Okinawa Travel Guide: 1 to 5-Day Okinawa Itinerary without a Car

Before going to Okinawa, I had no idea what to do or see in Naha and other parts of the main island. As I was researching all the best things to do in Okinawa, I thought I would need a car to see all the attractions.

After spending over two months in Okinawa during my first trip, I can confidently say that you can see many parts of the island on your own and without a car. Plus, you can see the best of Okinawa in only 5 days.

I returned to Okinawa again few years later and followed my own travel itinerary. Along the way, I found other interesting things to do and new places to eat.

So I’ve revised my original solo Okinawa itinerary with new and updated information. The new and improved itinerary is excellent for any independent travellers going to Okinawa for one to five days. If this is your first time going to Okinawa, keep reading and find out how you can travel in Okinawa without a car and see all the best attractions on your own.

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Okinawa Travel Guide: what you need to know

Before you start your solo trip to Okinawa, take a look at some of these useful travel tips for your trip:

• Okinawa is safe for solo female travellers. I spent over three months in Okinawa by myself, walked around both day and night around Naha, travelled alone around the island and I felt completely safe.
• Naha is a very walkable city. You can get to most places on foot. For places outside of the city centre, there are many types of public transportation.
• Get money from ATMs at the airport or 7-Eleven.

Best time to visit Naha Okinawa

You can visit Okinawa throughout the year. It is hot in summer, comfortable during spring and fall and winter is quite mild.

And Okinawa has a ton of festivals. So plan your visit with the following festivals and events:

• Naha Hārī (May) – see dragon boat races, sumo tournaments and fireworks at Naha Shinto Wharf. It is Okinawa’s largest Dragon Boat festival.
• Naha Great Tug-of-war Festival (October) – see a parade and live show, and see the tug-of-war rope, recognized by Guinness World Records as the longest rope in the world.
• Shurijo Castle Park Restoration Festival (Nov 1-3) – Ryukyu performances, parade and procession in Naha and at Shurijo Castle. 
• Many Cherry Blossom Festivals in Okinawa (mid-January to early February)
  • Naha Sakura Festival at Yogi Park
  • Nago City Cherry Blossom Festival at Nago Central Park
  • Yaese Cherry Blossom Festival at Yaese Park
  • Motobu Yaedake Cherry Blossom at Mount Yae in Western Motobu Peninsula

How to get to Okinawa Japan

Many international and domestic flights fly to Naha International Airport, which is located on the southwestern side of Okinawa Main island.

Since Naha is only 3km from the airport, the easiest way to get to Naha city centre is by taking the monorail. I highly recommend choosing a hotel near a monorail station to get around Naha and other parts of the island easily.

Alternatively, TK01, TK02, TK05 and TK06 Buses can take travellers from Naha Airport to Ryubo Department Store which is located on Kokusai Dori in Naha city centre.

Getting around Okinawa without a car

Many travellers visiting Okinawa will explore the island with a car because Okinawa Main Island is quite big, and certain places can only be reached by a vehicle.

However, if you don’t want to bother with car rental, don’t have a driver’s license, or don’t want to bother with driving and finding parking spots, I have some options for you.

Walk

Walking is the best way to see Naha in Okinawa. This is the best option for exploring Naha city centre and the areas around the monorail stations.

Beyond the city centre, there are several public transportation options.

Okinawa Urban Monorail – Yui Rail

Okinawa Urban Monorail, also known as Yui Rail, is a monorail linking Naha Airport, Naha, and Urasoe on the main island of Okinawa. This is the best way to travel from the airport to central Naha.

One way ticket starts from ￥250. Or you can use Okica or other IC Cards (rechargeable smart card that allows you to take public transportation), or credit card to pay for your ride. Okica cards can be purchased from the ticket vending machine. Purchase amount includes￥500 deposit.

1-day monorail pass (￥1,000) and 2-day monorail pass (￥1,800) are also available at the ticket vending machine. Or you can get the Yui Rail 1 Day Pass from Klook for ￥810. It is cheaper and it includes coupons for Okinawa Outlet Mall Ashibinaa and Iias Okinawa Toyosaki.

Okinawa Bus

Okinawa Bus Ltd. has several bus companies that operate different routes throughout the island. Many of these routes start at Naha Bus Terminal next to Asahibashi Station.

Buses within central Naha costs ￥260 per ride. Pay with cash or Okica Card (other IC Cards cannot be used).

