Things to Do in Okinawa | Where to Go Whale Watching & Book Island Tours
The island may look tiny compared to the rest of Japan, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t dozens of awesome things to do in Okinawa. In fact, the region’s smaller size and unique location (between greater Japan and Taiwan) make it a unique and less-crowded destination. Okinawa is loved for its blue-water diving and fresh seafood, and it has other local attractions, like Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium and Ishigaki Island, just waiting to be explored.
1. Visit Churaumi Aquarium
One of the most popular activities in Okinawa is visiting Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. Built on the grounds of Ocean Expo Park, where the 1975 International Ocean Expo took place, the aquarium is one of the largest in the world and a main draw for tourists to Okinawa. Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is home to the world’s biggest fish, as well as coral reef, whale sharks, manta rays and dozens of other marine creatures. Guests are invited to watch feedings, enjoy educational films and watch dolphin, sea turtle and manatee shows with the cost of admission.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. March to September; 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. October to February (some activities and exhibits have different hours)
Admission: 1,880 yen for adults, 1,250 for high school students, 620 for elementary and junior high school students and free for children 6 years old and younger. After 4 p.m., tickets are 1,310 for adult, 870 for high school students, 430 for elementary and junior high school students and free for children 6 and younger. Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium also offers free admission for all guests several days of the year. Check the aquarium’s website for the schedule of free days and available exhibits.
2. Go Island Hopping
Okinawa is an island surrounded by islands, and each of those islands contributes to the serene beauty of this tropical paradise. The region is home to more than 150 islands with nearly 70 of them being inhabited. Many boat tours leave from the capital city of Naha, and tickets can be arranged by hotels and travel agents or booked on-site. Some companies offer diving and snorkeling tours, while others feature tours in glass-bottom boats!
Most popular islands to visit in Okinawa
- Kouri Island – you don’t even need to board a ferry to visit this island, and part of the adventure of getting there is crossing Kourio Bridge on foot.
-
Miyakojima Island – a diver’s paradise, this remote island west of Okinawa’s main island is surrounded by beautiful coral reefs and unique marine life.
-
Ishigaki Island – a little further west from Miyakojima Island, Ishigaki Island is a popular getaway for travelers looking for luxury resorts with private white sand beaches. The island also is a backpacker’s paradise with pristine hiking spots and historic landmarks.
-
Taketomi Island – so close to Ishigaki Island that visitors can get there on foot or by bike, this tiny speck in the ocean contains a Ryukyu village with preserved traditional Okinawan houses along with several other secret gems.
-
Iriomote Island – part of Iriomote Ishigaki National Park, this island is a nature lover’s dream featuring mangrove forests and raw jungle for miles and miles and miles.
3. Go whale watching
Whale watching is an activity in Okinawa that requires pre-planning, but the extra effort and crowds you’ll likely encounter are worth it for this once-in-a-lifetime experience. The best time to go whale watching in Okinawa is from January to March. Tours to Zamami Island, Tokashiki Island, and Ie Island in northern Okinawa, where much of the whale spotting takes place, can be booked on the main island. Tours take off from various places, so tourists can pick the starting point that is nearest to them.
4. Snap photos at Cape Manzamo
Cape Manzamo is a unique rock formation that sits on the north-central coast of mainland Okinawa. It is famous for looking like an upside-down elephant trunk, and the landmark is a popular photography spot at sunset because of its westward-facing position. Scuba divers know the waters below Cape Manzamo as The Toilet Bowl.
More popular capes in Okinawa
- Cape Hedo – offers scenic views of the Yellow Sea from the northern tip of mainland Okinawa
-
Cape Maeda – popular with divers and near other things to do in Okinawa like Ryukyu Mura and Bios Hill
-
Cape Zanpa – not far from Cape Maeda, this scenic peninsula features the Cape Zanpa Lighthouse.
5. Explore castles of the Ryukyu Kingdom
In the 1600s, Okinawa existed as its own country known as Ryukyu Kingdom. Okinawans spoke their own unique language, and officials lived in gusuku, or castles, that are known as some of the most extraordinary structures in the world. Many castles and castle sites in Okinawa have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and visitors are invited to explore the grounds to learn the history of Okinawa and the unique region it is today.
Top castles in Okinawa
- Shurijo Castle – once the most important castle in the Ryukyu Kingdom, Shuri Castle (Shurijo) housed the official government offices and royal residences.
-
Katsuren Castle – this cool, curvy 15th-century castle wall sits on a cliffside and offers panoramic views of the East China Sea.
-
Nakijin Castle Ruins – not far from Churaumi Aquarium, Nakijin Castle Ruins is a scenic hillside castle that once served as the headquarters for the northern kings before the establishment of the Ryukyu Kingdom.
-
Nakagusuku Castle – one of Okinawa’s UNESCO-listed castles, Nakagusuku Castle features well-preserved castle walls from the 14th century on a plateau overlooking the eastern seaside of Okinawa.
Where to stay in Okinawa
Okinawa is a small island, so no matter where you stay, you won’t be far from the best things to do in Okinawa. The island does have its popular areas, though, and one of those includes the capital city of Naha, which contains Naha Airport, where most travelers to Okinawa arrive. Other popular regions include Nago, the park-packed north-central region of Okinawa; Onna, loved for its beachfront resorts and luxury shopping spots; and Kunigami, the island’s northernmost and most traditional district located within Yambaru National Park. Just click to explore hotels in each area of Okinawa.
