19 Unique Things to do in Okinawa: Japan’s Paradise Islands

During my visit, there were so many things to do in Okinawa that made me completely forget I was in Japan. But how was that possible?!

For context, I’ve been to a number of tropical islands during my travels, from snorkelling in Hawaii and floating on a catamaran in Bora Bora, to laying beneath the swaying palms of Fiji and wiggling my toes in ancient sands of Greek Island beaches.

But with similar Okinawa experiences to be had, you’d easily be forgiven for not immediately thinking Japan would also appear alongside these names!

Before being annexed by Japan in 1879, the islands of Okinawa were known as the Ryukyu Kingdom for almost five centuries. With their own language, culture, history and cuisine, today’s islands are a lovely blend of old-meets-new Japan with a tropical twist. 

If you’re looking for an affordable getaway in paradise with all the conveniences we’ve come to love about Japan, read on for more!

Unique things to do in Okinawa to make your trip unforgettable

It took me 10 years from my first visit to Japan to my Okinawa trip. Having spent a full week each on the main island and Ishigaki with rental cars, I never ran out of Okinawa attractions to enjoy. In fact, I barely scratched the surface and can’t wait to return!

Based on my personal experiences from my time on these islands (and things I had planned beyond), here I present my list of unique things to do in Okinawa and where you can find them.

TIP: To access the more non-touristy things to do in Okinawa, read my detailed guide to driving in Japan for tourists so you can reach more of the offbeat areas tourists can’t access without a car.

NOTE: Okinawa is a collection of islands, however the largest one is named Okinawa Honto – known as the main island, with Naha as its capital.

What is considered as a must do in Okinawa for one may not be for someone else, so I’ve categorised them into 19 themes for you to customise your trip. With that all said, let’s take a look at what to do in Okinawa by interest!

Soak in the sun at pristine beaches

Many visitors travel to Okinawa for its abundance of exquisite, shallow beaches – myself included! I must admit as an Australian, we are pretty spoilt with our beaches so I’m super fussy when visiting beaches abroad.

But in Okinawa, I had a number of beaches that I adored for their fine sand, crystal clear waters and their warmth in late summer. The best and most unbelievable part was just how empty the majority of beaches are – with the exception of a few local critters.

Going to the beach is one of the top things to do in Okinawa with family. After scouring high and low when planning my trip, here are my top recommendations places to go in Okinawa for beaches:

• Mibaru Beach (south Okinawa Honto): Lengthy white sands feature a water park on the shore
• Senhana Beach (middle Okinawa Honto): Gorgeous views to the horizon and an interesting cave
• Seseko Beach (middle Okinawa Honto): Incredibly quiet beach once you walk away from the crowds of people clustered near the entry
• Kokuei Okinawakinenkoen Emerald Beach (middle Okinawa Honto): The unique promenade landscape makes this three beaches in one. The water is very shallow so it’s  great for little kids. This is near Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium at the Ocean Expo Park (one of the top tourist attractions in Okinawa), but kindly read my thoughts about animal experiences in Japan down the page before deciding to visit there.
• Heart Rock Ibamura (middle Ishigaki Island): A heart-shaped rock can be found on the beach opposite the Ibamura Post Office (not in English on Google Maps so use 伊原間のハート岩).
• Kuura Beach (north Ishigaki Island): Very secluded, barely another soul.
• Aharen Beach (Tokashiki Island): One of the top 50 beaches in the world.
• Kouri Bridge South End Observation Point (middle Okinawa Honto): Said to be one of the best sunset spots in Okinawa.

Experience some of the many water activities in Okinawa

What is Okinawa famous for? Water activities, of course! During my Okinawa trip, I booked two snorkelling tours: 

• This Blue Cave snorkelling tour on Okinawa Island, and 
• This Blue Cave snorkelling tour on Ishigaki Island (yes, there are two Blue Caves!)

Unfortunately for me, I saw neither Blue Cave as both tours I booked were re-routed to other locations due to strong winds and currents. But they were still very worthwhile and I’m so glad I went ahead anyway. We saw all kinds of colourful fish and coral, large turtles, and even a sea snake!

NOTE: Please be “invisible” and don’t touch the sea life, but rather admire them from afar.

