I (25F) have planned to visit Okinawa on my own mid-may as I’m already in Japan (Osaka) beforehand and wanted to kind of experience something different and possibly have a little beach time!

After researching about the trip it says everywhere it is recommended to rent a car, but I have terrible driving anxiety (also no scooters because of that) and basically feel only safe driving routes I know and I definitely don’t trust myself driving on the left side, especially coming from Germany.

Then researching again, people mentioned that it IS doable by public transport and I have now booked a hotel (can cancel it) that is close to the ferry port in Naha.

My concern is that I will just have a wildly different and not as good experience as I’d have with renting a car, and I’d maybe just go somewhere else in Japan (only been to Tokyo before) instead of Okinawa and either work on my anxiety or return with someone who could split driving with me.

I also looked up beach front resorts but i don’t know if I’d feel kind of „stuck“ that way and it would end up being even worse getting around. And some did not allow tattoos on their beaches.

I think all my research has made me a little unsure if I’d be able to really enjoy Okinawa, or would it be worthwhile enough to stay in Naha and hopefully be able to make it to the other islands by ferry?

Sorry if this topic comes up like every day, but I’m kind of overthinking about this now LOL.

Was in Okinawa for 5 and half days. Second time in Japan but quickly realised that this is not the typical mainland Japanese experience.

We stayed in Naha one of the hotels in Matsuyama. Since it was the so called red light area, there were some touts and gang types at night but they didn't give us any issues. In hindsight, we probably should have stayed in Onna or Yomitan as we didn't really do anything in Naha aside from the main tourist street.

Car rental from Klook was convenient. Driving is safe as everyone drives at 60km/h even on the highways. I think it's necessary to get a car unless you can arrange private transport. Parking is not expensive relatively and the meters are easy to operate.

Day 2 we went on Blue Cave Snorkeling and kayaking with Aruguide tour company. Our Dutch guide was very patient and experienced. It's also the first time we queued up in the water for a photospot. There was even a queue under water for scuba divers to take pictures at the main spot. 10/10 Japanese experience. Nonetheless it was beautiful and despite the crowd it was worth going.

Day 3 was a roadtrip north to the aquarium and kouri island. The parking in the aquarium took nearly 30minutes so plan your trip early to avoid the crowds. The aquarium was beautiful but I swear there are more humans than fishes in the rank. The ocean park was more enjoyable for me but ymmv. Then made our way to kouri Island which is a quiant romantic little island.

Day 4 we traveled to east side of the island to Nanjo for our Onsen hotel stay. If you are driving, you must make a trip to the Nirai-Kanai bridge which is one of the most beautiful driving spots in the world. Nanjo itself was just a sleepy beach town in March. We spent almost an hour in the Local Specialty Shop.

Tips 1. Consider staying not in Naha if most of your activities are not in Naha. 2. Prepare change of clothes and beach sandals in the car for impromptu beach time 3. There weren't many kombini outside of the bigger towns so stock up when necessary 4. Whilst the wares are beautiful and has cultural significance, the glass and pottery places were not worth the detours. The glass shop staff told us their glasswares were made in Osaka.

I’m going to Okinawa for 7 days in may with my family(their will be 4 of us in total). We are going to book the hotel and a lot of things we do there before we go so I’m curious how much cash should we bring(in USD)

Hello guys, first time in Okinawa. I’m planning to stay for 4 days from 16th of May to 19th.

My rough plan is 1 day to relax, chill at a beach resort, 1 day to visit the islands nearby (Zamami etc) and 1 and a half day to explore the Naha area and the aquarium.

My questions are (1) where would be the best place to stay to enjoy beaches and a resort type of vibe ?Onna ?Nago ?Naha or anywhere else

(2) would we definitely need a car for the itinerary? I am just thinking - the first day we are not going anywhere, the second day is going to other islands with ferries and the last days are in Naha and aquarium so we are thinking about getting away without it. Please let me know if it is not doable

Thank you in advance!

