Everything for your trip to Okinawa in one place: model itineraries, where to stay, anime pilgrimage, power spots, events & festivals, attractions. Open any page for access, highlights and typical dates.
🗺 3 days, 2 nightsWinterOkinawa ・ 9 stops ・ January・February
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.
🗺 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.
🛏 4 neighborhoodsOkinawa
Town Center & Remote Island Ferry Terminal・Ohama, Miyara & Shiraho・Kabira, Nagura & Sakieda・The North (Ibaruma & Hirakubo)
🛏 4 neighborhoodsOkinawa
Hirara (Town Center)・Yonaha Maehama Area・Irabu & Shimoji Islands・Ueno & Shigira
🛏 6 neighborhoodsOkinawa
Naha: Kokusai-dori Area・Omoromachi (Naha Shintoshin)・Shuri・Chatan & Mihama・Onna Village・Motobu & Nago
🎬 2 placesOkinawa ・ Chinen, Nanjo, Okinawa
An original TV anime by P.A.WORKS about girls growing up while working at a small aquarium in Okinawa. Nanjo in Okinawa, the setting of the work, is selected for the 88 Anime Spots.
🎬 1 placeOkinawa ・ Taketomi Island, Taketomi, Okinawa
An animated film about children from a small countryside school who spend their days on a trip to Okinawa that they won in a shopping street lottery. The Yaeyama Islands in Okinawa are selected for the 88 Anime Spots, and Nishi Pier on Taketomi Island is depicted in the film's key visual.
🎬 1 placeOkinawa ・ Uruma City, Okinawa
A romantic comedy about a high school boy who transfers to a school in Okinawa and falls for a classmate who speaks in the local dialect. Uruma City in Okinawa, the setting of the town where the characters live, is selected for the 88 Anime Spots.
⛰️ NatureOkinawa ・ Kunigami Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa
A nature trail facility where you walk through a forest of unusual rock formations and giant boulders on the slopes of Asumui, a rocky mountain at the northern tip of Okinawa Island. Recorded in historical texts as a sacred site tied to Ryukyu creation myths, it is introduced on Okinawa Prefecture's tourism site as a place drawing attention as a power spot. It is now operated under the name "ASMUI Hikes."
⛩️ ShrineOkinawa ・ Naha, Okinawa
A shrine on a cliff overlooking the sea in Naha, regarded as the foremost of the Eight Shrines of Ryukyu. The Naha City Tourism Association's website introduces it as the starting point of a tour of the Eight Shrines of Ryukyu, which are said to be power spots.
February–MarchOkinawa ・ Naha
Usually February 1 to late February (the Yomiuri Giants' Naha camp runs from mid-February to early March)
May
August–SeptemberOkinawa ・ Naha
Usually three days, Friday to Sunday, on the weekend after the lunar Obon (late August to early September)
OctoberOkinawa ・ Naha
Usually the three-day weekend around Sports Day (formerly Health and Sports Day) in October. The tug-of-war is on the Sunday in the middle of the long weekend
2026 (56th): Oct 10 (Sat) – Oct 12 (Mon, holiday); Hatagashira procession and tug-of-war on Oct 11 (Sun)
DecemberOkinawa ・ Naha
Usually the first Sunday of December
2026 (40th anniversary race): Dec 6 (Sun), 9:00 start
AquariumOkinawa ・ Motobu & Churaumi
This aquarium sits in Ocean Expo Park on the Motobu Peninsula in northern Okinawa Island. Its exhibits trace the creatures of Okinawa’s waters in sequence, from coral reefs out to the open ocean. It’s about 2 hours by car or about 2.5 hours by express bus from Naha Airport.
Theme parkOkinawa ・ Nakijin / Nago
An immersive, nature-themed park that opened in July 2025 near the Yanbaru forest in northern Okinawa Island. Set on vast grounds that were once a golf course, it offers a dinosaur safari, aerial attractions, a spa with spectacular views, and restaurants serving Okinawan ingredients.
ZooOkinawa ・ Okinawa City
A facility in Okinawa City that combines a zoo with a hands-on museum. With the outdoor Animal Zone and the indoor Wonder Museum, it's fun rain or shine. Admission is free for ages 15 and under.
Botanical gardenOkinawa ・ Okinawa City
An outdoor botanical garden in Okinawa City, officially named "Churayashi Park Okinawa Southeast Botanical Gardens." You can see about 1,300 species of tropical and subtropical plants, and an evening illumination is usually held from autumn through spring.
ZooOkinawa ・ Nago
A zoo in Nago City whose official name is Nago Nature Botanical and Zoological Park. It uses what is said to be Japan's largest flying-cage system, and many animals roam freely in the park. Walking through areas themed on Africa, South America, and Oceania, you can experience how close you get to the animals.
AquariumOkinawa ・ Tomigusuku
An aquarium inside the iias Okinawa Toyosaki shopping center, about 20 minutes by car from Naha Airport. Opened in 2020, it combines spatial effects using video and light with hands-on encounters with marine life. It's open until 19:00, making it easy to drop by on your arrival day or before departure.
Theme parkOkinawa ・ Nanjo
A theme park in Nanjo City in the south of Okinawa Island, centered on the Gyokusendo limestone cave. Besides exploring the cave, you can watch Eisa dance and try crafts in the Ryukyu Kingdom castle town lined with old houses, visit the Habu Museum Park, and experience Okinawa's nature and culture all in one place. It's about 30 minutes by car from Naha Airport.
MountainOkinawa ・ Motobu & Churaumi
🌸 Typical peak: Mid Jan – Early Feb
Castle
Park
🎆 AprilOkinawa ・ Ginowan, Okinawa
🎆 Usually in April (April 11 (Sat), 2026)
✈ OKAOkinawa ・ 6 destinations
Kokusai-dori (Kenchomae Station) / Shuri Castle (Shuri Station) / Tomari Port (Tomarin, island ferries) / Chatan (Mihama American Village) / Onna Village resort area / Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (Motobu)
🚃 Private railwayOkinawa ・ The 1-day pass is valid for 24 hours from purchase, the 2-day pass for 48 hours from purchase
From ¥1,000
🎫 Combo ticketOkinawa ・ 1 day (QR tickets from Yui Rail ticket machines are valid only on the day of issue)
From ¥1,500
Monthly temperatures, rain and what to wear are in our weather guide.
Itineraries, intercity routes and travel passes that cover several prefectures are listed under each of them.