If you travel further, the bus fare is based on the distance travelled. Pay with cash or Okica Card. Tap when you get on the bus and tap out when you alight.

For cash payment, get a ticket when you get on the bus. When you are near your destination, check the screen and find your corresponding number; it will indicate your fee. The fee is paid when you alight. Pay exact amount. You can get change for ￥1,000 from the change machine next to bus driver.

Moreover, 1-day bus pass (￥2,900) and 3-day bus pass (￥5,800) are available. These options are best for taking trips to places further north on Okinawa Island.

High-speed boat or ferry

High-speed boat or ferry is an excellent way to see nearby islands. Both options are available for visiting Tokashiki Island, Zamami Island and other islands near Naha.

And you can also travel to other parts of Okinawa Main Island, like Motobu. The Jinbei Marine Takuma 3 high-speed boat departs from Tomari Port dock 7C at Naha and goes to Nago Fishing Port, then Motobu Toguchi Port. Look for the blue whale high-speed boat at dock 7C – it’s the cutest!

Buy your tickets online or at the counter at the Tomari Pier North Shore Passenger Waiting Room. The ticket office opens 7:30-8:20am and 1:30-2:15pm. Look for the whale shark sign.

Ticket costs ￥2,000 from Naha to Motobu and ￥500 from Nago to Motobu. Here is the daily ferry schedule:

• First Ferry: Naha to Nago (8:30-9:45am); Nago to Motobu (10:05-10:30am)
• Second Ferry: Motobu to Naha (10:50am-12:05pm)
• Third Ferry: Naha to Motobu (2:25-3:40pm)
• Fourth Ferry: Motobu to Nago (4-4:25pm); Nago to Naha (4:45-6pm)

Where to stay in Naha Okinawa as a solo traveller

If you are visiting Naha Okinawa for the first time, stay somewhere central and close to a monorail station so you can get around Okinawa easily.

I highly recommend staying near Asahibashi Station or Miebashi Station because you can take the monorail from the Naha Airport to the city centre and walk to your hotel.

I reviewed several boutique hotels in Naha and here are my top favourites:

• Nest Hotel Naha Kumoji – an excellent hotel near Miebashi Station with contemporary rooms, workspace and breakfast area. Check prices & reviews: Agoda and Booking
• Hotel Strata Naha – the upscale hotel is next to Miebashi Station. Rooms are decorated with traditional Okinawan textiles and crafts. Rooftop bar has an amazing view. Check prices & reviews: Agoda and Booking
• OMO5 Okinawa Naha by Hoshino Resorts – a modern boutique hotel with comfortable tatami rooms and many free activities for guests. Check prices & reviews: Agoda and Booking

How many days in Okinawa for first time traveller

If you are wondering how many days you should spend in Okinawa, then you’ll have to see my summary below.

You can technically see all the best highlights in Naha in two days. But I highly recommend staying a few more days to explore other parts of Okinawa Main Island. And it is possible to see other parts of Okinawa island without a car.

Okinawa Itinerary without Car: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 days

Here is how to use this Okinawa itinerary guide.

If you are only in Naha for one day, follow the 1 day in Okinawa itinerary.

And if you are in Naha for two days, follow the itinerary for the first two days. And continue until the fifth day.

Here is a quick summary of my 1 to 5 day Okinawa itinerary:

1 Day in Okinawa: Best Things to do in Naha (red pins)

1. Famous tourist attractions in Naha
2. Tsuboya
3. Naha city centre

2 Days in Okinawa: Things to see around Naha (purple pins)

1. Attractions in Urasoe City (Urasoemaeda Station)
2. Highlights around Shuri Castle (Shuri Station)
3. Other places around Naha (Omoromachi Station)

3 Days in Okinawa: Day Trip to Yomitan, Mihama American Village and Parco City (dark blue pins)

1. Yomitan Village
2. Mihama American Village
3. San-A Urasoe West Coast Parco City

4 Days in Okinawa: Day Trip to Motobu (turquoise pins)

1. Ocean Expo Park – Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
2. Emerald Beach and Bise Village

5 Days in Okinawa: Options for Day Trip in Okinawa (burgundy pins)

1. Tokashiki Island
2. Zamami Island
3. Organized day tours from Naha 
4. Itoman + Okinawa Outlet Mall Ashibinaa

What to do in Okinawa: 1 Day in Naha

Naha is the perfect place to start your Okinawa trip. It was the political and economic center during the Ryukyu Kingdom. Today, the capital city of Okinawa is the biggest and most populous city on the island.