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The island may look tiny compared to the rest of Japan, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t dozens of awesome things to do in Okinawa. In fact, the region’s smaller size and unique location (between greater Japan and Taiwan) make it a unique and less-crowded destination. Okinawa is loved for its blue-water diving and fresh seafood, and it has other local attractions, like Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium and Ishigaki Island, just waiting to be explored.
1. Visit Churaumi Aquarium
One of the most popular activities in Okinawa is visiting Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. Built on the grounds of Ocean Expo Park, where the 1975 International Ocean Expo took place, the aquarium is one of the largest in the world and a main draw for tourists to Okinawa. Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is home to the world’s biggest fish, as well as coral reef, whale sharks, manta rays and dozens of other marine creatures. Guests are invited to watch feedings, enjoy educational films and watch dolphin, sea turtle and manatee shows with the cost of admission.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. March to September; 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. October to February (some activities and exhibits have different hours)
Admission: 1,880 yen for adults, 1,250 for high school students, 620 for elementary and junior high school students and free for children 6 years old and younger. After 4 p.m., tickets are 1,310 for adult, 870 for high school students, 430 for elementary and junior high school students and free for children 6 and younger. Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium also offers free admission for all guests several days of the year. Check the aquarium’s website for the schedule of free days and available exhibits.
2. Go Island Hopping
Okinawa is an island surrounded by islands, and each of those islands contributes to the serene beauty of this tropical paradise. The region is home to more than 150 islands with nearly 70 of them being inhabited. Many boat tours leave from the capital city of Naha, and tickets can be arranged by hotels and travel agents or booked on-site. Some companies offer diving and snorkeling tours, while others feature tours in glass-bottom boats!
Most popular islands to visit in Okinawa
- Kouri Island – you don’t even need to board a ferry to visit this island, and part of the adventure of getting there is crossing Kourio Bridge on foot.
-
Miyakojima Island – a diver’s paradise, this remote island west of Okinawa’s main island is surrounded by beautiful coral reefs and unique marine life.
-
Ishigaki Island – a little further west from Miyakojima Island, Ishigaki Island is a popular getaway for travelers looking for luxury resorts with private white sand beaches. The island also is a backpacker’s paradise with pristine hiking spots and historic landmarks.
-
Taketomi Island – so close to Ishigaki Island that visitors can get there on foot or by bike, this tiny speck in the ocean contains a Ryukyu village with preserved traditional Okinawan houses along with several other secret gems.
-
Iriomote Island – part of Iriomote Ishigaki National Park, this island is a nature lover’s dream featuring mangrove forests and raw jungle for miles and miles and miles.
3. Go whale watching
Whale watching is an activity in Okinawa that requires pre-planning, but the extra effort and crowds you’ll likely encounter are worth it for this once-in-a-lifetime experience. The best time to go whale watching in Okinawa is from January to March. Tours to Zamami Island, Tokashiki Island, and Ie Island in northern Okinawa, where much of the whale spotting takes place, can be booked on the main island. Tours take off from various places, so tourists can pick the starting point that is nearest to them.
4. Snap photos at Cape Manzamo
Cape Manzamo is a unique rock formation that sits on the north-central coast of mainland Okinawa. It is famous for looking like an upside-down elephant trunk, and the landmark is a popular photography spot at sunset because of its westward-facing position. Scuba divers know the waters below Cape Manzamo as The Toilet Bowl.
More popular capes in Okinawa
- Cape Hedo – offers scenic views of the Yellow Sea from the northern tip of mainland Okinawa
-
Cape Maeda – popular with divers and near other things to do in Okinawa like Ryukyu Mura and Bios Hill
-
Cape Zanpa – not far from Cape Maeda, this scenic peninsula features the Cape Zanpa Lighthouse.
5. Explore castles of the Ryukyu Kingdom
In the 1600s, Okinawa existed as its own country known as Ryukyu Kingdom. Okinawans spoke their own unique language, and officials lived in gusuku, or castles, that are known as some of the most extraordinary structures in the world. Many castles and castle sites in Okinawa have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and visitors are invited to explore the grounds to learn the history of Okinawa and the unique region it is today.
Top castles in Okinawa
- Shurijo Castle – once the most important castle in the Ryukyu Kingdom, Shuri Castle (Shurijo) housed the official government offices and royal residences.
-
Katsuren Castle – this cool, curvy 15th-century castle wall sits on a cliffside and offers panoramic views of the East China Sea.
-
Nakijin Castle Ruins – not far from Churaumi Aquarium, Nakijin Castle Ruins is a scenic hillside castle that once served as the headquarters for the northern kings before the establishment of the Ryukyu Kingdom.
-
Nakagusuku Castle – one of Okinawa’s UNESCO-listed castles, Nakagusuku Castle features well-preserved castle walls from the 14th century on a plateau overlooking the eastern seaside of Okinawa.
Where to stay in Okinawa
Okinawa is a small island, so no matter where you stay, you won’t be far from the best things to do in Okinawa. The island does have its popular areas, though, and one of those includes the capital city of Naha, which contains Naha Airport, where most travelers to Okinawa arrive. Other popular regions include Nago, the park-packed north-central region of Okinawa; Onna, loved for its beachfront resorts and luxury shopping spots; and Kunigami, the island’s northernmost and most traditional district located within Yambaru National Park. Just click to explore hotels in each area of Okinawa.
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