Forget Tokyo and Osaka, Okinawa is the next destination you should visit in Japan. Unlike the bustling metropolitan cities, Okinawa is great for those who are looking to take it slow and get a little bit of sun, sand, and city all year round!
Nestled in one of the southernmost parts of Japan, Okinawa provides a unique blend of natural beauty, rich culture, and history. Besides being an island by itself, Okinawa is distinctly known for its sub-tropical climate, making it a comfortable temperature to be in practically all year round.
The best time to travel is during spring and autumn, between March to early May and between late September to December, and one of the most popular times to go is in March during the cherry blossom season.
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The Ultimate 5-Day Okinawa Itinerary 2023: Find out more about YouTrip Perks here!
5-Day Okinawa Itinerary:
Let’s get started! We’ve put together a 5-day itinerary that will allow you to see the best of Okinawa. The most ideal trip duration is between five to seven days, but if taking more time off to travel isn’t an option, we’ve got you covered. But don’t worry, feel free to change things up and find what’s best suited for you and your travel needs!
Image Credits: Japan Rail Pass
Day 1: Arrival and drive to Bise
- Arrive at Naha Airport and rent a car
- Chatan’s American Town
- Dinner at Warren’s Place 2.1 Burgers & Beer
- Spend the night in Gusuku
Day 2: Seaside Town and Beach
- Visit Bise seaside town
- (Stop by the Hydrangea Garden Yohena)
- Lunch at Pizza in the Sky
- Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
- Dinner at Kishimoto Shokudo
- Travel back and spend the night in Naha
Day 3: Miyako Island
- Take a flight to Miyako Island
- Yonaha Maehama Beach / Sunayama Beach
- Dinner at Uminosachi
- Go stargazing
- Spend the night in Miyako
Day 4: Explore Naha
- Travel from Miyako to Naha
- Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum
- Shuri Castle
- Dinner at Nuchigafu
- Explore Naha + Shopping
Day 5:
- Okinawa World
- Travel back
🎡 Attractions:
1. Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
Image Credits: Japan Guide
One of the must-sees in Japan is the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium that’s located in the Kunigami District. It’s one of the biggest aquariums in the world that is home to several whale sharks in its iconic Kuroshio Tank and was the first aquarium to successfully breed manta rays. The aquarium is home to more than 740 different species and is also known for its Deep Sea Experience Room, a tank that replicates the ocean 200 metres deep, featuring creatures you otherwise would probably never get to see.
Opening Hours: 8:30 AM – 9 PM
Address: 424 Ishikawa, Motobu, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-0206, Japan
Admission Fees: ¥2,180 (~S$20.50) for adults and ¥1,440 (~S$13.50) for kids
The Ultimate 5-Day Okinawa Itinerary 2023: For more information click here.
2. Mihama American Village
Image credits: Japan Guide
Okinawa significantly has many American military bases on the island, and one of its unique features is the Mihama American Village, a large entertainment complex built to cater to the needs of soldiers who missed a taste of home, and an interesting slice of American life to locals. It resembles a big American outdoor shopping mall with shops, restaurants, and even a movie theatre. If you’re staying for long, Sunset Beach is right by the complex which, you guessed it, is a great place to catch the sunset.
Opening Hours: 10 AM – 10 PM
Address: Mihama, Chatan, Nakagami District, Okinawa 904-0115, Japan
The Ultimate 5-Day Okinawa Itinerary 2023: For more information click here.
3. Bise-Fukugi Village
Image credits: Japan Travel
Bise Fukugi Village is one of the hidden gems that will transport you to a picturesque town right out of a picture book. It’s a seaside village that’s enshrouded in Fukugi trees with about 250 families still living in the village. The trees were used as protection from strong winds that would bash through the coastal village, especially during typhoon seasons. It’s a nice town to just wander and explore, and there are plenty of bike rental shops for you if you prefer to cycle instead of walk. Of course, as you’re exploring, do be considerate and respectful of the friendly locals living in the village.
Opening Hours: 9 AM
Address: 317-1 Bise, Motobu, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-0207, Japan
The Ultimate 5-Day Okinawa Itinerary 2023: For more information click here.
