A comprehensive guide to Okinawa Japan including travel advice, where to go, outdoors activities, family friendly things to do and more! Okinawa has so many hidden gems waiting to be discovered.

Okinawa is an amazing place. There is something for everyone. For the nature lover, there is amazing hiking, sea kayaking, scuba diving and so much more. For the foodie, it might actually be paradise. The uniqueness and quality of the cuisine is alone worth the trip. If you’re traveling with kids, there are tons of family-friendly activities! The people are warm and welcoming, and so proud of their heritage and long lifespan. It’s a beautiful place, unspoilt by mass tourism, and a world apart from mainland Japan. Especially in Northern Okinawa, I had the sense that I was discovering a hidden secret.

Get my Okinawa Japan travel guide and watch my Okinawa video after the jump….

It’s easy to get to Okinawa. About 400 miles south of mainland Japan, the prefecture is a short three-hour plane ride from Tokyo. A rental car will be almost essential for your trip, but driving is very safe. If you’re going to visit Okinawa, make sure you bring your sense of adventure! All of the things that make it a hidden gem also make it a bit of a challenge to unlock. Many people don’t speak English and the English signage and tour opportunities are, well, lacking. Don’t be deterred though! Okinawa is a nut that is worth cracking, and the infrastructure for Western tourists is fast improving.

Here are some ideas for your trip! If you’re looking for food and restaurant recommendations, check out my foodie’s guide to Okinawa.

Things to Do in Okinawa Japan

Makishi Public Market Naha

Located on Kokusai Street in Naha, the Makishi Public Market is an incredible place. At first glance, it looks like a giant warehouse of vendors peddling their wares to tourists. Don’t be fooled though. An innocuous door will transport you to the real food market, which is where the fun really begins. The market bustles with locals and tourists alike, and your eyes will pop out of your head at the variety of foods available. You’ll find fresh fish, smoked fish (katsuo bushi), goya, delicious pickled things, pig’s feet, and more. The market was actually one of the main stops on Andrew Zimmern’s Bizzare Foods Okinawa episode. After you sample all the pickled things, pick out a fish (or lobster!) and take it upstairs, where one of the restaurants will cook it right in front of you.

Makishi Public Market
Matsuo, 2 Chome−10−1
Japan, 〒900-0014 Okinawa Prefecture, Naha

The Heart Rock, Kouri Jima Island

The super romantic Heart Rock on Kouri-Jima Island is significant for its representation of Okinawa’s ‘Adam and Eve’ story. Legend has it that this is where the island’s original couple lived for so many years that they are now represented in the two heart-shaped rocks. The rocks are located on a gorgeous beach with turquoise water. What most people miss though is that from a certain angle, you can see two hearts! There’s the rock itself and a second heart outline that is formed when you stand to one side (see above). Park your car in the parking lot and the heart rock is a short walk down to the beach. The entry fee is about $3.

Heart Rock, Kouri Jima
Kouri, 今帰仁村 Kunigami District,
Okinawa Prefecture 905-0406, Japan

Kouri Ocean Tower & Restaurant

Kouri Ocean Tower offers beautiful views of the cobalt blue sea below. Your visit starts by being escorted to the stop by driverless golf carts. Enjoy multiple levels of expansive views and wander through the tower’s seashell museum. You must make a stop at their restaurant for their all-you-can-eat dessert spread. It’s like high tea, but no one is stopping you from getting seconds. And thirds.

Kouri Ocean Tower & Restaurant
538 Kouri, Nakijin, Kunigami District
Okinawa Prefecture 905-0406, Japan
https://www.kouri-oceantower.com/en/

Hike Kohgoh Dai Sekirinizan Park

Also known as Asumi, Kohgoh Dai Sekirinizan park was one of the highlights of my trip. Depending on the trail you choose, the routes are very accessible (good for wheelchairs and small children) or moderately challenging (able to be accomplished in athletic shoes). The multiple 20-35 minute trail loops are dotted with incredible rock formations, which are made even more fun by the accompanying sign that explains what ‘shapes’ each rock looks like. Do you see the gorilla in the rock formation above? It’s really fun to see what your imagination can come up with! The hike also offers stunning views of Cape Hedo – the northernmost part of Okinawa. A cafe on the grounds serves pizza and ice cream.

Kohgoh Sekirinizan Park
Japan, 〒905-1422 Okinawa Prefecture
Kunigami District, Kunigami, Ginama, １２４１
Tel：0980-41-8117
http://www.sekirinzan.com/

Nakijin Castle Ruins

As you wander the site of the 13th Century Nakijin ruins, it’s easy to picture yourself so many thousands of years ago as a resident of the fortress. It’s a gentle hike to explore the grounds, guided by a nice English brochure you can pick up at the ticket office.  The walls are vaguely reminiscent of the Great Wall of China and those views! Not bad, as you can see above. Nakijin is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a lovely place to admire the cherry blossoms. Okinawa cherry blossom season is earlier than mainland Japan, running from mid-January to mid-February. Don’t forget to stop at the fresh juice stand on the grounds to get fresh shikuwasa juice or freshly pressed sugarcane juice. There’s also a museum on site, but unless you’re a serious history buff, I would skip it as there is no English signage.

