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7 Day Okinawa Itinerary: Best Things to do in Okinawa Honto

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Included below, you will find our 7 Day Okinawa Itinerary and the TOP 12 things to do in Okinawa to make your visit unforgettable!

Let’s dive in and soak up the BEST of Okinawa

If you’ve just started planning your Okinawa itinerary, then you’re probably just as confused as we were when we first started. “Which Islands should I visit in Okinawa?”, “What is the difference between all of the Okinawa islands?”, “Which is the main island of Okinawa?”.

Okinawa Honto, is the main island and the largest island in the Okinawa Prefecture and often just referred to as Okinawa, which is where it can often be confusing. There are actually 160 island that make up the Okinawa and 3 island groups.

  • Okinawa Honto (the main island of Okinawa) where you can access the Kerama Islands and Kume Islands amongst many other smaller islands
  • Miyako Islands (accessible by flight)
  • Yaeyama Islands which includes Ishigaki island
Okinawa Honto Ferry Map
Okinawa Honto Ferry Map
Yaeyama Islands Map of the ferry to outer islands
Yaeyama Islands Ferry Map
Miyako Islands ferry map
Miyako Ferry Map
Images by Visit Okinawa Japan (Tourism Board)

Okinawa is best known for its incredible beaches and reefs, BUT you will discover in this Itinerary is Okinawa Honto has more to offer than just its coastline!

Beach stop from Okinawa Honto 7 day Okinawa itinerary
Okinawa Honto itinerary and things to do

Table of contents

QUICK LIST: Top 12 x Things to Do in Okinawa Honto

  1. Day Tour to the Outer Reef and nearby Kerama Islands!
  2. Hire a car and explore Okinawa’s BEST beaches (checkout our map below)
  3. Visit Naha’s Naminoue Shrine and Beach.
  4. Shop and dine at Chatan’s American Village.
  5. Wander through Naha’s Fukushuen Garden.
  6. Explore Kokusai Street, Naha’s main street lined shops, restaurants, and street vendors selling local crafts, souvenirs, and delicious Okinawan cuisine.
  7. Be amazed at Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, one of the largest aquariums in the world.
  8. Snorkel or Dive Blue Cave and Cape Maeda. 
  9. Visit Okinawa World Cultural Experience & The Gyokusendo Cave.
  10. Escape to a private island – Aji Island.
  11. Cross the famous Okinawa bridges.
  12. Visit Ojima Island known as Cat Island.

SAVE MAP: our Pinned Okinawa Honto Map

Okinawa Map

7-Day Itinerary for Okinawa Honto:

We spent a few weeks exploring Okinawa Honto AND Miyako Islands. The 7 Day Itinerary below includes our favorite spots, hidden gems, things to do, as well as tips to make your Okinawa vacation easier and EPIC.

Day 1: Arrive to Okinawa and Explore Naha

For the first part of our Okinawa Honto Itinerary, we suggest basing yourself in the capital of Okinawa, Naha. Naha is a great base for exploring Okinawa’s other nearby islands by ferry or day tour, as well as enjoying some of the city’s highlights and nightlife.

HOTEL RECOMMENDATIONS for Days 1-4 of your Okinawa Itinerary:

LUXURY OPTION: Hotel Collective Naha Okinawa Honto

Hotel Collective Naha is located in the center of Kokusai Dori Street and is a modern 5-star property with a beautiful pool, spa, gym, and modern large rooms. Hotel Collective also has on onsite bar and restaurant.

Hotel Collective in Naha Okinawa Honto
Hotel Collective in Naha Okinawa, a great base for your Okinawa Itinerary
Hotel Collective Naha Okinawa Honto

BUDGET OPTION: Art Stay Naha Okinawa

We loved our stay at the Art Stay Naha. Its location was meters from Kokusai Street and what we LOVED the most was all the FREE add-ons. Every evening between 3.30-10.30 they offered a FREE SAKE bar, Beer, snacks, Ice Cream and other delicious drinks!

Art Hotel Naha Okinawa Honto, where to stay for your 7 Day okinawa Itienrary
Art Hotel Naha Okinawa Honto, where to stay for your 7 Day okinawa Itienrary
Art Hotel Naha Okinawa Honto, where to stay for your 7 Day okinawa Itienrary
Where to stay in Okinawa Honto Main Island

FIND more options of where to stay:

We have taken the hard work out of finding Where to stay in your Okinawa Honto itinerary & curated a list of the BEST and most central hotels across the whole island.

Suggested Okinawa Itinerary (Day 1):

  • Morning: Arrive at Naha Airport and check into your hotel.
  • Afternoon: Start your exploration with a visit to Kokusai Street for lunch and a spot of shopping. After a few hours of exploring, wander down to Naminoue Shrine and beach for the late afternoon.
  • Evening: Dinner at Kokusaidor Norengai, a casual dining venue with a variety of venues serving local dishes including Tacos and Taco themed dishes.
Naminoue Shrine and beach in Okinawa Honto
Kokusaidor Norengai in Okinawa Honto

Day 2: Continue to explore Naha and the surrounding islands (Okinawa Itinerary)

On Day 2 of your Okinawa itinerary, you will explore the outer islands and reefs on an all-day excursion. This was an absolute highlight for us, and the snorkeling was the best we saw over the entire trip! We went on this tour: Kerama Islands 1-Day Snorkeling Tour

All up there were 3 separate dive stops, and the company caters for both Snorkelers OR divers.

