Okinawa is Japan and yet not quite Japan — a subtropical archipelago with its own language, its own kingdom history, its own music, its own food, and its own philosophy of life (ichariba chode — “once we meet, we’re family”). With the clearest water in Japan, extraordinary marine biodiversity, and a culture of warmth and longevity, Okinawa is in a class of its own.
Top Attractions
1. Shurijo Castle
The magnificently restored castle of the Ryukyu Kingdom stands in vivid red and gold above Naha City — a UNESCO World Heritage Site that reflects the uniquely blended Chinese-Japanese-Southeast Asian culture of the Ryukyu Kingdom.
2. Kerama Islands
The Kerama Shoto National Park — 30km from Naha — offers some of the world’s clearest ocean water (visibility up to 40 meters) and outstanding coral reefs. Whale watching from December to April, sea turtles year-round, and spectacular snorkeling and diving.
3. Kouri Island & Northern Okinawa
The north of Okinawa’s main island is dramatically different from the tourist south — covered in subtropical forest, home to the Yanbaru national park, and fringed by the turquoise waters of Kouri Island’s famous heart rock beach.
Food & Drink
Goya Champuru (bitter melon stir-fry — Okinawa’s most beloved dish), Okinawa Soba (pork rib noodle soup unlike any other soba), Rafute (braised pork belly in Ryukyu sake and soy), and Awamori (Okinawa’s distilled rice spirit) define the island’s cuisine. Okinawa’s diet is associated with some of the world’s highest longevity rates.
Getting There
From Tokyo, flights to Naha take about 3 hours. From Osaka, about 2 hours. Naha Airport is centrally located and well connected to all Okinawan islands.
