Okinawa

Travel Guide

Okinawa City featuring boating, a coastal town and heritage architecture
Okinawa City showing heritage architecture, a coastal town and boating
Okinawa
Photo by Andy Cao
Photo by ForeverFernweh
Relax on the marvelous beaches and take your kids to the spectacular zoo in this eclectic city in the heart of the island.

As the second-largest commune on its namesake island, Okinawa City is a cultural haven with excellent restaurants and shops. Spectacular beaches adorn the western coastline just outside the city, where you will also find quaint traditional villages. Enjoy the fun and lively atmosphere in this diverse area.

For a glimpse of local culture, visit the Chubunouren Market in the central Sumiyoshi area. Purchase vegetables, fruit and other regional products from vendors. Browse the stalls showcasing a variety of meat in this market, which has fairly low prices.

Travel south to the Okinawa Zoo, which is a children’s wonderland. View about 130 different species of animal and many displays to help your kids learn about nature. Appreciate the serene atmosphere around the zoo’s vast lakes.

Enjoy the island’s hot weather from June to August with a trip to one of the beaches. May is fairly wet and September brings typhoons. Spend an afternoon at Araha BeachOpens in a new window for its many resorts, restaurants and activities. Walk along the seaside promenade and play volleyball with friends. Let your kids play on the full-size pirate ship.

Embark on a day trip to Nirai Beach, in the outskirts of the nearby Yomitan Village. Swim in the safe and clean netted area with your kids and get snorkeling gear to explore below the water surface. Watersports are popular here, with water tricycles among the fun items available for rent. Enjoy the views of the imposing boulders and green hills that border the 1,300-foot (400-meter) stretch of white sand.

Travel north to the fascinating Ryukyu Mura for its rides and cultural attractions.

The city stands in the central part of its namesake island, southwest of Japan. Drive north from the island’s capital of Naha, which contains the main airport, for 12 miles (20 kilometers) to get here. Visit nearby cities, such as Uruma, Itoman and Nago.

Okinawa City has many fun activities for children and cultural highlights for adults.

Where to stay in Okinawa

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Goya

5/5(1 area review)

Travelers like the shopping in Goya, and Okinawa Zoo & Museum is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Goya
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Awase

When in Awase, you can plan a visit to Okinawa Athletic Park and Okinawa Zoo & Museum, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Awase
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Hiyagon

Travelers like the parks in Hiyagon, and Okinawa Athletic Park is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Hiyagon
I woke up and went to the balcony saw this!

Yogi

4/5(14 area reviews)

Shopping and seaside views are notable features of Yogi. You might consider a stop by Okinawa Athletic Park while you're exploring the neighborhood.

Yogi
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Moromizato

While Moromizato isn't home to many top sights, Kadena Air Base and Koza Sports Park are some notable places to visit nearby.

Moromizato
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Takahara

Takahara might not have many top sights, but Okinawa Athletic Park and Okinawa Zoo & Museum are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Takahara
Okinawa Grand Mer Resort
Okinawa Grand Mer Resort
4 out of 5
2-8-1 Yogi, Okinawa, Okinawa-ken
The price is ¥10,909 per night from Apr 7 to Apr 8
¥10,909
¥13,513 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 7 - Apr 8
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Okinawa. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (996 reviews)
"Overall is good except the room temperature. It’s too hot inside the room, the air conditioner seems not working. Lucky the hotel provide a fan to us"

Reviewed on Jan 2, 2025

Okinawa Grand Mer Resort
JR KYUSHU HOTEL Blossom Naha
JR KYUSHU HOTEL Blossom Naha
4 out of 5
2-16-1 Makishi, Naha, Okinawa
The price is ¥20,509 per night from Apr 3 to Apr 4
¥20,509
¥22,560 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 3 - Apr 4
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Naha. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,294 reviews)
"The hotel is very new andclean. Parking at hotel is convenient and attendants were very friendly. Yet, the hotel is just around the main street for shopping and dining! Will definitely come back here!"

Reviewed on Mar 21, 2025

JR KYUSHU HOTEL Blossom Naha
Naha Tokyu REI Hotel
Naha Tokyu REI Hotel
3.5 out of 5
116-37 Asahimachi, Naha, Okinawa-ken
The price is ¥8,476 per night from Apr 22 to Apr 23
¥8,476
¥10,257 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 22 - Apr 23
Stay at this hotel in Naha. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,006 reviews)
"Good location for business use and not too far from Kokusai Dori if you don’t mind walking for 10-15 minutes. Donki is in 3 minutes walk distance, very convenient for grocery shopping if you are here for pleasure."

Reviewed on Feb 8, 2025

Naha Tokyu REI Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Allstay Chibana
Allstay Chibana
3 out of 5
2-18-21-1 Chibana, Okinawa, Okinawa Prefecture
Stay at this 3-star condo in Okinawa. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions American Village and Okinawa Arena are located ...
8/10 Very Good! (86 reviews)
"Great place and great location to Kadena AB"

Reviewed on Feb 1, 2025

Allstay Chibana
Allstay Goya
Allstay Goya
3 out of 5
1-18-11 Goya, Okinawa, Okinawa
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Okinawa. Enjoy free WiFi, in-room washers/dryers, and climate control. Popular attractions American Village and Okinawa Arena ...
8/10 Very Good! (105 reviews)
"For the price you pay it’s a pretty good place to stay it’s close to gate 2 and a bunch of places to eat"

Reviewed on Oct 4, 2024

Allstay Goya
&Monde. Okinawa Arena Condominium
&Monde. Okinawa Arena Condominium
4 out of 5
3-1-15, Yamauchi, Okinawa, Okinawa
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Okinawa. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and in-room washers/dryers. Popular attractions American Village and Okinawa Arena are ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (26 reviews)
"Loved the property. Would definitely stay again."

Reviewed on Oct 20, 2024

&Monde. Okinawa Arena Condominium
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Okinawa

4.6
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
15
5 - Excellent 65%
4 - Good
6
4 - Good 26%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 9%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

T.F.

It is like a mix of Okinawa and U.S. culture.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Very safe, beautiful, and interesting.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

The cultural architectural features on the homea and businesses was incredible. Just the details everywhere you went. It was beautiful and I'm already planning my next trip to go again

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

沖縄市は、位置的に沖縄県内どこに行くにも、いい場所で、退屈はしません。

Cities near Okinawa