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5 Day Okinawa Itinerary

2023-05-31

Okinawa is a side of Japan you'll probably be quite surprised to discover.

Worlds away from mainland Japan, this prefecture is a cluster of islands that boast tropical delights, unique culture, untouched beaches, and no shortage of things to do, spectacular sights to see, and delicious food to eat.

One of the best parts of visiting the area is that you can easily pick and choose activities to suit your vacation style, whether traveling solo, with a partner, or with family.

If this is your first time exploring the paradise of Okinawa, it can feel a little overwhelming in terms of knowing where to begin. If you've got the luxury of time in your arsenal, spending at least five days here is a great way to balance out sightseeing, cultural exploring, and relaxing.

To help you plan your adventure, we've crafted a five-day Okinawa itinerary with first-timers in mind. It covers Naha, Yaesu, Hamahiga Island, Iriomote, Ishigaki, and Nakajin, with a range of activities to give you a taste of what the island has to offer as a travel destination.

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Before you go

In summer, Okinawa is an incredibly popular domestic travel destination, and for a good reason, the days are filled with sun and warm weather, pristine beaches and blue skies, and perfect summer landscapes. Plan a visit outside Japan's national holiday periods like Golden Week, which typically runs from late April to May, to avoid massive crowds.

Okinawa also hosts various festivals and events throughout the year, meaning no matter when you visit, chances are there will be something fun to see. Highlights on the events calendar include The Okinawa Zento Eisa Matsuri, a dance festival held for three days every year in August, and the Naha Great Tug-of-War Festival, which generally takes place in October.

For people who want to learn more about Japan's diverse history, Okinawa is an excellent place for it. The island is rich with buildings and landmarks that showcase Ryukyuan culture, a culture unique to the ethnic group native to Okinawa Prefecture. History, nature, food, culture, Okinawa has it all.

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Getting there and around

To get to Okinawa from Tokyo, you can catch a flight from Narita or Haneda to Naha Airport, which will take about three hours.

The best way to maximize your time in Naha is to rent a car near the airport to make your way around Okinawa. Okinawa is a delight to travel by car as you can freely venture to different parts of the island with a bit more leniency in your schedule. It takes about three hours to drive across the main island from end to end. 

However, if you’re planning to travel without a car, there are other options. The monorail can get you around Naha, while the Okinawa Tour Bus can get you to most of the top sightseeing spots. To make things a little easier in transit, you might want to book a shuttle bus to get to your hotel.

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Day 1 - Naha and Yaese

9:00 a.m.

Start the day with a visit to one of Okinawa’s most iconic landmarks, Shuri Castle, also known as Shurijo, a castle that preserves the ancient history and culture of the monarchical Ryukyu Kingdom. In 2019, the main buildings of Shurijo Castle were destroyed by fire, but reconstruction works are underway, with development set to be finished by autumn 2026. Visit the castle and observe and learn about the reconstruction works. You can visit for free or pay ¥400 (adults) to explore more of the castle grounds. See this visitor's guide for more information.

10:30 a.m.

Drive down to the southern island's southern end to Peace Memorial Park. This spacious park houses monuments honoring those who fought in World War II. With a better grasp of the history and culture of Okinawa, you'll come out with a greater appreciation of its beautiful destinations. After, travel up along the coast and head to Kunnato Mozuku Soba Shop to grab a delicious local bite. This restaurant serves the much-loved Okinawa mozuku seaweed and Okinawa soba noodles, which are thicker and heartier than mainland soba noodles. It's a cheap, authentic, cozy Okinawan culinary experience. 

1:30 p.m.

After lunch, you can choose to spend the afternoon doing something relaxing or more adventurous. With soft sand, clear blue water, and a range of water sports activities, Mibaru Beach is an excellent option for relaxing and having fun. You can get on a glass boat to see the reef and fish swimming underneath, go paddle boarding, and eat shaved ice at Karika Canteen.

6:00 p.m.

To get a taste of Okinawa history, make your way to Tomori Stone Lion, which is said to be the oldest of Okinawa's Shisa statues. Shisa are Okinawa's guardian lions, and symbols of Ryukyuan legend culture believed to welcome good spirits and ward away evil spirits. Okinawans like to take it easy, which means earlier closing times, so be prepared to have an early dinner. Head into the city center for a wide range of culinary options — a local izakaya is always a good choice.