On your first day in Naha, see all the best attractions around the city centre.

1. Famous tourist attractions in Naha

Start your first day in Okinawa by visiting some of the best highlights around Naha. Walk northwest towards the water and see a lovely manicured garden, shrine, temple, and a white sand beach with crystal blue water.

Here are some attractions that you should see:

• Fukushuen Garden (9am-5pm ￥200; 6-9pm ￥300; closed Wednesdays) – a Chinese-style garden built using traditional techniques from Fuzhou, China.
• Naminoue Shrine (9am-5pm; free) – a Shinto shrine perched on a cliff overlooking Naminoue Beach. Boats entering Naha Port pray for a safe journey, while people visiting the shrine pray for a rich harvest.
• Naminoue Beach (24 hours; free) – the only beach in Naha. It’s next to a highway, but the water is crystal clear. If you want a photo of the shrine on the cliff surrounded by turquoise water, walk across the pedestrian walkway on the overpass.

2. Tsuboya

The neighbourhood of Tsuboya is synonymous with ceramics. It was once a major center of ceramic production until it was moved to Yomitan, a village 30km north of Naha.

However, you can still see traces of its ceramic past in this area. There are two old step kilns, a museum, and a historic residence. While you are in Tsuboya, look for these places:

• Tsuboya Yachimun Street – find unique Okinawan ceramics at one of many family-run shops on this cobblestone street. UTSUWA Chataro and yacchi&moon are my favourite shops.
• Naha Shiritsu Tsuboyayakimono Museum (10am-6pm; closed Mondays;￥350) – get a free audio guide and walk through the museum. Learn about the history of Okinawan pottery and various pottery techniques and see the excavated remains of Hira-gama flat kiln.
• Arakaki Residence (1-5pm Friday to Sunday; free) – learn about the history of ceramic production in Tsuboya and see an old step kiln.

2. Naha city centre

Naha City Center is centred around Kokusai Dori, the city’s main street and all the covered shopping streets and attractions in the area.

Several stations serve central Naha on the Okinawa Urban Monorail, and this is the best place to eat dinner and buy souvenirs.

Look for these highlights while you are meandering the shopping streets:

• Kokusai Dori Shopping Street – 1.6km long street with souvenir shops, restaurants and bars. On Sundays, the street is for pedestrians only.
• Heiwadori Shopping Arcade – covered shopping street with souvenir and second-hand shops.
• Tsuboya Ufu Shisa – it is said that the shisa came to Okinawa from China in the 15th century. The mythical creature inspired by the lion, is a guardian deity and an important part of the Okinawan culture. It invites good luck and blocks evil spirits. You’ll see many of these at the entrances of buildings.
• Saion Ufu Shisa – this is the brother of Tsuboya Ufu Shisa.
• Makishi Public Market (8am-10pm; closed Sundays) – the newly built market has fresh seafood, meat, produce on the first floor and restaurants on the second level.

2 Days in Okinawa: Things to see around Naha

On day 2 of your Okinawa trip, visit other parts of Naha and a neighbouring city called Urasoe. The best way to see all the tourist attractions is by taking the monorail to Urasoemaeda Station, Shuri Station, and Omoromachi Station.

How to get around Okinawa on Day 2: get a 1-day monorail pass for ￥1,000 at the monorail station or via Klook in advance for ￥810 and get unlimited rides on the monorail for 24 hours. You can save a bit of money when you take at least three to four rides.

1. Attractions in Urasoe City (Urasoemaeda Station)

From Naha City, get on any monorail station and head for Urasoemaeda Station, which is near the end of the monorail line.

The day starts with exploring Urasoe City, which is north of central Naha. This was the birthplace of the Ryukyu Kingdom and still has many historical sites related to the culture today.

While there are many things to see in Urasoe, focus on these two attractions in Urasoe Park so you can have time for other sites later.

• Urasoe Castle Ruins (24 hours; free) – see the remnants of Urasoe Castle from the 13th century. Also, look for Cobbled Castle Approach (stone paved road); it was part of the path of King ShōNei Historic Road from Shuri Castle to Urasoe Castle.
• Urasoe Yodore (9am-6pm; free) – the tombs of King Eiso (west crypt) and King ShōNei (east crypt) are found in the hillside caves where stone coffins were put in the crypts. However, the crypts are closed with a masonry wall but still very cool to see.

