A three-day winter trip to see Okinawa's cherry blossoms, which bloom earlier than on mainland Japan, at three spots: Nago, Motobu and Nakijin. Along with the blossoms, you will stop at Churaumi Aquarium and Kouri Island, touring the north of the main island by rental car.
Pick up a rental car at Naha Airport and head north. Stop at Cape Manzamo on the way, see the cherry blossoms in Nago in the late afternoon, and check in to your hotel in the north.
Pick up your car at a rental office near the airport and set off. Using the Okinawa Expressway makes the drive north easier.
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A cape of raised coral reef in Onna Village. On days with clear winter air, you can see the outlines of the Motobu Peninsula and Ie Island to the north.
Official site ↗
A park with the ruins of Nago Castle, one of the best-known cherry blossom spots in northern Okinawa. Making it your last stop on day 1 lets you go straight on to your hotel in Nago or Motobu.
View guide →See the cherry-lined road on Yae-dake in the morning and visit Churaumi Aquarium around midday. In the afternoon, take in the castle walls and blossoms at Nakijin Castle ruins.
A famous cherry blossom spot on Mt. Yae-dake in Motobu Town. It gets crowded at peak time, so visiting in the morning is recommended.
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Head down from Yae-dake toward the sea and you reach Ocean Expo Park, home to Churaumi Aquarium. Take your time at the huge "Kuroshio Sea" tank.
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The World Heritage ruins of a gusuku (castle), where you can see the stone walls and cherry blossoms together. It is close to the aquarium, so visiting in the afternoon keeps travel short.
View guide →Cross the Kouri Bridge in the morning, then head back south and have lunch and do some shopping in Chatan before going to the airport.
A 1,960 m bridge linking Yagaji Island and Kouri Island. Even in winter, you can cross it with the blue sea all around.
Official site ↗
A seaside area in Chatan Town with a concentration of shops and restaurants, located on the way back to the airport.
Official site ↗Return your rental car and head to the airport. Returning the car can take time, so leave with plenty to spare.
View guide →Sample itineraries from day trips to 5 days, by region and season. Every stop links to its guide, and you can save any itinerary as your own trip plan and rearrange it day by day.
🗺 5 days, 4 nightsOkinawa ・ 15 stops
A five-day loop of Okinawa Main Island's classic sights by rental car, starting with Shuri Castle and Kokusai-dori in Naha and continuing to Sefa-utaki in the south, Cape Manzamo on the west coast, and the Churaumi Aquarium and Kouri Island in the north. You move your accommodation from south to north in order, so the driving stays manageable.
Check prices, opening hours and access on each stop’s guide and official website. Seasonal events and peak seasons vary from year to year.
Information as of 2026-10-13