4. Miyako
Image credits: VISIT OKINAWA JAPAN
Miyako Island boasts the most pristine, untouched beaches with its fine sand and crystal blue waters. There’s Yonaha Maehama Beach, which spans seven kilometres long, Aragusuku Beach which is popular for snorkelling and marine life, and Sunayama Beach with its iconic arch-shaped rock and the path lined with trees that make getting there an adventure in itself.
The island is also connected to some of the other islands, giving you more options to explore beaches and its waters. For the divers out there, there is a trove of dive sites like caves and caverns to explore, and there are other activities like snorkelling tours, jet ski rentals, and other water sports for you to try. Miyako Island is also known for some of its cuisines like melt-in-your-mouth beef and Miyako Soba, not to be confused with Okinawan soba. Definitely, a place to visit!
The Ultimate 5-Day Okinawa Itinerary 2023: For more flights to Miyakojima from Naha, click here.
5. Okinawa World
Image credits: nippon.com
Before Okinawa was established in 1879, it was the Ryukyu Kingdom in 1429. Learn more about the ancient history of Okinawa and its culture, and travel back in time to the exact replica of a traditional Ryukyu village. Try your hand at crafts like weaving, dyeing, paper-making, pottery, and glass-blowing. Then take a visit to the Gyokusendo Cave which is located within the Okinawa World theme park. The cave is about 5km deep, but only 850m of it is open for visitors. Nevertheless, it’s a worthwhile attraction that is jam-packed with history and culture.
Opening Hours: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Address: Maekawa-1336 Tamagusuku, Nanjo, Okinawa 901-0616, Japan
Admission Fees: ¥2,000 (~S$18.70)
The Ultimate 5-Day Okinawa Itinerary 2023: For more information click here.
🍽️ Dining:
1. Okinawa Soba – Kishimoto Shokudo
Image credits: The Japan News
Ratings: 4.1/5 stars (1,755 reviews)
Opening Hours: 11 AM – 5 PM (Closed on Wednesdays)
Address: 5 Toguchi, 本部町 Motobu, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-0214, Japan
The Ultimate 5-Day Okinawa Itinerary 2023: For more information click here.
2. Traditional Okinawa Cuisine – Nuchigafu
Image credits: Pen
Rating: 4.5/5 stars (332 reviews)
Opening Hours: 11 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:30 PM – 9 PM
Address: 1 Chome-28-32 Tsuboya, Naha, Okinawa 902-0065, Japan
The Ultimate 5-Day Okinawa Itinerary 2023: For their menu and more on reservations, click here.
3. Pizza with a view – Pizza in the Sky
Image credits: Okinawa Traveler
Rating: 4.5/5 stars (2,514 reviews)
Opening Hours: 11:30 AM – 7 PM (Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays)
Address: Japan, 〒905-0219 Okinawa, Kunigami District, Motobu, Yamazato, 1153-2
The Ultimate 5-Day Okinawa Itinerary 2023: For their menu and more on reservations, click here.
4. Seafood – Uminosachi
Image credits: Savor Japan
Rating: 4.1/5 stars (350 reviews)
Opening Hours: 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM, 5 – 8 PM (Closed on Sundays)
Address: Shimozato-207-3 Hirara, Miyakojima, Okinawa 906-0013, Japan
The Ultimate 5-Day Okinawa Itinerary 2023: For their menu and more on reservations, click here.
5. Burgers – Warren’s Place 2.1 Burgers and Beer
Image credits: Nagos Okinawa
Rating: 4.9/5 stars (2,053 reviews)
Opening Hours: 11 AM – 3 PM, 5 – 8 PM (Closed on Thursdays)
Address: 1 Chome-16-9 Miyazato, Nago, Okinawa 905-0011, Japan
The Ultimate 5-Day Okinawa Itinerary 2023: For their menu and more on reservations, click here.
The Best Of Both Worlds!
If you’ve not settled on a place to travel during the September holidays, why not consider taking your family to Okinawa? There’s a little bit of everything for everyone, from the beautiful beaches to the city of Naha, the ancient history of the Ryoku Kingdom, and even some more recent history that has contributed to the melting pot of cultures that makes Okinawa what it is today.
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