2. Highlights around Shuri Castle (Shuri Station)

Hop back on the monorail and take it to Shuri Station. There are several sites in the Shuri area that you do not want to miss.

• Sairaiin (Daruma Temple) (7am-6pm; free) – walk through a series of bright red torii gates and see the daruma dolls (round Japanese traditional dolls aka a lucky talisman) and the Nirvana Statue at this Buddhist temple.
• Shurijo Castle (8am-7:30pm; ￥400) – the former royal palace (a registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site) is one of the best attractions in Naha. Unfortunately, many areas including the main hall, burnt down on October 31, 2019. The main building is currently under construction. But you can still go in and see the progress of the new temple and the observation deck for a panoramic view.
• Tamaudun (9am-6pm; ￥300) – the Royal Mausoleum built in 1501 for King Sho En and 19 Ryukyu kings who ruled between 1470 and 1879. The tomb has three crypts, but they are not accessible. There is also a small museum, but everything is written in Japanese. Registered as a World Heritage Site.
• Shuri Kinjo Town Stone-paved Road (24 hours; free) – built in the 16th century during the Ryukyu Kingdom, the ancient cobblestone path connects Shuri Castle to other districts. Today, you can see traditional Okinawan houses and several springs along the path.

3. Other attractions in Naha (Omoromachi Station)

And finally, get back on the monorail and take it to Omoromachi Station in Naha City’s new downtown area. This is a commercial area in Okinawa where you can enjoy a bit of culture and do some major shopping.

• Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum (9am-6pm; closed Mondays; ￥530 General, ￥400 Art Museum, ￥800 temporary exhibition) – learn about Okinawa’s Ryukyu culture through its permanent collection which has over 100,000 pieces.
• teamLab Future Park (10am—8pm; closed every third Thursday) – opened December 2023, this permanent art and light exhibition has several immersive digital artworks. Some rooms are similar to other teamLab locations in Japan, but there are a few several unique rooms in the Okinawa location including a fun slide through the fruit field. You could purchase a ticket in advance but it is not super busy.
• T Galleria Okinawa by DFS – enjoy duty-free shopping with over 140 brand-name stores at this upscale mall.
• San-A Naha Main Place – local shopping mall with many shops including Muji, Hands, 3 Coins, Daiso, etc. There is also a grocery shop, food court, cafes, restaurants and a movie theatre.

3 Days in Okinawa: Day trip to Yomitan, Mihama American Village & Parco City

During the late 1970s, Okinawa’s ceramic production moved from Tsuboya in Naha to Yomitan Village, 30km north of Naha. The area thrived as the population grew. Today, it is one of the best attractions on Okinawa Main Island.

Yomitan has other highlights, including a lighthouse at the northern tip of Yomitan and many beaches dotting the pristine coast. For this itinerary, we’ll focus on the area around Yomitan Village.

How to get around Okinawa on day 3: the 1-day bus pass (￥2,900) is not really worth it for this day trip itinerary. I calculated all four bus trips only add up to around ￥2,300. I recommend using your Okica Card or pay with cash.

1. Yomitan Village

Yomitan Pottery Village (Yochimun no Sato)

Yomitan Pottery Village is the heart of the ceramic scene and has over 50 artisanal potters. Each pottery workshop sells its creations and operates at different times. If there is a specific shop you want to visit, check the hours of operation before you go.

See the large step kiln in the centre of the village and nearby coffee shops. And if you are visiting in November, check out Yomitan Yachimun Pottery Market. It is Okinawa’s largest pottery market, and it only happens once a year.

Zakimi Castle

During the early 15th century, Zakimi Castle was built to protect from invaders from the north. It was built with several innovative masonry techniques to create a solid stonewall and a strong foundation for the castle.

However, only the wavelike stone walls remain today. But this is still worth visiting since Zakimi Castle is one of the best-preserved examples of an Okinawan castle defensive design. And it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It is free to visit the castle. But there’s a fee for Yuntanza Historical Museum (9am-6pm; closed Wednesdays; ￥500). It has exhibits showcasing the history of the castle and the area’s craft heritage.

How to get to Yomitan: from Naha, take Bus 20 or 120 (see bus 120 route from Naha Bus Terminal to Yomitan Pottery Village). Alight at Oyashi Iriguchi bus stop and walk 14 minutes. Or take Bus 29 and alight at Oyashi (via Yomitan Bus Terminal) Station and walk 12 minutes.

