By air
Naha (OKA), ~5 km
East Asia · Japan
Okinawa, Japan
Subtropical beaches and a culture of its own
Getting there
Best time to visit
March to June and October to November — warm, outside the typhoon peaks
Don't miss
The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
Shurijo Castle
Kokusai-dori
Cape Manzamo
Things to do
Snorkelling
The Churaumi Aquarium
The grounds of Shuri Castle
Island hopping
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: 663highland · CC BY 2.5
What to pack
Swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen
A quieter corner
The Kerama Islands' clear water, an hour by ferry
Questions travellers ask
When's the weather best in Okinawa?
March to June or October to November, when it's warm and outside the typhoon peaks.
What should I bring for Okinawa's beaches?
Swimwear and reef-safe sunscreen — you'll want both for snorkelling.
Is there a good island trip from Okinawa?
The Kerama Islands, an hour away by ferry, for their clear water.
Which Okinawan dishes should I try?
Goya champuru, Okinawa soba and taco rice.
About Okinawa
- Island
- Coastal
Where it is
Okinawa is Japan's southernmost prefecture, a chain of subtropical islands between the East China Sea and the Pacific Ocean, far to the south-west of Kyushu, with the capital, Naha, in the south of the main island.
History
The islands were the heart of the Ryukyu Kingdom, which ruled from Shuri Castle from the 15th century and traded widely with China, Japan and South-East Asia. Annexed by Japan in 1879, Okinawa was the scene of one of the bloodiest battles of the Pacific War in 1945, and it was under United States administration until its return to Japan in 1972.
People
Okinawans speak Japanese, and some older people still speak Ryukyuan languages such as Uchinaguchi. Island culture includes the three-stringed sanshin, Eisa drum dances during the Obon season, awamori spirit and dishes such as goya champuru and Okinawa soba.
Known for
- The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
- Shuri Castle, seat of the Ryukyu kings
- Coral reefs and snorkelling in the Kerama Islands
- Okinawan dishes such as goya champuru
- Eisa drum dancing and the sanshin
Did you know?
The main tank of the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, the Kuroshio Sea, is one of the largest aquarium tanks in the world and is home to whale sharks and manta rays.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.