Looking for the best things to do in Okinawa? Welcome to my complete guide!
I’ve been living in Asia for over 6 years and have been to Okinawa several times. My most recent trip was with a group of 8, including my wife and our 2-year-old son. This guide covers everything worth checking out: beaches, culture, food, and local stuff that doesn’t show up on generic lists…
These are all based on my own experiences, tips from locals in Okinawa, and tips from my Korean friends in Seoul who know the island well. Seoul is where I’ve been living for the past few years.
For a day-by-day plan, check my Okinawa itinerary. For where to sleep and which area best fits your needs, see my Where to Stay guide.
ありがとう! Let’s go!
QUICK PRACTICAL NOTES
- You need a car. See my car rental guide
- North vs Central vs South, try to plan by area, not by individual spot
- Best time: My favorite time is the start of October
The main island of Okinawa can be divided into basically three zones:
- South (Naha area): The capital, history, walkable for a big part without a car, but not the most exciting area of Okinawa, in my opinion.
- Central: Best beaches, cafes, coastline, American Village, most hotels.
- North (Yanbaru): A bit more wild and remote. Completely different from the rest.
Most people stay in a central area like Yomitan and take day trips from there, which is what I usually do as well.
10 Fun Things to Do in Okinawa
Let’s start with 10 fun things to do in Okinawa:
1. Cape Zanpa
About 40 minutes north of Naha along the western coast. There’s a lighthouse on a cliff with great views of the ocean, and the waves crash into the coastline. The area is called Cape Zanpa, and it’s an incredibly romantic spot to watch the sunset.
There aren’t many facilities there, maybe one restaurant, so bring some food and snacks for a nice picnic. There is a lot of space to sit and relax.
There’s a large, well-maintained playground right next to the Cape Zanpa lighthouse. While adults walk the cliff path and watch the waves, kids can run around on the playground equipment. It’s a genuinely good playground, not just a couple of swings. We stopped here a few times because it was such an easy way for our son to burn off some energy while we enjoyed the view.
2. Senaha Beach and the Hidden Cave
This is my favorite beach on the island. There’s a staircase that goes right down into the water, the sand is clean, and the water is so clear you can see fish and hermit crabs walking around near your feet. Most tourists don’t know about it, so on a typical day, there are maybe 2 or 3 other people there.
What makes it special is the hidden cave at the end of the beach. Walk about 50 meters over some rocks, and you reach this cool spot that feels like you’re completely alone on a tropical island. There are no facilities at all, so bring everything with you. Full details in my best beaches guide.
3. Nirai Beach
One of the best family beaches in Okinawa. There’s a jellyfish net, lifeguards, showers, and a VIP area with small kids’ hammocks that was perfect for our toddler. You don’t need to be a hotel guest to use it, but it costs a bit extra. Parking is free.
4. Kanai Beach
It’s next to Nirai Beach. Same beautiful water, almost nobody there. Use Nirai for facilities; come here for some nice peace and quiet. Easy to combine both of course.
5. Blue Cave Snorkeling
About 5 minutes by car from Senaha Beach, there is the blue cave, one of the most popular snorkeling spots on the main island, and for good reason. You swim through a sea cave lit up by light coming through the water, and there are tropical fish everywhere. I recommend booking a tour instead of going alone.
6. American Village
A shopping and entertainment complex on the western coast built around a beachy American theme. It used to be the village for American soldiers working on the island.
There’s a nice boulevard, food trucks, restaurants, and shops. It sounds cheesy, and in some ways it totally is…, but it’s actually a nice place to spend an evening. In the evening, walk the boulevard along the beach. The sunset is really nice to see.
One thing you have to do here: get a Blue Seal ice cream. Blue Seal is an Okinawan ice cream brand that’s been around since the American military days. There’s a shop in American Village. It’s not the best ice cream I’ve ever had, but it’s basically part of the American Village hospitality.
7. Cape Manzamo
A short cliff walk with one of the most photographed views in Okinawa. There’s a rock formation that looks like an elephant’s trunk going into the sea. It’s a quick stop, maybe 30 minutes, but the views are pretty cool, and it’s easy to combine with other things in the area.