TIP: Book your snorkelling activities for earlier days of your trip. If they are rescheduled due to poor weather, you’ll have time for another chance.

NOTE: You can only visit the Blue Caves on guided tours. The roads to reach them on Google Maps are private and the caves are inaccessible on foot.

In picturesque Kabira Bay, we tried this glass-bottomed boat experience as swimming is not permitted. We were fortunate to see a large turtle and clownfish swimming playfully amongst coral.

Other Okinawa water activities include:

• Snorkelling on Phantom Island, half day trip from Naha
• Diving and snorkelling in Kerama Islands, day trip from Naha
• Half day whale watching experience, from Naha
• Mangrove kayaking, Iriomote Island day trip from Naha or on Ishigaki Island
• Snorkel to see manta rays, Ishigaki Island
• Parasailing, Ishigaki Island
• Snorkelling, Yonaguni Island
• Stand-up paddleboarding, Yonaguni Island
• Stand up paddleboarding on a clear board, Miyako Island 
• Scuba diving, Miyako Island 
• Flyboarding and wakeboarding, Miyako Island

Explore other-worldly caves

With Mother Nature working her awe-inspiring magic over millennia, caves in Okinawa are incredible sights to behold. While I unfortunately missed both Blue Cave snorkelling experiences I’d booked due to an approaching typhoon, I managed to journey to another, which ended up being a highlight of my Okinawa trip!

At Ibaruma Sabichi Cave on Ishigaki island, we weaved through a natural underground tunnel network that led us to calm waves lapping at a scenic beach. There were a couple of other visitors so it wasn’t busy. It’s certainly worth the drive, and feels like one of the more non touristy things to do in Okinawa.

TIP: Be careful of rusty handrails on the exterior of Sabichi Cave, they don’t look sturdy. The concrete staircases are covered in part in slippery leaves, wear shoes with good grip and watch your step. 

In addition to the two Blue Caves I mentioned, some other caves in Okinawa include, but aren’t limited to:

• Gyokusendo Cave in Okinawa World, Okinawa Honto: A limestone cave that’s 5 kilometres long
• Kuura Beach, Ishigaki Island: There is a small cave to shelter from sun and rain, but beware of the sneaky crows that will steal your lunch out of any open bags – I learnt this the hard way!
• Cave Okinawa, Uruma, Okinawa Honto: Believed to be a place of good luck by locals, entry tickets here   
• Pumpkin Cave, Miyako Island: It’s possible to do a kayaking day tour here.

Dress in traditional Ryukyu clothing

One of my favourite cultural experiences in Okinawa was dressing up in ryusuo (Okinawa’s traditional clothes, their version of kimono) and having a souvenir photoshoot.

I did this at Veni レンタル琉装veni, located towards the north end of Kokusai-dori. The staff spoke English and were so friendly, ensuring we were all comfortable. Find out more on Veni’s website.

While I like to remain “invisible” here on my blog, here are the gorgeous pieces I chose to wear for my photoshoot:

Hunt down Shisa, the gleeful guardians of Okinawa

You’ll find these sometimes fierce and other times adorable lion dogs on the rooftops of buildings throughout Okinawa. They are believed to guard the occupants from bad spirits and invite prosperity into the home.

The best place to see all different kinds is at Yoneko-yaki Pottery Shisa Park in Ishigaki! Kids will love all the different kinds of sculptures spread across the grounds.

Shisa make wonderful souvenirs, you can see some I bought down the page.

Understand Okinawa’s more modern history

For a small collection of islands, there is a lot of history here. Learn more about Okinawa’s role during WWII and the folktales that describe the Ryukyu Kingdom’s history before that at:

• Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Peace Memorial Park, Naha
• Oceanic Culture Museum Planetarium, middle Okinawa Honto.

Feel the spiritual aura at temples and shrines

Throughout my Japan travel blog, I’ve shared my love of visiting places of worship. I just love feeling the spiritual energy surging through the air at these power spots!

While I didn’t encounter many shrines and temples during my trip, the notable ones I visited on Okinawa main island were:

• Naminoue Shrine, Naha
• Sairaiin (Daruma) Shrine, Naha. 

Discover architecture from the Ryukyu Kingdom

From 1429 to 1879, the islands of Okinawa were known as the Ryukyu Kingdom before their annexation. Many structural relics of this era survive today.