2. Mihama American Village

Located in Chatan, a town in central Okinawa, Mihama American Village is a large entertainment complex and an outdoor shopping centre with a theme-park-type atmosphere.

Mihama American Village got its name because over 50% of Chatan is covered by US military bases. This is the area where you can find everything Americana, from food and shopping to everything else.

Here are some places to check out:

• Depot Island – shop and eat at this large entertainment and shopping complex
• Christmas Land – a store filled with all things Christmas
• Sunset Beach and Araha Beach – visit nearby beaches
• Sunset Walk promenade – watch the sunset at the end of the day
• Eat American or Mexican food – I like both Taco Loco and Shrimp Bus

How to get to Mihama American Village: walk 14 minutes to Uza Kominkan bus stop from Zakimi Castle and take Bus 28, 29 or 228 (see bus 28 & 29 route from Zakimi Castle to Mihama American Village). Alight at Kuwae bus stop and walk 4 minutes towards American Village.

3. San-A Urasoe West Coast Parco City

If you still have time and energy, visit San-A Urasoe West Coast Parco City on the way back to Naha. Make sure to catch Bus 143 at 5:10pm at the Chatan Gateway (bus terminal). This is the last bus on this route.

Once you arrive in Parco City, you have a few hours to shop and eat. But be efficient with your time – Parco City is the biggest shopping mall in Okinawa. There are over 250 shops, many cafes and restaurants, a food court and a movie theatre. Also, there’s an observation deck on the fifth floor (but might be dark to see the coastline, though).

How to get to San-A Urasoe West Coast Parco City: walk a few minutes to Chatan Gateway (bus terminal) and take Bus 143 to Parco City (see Bus 143 route from American Village to Parco City). Last bus is at 5:10pm so don’t miss it.

How to get back to Naha: take Bus 209, 339 or 385 at Parco City bus stop back to Naha City (see bus route from Parco City to Naha).

4 Days in Okinawa: Day Trip to Motobu

Motobu is a small town on the northwestern Okinawan Main Island, 85km north of Naha. The Motobu Peninsula is known for several attractions, including Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium at Ocean Expo Park, Nakijin Castle Ruins and cherry blossoms in Yaedake Sakuranomori Park.

Because of the accessibility and timing of the high-speed boat, day 4 of your Okinawa itinerary will focus mainly on around Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium and the surrounding area.

How to get to Motobu and back to Naha: take the Jinbei Marine Takuma 3 high-speed boat from Naha Tomari Port to Motobu Toguchi Port. The high-speed boat departs from port 7C at 8:30am and it takes 2 hours. Then take a cab to the aquarium. On the way back, take a cab to the port and hop on the 4pm boat. Buy tickets at the ticket offices at Tomari Port and Toguchi Port. It costs￥2,000 each way.

1. Ocean Expo Park – Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

Ocean Expo Park is a state-run park in the western Motobu Peninsula region that originated from Expo 75, a World’s Fair held at the exact spot in 1975.

While most exhibits were removed, many new ones have been added to the park, including the most popular attraction: Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium.

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is the most popular attraction at Ocean Expo Park. It has the world’s largest aquarium – the tank capacity has about 10,000 tons.

Visitors go straight to main attraction: the whale sharks and manta rays at the Kuroshio Sea tank. Besides the giant tank, you can see other tropical fish and other sea creatures in the coral, deep sea, and other fish tanks.

When leaving the aquarium, check out other highlights around the park including the Manatee pool, sea turtle pool and dolphin lagoon.

The aquarium is open from 8:30am-6:30pm. And ticket costs ￥2,180.

Native Okinawan Village

Native Okinawan Village is a reconstructed village from the Ryukyu Kingdom era. If you still have time at the end of the day, see what traditional Okinawan life is all about and see the Omoro Arboretum with native Okinawan plants. The entrance is free.

2. Emerald Beach and Bise Village

After the fantastic visit to the aquarium, spend some time around Emerald Beach at the far northeast corner of Ocean Expo Park and Bis Village.

Emerald Beach

The Y-shaped white sand Emerald Beach is one of the 6 Michelin Guide’s top beaches in Okinawa, and it is the only Michelin-starred beach on the main island (I didn’t know beaches could have Michelin stars – who knew?!)

See the white sand and crystal aqua water around this famed beach. You can swim and rent equipment from April to October. But you can still visit the beach during other months.