8. Churaumi Aquarium and Emerald Beach
The aquarium is truly one of the best in the world; it’s one of the top attractions in Okinawa (though I prefer the beaches). The main aquarium has a whale shark and manta rays, and the scale of it is mind-blowing the first time you see it. I have mixed feelings about aquariums tho. I found it a bit sad to see the huge whale shark in the tank, but overall, the aquarium is more focused on education than entertainment, and the whale shark has been there for over 30 years…
The Churaumi aquarium is also a great thing to do in Okinawa when it rains.
Right outside the aquarium is Emerald Beach, a nice spot with calm water, lifeguards, and facilities.
9. Kouri Island
Kouri Island feels like one of those cute islands from a Japanese anime TV series. It’s quiet, local, green, and has lots of beautiful spots.
You drive across a long bridge to get there, the Kouri Bridge. The main beach on the island, Kouri Beach, is popular and has facilities. But the most epic spots are Tokei Hama and Heart Rock Beach on the north side of the island, about 5 minutes by car. There are almost no other people there, strange limestone rock formations carved by waves, and the snorkeling is excellent. Bring water shoes tho there are some rocks in the sand. Full details in my best beaches guide.
10. Yagaji Beach
A campground beach between the mainland and Kouri Island. It’s more about the atmosphere than the swimming. The interesting thing here is the sandbar that appears at low tide. You can walk about 150 meters out to a small island with mushroom-shaped rock formations. Check the tide schedule before you go. We walked out around low tide, and it felt like a proper little adventure.
9 Unique Things to Do
Most Okinawa lists cover the same 10 spots. Here are my favorite original and unique things to do in Okinawa:
11. Try the Supermarket Raffle
If you visit a local supermarket like Max Valu or San-A, keep an eye out for the raffle box near the entrance or checkout. It’s a big transparent box that blows air inside, sending tickets flying around. You reach in, grab a ticket, and find out if you’ve won a prize. My son loved it. It’s a small thing, but one of those genuinely local experiences you don’t read about anywhere.
This particular raffle was at the community center at Kouri Beach.
12. Spot the Colorful Rooftops
One thing you notice pretty quickly, driving through Okinawa, is the rooftops. Pink, red, blue, turquoise, orange. Local neighborhoods look really colorful and alive. Combined with the Shisa statues on the same rooftops, it makes for some great street photography.
13. Find Pokémon at American Village
A really fun, easy activity for kids! At American Village, you can search for a lot of Pokémon images scattered across the village. There are large, round tiles, each with a different Pokémon on it, murals, signage, and more. We had no idea they were there until our son spotted the first one, and then it turned into a mission to find them all.
Kids who are into Pokémon will love this. It’s called the POKÉGENIC project.
Check out the official American Village website to read more about events happening there.
14. Play “spot the Shisa” in Local Streets
Shisa are the lion-dog kind of creatures you see everywhere in Okinawa. They come in pairs and are placed outside homes to keep evil spirits away. Every house seems to have them somewhere, like on the roof, beside the front door, in the garden, or on top of a wall.
Some are quite big, some are just plain weird, and some are tiny and tucked away. We turned this into a game while walking through local neighborhoods. Who can spot the next one first? Our son thought it was quite fun.
The best neighborhoods for this are the smaller towns away from the tourist areas, such as Kouri Island.
15. Explore the Local Coffee Shop Scene
There are a lot of local coffee shops in Okinawa, not the Starbucks cafe kind but proper independent coffee shops, that can be found on side streets or hidden inside old houses with gardens. Many of them serve local cakes and snacks alongside their coffee, and have a relaxed atmosphere that’s very different from the busy tourist areas.
And almost every one of these local coffee shops in Okinawa sells its own merch, like bags, cups, t-shirts, and stickers, all with their own logos and designs. We used Google Maps to find them. Just search “coffee” in whatever area you’re in and look for places with good photos and reviews. Almost all of them have parking spaces, since you need a car to get around.