Some significant sites dating back to the former Ryukyu Kingdom (and earlier) I recommend you visit on the main island include:

• Shuri Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, including Shureimon Gate and Tamaudun
• Nakagusuku Castle Ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage site
• Nakajin Castle Ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Take a cooking class with a local

One of the best souvenirs is learning how to cook a local dish so you can reminisce back at home! I’ve taken this cooking class in Kyoto with airKitchen, and recommend their Okinawa cooking classes with locals here.

Tuck into some Blue Zone cuisine

As one of five in the world, Okinawa is known as a “Blue Zone,” home to the highest concentration of centenarians and supercentenarians (people who live to be over 100 and 110).

What’s their secret to a long life? As I read in a book, it’s believed this is due in part to their diet, so I wasn’t going to leave without trying any! Okinawan dishes are rich in tofu, soy, miso, beans and purple sweet potatoes.

Nago Agri Park specialises in casual farm-to-table dining serving “Blue Zone” foods, with each item on the menu grown locally nearby. I enjoyed a delicious, fulfilling lunch here.

Try unique Okinawan specialties

Have you heard of omiyage culture in Japan? Gifting is huge, and each of the country’s 47 prefectures is known for a regional specialty usually in the form of produce or snacks.

When visiting someone in Japan, it’s customary to bring a small snack or gift omiyage from the region you have travelled from.

Omiyage are available all over Japan at points of transit (shinkansen stations and airports). They’re beautifully packaged and make perfect gifts or souvenirs.

There are quite a few unique to Okinawa I enjoyed! The regional specialties include (but are not limited to):

• Okinawan shikuwasa – lime, citrus flavoured potato crisps
• Awamori, a type of Japanese whiskey with a snake inside
• Purple sweet potato in the forms of tart pastries, dried crisps, ice cream, biscuits, it’s in many things
• Pineapple biscuits
• Brown sugar chocolate
• Bireley’s brand Ishigaki Island pineapple drink, Ishigaki Genki drink (an unusual flavour, a cross between diluted milk and Red Bull)
• Blue Seal ice cream
• Kunpen filled cakes, enjoyed since the Ryukyu Kingdom era.

Where to eat in Okinawa

I had quite a few memorable meals in Okinawa! If you’re wanting to try something similar quality to Kobe beef, try Ishigaki beef – it’s just as good! I genuinely recommend these places for meals and treats (you can probably tell how much I enjoy wagyu, hehe):

• Akasatana あかさたな Ryukyu Cuisine, run by a dear senior couple, downtown Naha (next to Makishi Public Market)
• Kazu-chan izakaya, downtown Naha
• Parlor Kifaya, Ishigaki for their wide selection of Blue Seal ice cream
• Ishigakijima Milk Crown, Ishigaki: It’s a little van by the side of a road next to a dairy farm. Super milky, 500 yen per cup. Definitely worth it, you can see the cows right there too!
• Teppen izakaya in Ishigaki Village, Ishigaki
• Meat Bar Butcher Trico, Ishigaki.

Enjoy the city’s izakaya & nightlife vibes

Enjoying the nightlife is one of the fun things to do in Okinawa! In downtown Naha, I enjoyed seeking out the non-touristy little izakaya (Japanese style pubs) and restaurants beneath narrow alleys of lanterns. 

Try some Okinawan cuisine, such as umibudo (sea grapes), taco rice, champuru (like a cold salad of sorts), ninjin siri shiri (stir-fried shredded carrot and tuna). Don’t be surprised how the canned pork SPAM is used in some dishes, as it was introduced to Okinawa after WWII.

TIP: Prefer a local to show you some great eateries? Take this bar hopping night tour in Naha’s downtown area here! 

Jump on the monorail

Public transport can be quite limiting in Okinawa, but the elevated monorail is handy to get to a few of Naha’s city sights. Named Yui Rail, the monorail begins at Naha Airport and has 18 stops snaking north through the suburbs. Here’ the monorail map for getting around Naha.

The main stops close to attractions are Makishi (for Kokusai-dori Shopping Street), and Shuri (for Shuri Castle). Outside of those stops you’ll likely need to take a bus, but again for flexibility I recommend hiring a car from Naha Airport.

