most travelers fly into Naha Airport (OKA), the main gateway with domestic connections from across Japan and several international routes; from the airport, the Okinawa Urban Monorail (Yui Rail) runs directly into central Naha. Onward travel to the rest of the main island is by rental car or bus, while outer islands are reached by domestic flights or ferries from Naha.
How many days should I spend in Okinawa?
Plan on ~4-7 days to cover Naha's sights and a couple of nearby beach areas, or ~7-10+ days if adding a northern Okinawa road trip and a hop to an outer island.
What is Okinawa known for?
Okinawa is Japan's subtropical southern gateway, a chain of Ryukyu islands with turquoise reefs, distinct Ryukyuan culture and cuisine, and a complex history shaped by the Ryukyu Kingdom, WWII, and decades of US military presence. Its landscape ranges from Naha's dense urban core to jungle-covered northern hills and remote outer islands prized for diving.