Okinawa Main Island

Drive the main island from Naha: Shuri Castle, the Churaumi Aquarium, the Kouri Bridge and the Blue Cave string together Ryukyuan culture and turquoise seas.

Okinawa Main Island is the principal island of Okinawa Prefecture, about 100 km long from north to south. Historically it was the political center of the Ryukyu Kingdom, and its castles (gusuku), sacred utaki sites, red-tiled houses, awamori and Okinawan cuisine create a cultural character quite different from mainland Japan. This destination covers only the main island and the Kerama Islands, which can be visited as a day trip from Naha; outlying islands such as Miyako and Ishigaki have been split into separate destinations. The sightseeing areas fall into four parts: Naha city (Kokusai-dori, Makishi Public Market, Shuri Castle, Shikina-en, Naminoue Shrine, Senaga Island); the south (Sefa Utaki, Chinen Cape, Gyokusendo Cave, Oku Island, Peace Memorial Park); the central area (American Village, Cape Zanpa, the Blue Cave at Cape Maeda, Yomitan Pottery Village, Katsuren Castle, Nakagusuku Castle, the Kaichu Doro causeway); and the north (Cape Manzamo, Bise Marine Park, the Churaumi Aquarium, the Bise fukugi tree road, Nakijin Castle, Kouri Island). The climate is subtropical maritime, about 17 °C in January–February and about 29 °C in July–August. April to early June and October–November are best for swimming and driving; mid-May to mid-June is the rainy season; July–September is hot with many typhoons; winter isn't suitable for swimming but is good for historic sights, and in late January you can see Japan's earliest cherry blossoms. Getting there: Naha Airport has direct flights from Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Taipei and other cities. In the city there is the monorail (airport–Shuri–Urasoe), but to reach the central and northern areas you basically need to drive or join a one-day bus tour; renting a car requires an international driving permit or a Japanese translation of your license (a Japanese translation is needed for Chinese mainland licenses). We suggest 4–5 days: 1–2 days for Naha and the south, 2 days for the central and northern areas (staying one night in Onna or Motobu), plus an optional day of snorkeling in the Kerama Islands. Notes: UV radiation is strong, so wear a wetsuit or rash guard when snorkeling. In summer, watch out for habu jellyfish and swim only at beaches with protective nets. The Okinawa Expressway and Route 58 in the north are prone to traffic jams on holidays.

Top sights

Where to eat

Itineraries