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

Default Image

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
Default Image

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
Default Image

Hiyagon

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

Hiyagon
Default Image

Uechi

5/5(8 area reviews)

Uechi is well-liked for its restaurants. If you'd like to do some sightseeing in the greater Okinawa area, you might plan a trip to Kadena Air Base or Koza Sports Park.

Uechi
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
Default Image

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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is $87 per night from Nov 28 to Nov 29
$87
includes taxes & fees
$79 per night
Nov 28 - Nov 29
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! (1,000 reviews)
"Great stay. Friendly staff. Breakfast buffet was great. Lounge was perfect to unwind. Great location. Tucked away but right in the middle of everywhere I needed to be. Bed, couch and chair were pretty hard but I was able to sleep just fine."

Reviewed on Nov 12, 2024

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 $111 per night from Dec 17 to Dec 18
$111
includes taxes & fees
$101 per night
Dec 17 - Dec 18
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! (1,172 reviews)
"Very clean and friendly staff"

Reviewed on Nov 19, 2024

JR KYUSHU HOTEL Blossom Naha
Okinawa NaHaNa Hotel & Spa
Okinawa NaHaNa Hotel & Spa
4 out of 5
1-5 Kume 2 Chome, Naha, Okinawa-ken
The price is $61 per night from Dec 11 to Dec 12
$61
includes taxes & fees
$55 per night
Dec 11 - Dec 12
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Naha. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,005 reviews)
"Great location and hotel overall. Just wasn't a fan of the bed as it was too firm for me"

Reviewed on Nov 21, 2024

Okinawa NaHaNa Hotel & Spa
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 ...
7.8/10 Good! (64 reviews)
"Back parking lot was dark at night time."

Reviewed on Nov 15, 2024

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 ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (98 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
Okinawa City Hotel
Okinawa City Hotel
2.5 out of 5
1-8-12 Goya, Okinawa, Okinawa
Stay at this apartment in Okinawa. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and slippers. Popular attractions American Village and Okinawa Arena are located ...
7/10 Good! (46 reviews)
"small cozy room to relax and rest during my Okinawa trip. they have all the essentials that you need for a stay, fridge, stove, microwave (in the hallway) bidet toilet, shower and comfy bed. if you get the cheapest room that they have, just like what i did, you will get a small room but enough for ..."

Reviewed on Aug 18, 2024

Okinawa City 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.

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