Okinawa (Japan) — Naha; Onna; Motobu, Japan: things to do, when to go and how to get there

Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Okinawa is the largest island of the Ryukyu archipelago, at Japan’s southern extreme, closer to Taiwan than to Tokyo. For nearly five centuries it was the center of its own polity, the Ryukyu Kingdom, which prospered from trade with China, Japan and Southeast Asia and was only incorporated into Japan in 1879. That history appears in the red-tiled architecture, in sacred shrines called utaki, in sanshin music, in the language and in the cuisine, all different from the rest of the country.

Naha, the capital, concentrates the Ryukyu Kingdom sites inscribed by UNESCO in 2000: Shuri Castle, the royal mausoleum Tamaudun and the Shikinaen garden, plus the Sefa-utaki shrine in the island’s south. Kokusai Street and the public market bring together urban life and local food. The island also preserves the memory of the 1945 Battle of Okinawa in museums and memorials in the south.

The west coast, from Onna northward, has light-sand beaches, coral reefs and rocky headlands such as Manzamo and Cape Maeda, popular for diving and snorkeling. On the Motobu Peninsula are the Churaumi Aquarium, with one of the world’s largest tanks, the ruins of Nakijin Castle and Kouri Island, linked by a bridge.

The climate is subtropical: mild winters, hot humid summers, a rainy season in May and June, and typhoons more frequent from August to October. The beach season usually runs from April to October.

This destination brings together 3 cities: Naha, Onna, Motobu.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

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Where Okinawa (Japan) — Naha; Onna; Motobu is

Dados cartográficos: © OpenStreetMap contributors, via Wambacher / geoBoundaries (ODbL 1.0). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Okinawa (Japan) — Naha; Onna; Motobu

✈ Aeroporto de Naha (OKA) · 4 km to Naha

Naha Airport (OKA) receives flights from Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka and cities across Asia; from Tokyo the flight takes about 2.5 to 3 hours. From the airport the monorail reaches central Naha in about 15 minutes. For the island’s north there are express buses and rental cars.

Suggested arrival point: Naha

Okinawa · Okinawa (Japan) — Naha; Onna; Motobu Capital Suggested arrival point

Naha

Naha is the capital of Okinawa Prefecture and the island’s gateway. At the top of the Shuri neighborhood stand Shuri Castle and the Tamaudun mausoleum, and to the south of the city is Shikinaen Garden—sites of the former Ryukyu Kingdom inscribed by UNESCO. Kokusai Street concentrates shops, restaurants and the public market, and the Sefa-utaki shrine, on the island’s south, completes the kingdom circuit.

Okinawa · Okinawa (Japan) — Naha; Onna; Motobu

Onna

Onna is a village on Okinawa’s west coast, about halfway along the island, known for its light-sand beaches, coral reefs and seaside resorts. Cape Manzamo, with a rock shaped like an elephant’s trunk, and Cape Maeda, a popular diving and snorkeling spot with the Blue Cave, are the most visited stops.

Okinawa · Okinawa (Japan) — Naha; Onna; Motobu

Motobu

Motobu is the town on the peninsula of the same name, in Okinawa’s northwest. It is home to the Churaumi Aquarium, in the Ocean Expo Park, with the whale shark tank. Nearby are the ruins of Nakijin Castle, a World Heritage site, the village of Bise with its fukugi tree-lined avenue and Kouri Island, connected by a bridge over shallow water.

The local experience

Things to do in Okinawa (Japan) — Naha; Onna; Motobu

Motobu · Okinawa · Aquarium

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

An aquarium in the Ocean Expo Park in Motobu, dedicated to the waters of Okinawa, from the coral reef to the deep sea. The Kuroshio Tank, holding 7,500 cubic meters, houses whale sharks and manta rays.

Onna · Okinawa · Natural attraction

Cape Manzamo

A coral-rock plateau over the sea, with cliffs about 20 meters high and a rock that resembles an elephant’s trunk. There is a cliff-edge walk and views over Onna’s coast.

