Top 15 Things to do in Okinawa | Why You Should go to Okinawa | Guide

23 places in this vlog

In the order they appear. Tap a time to play it here, or ↗ to open YouTube at that second.

1. 1:13

   Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

   🏢 Landmark · Motobu

   Whale shark feedings are at 9:30, 15:00 and 17:00; adult tickets cost 2,180 yen and online tickets expire after 30 days.

2. 3:18

   Mihama American Village

   🏘️ Neighborhood · Chatan

   Fireworks go off every Saturday at 8 p.m., so it's best visited around sunset.

3. 4:41

   Shuri Castle

   🏰 Palace · Shuri

   Visitors are encouraged to watch the reconstruction, which is due to finish in fall 2026.

4. 5:41

   Okinawa World

   🚡 Activity · Nanjo

   Entry is 2,000 yen; Super Eisa shows run at 10:30, 12:30 and 14:30, and habu snake shows follow an hour later.

5. 5:48

   Gyokusendo Cave

   🏢 Landmark · Nanjo

   A summer-only spelunking tour through water-filled chambers costs 7,000 yen.

6. 9:00

   Ryukyu Mura

   🚡 Activity · Onna

   It feels less touristy and more traditional than Okinawa World.

7. 9:35

   Kokusai-dori

   🛍️ Shopping · Naha

   Many stores stay open until 11 p.m., and part of the street goes car-free on Sundays from 12 to 6 p.m.

8. 10:39

   Makishi Public Market

   🛒 Market · Naha

   It's a bit on the pricey side.

9. 10:52

   Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum

   🏛️ Museum · Omoromachi

   Entry is 530 yen for the museum and 400 yen for the art museum; it's closed Mondays, and a visit takes about 2 hours.

10. 11:36

    Southeast Botanical Gardens

    🌳 Park · Okinawa City

    Entry is about 2,000 yen, and animal interactions cost an extra 300 yen.

11. 12:18

    Futenma Shrine

    ⛩️ Temple · Ginowan

12. 12:36

    Nakagusuku Castle Ruins

    🏛️ Historic site · Kitanakagusuku

    About 35 minutes by car from Zakimi Castle Ruins, so the two pair well.

13. 12:38

    Zakimi Castle Ruins

    🏛️ Historic site · Yomitan

    Pairs well with Nakagusuku Castle Ruins, about 35 minutes away by car.

14. 13:15

    Ryukyu Glass Village

    🚡 Activity · Itoman

    Workshops start at 1,620 yen; pieces are ready a week later or can be mailed, so book early in your trip.

15. 14:10

    Orion Happy Park

    🚡 Activity · Nago

    Tours run Tuesday to Saturday for 1,000 yen and are in Japanese only, with an English brochure provided.

16. 14:51

    Nago Pineapple Park

    🚡 Activity · Nago

    Entry costs 1,200 yen; the shop sells pineapple wine, cakes, chocolates and dried fruit.

17. 15:54

    Blue Cave

    🚡 Activity · Onna

18. 16:08

    Cape Manzamo

    🏢 Landmark · Onna

19. 16:08

    Cape Hedo

    🏢 Landmark · Kunigami

    It sits on the opposite side of the island from Cape Manzamo.

20. 16:44

    Manza Beach

    🏢 Landmark · Onna · brief mention

21. 16:52

    Zanpa Beach

    🏢 Landmark · Yomitan · brief mention

22. 16:57

    Naminoue Beach

    🏢 Landmark · Naha

23. 17:12

    Furuzamami Beach

    🏢 Landmark · Zamami