# Things to do in Okinawa: top sights and where to go

> Okinawa is an island over 100 km long, not a walkable city: Naha has Shuri Castle, Kokusai-dori with Makishi Market, Naminoue Shrine and Shikina-en garden; the south has the Gyokusendo cave at Okinawa World and the Sefa-utaki sacred grove; the north has Cape Manzamo, Churaumi Aquarium and Kouri Island. Do Naha and the south in a day by monorail and taxi, and give the north a second day by car.

Web page: https://yesgo.io/japan/okinawa

## Ready itineraries

- [One day in Okinawa: an itinerary in the best order](https://yesgo.io/japan/okinawa/in-1-day.md): Naminoue Shrine on its coral cliff, Kokusai Street and Makishi market, the Ryukyu kings' garden of Shikinaen and Shuri Castle above Naha — in order, with lunch.
- [2 days in Okinawa: an itinerary day by day](https://yesgo.io/japan/okinawa/in-2-days.md): Naminoue, Kokusai Street, Shikinaen and Shuri Castle first; then the north — Churaumi Aquarium with whale sharks, Kouri Island and Cape Manzamo at sunset.

## All 10 places with the YesGo score

- [Kokusai-dori](https://yesgo.io/japan/okinawa/kokusai-street.md): YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · free. Kokusai-dori, 'International Street', is Naha's main shopping street, about 1.6 km long: souvenirs, Okinawan restaurants and izakaya. Two…
- [Naminoue Shrine](https://yesgo.io/japan/okinawa/naminoue-shrine.md): YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · free. Naminoue is Okinawa's chief Shinto shrine, on a coral bluff above the sea; the name means 'above the waves'. Below the bluff is Naminoue…
- [Shuri Castle](https://yesgo.io/japan/okinawa/shuri-castle.md): YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · ¥400; from 23.11.2026 ¥1,000. Shuri Castle is the Ryukyu royal palace on a hill above Naha and a UNESCO site. The gates and walls are free to see; the inner area is…
- [Shikina-en Garden](https://yesgo.io/japan/okinawa/shikinaen.md): YesGo score 35/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · ≈ ¥400. Shikina-en is the Ryukyu kings' country residence in Naha, with a late-18th-century stroll garden and UNESCO status. Around the pond are…
- [Kouri Island](https://yesgo.io/japan/okinawa/kouri-island.md): YesGo score 26/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · free; tower ≈ ¥1,000. Kouri is a small island in northern Okinawa, reached by a free bridge almost 2 km long over turquoise shallows. It has Tinu Beach with its…
- [Cape Manzamo](https://yesgo.io/japan/okinawa/cape-manzamo.md): YesGo score 25/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · ≈ ¥100. Manzamo is a cape on Okinawa's west coast in Onna village: a coral cliff whose arch looks like an elephant's trunk above deep-blue sea. On…
- [Sefa-utaki](https://yesgo.io/japan/okinawa/sefa-utaki.md): YesGo score 24/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · ¥300. Sefa-utaki is the holiest site of the Ryukyu Kingdom, a forest grove among huge limestone rocks in south-east Okinawa and a UNESCO site…
- [Okinawa World](https://yesgo.io/japan/okinawa/okinawa-world.md): YesGo score 22/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · ¥2,000. Okinawa World is a park in southern Okinawa with Gyokusendo, one of Japan's largest caves: 890 metres of stalactites over underground…
- [Ryukyu Mura](https://yesgo.io/japan/okinawa/ryukyu-mura.md): YesGo score 21/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · ≈ ¥2,000. Ryukyu Mura is an open-air village in Onna gathering old Okinawan houses under red tiles, around a hundred years old. There's an Eisa…
- [Churaumi Aquarium](https://yesgo.io/japan/okinawa/churaumi-aquarium.md): YesGo score 20/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · ¥2,180. Churaumi is Okinawa's great aquarium on the Motobu Peninsula, 85 km from Naha. Its pride is the Kuroshio Sea tank, 7,500 cubic metres…

## Okinawa travel guide

Before you go: Shuri Castle and Naha, Churaumi Aquarium, Cape Manzamo and Kouri Island, beaches, driving, seasons and sea.