Nakijin Castle Remains
5101 Imadomari, Nakijin
Kunigami District, Okinawa Prefecture 905-0428, Japan
http://nakijinjo.jp/english/

Orion Brewery Tour & Happy Park

How can you pass up a place that promises a drink that will “liberate your spirit” and “smooth the hard edges of human life”. The brewery tour is brief, and mainly in Japanese, but it’s free! It ends with two decent-sized beer samples, which is the real highlight. Make sure you grab their English brochure as it’s full of gems like the phrases above and so many more.

Orion Beer Factory & Brewery Tour
2-2-1 Agarie, Nago 905-0021
Okinawa Prefecture, Japan (Formerly Orion Beer Nago Factory)
http://www.orionbeer.co/jp/

Sea Kayaking the Yanbaru Mangrove Forest

I had no idea that Okinawa boasted a beautiful mangrove forest. The Yanbaru is a beautiful subtropical forest in Northern Okinawa. It’s a place known for its biodiversity and for hosting animals and plants that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. One way to explore the Yanbaru is by sea kayak. This allows you to actually get within the mangrove trees of the Yanbaru and see everything at eye level. It’s the perfect mix of physical activity and sightseeing!

One Ocean Mangrove Sea Kayaking Okinawa
Yubinbango 904-2312
Uruma Katsuren Henna 1199
Okinawa Prefecture, Japan
http://en.activityjapan.com/publish/feature/887

Tofu Making Class at Aiai Farm

Aiai Farm is an old elementary school that was converted into a functioning farm with accompanying lodging, restaurant and cooking classes. You can choose from tofu or sausage-making classes. We had a chance to take a tofu making class and it was so awesome! It’s totally inspired me to make my own tofu at home. The tofu we made was delicious and the hands-on experience really made this really memorable. The farm also has goats that the children can feed and a storefront that sells organic products.

Aiai Farm & Tofu Making Class
369 Wakigawa, Kunigami-gun
Nakijin-son905-0412, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan
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Tropical Dream Center & Botanical Gardens Motobu

The colorful and aptly named Tropical Dream Center in Motobu is a magical place. Thousands of tropical plants and orchids fill the multiple greenhouses that make up the gardens. The self-guided tour takes about an hour, but it’s easy to spend much longer than that admiring these beautiful flowers up close and enjoying the fragrant aromas. There’s also an observatory that you can climb that offers beautiful ocean views.

Tropical Dream Center at Okinawa Expo Park
ザ・オーシャンフロントＹＡＭＡＫＡＷＡ 973, 75-1 Yamakawa
Motobu, Kunigami District,
Okinawa Prefecture 905-0205, Japan

American Village in Okinawa

Perhaps the most touristy place in Okinawa, the American Village is a completely anomaly. Okinawa gets its western influences from the US Military base on the island. The base was established in the 1950’s and the result is an interesting mesh of cultures. The American Village is the home away from home for many of the armed forces members and their families stationed on the island. You’ll find cuisines from all over the world including Indian, Pizza, Sushi and even Okinawa’s famous Taco Rice.

American Village Restaurants & Shopping
15-69 Mihama, 北谷町 Nakagami District
Okinawa Prefecture 904-0115, Japan

Do a Guided Hike in Yanbaru Discovery Forest

The Yanbaru Discovery Forest in northern Okinawa is a great starting point to explore the Yanbaru subtropical rainforest. The forest is full of unique species of birds and insects that you won’t find anywhere else. There are beautiful wooden walking paths built into the hillside of the forest making it easily accessible for people of all ages and abilities. Unfortunately there is limited English assistance, but the nature reserve is working on putting them together. There’s also a lodge you can stay at for easy access to the forest.

Yanbaru Discovery Forest
1301-7 Aha, Kunigami-gun
Kunigami-son 905-1504
Okinawa Prefecture, Japan

Ryugujo Butterfly Garden

The Ryugujo butterfly garden is a great family friendly activity to do in Okinawa. Even in the winter, there were so many butterflies in the garden. They gently flutter around and land on your clothing and even your head! It’s pretty charming and a great photo-op. The most common species of butterfly in the garden actually forms these gorgeous shiny gold pupae. They look like tiny works of art.

Ryugujo Butterfly Garden
390-1 Yamakawa
Motobu Town, Okinawa 905-0205
http://www.ryugujo.net/

All photos taken with an amazing Leica Q camera rented from Borrow Lenses.

P.S. – Planning a trip to Okinawa? Check out these posts!

Okinawa, Japan Food & Restaurant Guide

Glamping at Nanma Mui Resort in Okinawa

Mahaina Wellness Resort in Okinawa

Okinawa Taco Rice Recipe

Tips for Traveling to Japan