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Where to stay in Naha

Being the biggest city in Okinawa, Naha has no shortage of hotel options, from budget stays to suit beach-loving backpackers to luxury seekers and everyone in between.

Santiago Guesthouse Naha is the type of hostel that proves you don't have to sacrifice style when traveling on a budget. This classic Japanese-inspired hostel has dorm-style rooms, a cozy communal, tatami mat living space, a coin laundry, and lockers for keeping all your things secure.

For the classic resort stay, an excellent option for families, Hotel Palm Royal Naha (Kokusai Street) is a top pick. It's located in the heart of the action, within walking distance of Kokusai-dori, Makishi Public Market, and Makishi Station. There's also an outdoor pool and BBQ (reservation required), great for laid-back poolside dining with the kids.

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Day 2 - Ishigaki

09:00 a.m.

Grab an early flight out of Naha to Ishigaki, one of Okinawa’s most naturally stunning locations. There’s no shortage of quick and convenient flights between Naha Airport to New Ishigaki Airport.

11:00 a.m.

Grab a rental car and kick off your island adventure with a visit to Kabira Bay, one of the most scenic destinations in all of Okinawa. It’s also one of just two places in Japan where they cultivate black pearls (the other one being Iriomote island). This iconic bay is home to brightly colored coral reefs, pristine sand beaches, and crystal clear water. Swimming, snorkeling and diving in the bay are not allowed, but there are clear-bottomed boats ideal for taking in the views. Dotted around Kabira Bay are plenty of cozy restaurants offering delicious hearty local fare like Okinawa soba and taco rice bowls, so grab a little lunch here before your next adventure.

2:00 p.m.

Time to now see the island from a different perspective, inland and from up high. Head on over to Mt. Omoto, one of Ishigaki's two very accessible mountains. At just 550 meters tall, it's easy to scale; it'll take you around an hour to an hour and a half. From its peak, you'll have sweeping views of all of Ishigaki, from the coral reef coast to the lush central landscape, all the way to the surrounding islands.

5:00 p.m.

By the time you've scaled the mountain, it'll be hitting the later end of the afternoon, so it's time to make your way to Fusaki Beach, one of Ishigaki Island's most popular sunset destinations. Here you'll find "Angel Pier" which, with its unique umbrella-like covering, is a popular destination for locals and tourists to gather and watch the sun retreat for another day. As the sun drops and the sky's transformation into swathes of pink and purple are reflected off the calm ocean water, there's nowhere quite as beautiful.

8:00 p.m

Dinner time is typically a pretty early affair here in Ishigaki. Head south along the coast of Fusaki Coast, and you'll arrive in what could be considered the town center of Ishigaki, a lively little pocket of the island home to plenty of local businesses serving up delicious meals and old-school charm. Izakaya Hitoshi ひとし本店 is a top pick, well-loved for its tuna sashimi; it's an idyllic place to wrap up a busy but fulfilling day.

 

Where to stay in Ishigaki

Considering that you're staying in a tropical paradise destination, you might as well make the most of it and book a night at one of the island's most spectacular resorts, Grandvrio Resort Ishigakijima Villa Garden. This Rakuten Travel Bronze Award 2021 winner resort is a four-star establishment that boasts ocean-view villas, multiple dining facilities serving up local and international cuisines, breezy open rooms, a pool with a view, and access to some excellent activities like diving. It's essentially a travel destination in itself.

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Day 3 - Ishigaki

10:00 a.m.

Take it easy this morning; you've traveled a long way and packed a lot into your day yesterday. Today it's time to enjoy a luxurious and leisurely breakfast at Grandvrio Resort Ishigakijima Villa Garden's onsite restaurant before taking a dip in the pool or maybe signing up for one of the hotel's tourist activities.

12:00 p.m.

When you're ready to leave the resort, head over to Ishigaki-yaki Pottery Studio, an internationally-famous workshop that's produced pieces that have been exhibited internationally, including in the British Museum. The pieces you find here are iconic in their glazed, deep ocean-blue finish. What makes this studio's pottery so unique is that in making the pieces, the craftspeople blend clay and glass, and each piece requires a massive amount of time and energy. It's worth visiting to pick up a special one-off souvenir and marvel at the artistry that goes into it all.

1:00 p.m. 