16. Find the Hidden Cave at Senaha Beach
Walk to the end of Senaha Beach, climb over some rocks, and you reach an enclosed space surrounded by rock formations that feels completely removed from everything. Almost nobody goes there. It’s free, takes 10 minutes, and it was one of the highlights of our whole trip.
17. Take a Day Trip to Tokashiki Island
Okinawa is actually the name of the group of islands, and Tokashiki is one of the closest that’s easily reachable by boat. Beaches are even quieter, more remote, and often spectacular. This is a great tour that also includes all transport on the island itself.
18. Walk the Yagaji Sandbar at Low Tide
Check the tide schedule, time your visit right, and you can walk out across the sea! Well, on sand, of course, all the way to a small island. It disappears at high tide. The mushroom-shaped rocks out there are strange and photogenic.
19. Cool Down with Shaved Pineapple Iie
It will be hot, especially in summer and early October. Two things you have to try. Matcha iced tea, which you can find at most local cafes and convenience stores, is incredibly refreshing and nothing like the bottled versions you get elsewhere. And shaved pineapple ice (finely shaved ice with fresh pineapple), you’ll find it at beach stalls and local food spots. Both are cheap, and both are exactly what you need when the sun is at its strongest. For more practical tips like this, see my Okinawa tips for first-time visitors.
Bonus: on My List for Next Time
I haven’t personally been to these 3 yet, so I can’t give you firsthand tips. But they’re worth knowing about and are all on my list for the next trip.
- Shuri Castle: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the most important historical landmark on the island.
- Sefa-Utaki: One of Okinawa’s most sacred sites, also UNESCO listed.
- Ryukyu Mura: A cultural theme park built to look like a Ryukyu Kingdom village.
How to Get to Okinawa
From Tokyo: Direct flights from Haneda or Narita to Naha Airport (OKA). Flight time is about 3 hours. Several budget carriers fly this route, so prices are reasonable if you book ahead. Search on Skyscanner.
From Seoul: Okinawa is surprisingly close to Seoul! There are direct flights to Naha from Seoul. Flight time is about 2 hours. A good option if you’re already in Korea!
Btw, if you're deciding between Jeju or Okinawa. if I'm being totally honest, I prefer Okinawa over Jeju Island (1,5 hour flight from Seoul). Jeju Island is pretty cool with the dormant volcano where you can hike, but the beaches and tropical feeling of Okinawa are hard to beat.
Getting Around
How many days do you need? At least 5. But 7 is better! Full breakdown in my Okinawa itinerary.
Where should you stay? Depends on what you want. Full breakdown in my Where to Stay guide.
Do you need a car? Yes. See my car rental guide.
Is Okinawa worth it? Read my honest take: Is Okinawa worth visiting? where I go into more detail about who Okinawa is for, and why it might not be the right destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
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I love Senaha Beach and the hidden cave, snorkeling at Tokei Hama, Kouri Island, and American Village (Cheesy but fun) are the highlights. But the best experiences are the ones you find yourself on, some random beach that probably isn’t even on this list.
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Yes. The island is long, public transport outside Naha is very limited, and most of the best places require a car to reach. Book one in advance at the airport. See my car rental guide for tips.
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Very good. The beaches are calm, the aquarium is world-class, and there are enough activities to keep children busy for a week. We went with a 2-year-old, and it worked really well. It’s also very safe and clean, but you do need a car to get around.
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Beaches, the Churaumi Aquarium, Shuri Castle, and its connection to living healthily. The northern Yanbaru region is one of five Blue Zones in the world, where people live much longer than average, fascinating isn’t it!
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Five days minimum to cover the south and central areas. Seven days if you want to get to the north properly. See my Okinawa itinerary for a full breakdown.
Final Thoughts & Tips
Okinawa is one of my favorite relaxing beach destinations. It’s so easy to find a secluded beach where you can just chill all day after grabbing some drinks and snacks at the Family Mart or 7-Eleven. Okinawa is not like Thailand, where there is more activity overall; it’s also not like Bali, where it’s super crowded in many places. Okinawa is just a quiet, safe, and clean place that’s surprisingly great for relaxing.
Relaxing in Okinawa will make you smile like this little fellow! 😉
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