Evening: Enjoy some local authentic dishes and explore the Kokusai Street Food Village, located adjacent to Kokusai Street, tucked away in an Alleyway.

Day 3: Continue to explore Okinawa’s Capital Naha (Okinawa Itinerary)

  • Morning: Today you will spend the morning exploring the beautiful Fukushuen Garden in the center of Naha. The gardens have pagodas, lakes, and beautiful gardens, and it is well worth a visit!
  • Afternoon: Visit the trendy and fun vending machine bar / cafe @4kleft which is hidden behind a vending machine.
  • Evening: Tonight is your choice, pick one of the local restaurants in Naha or even take in a Show.
Things to do in Okinawa - Fukushuen Garden in the centre of Naha
Things to do in Okinawa Honto Fukushuen Garden in the centre of Naha
4lett Cafe in Naha Okinawa Honto

Day 4: Northern Okinawa Adventure

For the next part of this 7-Day Okinawa Honto itinerary you will need to HIRE A CAR. We always use a 3rd party website to hire a car, like Rentalcars.com. It will search ALL available rental cars from ALL the companies and give you the best price.

Driving in Okinawa Honto is pretty easy and straight forward. Roads are well maintained, and navigating is easy with google maps or apple maps. Parking is usually available at hotels as well as at all beaches, parks and sites.

HOTEL RECOMMENDATIONS for Days 4 – 7 Okinawa Honto Itinerary:

LUXURY OPTION: Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island

Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island Okinawa how can you beat this unique location… Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island is a 5-star hotel with all the features and luxury you come to expect at a Hyatt branded property.

Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island Okinawa is a great place to stay near onna beach in the north of Okinawa Honto

BUDGET OPTION: Hotel Miyuki Beach

Hotel Miyuki is a great base for an itinerary to explore the North of Okinawa Honto

Hotel Miyuki Beach if you are looking for a more budget friendly beachfront resort, then Hotel Miyuki is the perfect choice. It offers a beautiful private beach, onsens with views of the ocean and a swimming pool. Rooms include a Tatami area overlooking the ocean.

Day 4: Onna and Chatan (Okinawa Itinerary)

  • Morning: Arrive to your accommodation in Onna, and spend the morning, relaxing and exploring your hotel and the beach.
  • Afternoon / Evening: Head to Chatan’s American Village for an afternoon and evening of exploring, shopping and dining. Chatan’s American Village has loads of different zones, and you will find some great shopping, dining options and bars. We took a few hours to make our way around the shops and stop for a meal.
Chatan's American Village Okinawa Itinerary
Chatan's American Village in Okinawa Honto, a great place to explore in your 7 day Okinawa itinerary

Day 5: Northern Okinawa Adventure (Okinawa Itinerary)

  • Morning: Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium: Spend a few hours exploring the exhibits including the whale shark aquarium. You can grab your tickets with the link below, so you don’t have to line up and use our code (TRAVELLIVNKLOOK) to get up to 10% off: Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
  • Afternoon: In the afternoon, using our map, you can pick a few beach stops on the northern coast to explore. Our pick would be the Blue Cave and Cape Maeda region. To explore this area, I’d recommend a tour. There are dangerous currents and there are warning signs, so it’s best to go with a local experienced guide.
  • Evening: Enjoy a traditional dinner at a local restaurant in the northern region or at your Hotel.

SUGGESTED TOURS for Day 5 of your Okinawa Itinerary:

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Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Okinawa Honto

Day 6: Eastern Okinawa Exploration (Okinawa Itinerary)

  • Morning: Spend the morning either exploring some of the best beaches on the eastern side of Okinawa (refer to our map), or catch a boat over to Aji Private Island (Tickets can be bought at the jetty for 4000 yen per person) You can select your return time when you purchase your tickets, ad hire umbrellas, chaiirs, eskies etc.
  • Afternoon: In the afternoon, it’s time to take in some culture and visit, the Okinawa World Culture experience and the Gyokusendo Cave. You can get your tickets here and save up to 10% by using our code: TRAVELLIVNKLOOK , click here Okinawa World
  • Evening: Choose a local restaurant for you last meal.
Okinawa World Culture experience and the Gyokusendo Cave a great suggestion for your Okinawa itinerary
Image by Klook

Day 7: Departure day

  • Morning: Check out of your hotel and head to Naha Airport for your departure from Okinawa Honto.

Continue exploring other Okinawa Islands

If you want to extend your Okinawa itinerary, you might consider adding a visit to some of the more remote islands, such as Kerama Island, Kume, or Zamami by ferry, or Miyakojima and Ishigaki Island by flight.

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