Bise Village

Just north of Emerald Beach is Bise Village, a coastal village known for its many Fukugi Trees (garcinia trees) that protect the village from natural causes, including typhoons.

Walk around the village and see rows of Fukugi Trees, Sea Almond Trees, cultural properties, unusual stone walls made from poritid corals and more.

If you rent a bicycle, you can cycle all the way to Bisezaki, the northern tip of the peninsula. The water there is shallow and blue.

5 Days in Okinawa: Options for Day Trip in Okinawa

Day 5 in Okinawa is all about options and there are many options for spending the day exploring nearby islands or see other parts of Okinawa.

Here are some options for day trips around Naha.

1. Tokashiki Island

Only 35 minutes from Naha, Tokashiki Island is the largest of the Kerama Islands, which is part of Kerama Islands National Park. The tropical island is known for its white sand beaches, crystal “Kerama blue” water and magnificent viewpoints.

Here is a 1-day itinerary for exploring Tokashiki Island on your own:

• After arriving at Tokashiki Port, take the local bus (￥400) to the end at Aharen Enchi. There are several lookout points.
• Walk to Aharen Beach, a white sand beach and enjoy some water activities.
• Follow Sondo Aharen Road to Tokashiku Beach and snorkel with sea turtles.
• Hike back to the port via Sondo Otani Road. Along the way, see Taiwanese cherry blossom trees, West and East Lookouts, and the Site of Mass Suicide.
• Continue on Sondo Seinen no le Road back to Tokashiki Port.
• Browse around Tokashiki Village before getting the ferry back to Naha.

How to get to Tokashiki Island: both Marine Liner Tokashiki high-speed boat and a regular ferry leave from Tomari Port to Tokashiki Island. Choose the high-speed boat (￥2,630 one-way and ￥4,910 roundtrip; 40 minutes) since it is faster than the regular ferry (￥1,790 one-way and￥3,310 roundtrip; 70 minutes). High-speed boat leaves Tomari Port at 9am at dock 7B and returns at 5pm at Tokashiki Port. Reserve a ticket in advance between May to October or buy one at the counter at Tomari Port.

2. Zamami Island

Zamami Island is known for its white sand beaches, “Kerama blue” water and a gorgeous sunset. It is also part of the Kerama islands, and it’s reachable by a 50-minute high-speed ferry ride from Naha.

When you spend a day on Zamami Island, here is what you can do:

• Visit Furuzamami Beach and rent equipment to snorkel, scuba dive, or standup paddle board.
• Hike up to Takatsukiyama Observation Deck and see a panoramic view of the Kerama archipelago.
• See humpback whales return to warm Zamami during the winter season.
• Rent a bicycle and cycle around the hilly island.
• Take a local boat to Aka Island.

How to get to Zamami Island: take the Queen Zamami high-speed ferry (￥3,200 one-way and￥6,080 roundtrip; 50 minutes) from Tomari Port to Zamami Port. The high-speed boat leaves Tomari Port at 9am at dock 7A and returns at 4:50pm at Zamami Port. Reserve a ticket in advance between May to October, or buy one at the counter at Tomari Port.

3. Organized day tours from Naha

If you are not keen on self-guided day trips, there are many organized day trips. Many of them can be booked locally, but if you are going during high season (i.e. summer), you might want to secure a spot on a tour so you don’t miss out on a fantastic trip.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Snorkelling around Kerama Islands – see tropical fish and coral reefs in the crystal-clear waters of Kerama Islands National Park from April to October.
• Diving trip around Kerama Islands – learn how to dive on this full-day excursion in Kerama Islands National Park.
• Day trip to Tokashi Island – visit the largest island on the Kerama Islands National Park and swim with sea turtles at Tokashiku Beach or relax on Aharen Beach.

4. Itoman + Okinawa Outlet Mall Ashibinaa

If it is raining and/or high tides (many boats may be cancelled), take a day trip to Itoman, a coastal city in Southern Okinawa.

First, visit Itoman City Market and try some of the best seafood on the island. Then either visit Itoman Bibi Beach or shop at Iias Okinawa Toyosak. Visit DMM Kariyushi Aquarium Okinawa next door if you want to see another aquarium or see the turquoise beaches at Toyosaki Seaside Park.

In the afternoon, shop til you drop at Okinawa Outlet Mall Ashibinaa. There are many international brand name stores and a small foodcourt. I found the prices to be quite good.