TIP: You can use your Suica (IC card) from the mainland on the Okinawa monorail, but need to have it “decoded” at the ticket window first. For your card to work on the mainland again, ask at a ticket window for it to be “recoded” again to the local system.

Try your hand at making pottery (or find some ready-made)

If you enjoy making your own souvenirs, these local workshops will be for you:

• Make your own clay Shisa at a workshop in Nakijin Village, Okinawa 
• Create beautiful bowl/dish in a pottery workshop in Ogimi Village, Okinawa
• Create your own Shisa from shells and coral in Ishigaki
• Alternatively, pick up a ready-made Shisa to take home along Tsuboya Yachimun Pottery Street, or Kokusai-dori Shopping Street in Naha.

Take a hike in nature to see scenic viewpoints or seek out cityscapes

Here’s one of the things to do in Okinawa for free! While it took me a little by surprise just how built-up Naha was compared to my expectations, it doesn’t take long to venture back into nature.

Some places for nice walks and hikes amongst nature over the islands include:

• Yonehara Palm Grove, Ishigaki
• Ada Kuina Fureai Park, Okinawa Honto
• Yanbaru National Park, Okinawa Honto
• Kuina Ecological Exhibition & Learning Facility Kuina no Mori, Okinawa Honto
• Iriomote Ishigaki National Park, Ishigaki

If sticking to the more built-up areas:

• Kinjo Stone Road, Naha: Picturesque photo spot, elevated city views
• Hacksaw Ridge, Naha: Easy hike with panoramic city views
• Tamatorizaki Observation Platform, Ishigaki: Beautiful mountain and ocean views.

Enjoy a day trip to another island by ferry

I’d planned to visit Tokashiki island as a day trip from Naha, and Taketomi island as a day trip from Ishigaki. Unfortunately for me the weather had other plans so my bookings were cancelled, but it’s an excuse to go back, right?

Nonetheless, here are some options to do day trips to other islands by ferry:

• Tokashiki from Naha, Okinawa
• Zamami Islands from Naha, Okinawa
• Kerama Islands from Naha, Okinawa
• Iriomote Island from Ishigaki
• Taketomi Island from Ishigaki

Bask at the heavens on a stargazing night

Due to barely any light pollution and its isolated geographical location, the islands of Okinawa are perfect for star gazing – what a contrast to a bustling metropolis like Tokyo!

My hotel in Ishigaki offered a stargazing experience. Due to cloud cover during most of my stay, I couldn’t do this, but you may have better luck. Here are some options:

• Onna Village, Okinawa star gazing & star explanation tour
• Ishigaki star gazing and jungle night tour
• Miyakojima star gazing and souvenir photo experience

TIP: If it will be cloudy during your stay, try the cinematic stargazing experience at the Oceanic Culture Museum Planetarium instead.

Shop for local Okinawa souvenirs

Earlier I mentioned omiyage and a few other souvenirs. Here are a few places to go shopping in Okinawa to find them:

• Kokusai Dori Shopping Street, Naha
• Makishi Public Market, Naha
• American Village, Naha
• Tsuboya Yachimun Pottery Street, Naha.

TIP: Almost every tourist was wearing an Orion T-shirt, a local beer brand. They are everywhere so I bought one to “blend in” amongst everyone else! If beer is not your thing, Blue Seal ice cream T-shirts are almost equally as popular.

Visit a themed area

Okinawa is home to a few tourist-centric themed parks, but sometimes being a tourist is part of the fun!

• Nago Pineapple Park: Japan’s first pineapple winery, and everything is pineapple themed! Ride through the ground on a giant pineapple, buy advance tickets here.
• Okinawa World: Sharing Okinawan culture, including an illuminated cave and craft activities. Buy advance tickets here. 
• Ryukyu-mura: Small themed park with a focus on the Ryukyu Kingdom and their culture. Please check reviews about animal welfare before deciding to visit, more down the page.
• Mihama American Village: Huge American-themed outdoor shopping mall with restaurants, cafes and more. It actually was better than I had expected in terms of eateries and ocean views (didn’t do any shopping here as it’s overpriced and geared towards tourists). 
• teamLab FuturePark: A teamLab experience you’ve come to know and love from Tokyo and Osaka has now come to Okinawa, buy tickets here (and my guide to teamLab Borderless will give yo an idea of what to expect on a smaller scale).