Naha · Okinawa · Castle

Shuri Castle

Former palace and seat of the Ryukyu Kingdom, atop the Shuri neighborhood, with curved stone walls and gates in Chinese and Japanese styles. A World Heritage site; the main hall, the Seiden, was rebuilt after the 2019 fire.

Onna · Okinawa · Natural attraction

Cape Maeda

A rocky cape on Onna’s coast, a diving and snorkeling point with coral reefs and the Blue Cave, a sea cave where light makes the water bright blue. Entry to the water depends on sea conditions.

See 6 more places in Okinawa (Japan) — Naha; Onna; Motobu

Motobu · Okinawa · Island

Kouri Island

Small island north of the Motobu peninsula, connected by a bridge of almost 2 km over shallow turquoise water. It has beaches, an approximately 8 km circular road and the Tinu rocks, linked to the local Adam and Eve legend.

Naha · Okinawa · Historic monument

Tamaudun

Royal mausoleum of the Ryukyu Kingdom, built in 1501 next to Shuri Castle, with stone chambers that echo the palace and stone guardian lions on the roof. A World Heritage site.

Motobu · Okinawa · Ruins

Nakijin Castle

Ruins of a fortress from the 13th–14th centuries, seat of the kings of Hokuzan before the unification of Ryukyu, with limestone walls of about 1.5 km in winding curves. World Heritage Site.

Naha · Okinawa · Garden

Shikinaen

Garden and retreat of the Ryukyuan royal family from the late 18th century, with a pond, arched stone bridge and a Chinese-style pavilion. World Heritage site in southern Naha.

Naha · Okinawa · Street

Kokusai Street

An avenue of about 1.6 km in central Naha, with shops, restaurants and bars, and covered side streets that lead to the Makishi public market. Rebuilt after the war, it is the center of the city’s urban life.

Naha · Okinawa · Sacred site

Sefa-utaki

The most important sacred site of the former Ryukyu Kingdom, in a limestone-rock forest in the south of the island, with a triangular fissure that frames a view of Kudaka Island. World Heritage site.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

From April to early May and from October to November the heat is usually milder and the sea is still good for swimming. The rainy season generally runs from May to June. July to September is the height of summer, with warm seas and typhoons more frequent from August to October. Winter is mild, without snow, and the sea is cooler.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Four or five days allow two in Naha and the south, one or two on the west coast and one in the north for the aquarium and Kouri. With three days, do Naha, one beach day in Onna and the aquarium on the last day. To include the Kerama or Yaeyama islands, add extra days.

Which city to stay in

Naha, near Kokusai Street and the monorail stations, is the base for those who don’t drive and want the historic sites and nightlife. Onna’s coast concentrates beach resorts and is centrally located for visiting the north and south by car. Motobu and Nago are near the aquarium and Kouri and suit travelers seeking a quieter pace.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Okinawa (Japan) — Naha; Onna; Motobu

Do I need to rent a car in Okinawa?

Outside Naha it helps a lot, because public transport is mostly buses and distances are large. In Naha the monorail is sufficient. Without a car, use express buses to the north, day tours and taxis. Remember that in Japan you drive on the left.

When is typhoon season in Okinawa?

Typhoons are most frequent from August to October, but they can occur from June to November. When they pass, flights, boats and excursions are often suspended for a day or two; leave some flexibility in your itinerary.

How many days should I stay in Okinawa?

Four to five days for Naha, the west coast beaches and the north with Churaumi Aquarium. With less time, prioritize Naha and one day in the north.

Can I go from Naha Airport to Churaumi Aquarium by bus?

Yes. Express buses depart from the airport and Naha terminal for the aquarium area, with a journey of about 2.5 to 3 hours depending on traffic and stops. By car it’s about a 2-hour drive on the expressway.

Does Okinawa have good beaches for swimming?

Yes, especially on the west coast and nearby islands, with light sand and coral reefs. Guarded beaches usually have jellyfish nets in summer. The official swimming season typically runs from April to October.

Beyond the guide

Okinawa (Japan) — Naha; Onna; Motobu

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

The cities on this trip

How to get there: Okinawa (Japan) — Naha; Onna; Motobu

Naha