How to get to Itoman, then to the outlet: take TK-02 Bus from Naha. The bus stops in front of Itoman City Market. Pay with cash or credit card. From Itoman City Market or Iias Okinawa Toyosak, take same bus, TK-02, and it stops at the outlet mall. TK-02 can take you back to Naha at the end of the day.

What to eat in Naha Okinawa

Okinawan cuisine differs from typical Japanese cuisine due to its unique geographical location and influences from China, South East Asia and the US. So even if you typically eat Japanese food, you must try the local food in Okinawa and see what the fuss is about because it is so good!

I have a food guide to eating in Okinawa, but here is a quick summary of food you must try in Naha:

• Okinawa Soba – Okinawan noodle soup made with wheat noodles, fish cakes and pork belly
• Taco Rice – Tex-Mex ingredients (ground beef, lettuce, cheese, tomato) on top of rice
• Goya Champuru – Okinawan stir-fry with bitter gourd/melon
• Okinawa Agu Pork – primary pork breed in Okinawa
• Beni imo – purple sweet potato
• Umibudo – a type of edible seaweed aka “sea grapes”
• Okinawa ice cream – try local flavours like Okinawan salt cookies, Shikuwasa sherbet, Beni imo, and Ryukyu Royal Milk Tea

Where to eat in Naha Okinawa

Traditional Okinawan food in Naha is served in local diners, izakaya restaurants and other food places. Just make sure to check the hours of operation before you go. Noodle shops and some restaurants open between 10am-3pm while many izakaya restaurants only open after 5pm and stay open until late.

If you want to watch a show during dinner, some touristy izakaya restaurants have live singing performances during dinner service. Typically, there are two rounds of performances each night. Look for signs at the entrance of izakaya restaurants like the one below.

And if you are only staying in Naha for a few days, try one of these places. These are some of my favourite places to eat in Naha.

• Okinawa Soba Eibun – a very popular noodle shop serving Okinawa soba
• Nuchigafu – instagrammable set lunches and dinners featuring Okinawan cuisine
• Yunangi – homey izakaya restaurant that is open for dinner
• Jack’s Steak House – the most famous post-war American-style steakhouse in Naha
• Pork Tamago Onigiri – they sell spam and egg onigiri and variations of this classic Okinawan snack
• Blue Seal – Okinawa’s most popular ice cream brand. Find one of many shops in Naha

Are you following this Okinawa itinerary?

I certainly hope so! I put a lot of thought into creating the best Okinawa itinerary for anyone travelling in Okinawa without a car. I hope people can see that even without a vehicle, you can still see many highlights in Okinawa.

Like I mentioned before, you can see Naha in two days, but I highly recommend staying for 5 days to get a feel for the rest of the island.

Let me know in the comments below if you like this itinerary or have any suggestions to make it better.

Ready to plan your trip to Okinawa? Here are some of my go-to travel planning resources:
* Book your flight: find flight deals on Skyscanner 
* Book accommodation: find the best Okinawa accommodations on Agoda or Booking
* Buy insurance: Safetywing is my go-to provider for travel insurance, as it covers many things. I will never travel without the Nomad Insurance Package because it protects me against unforeseen events. Get a quote today.
* Order a SIM card: order a SIM card in advance and set up your mobile phone before arriving in Japan.
* Join tours: check Klook or Get Your Guide for the best tours around Okinawa.

Thank you for reading my solo Okinawa itinerary

I have many posts on Japan and you might also like these other posts on solo travel in Japan:

Introduction to Japan

• Things I wish I knew before going to Japan
• Solo Travel to Japan: 17 best cities for solo travellers
• Off-the-beaten-path places in Japan
• One month in Japan: from Tokyo to Hiroshima

Kyushu region

• Okinawa food guide: Best Food to Try
• Best boutique hotels in Naha Okinawa
• 10-day Kyushu Island itinerary without a car
• Best things to do in Fukuoka Japan
• Fukuoka Food Guide: What to Eat
• Where to stay in Fukuoka for Solo Travellers
• Day trip to Dazaifu from Fukuoka
• Kumamoto City in one day
• Day trip to Mount Aso from Kumamoto
• Top things to do in Kagoshima Japan

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queenie mak

Hi, my name is Queenie, and I’ve been a solo traveller for 20+ years and currently based in Hong Kong. Follow me on my adventures through Instagram and my blog!