As the title says I'd like to go to comiket this year but looking for some who's been before and wouldn't mind going with an extra.

DM me if interested

Hi everyone! I am seeking some help with planning a very short visit to Ishigaki from a cruise ship in late June.
The ship is planned to be docked from 7AM to 4PM, but I'm anticipating not getting to land until like 8AM if we are lucky since we need to pass immigration and might need to use tenders from what I'm hearing.

Many of the phantom island and snorkeling tours I'm seeing online start at 8AM, so I'm worried about missing the start times for those.

Does anyone know if there are people selling tours at the ferry terminal or cruise ship terminal that I might be able to sign up with after we get off the ship?

Alternatively, does anyone have any private tour recommendations where they might be more flexible with time?

My ideal plan is that we can join a short 3 hour phantom island and snorkelling tour until noon-ish and then take a ferry over to Taketomi island to explore by bike/foot until it's time to head back to our ship. Please let me know if you have any other feedback or ideas!

Thank you so much in advance. I can't seem to find much up to date info online.

We will be in Okinawa April 28-may 2nd. Where should we stay? Any recommendations? We will be renting a car.

Hello!!! So, I am finally making it out to Okinawa in late June to early July for an upcoming trip. The overall purpose of this trip is to find and reconnect with my grandmother and family. Specifically, however, my grandmother. (To be fair, I would love to meet any of them though.)

Anywhooo, I have two questions. Firstly, and more surface-level, are the bugs there like roaches, spiders, hornets, and centipedes truly so bad? I have quite a bit of anxiety regarding this and I already know to purchase a hotel not on the first floor or two to avoid the roaches (apparently). Secondly, and more importantly, my plan is to go to the Naha prefecture govt building to apply for viewing her Koseki. I was going to bring my birth certificate and my father’s to prove direct relation. Is this enough to perhaps get a phone number or address/what steps would you take?

Thank you! I have been saving for this trip for years and taught myself Japanese purely to get my father and her reconnected. (he forgot Japanese and she does not speak English, it was a whole thing.) Either way, I am so excited to have the possibility to meet her!!! 🤗✨🥰

Hello, we moved to Yomitan not too long ago and our internet tanks at night, unable to even load a website. We have GLBB and its fine enough during the actual day and gets decent download speeds but randomly drops down even during the mornings.

Does anyone else have this?

I'm even plugged in via ethernet so its not wireless.

Okinawa's Beach Opening Schedule 2025

Hello!

I will be in Okinawa this week and would love to hear from anyone on food / activities loved by locals.

Any restaurants / activities that tourists don't usually know how to find? I am travelling with my wife and we want to have as authentic an experience as possible.

Feel free to DM me if you are not keen to expose your hidden gems

EDIT: I will be staying in Naha but will have a car so I can travel anywhere on the main island.

Hello - we are heading to Okinawa for the first timefrom Tokyo around April 18th +/- a day or two for a week and heading to Seoul afterwards, so ideally non stop flights both ways. Reading this sub has us excited but a bit overwhelmed with the choices. We want a hotel with western beds that is on the beach, preferably in a quieter area but still with a couple bars/coffee shops/restaurants that are walkable. We will want to scuba diver 2-3 days (have advanced certs), golf 0-2 times (high handicappers who prefer more relaxed courses), and mostly just relaxing in a shaded cabana on the ocean.

We won’t have a car so the main island/naha seems less ideal reading posts here and will prefer to stay in one place vs island hop. Tokashiki doesn’t appear to have golf. Ishigaki seems to hit all the marks (flying out on Jin air) with an option like ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort but they only have a 10-hole course on site.

Thanks in advance for any hotel, dive shop, golf courses, and island recommendations.

I’ve been looking everywhere I could. I was sure they were being sold at Donki but nope they just use them as decoration.