Time to step into another dimension with a visit to Yonekoyaki Pottery Centre. This shop is more of a tourist attraction than a store, with its colorful, larger-than-life-sized shisa, Okinawan lion-esque deities located in the store's back garden. Located right by Yonehara Beach, one of the island’s most popular local beaches, it's an easy trip to combine visits to both locations. Considering that you're in the area, grab a bite to eat at the nearby 米原食堂 Kitchen Yonehara. The restaurant offers cozy, no-fuss but delicious fare, like fried chicken, curry rice, and soba noodles.

3:00 p.m.

Once you've explored around Yonehara, head back to the resort for some well-deserved rest and relaxation. On the relaxation front, Grandvrio Resort Ishigakijima Villa Garden boasts an exquisite on-site spa facility fit with indoor and outdoor baths and a sauna. When you're done, dip your feet in the pool and grab a drink at the cafe bar “DEIGO” before making a decision as to which mouth-watering restaurant you'll enjoy dinner at tonight.

 

Day 4 - Hamahiga Island and Nakijin

11:00 a.m.

Take your time getting back to the main island, pick up a car and make your way to Hamahiga. There are several lunch spots on the island, but Teirabui is one not to miss. It is a traditional kominka shokudo (古民家食堂), renovated from an old home, which serves generous Okinawa soba. Head up towards Kafu Banta for some scenic views of the ocean, and stop by Katsuren Castle Ruins to marvel at the remnants of a cliffside 15th-century castle.

2:00  p.m.

After that, drive north towards Nakijin, and stop by for a pick-me-up or a bite to eat in the city of Nago. Your next stop, Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Ishikawa, one of the world's largest aquariums, to appreciate the wonders of marine life. If you're feeling tired, stop by Churaumi Cafe for a coffee.

4:00 p.m.

Head to Bise-Fukugi Tree Road in old-fashioned Motobu town to stroll through the popular evergreen tree-lined archway. The Motobu Peninsula stretches along the northwestern part of Okinawa’s main island. This area is the epitome of quaint coastal Okinawa charm. It is home to several small villages dotted across an area of nearly 55 square kilometers and features incredible ocean views, making it well worth spending a little time soaking up the sights.

6:00 p.m.

There are a handful of restaurants along the coast in the Yamagawa and Ishikawa areas, with many boasting fresh seafood and Okinawan dishes. This Yamagawa and Ishikawa area is an excellent place to stop by and grab something local for dinner.

8:00 p.m.

Stay overnight in Nakijin so you can wake up refreshed and ready to make the most of your last full day in Okinawa.

 

Where to stay in Nakijin

One of the best ways to fully immerse yourself in the culture of Nakijin is by booking a night at Tabinoitaku Okinawa Nakijin Homann Concept. This accommodation facility is an old Okinawan folk house-style cottage with a traditional Ryukyu red-tiled roof and beachfront property views.

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Day 5 - Nakijin and Naha

9:00 a.m.

Before you leave Nakijin, put aside a little time to check out Nakijin Castle Ruins, one of the UNESCO World Heritage-designated Castles of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Surrounded by forests, these ruins cut a bold silhouette against the lush green backdrop. Drive to Kouri Island via Kouri Bridge and visit the island’s photogenic heart-shaped coral rock. Kouri Beach nearby is a calm sandy beach to splash around in the crystal clear, warm shallow waters.

11:30 a.m.

Grab something light to eat on Yagaji Island, then head back towards Naha and go to the Okinawan Prefectural Museum and Art Museum in the city, which has a range of exhibitions on culture, history, and contemporary artworks. The history museum houses displays covering the entire history of Okinawa from the pre-Ryukyu Kingdom era to today. It's well worth setting aside a few hours to explore intimately, as it'll give you a much deeper understanding of the nuances of this fascinating island region.

4:00 p.m.

Spend the afternoon strolling Tsuboya Yachimun Street, a quaint cobblestone street home to traditional ceramic stores, cafes, and a pottery museum. You might want to try a pottery-making experience while you’re there.

6:00 p.m.

If it’s your last day in Okinawa, hit up a local izakaya, and enjoy some of the prefecture’s finest sashimi before booking in for a well-deserved rest at a hotel not far from the airport.

 

Where to stay close to Naha Airport

Staying close to Naha Airport will make life a little easier for those arriving late or heading out early. Okinawa Harborview Hotel is a top choice, as it blends the convenience of airport-adjacent accommodation with a tropical resort charm. Complete with on-site restaurants serving up local and internationally inspired cuisine, a bar, and deep Ryukyuan culture, it's the perfect way to spend the end or the start of your Okinawa adventure.

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