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

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Heading to Okinawa Japan and not sure where to start?… Your at the right place! Here is your ultimate 7-day Okinawa itinerary and guide. Plus the TOP 12 things to do in Okinawa that will 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 largest island of the Okinawa Prefecture, in Japan’s southernmost prefecture. It is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea, between mainland Japan and Taiwan, and is often just referred to as Okinawa. This is where it can often be confusing as there are actually 160 islands that make up the Okinawa prefecture, divided into three 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) Checkout our Itinerary
  • Yaeyama Islands which includes Ishigaki island

Okinawa’s Islands and ferry connections:

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)

Table of Contents
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Okinawa Main Island – Key Information

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AIRPORT TRANSFERS

Shared Airport Buses from Naha Airport

Private Transfers from Naha Airport

Luggage Delivery Service from Airport to Hotel

Okinawa Monorail (Yui Rail) — connects Naha Airport with central Naha and surrounding areas

WHERE TO STAY – Our Top 3 Choices

Hotel Art Stay Naha Okinawa

Hotel Collective Naha

Lequ Okinawa Chatan Spa & Resort

ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort

TRANSPORT / RAIL PASSES

Rental Cars (highly recommended for exploring beyond Naha)

Hire a Private Driver

Okinawa Monorail (Yui Rail) easy city transport with-in Naha

Local Bus Network — connects most towns and tourist spots, a budget-friendly option although routes can be complex and in-frequent.

Use either Apple Maps or Google Maps to navigate trains and for directions!

TICKETS AND ATTRACTIONS

Okinawa World & Gyokusendo Cave

Junglia – Okinawa’s NEWEST Attraction

Shuri Castle (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

Snorkel or Dive blue cave – Blue Cave and Cape Maeda

Outer Reef and nearby Kerama Islands!

🔥It is ESSENTIAL that you pre purchase your attractions in advance in Japan as many are likely to sell out.

ESSENTIAL APPS

GetYourGuide – is a great app to book local attractions, tours and tour guides. TRAVELLIVN5 FOR 5% off

Klook app get 10% off with our code TRAVELLIVNKOOK to book your Hotels, Trains, Tours & Attractions

We use a Wise Card for the best Currency exchange rates.

This is our go-to Esim in Japan

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

QUICK LIST: Best Things to Do in Okinawa Honto

Get up to 10% off your Tours and Attractions with KLOOK by using our code: TRAVELLIVNKLOOK or use TRAVELLIVN5 to get 5% off GetYourGuide

  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 and known for shopping, vibrant nightlife, 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. Features whale sharks, manatees, and manta ray tanks.
  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 a famous Okinawa bridge like Kouri Bridge or Ikei island bridge.
  12. Explore Ikei Island and Miyagi Island
  13. Spend a day at the Kouri Beach overlooking Kouri Bridge on Kouri Island.
  14. Visit Ojima Island known as Cat Island.

Beach stop from Okinawa Honto 7 day Okinawa itinerary
Okinawa Honto

Best Miyakojima Beaches and snorkeling spots - 3 Day Miyakojima itinerary,

Itinerary Add-on – Miyakojima Miyakojima boasts some of Okinawa’s most stunning beaches and snorkeling spots. With clear waters, colorful reefs, and epic coastlines, it’s a must-visit. This 3-day itinerary covers the best of the island for an unforgettable escape. Checkout our Miyako Island Itinerary

SAVE MAP: our Pinned Okinawa Honto Map

We’ve pinned all our favorite spots on this Google Map — feel free to save it and build your own Okinawa Itinerary or follow along with ours below!

Okinawa Map

Okinawa itinerary – 7 Days (main island)

This Okinawa itinerary is based off the few weeks we spent exploring Okinawa Honto and Miyako Islands. Drawing on my experience as a full-time travel creator, blogger, and trip-planning guru, I’ve carefully crafted this 7-day itinerary to include our favorite spots, hidden gems, must-do activities, and handy tips to make your Okinawa vacation easier and truly 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 city of Okinawa, Naha. Naha city 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.

Naha Hotel Recommendations for Itinerary Day 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-dori 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 Kokusaidori 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 Kokusai Dori 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, enjoy a day trip exploring the Kerama Islands and surrounding reefs on an all-day excursion. This was an absolute highlight for us. The snorkeling (there was also an option to scuba dive) was the best we experienced on the entire trip, with so much colorful reef, sea turtles, and crystal-clear water! We went on this tour: Kerama Islands 1-Day Snorkeling Day Trip

In total, there were three separate dive stops, and the company caters for both snorkelers and divers

Evening: Enjoy some local authentic dishes and explore the Kokusai Street Food Village, located adjacent to Kokusai-dori 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 Okinawa

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

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
Chatan's American Village in Okinawa Honto

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, hire umbrellas, chairs, 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.
  • Evening: Choose a local restaurant for you last meal.

Okinawa World Culture experience and the Gyokusendo Cave
Image by Klook

Day Itinerary 7: Departure day

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

Tips for travelling to Okinawa

Public transportation in Okinawa is limited and not reliable for accessing remote areas.

Taxis in Okinawa are expensive and can be an inconvenient mode of transport.

Rent a car for flexibility — Public transport is limited compared to mainland Japan, so having a car makes it easier to explore beaches, scenic coasts, and remote villages.

Get an international driver’s permit (IDP) — Travelers should ensure to have an International Driver’s License when driving in Okinawa, as it’s required alongside your home country’s license.

Book accommodation early in peak season — Summer holidays (July–August) and Golden Week can see hotels fill up quickly.

Try local Okinawan cuisine — Okinawan cuisine is a unique fusion of Japanese, Chinese, and American influences. Don’t miss dishes like Okinawa soba, taco rice and taco mince flavoured dishes and Spam sushi.

Pack for tropical weather — Light, breathable clothing, a hat, and sunscreen are essentials; the sun is strong year-round.

Check typhoon season forecasts — Peak typhoon months (rainy season) are August and September, so keep an eye on weather updates. The best time to visit Okinawa is in the shoulder seasons of April & May, or September & October.

Respect marine life — If snorkeling or diving, avoid touching coral reefs and use reef-safe sunscreen to protect the ecosystem.

Bring cash — While cities have ATMs, smaller islands and rural areas may not accept credit cards.

Plan island-hopping in advance — Flights to surrounding islands like Ishigaki and Miyakojima can sell out quickly, especially in peak season. As do ferries to nearby islands like Tokashiki Island, Zamami Island, Aka Island, and Kume Island. Booking transport and accommodation in advance ensures you won’t miss out on these top island escapes.

Learn a few local phrases — Basic Japanese is useful, and Okinawan dialect phrases are a fun way to connect with locals.

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 Island , or Zamami Island by ferry, or Miyakojima and Ishigaki Island by flight. The remote islands are equally if not more impressive for their natural beauty, crystal clear waters, scuba diving spots, coral reefs, and abundance of colorful fish.

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About me

Hey, nice to meet you, I’m Shannon Thomson and I am a Diploma Qualified Photographer and Social Media / Marketing graduate with a passion and love for Travel.

I have been lucky enough to be working in the field of Travel, and as a successful Social Media Manager, Content Creator and Blogger for the past 6 years. Throughout this time, I have been lucky enough to travel to some of the most sought out destinations around the world.

Within this Blog you will find all my best travel tips, guides and itineraries.

MY Top 5 favorite countries: Japan, China, Egypt, Tanzania, Philippines!

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