## Trip essentials

- How many days: 4–7 days: Naha, the north, beaches
- When to go: April and October–November; summer for the beach
- Visa: Depends on your passport — many are visa-exempt
- Currency: Japanese yen (JPY); carry some cash
- Getting there: ≈ 2.5–3 h flight from Tokyo, ≈ 2 h from Osaka
- Airport: Naha (OKA) — Yui Rail monorail ≈ 15 min to the centre
- Driving: The easiest way around; left-hand traffic
- Licence: Japan accepts 1949 Geneva Convention permits
- Sea: ≈ 22–29°, swimming season April–October
- Time zone: UTC+9 all year

## Key facts

- **2000** — the Gusuku sites and sacred places of the Ryukyu Kingdom joined the UNESCO list (source: UNESCO World Heritage List, No. 972)
- **1429–1879** — Okinawa was the centre of the independent Ryukyu Kingdom (source: Wikipedia, “Ryukyu Kingdom”)
- **7,500 m³** — volume of Churaumi’s main tank, home to whale sharks (source: Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium — official website)
- **≈ 1.6 km** — length of Kokusai Street in central Naha (source: Wikipedia, “Kokusai Street”)

## Things to do in Okinawa

The top things to do in Okinawa are Shuri Castle and Shikinaen garden in Naha, Kokusai Street and seaside Naminoue Shrine, Churaumi Aquarium’s whale sharks in the north, Cape Manzamo and Kouri Island with its bridge over turquoise water, the sacred Sefa-utaki, Okinawa World with Gyokusendo Cave and Ryukyu Mura village. Every place with its YesGo score is in the list above.

| Where | What to see | Time |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Naha** | [Shuri Castle](https://yesgo.io/japan/okinawa/shuri-castle), [Shikinaen](https://yesgo.io/japan/okinawa/shikinaen) | ½ day |
| **Central Naha** | [Kokusai Street](https://yesgo.io/japan/okinawa/kokusai-street), [Naminoue](https://yesgo.io/japan/okinawa/naminoue-shrine) | evening |
| **South** | [Okinawa World](https://yesgo.io/japan/okinawa/okinawa-world), [Sefa-utaki](https://yesgo.io/japan/okinawa/sefa-utaki) | ½ day |
| **Mid-island** | [Cape Manzamo](https://yesgo.io/japan/okinawa/cape-manzamo), [Ryukyu Mura](https://yesgo.io/japan/okinawa/ryukyu-mura) | ½ day |
| **North** | [Churaumi](https://yesgo.io/japan/okinawa/churaumi-aquarium), [Kouri Island](https://yesgo.io/japan/okinawa/kouri-island) | 1 day |

Rather not plan it yourself? The list above has ready itineraries for 1–2 days, with places in a sensible order.

## Getting to and around Okinawa

Okinawa is about 2.5–3 hours by air from Tokyo and 2 hours from Osaka. Naha Airport (OKA) is right by the city: the Yui Rail monorail reaches Kokusai Street in 15 minutes. A car is the easiest way around the island — Churaumi in the north is about 2 hours’ drive.

| How | From — to | Time |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Flight** | [Tokyo](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo) | ≈ 2.5–3 h |
| **Flight** | [Osaka](https://yesgo.io/japan/osaka) | ≈ 2 h |
| **Yui Rail** | Airport — Kokusai Street | ≈ 15 min |
| **Car, bus** | Naha — Churaumi | ≈ 2 h |

Pick up a hire car at the airport; without one, tour buses cover the north of the island.

## Okinawa weather by month

Okinawa is subtropical: ≈ 20 °C by day in winter and ≈ 31–32 °C in summer. The swimming season runs April to October, with the sea at 23–29 °C. May–June is the rainy season and July–September brings typhoons. The best balance of weather and sea is April and October–November.

- **January in Okinawa**: day ≈ 20°C, night ≈ 15°C, sea ≈ 22°C, rainy days: 11. About 20°; Japan’s earliest cherry blossom.
- **February in Okinawa**: day ≈ 20°C, night ≈ 15°C, sea ≈ 21°C, rainy days: 10. About 20°, breezy.
- **March in Okinawa**: day ≈ 22°C, night ≈ 17°C, sea ≈ 22°C, rainy days: 11. About 22°; beaches open.
- **April in Okinawa** (best time): day ≈ 24°C, night ≈ 19°C, sea ≈ 23°C, rainy days: 10. About 24° — a great time.
- **May in Okinawa**: day ≈ 27°C, night ≈ 22°C, sea ≈ 25°C, rainy days: 11. Rainy season.
- **June in Okinawa**: day ≈ 30°C, night ≈ 25°C, sea ≈ 27°C, rainy days: 12. Rain, then heat.
- **July in Okinawa**: day ≈ 32°C, night ≈ 27°C, sea ≈ 29°C, rainy days: 10. Heat ≈ 32°, typhoons.
- **August in Okinawa**: day ≈ 32°C, night ≈ 27°C, sea ≈ 29°C, rainy days: 12. Hot, typhoons.
- **September in Okinawa**: day ≈ 31°C, night ≈ 26°C, sea ≈ 28°C, rainy days: 11. About 31°, warm sea.
- **October in Okinawa** (best time): day ≈ 28°C, night ≈ 23°C, sea ≈ 27°C, rainy days: 8. About 28° — a good time.
- **November in Okinawa** (best time): day ≈ 25°C, night ≈ 20°C, sea ≈ 25°C, rainy days: 8. About 25°, sea ≈ 25°.
- **December in Okinawa**: day ≈ 22°C, night ≈ 16°C, sea ≈ 23°C, rainy days: 9. About 22°, fresh.

