Okinawa Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Okinawa City featuring a coastal town, boating and heritage architecture
Okinawa City featuring a coastal town, heritage architecture and boating
Okinawa
Photo by Andy Cao
Photo by ForeverFernweh

Relax on the marvellous beaches and take your kids to the spectacular zoo in this eclectic city in the heart of the island.

As the second-largest commune on its namesake island, Okinawa City is a cultural haven with excellent restaurants and shops. Spectacular beaches adorn the western coastline just outside the city, where you will also find quaint traditional villages. Enjoy the fun and lively atmosphere in this diverse area.

For a glimpse of local culture, visit the Chubunouren Market in the central Sumiyoshi area. Purchase vegetables, fruit and other regional products from vendors. Browse the stalls showcasing a variety of meat in this market, which has fairly low prices.

Travel south to the Okinawa Zoo, which is a children’s wonderland. View about 130 different species of animal and many displays to help your kids learn about nature. Appreciate the serene atmosphere around the zoo’s vast lakes.

Enjoy the island’s hot weather from June to August with a trip to one of the beaches. May is fairly wet and September brings typhoons. Spend an afternoon at Araha BeachOpens in a new window for its many resorts, restaurants and activities. Walk along the seaside promenade and play volleyball with friends. Let your kids play on the full-size pirate ship.

Embark on a day trip to Nirai Beach, in the outskirts of the nearby Yomitan Village. Swim in the safe and clean netted area with your kids and get snorkeling gear to explore below the water surface. Watersports are popular here, with water tricycles among the fun items available for rent. Enjoy the views of the imposing boulders and green hills that border the 1,300-foot (400-metre) stretch of white sand.

Travel north to the fascinating Ryukyu Mura for its rides and cultural attractions.

The city stands in the central part of its namesake island, southwest of Japan. Drive north from the island’s capital of Naha, which contains the main airport, for 12 miles (20 kilometres) to get here. Visit nearby cities, such as Uruma, Itoman and Nago.

Okinawa City has many fun activities for children and cultural highlights for adults.

Where to stay in Okinawa

Default Image

Goya

Travellers like the shopping in Goya, and Okinawa Zoo & Museum is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Goya
Default Image

Awase

While Awase may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Okinawa Athletic Park and Okinawa Zoo & Museum.

Awase
Default Image

Yogi

Shopping and seaside views are notable features of Yogi. You might consider stopping by Okinawa Athletic Park while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Yogi
Default Image

Uechi

4/5(1 area review)

Uechi is well liked for its restaurants. If you'd like to do some sightseeing in the greater Okinawa area, you might plan a trip to Kadena Air Base or Koza Sports Park.

Uechi
Default Image

Hiyagon

Travellers like the parks in Hiyagon, and Okinawa Athletic Park is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Hiyagon
Default Image

Takahara

While there might not be top attractions in Takahara, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Okinawa Athletic Park and Okinawa Zoo & Museum.

Takahara
Okinawa Grand Mer Resort

Okinawa Grand Mer Resort

4 out of 5
2-8-1 Yogi, Okinawa, Okinawa-ken
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Okinawa. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,003 reviews)
"Very spacious hotel room. Difficult to get to the hotel without a car. Free amenities bar was great as well. Some areas of the hotel did smell like sewage especially near our room. But they had friendly staff and a great fitness room."

Reviewed on 1 Oct 2025

Okinawa Grand Mer Resort
Okinawa NaHaNa Hotel & Spa

Okinawa NaHaNa Hotel & Spa

4 out of 5
1-5 Kume 2 Chome, Naha, Okinawa-ken
The price is AU$154 per night from 17 Oct to 18 Oct
AU$154
17 Oct - 18 Oct
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Naha. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,238 reviews)
"it was very nice and clean"

Reviewed on 1 Oct 2025

Okinawa NaHaNa Hotel & Spa
THE NEST NAHA

THE NEST NAHA

3 out of 5
1-6-1, Naha, Okinawa
The price is AU$157 per night from 3 Nov to 4 Nov
AU$157
3 Nov - 4 Nov
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Naha. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Kokusai-dori Shopping Street and Naha ...
9/10 Wonderful! (219 reviews)
"Clean room they provide pajamas and slippers"

Reviewed on 26 Sept 2025

THE NEST NAHA
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Allstay Chibana

Allstay Chibana

3 out of 5
2-18-21-1 Chibana, Okinawa, Okinawa Prefecture
Stay at this 3-star condo in Okinawa. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions American Village and Okinawa Arena are located ...
8/10 Very Good! (122 reviews)
A Great place to stay
"This place is great. Very quiet and convenient at the same time. I would definitely stay here again. Has everything you might need. The only down side would be the size of the bedroom, you can definitely sleep four people in here but you’ll be side to side."

Reviewed on 4 Aug 2025

Allstay Chibana
Allstay Goya

Allstay Goya

3 out of 5
1-18-11 Goya, Okinawa, Okinawa
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Okinawa. Enjoy free WiFi, in-room washers/dryers, and climate control. Popular attractions American Village and Okinawa Arena ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (116 reviews)
Good hotel if you want to cook
"The hotel has parking for more/night but there is another parking around the corner for less/night Rooms have a nice kitchenette so food is not a problem if you want to cook. Comfort bed and washer/dryers in room and free to use."

Reviewed on 16 Feb 2025

Allstay Goya
&Monde. Okinawa Arena Condominium

&Monde. Okinawa Arena Condominium

4 out of 5
3-1-15, Yamauchi, Okinawa, Okinawa
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Okinawa. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and in-room washers/dryers. Popular attractions American Village and Okinawa Arena are ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (30 reviews)
Great bonding experience
"Amazing apartment that was fully equipped and clean. It was very spacious, convenient and peaceful. We had a wonderful stay and enjoyed staying in with home cooked food. Self check in and check out was extremely smooth!"

Reviewed on 23 June 2025

&Monde. Okinawa Arena Condominium
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Cities near Okinawa

Explore a world of travel with Expedia

Explore a world of travel with Expedia