Enjoy tranquility in lovely gardens

Tired of the concrete jungle of Naha? why not relax in some exotic gardens:

• Fukushūen Garden
• Shikinaen Royal Garden
• Hirara Tropical Botanical Garden
• Southeast Botanical Gardens.

What not to do in Okinawa: Experiences with animals in captivity

As my travel philosophy about being as “invisible” as possible falls under responsible tourism, I have never recommended captive animal experiences in Japan in general. This includes the islands of Okinawa.

I’ve mentioned many times before on my blog and in my Japan Off the Beaten Path Facebook group, the standards with animal attractions in Japan are significantly lower than we’re used to in the West.

Visitors may leave feeling sad and disappointed at small concrete bunkers and cages without vegetation; animals tied up on short ropes or chains to be handled endlessly by people; and large mammals such as whale sharks being hemmed in in tanks.

While I personally can’t get on board with those experiences, I have good news instead: We can use our power as tourists by consciously voting with our wallets to support other kinds of businesses.

Where to stay in Okinawa

The best place to stay in Okinawa will depend on your interests, but here’s what I would and wouldn’t do next time!

I stayed in Naha city and Ishigaki as bases during my trip. Although, I would change a few things! Here are the hotels I personally stayed in and can recommend:

Where to stay in Naha & Okinawa main island

For 7 nights before moving onto Ishigaki, my group and I stayed in Ryujin Hotel Ukishima in Naha on the main island.

It was in a fantastic central location for Naha, included in-room laundry facilities and a small kitchenette. Just around the corner was a Family Mart and it was a moment’s walk to Kokusai Shopping Street. Discount parking was next door and the view was lovely.

However I learnt some things the hard way, so here are some tips when planning where you should stay in Okinawa:

• Instead of basing yourself in the city and doing day trips for the duration of your stay, I recommend maybe 3-4 nights in Naha city first.
• Afterwards, stay in accommodation further north on the west coast of the island – that’s where all the incredible beaches are!
• That way you won’t hit the evening traffic heading back into the city, which can make a 2 hour journey into 3 hours.

Where to stay in Ishigaki

My group and I stayed at Beach Hotel Sunshine in Ishigaki. I fell in love with photos of the ocean-view pool and it was famed for watching the sunset. Absolutely adored this hotel – the location, facilities, room with a view! 

NOTE: Hotel swimming pools usually open from May – September, and are closed outside of those months. Be sure to check directly with your hotel to avoid disappointment.

Concluding the Okinawa things to do for a unique trip

I hope you’ve found this Okinawa travel guide helpful and it’s inspired your future trip! Okinawa was a dream destination of mine for many, many years, and I’m so grateful to have finally visited. I certainly will return someday to explore more islands, and I’m sure you’re going to love it too!

Now you know where to find some of the best things to do in Okinawa depending on your interests, including beaches, water activities, cuisine and snacks to try, intriguing caves and incredible viewpoints and much more.

Do you have any questions about visiting Okinawa? Which of these activities will you add to your itinerary? I’d love to hear in the comments below!

While you’re here, why not take a look at full Japan travel blog for more:

• My 10 days in Japan itinerary for avoiding crowds,
• Ideas for spending up to one week on the overlooked Izu Peninsula,
• Detailed 7-10 day Kyushu itinerary,
• Read my alternative Japan honeymoon itinerary (even if it’s not for your honeymoon),
• More unique places to visit in Japan,
• The do’s and don’ts of Japanese etiquette,
• Learn some basic Japanese phrases for tourists with my free cheat sheet,
• Find out what to pack for Japan
• How to rent portable wifi in Japan — I have every step of your Japan planning journey covered from my regular visits to Japan over the past decade.

Feeling social? Come and join me on Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, TikTok and Instagram for more travel tips and inspiration for “blending in” in Japan and beyond!

Until next time,

---

This guide to Okinawa things to do contains some affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. I may earn a small commission if you decide to make a purchase and if you do, thanks for your support! This helps with the costs of running my blog so I can keep my content free for you. As always, I only recommend a product or service that I genuinely love and use myself!