Typhoons close beaches and ferries — keep a spare day.

## What to eat in Okinawa

Okinawan food is unlike mainland Japanese cooking: bitter goya in champuru stir-fries, rafute braised pork, Okinawa soba noodles, umibudo sea grapes and brown-sugar sweets. Kokusai Street’s cafés and shops sell it all.

- **Goya champuru** — stir-fry with bitter melon, egg and tofu.
- **Okinawa soba** — wheat noodles with pork.
- **Umibudo** — “sea grapes”, seaweed with tiny salty pearls.
- **Beni imo** — purple sweet potato treats.

## Okinawa ticket prices

Kokusai Street, Naminoue Shrine, Kouri Island and the beaches are free. You pay for Shuri Castle (the price rises once the main hall reopens), Shikinaen, Churaumi, Okinawa World, Ryukyu Mura, Cape Manzamo and Sefa-utaki.

- [Kokusai-dori](https://yesgo.io/japan/okinawa/kokusai-street) — free
- [Naminoue Shrine](https://yesgo.io/japan/okinawa/naminoue-shrine) — free
- [Shuri Castle](https://yesgo.io/japan/okinawa/shuri-castle) — ¥400; from 23.11.2026 ¥1,000
- [Shikina-en Garden](https://yesgo.io/japan/okinawa/shikinaen) — ≈ ¥400
- [Kouri Island](https://yesgo.io/japan/okinawa/kouri-island) — free; tower ≈ ¥1,000
- [Cape Manzamo](https://yesgo.io/japan/okinawa/cape-manzamo) — ≈ ¥100
- [Sefa-utaki](https://yesgo.io/japan/okinawa/sefa-utaki) — ¥300
- [Okinawa World](https://yesgo.io/japan/okinawa/okinawa-world) — ¥2,000
- [Ryukyu Mura](https://yesgo.io/japan/okinawa/ryukyu-mura) — ≈ ¥2,000
- [Churaumi Aquarium](https://yesgo.io/japan/okinawa/churaumi-aquarium) — ¥2,180

## Tips

- Shuri Castle’s main Seiden hall reopens after restoration on 23 November 2026 — check hours and prices.
- Time your Churaumi visit for the whale-shark feeding — the schedule is on the aquarium’s site.
- The sun is strong even in spring — sunscreen and a hat are a must.

## Questions

### Is Okinawa worth visiting?

Yes, for subtropical beaches, a distinct Ryukyu culture and food, Churaumi Aquarium and UNESCO-listed castles.

### Do I need a visa for Japan?

It depends on your passport: many nationalities are visa-exempt for short stays, others apply for a visa or eVISA. Check the official rules for your passport.

### How do I get to Okinawa?

By air from Tokyo in about 2.5–3 hours or from Osaka in about 2 hours; there are also some international flights to Naha.

### When is the swimming season in Okinawa?

April to October, with the sea at 23–29 °C; typhoons are possible in summer.

### What is the weather like in Okinawa in November?

About 25 °C by day and 20 °C at night, with the sea near 25 °C — still swimmable.

### Do I need a car in Okinawa?

It helps: Churaumi, Cape Manzamo and Kouri are in the north and buses are infrequent. Traffic drives on the left.

### How do I get to Churaumi Aquarium?

By car from Naha in about 2 hours, or by express bus or tour.

### What to do in Okinawa in one day?

Shuri Castle and Shikinaen in the morning, Okinawa World or Sefa-utaki in the south at midday, and Kokusai Street in the evening.

### Where are the best beaches in Okinawa?

Around Kouri Island, Cape Manzamo and the central west coast; for diving, the Kerama Islands off Naha.

### What to eat in Okinawa?

Goya champuru, Okinawa soba, sea grapes and purple sweet potato sweets.

## Sources

- UNESCO World Heritage List, No. 972 (Gusuku Sites of the Kingdom of Ryukyu)
- Wikipedia, “Okinawa Island”; “Ryukyu Kingdom”; “Kokusai Street”; Naha climate (1991–2020 normals)
- Shuri Castle Park — official website (Seiden reopening)
- Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium — official website

Facts checked: 09.11.2026

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