Basically title. I know they are different places and both look amazing but do you think it makes sense to go to both? 2 days in Kerama islands and 2 days in Miyakojima? Just relaxing, sun bathing and swimming

hi,

visiting okinawa for the first time in 2 weeks, and basing ourselves in naha (no car). planning to take the ferry to zamami or tokashiki, and hopefully do some casual snorkeling off the shore. we are new to snorkeling and also cautious (would wear life jackets and fins, along with water shoes).

ive read the water may be a little cold, does anyone know where we can rent a thin wetsuit for a day? wasnt planning on booking a tour, more of a DIY island visit with snorkel & wetsuit rentals. having trouble finding info abt wetsuit rentals online, any help is appreciated!

I have traveled extensively throughout Okinawa on business for nearly 40 years and maintain a small house near Koza that I rent out. I was introduced to people that became great friends when I first traveled there in the '80s. I am from the Pacific Northwest in the USA. The islands were very cool back in the day...inexpensive, the US military presence was drawing down from Vietnam, traffic was manageable, and the pop music scene was at it's zenith. Orion beer was still local. But the darker side of life in Okinawa has always been present. Key business opportunities are controlled by the govt. and handed out to mainland keiretsu at the expense of the locals...keeping Okinawa the poorest of the prefectures in Japan. Real estate is controlled by agencies that keep rents artificially high to milk military SOFA rent subsidies. Saltwater fishing is great as long as you keep out of eyeshot of boats belonging to the Fishing Association. Dealing with red tape is famously complicated and to Americans and other foreigners this can be a real downer. Thoughts from former and current residents?

I am planning on travelling to Okinawa from May 8th to the 11th. Would you say that it would be too rainy?
I understand that the weather could be unpredictable. Just wondering if it's worth the gamble. Thank you!

Hey guys, hope y'all doing well. I'm looking for tips on physical stores or shops selling dresses for occasions like attending a formal party or weddings as a guest. While I'm at that, any places for plus size clothes shopping in general? I find it hard to look for even simple garments here in Okinawa. Cheers!

Hi My wife and I will be in Okinawa for a week in June.

We would like to dive various sites including Kerama Islands plus other sites further north.

Will we need to hire a car or are there any dive operators that do hotel pickup for some of the dive sites further north from Naha where we were thinking of staying? Taxis seem very expensive.

Thanks.

Hello,

I'm planning to do 5 days in Okinawa in Mid/end of June. I'm using public transport. I do have a few questions below and I would really appreciate it, if you could help me with the planning. Especially the 3rd day.

So far my itinerary looks like this:

Day1: Shuri Castle, Kokusai Dori Street, Shikina en royal gardens, Okinawa Museum, Naminoue beach maybe (it doesn't look so nice with the bridge. Are there any other beaches in Naha for just walking around?)

Day 2: Churaumi Aquarium, Emerald beach, walk around bise tree road to bisezaki coast, maybe Nakiji castle ruins if there's time left

Day 3: No idea yet (Option 1: American Village + Cape Zanpa Lighthouse + beach) I've never been to America (I'm from Europe) so is American Village worth it? I'm down for any other suggestions. Sightseeing + Beach would be a nice combo

Day 4 and 5: Tokashiki Island (I'm planning to stay a night there) Aharen Beach, Tokashiku Beach (snorkeling and just relax), hit a few Observatory spots

Questions: 1. Are there lockers in Aharen beach, Tokashiku beach and Emerald beach? Do I need to bring towels or are there some to borrow?

1. Is it possible to rent a bycycle on Tokashiki Island?

2. Can you please give me some good locations in Naha for night walks?

3. Do I need to reserve a ticket for the ferry to Tokashiki Island?

4. What specialty should I try in Okinawa?

5. Is there anything else you would recommend for Tokashiki Island?

Thank you very much for your help

Me and two friends (all 20) are staying in beb5 Okinawa and we love how beautiful Okinawa is but what fun can we do at night. Bc we haven’t seen so many our age.

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Hello! My husband and I have had a question and have had 0 answers thus far. A lot of locals have a stop roadkill car sticker that has two penguins or quails on it. Is it a movement? A band? A reference? Ive seen it so often! Sorry if this is niche, but thank you in advance for any input.