Okinawa Travel Guide - Explore Japan's Hidden Gem Island Okinawa

21 places in this vlog

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

1. 2:04

   Kerama Islands

   🚆 Day trip · Kerama Islands · brief mention

2. 2:11

   Miyako Island

   🚆 Day trip · Miyako

   Has two airports with direct Tokyo flights, and is the top pick for sandy beaches with a small-island feel.

3. 2:45

   Ishigaki Island

   🚆 Day trip · Yaeyama Islands

   Has direct flights from Tokyo and other major Japanese cities.

4. 2:57

   Iriomote Island

   🚆 Day trip · Yaeyama Islands · brief mention

5. 6:00

   Manza Beach

   🏢 Landmark · Onna · brief mention

   Reachable by direct bus from Naha Airport, with tickets sold online or at the airport counter.

6. 6:00

   Moon Beach

   🏢 Landmark · Onna · brief mention

   Reachable by direct bus from Naha Airport.

7. 6:00

   Mihama American Village

   🏘️ Neighborhood · Chatan · brief mention

   Reachable by direct bus from Naha Airport.

8. 14:02

   Nakijin Castle Ruins

   🏛️ Historic site · Nakijin

   Served as a lookout over northern Okinawa until it was burned in the 1609 Satsuma invasion.

9. 15:08

   Nakagusuku Castle Ruins

   🏛️ Historic site · Kitanakagusuku

   Burned down in 1458 after Gosamaru was betrayed.

10. 15:39

    Shuri Castle

    🏰 Palace · Shuri

    Reconstruction runs until about 2027, and visitors can watch the rebuilding.

11. 16:46

    Okinawa Peace Memorial Park

    🌳 Park · Itoman

    Lists about 250,000 names of the dead together, regardless of nationality.

12. 18:21

    Umikaji Terrace

    🛍️ Shopping · Senagajima

13. 18:37

    Ryujin Hot Springs

    🚡 Activity · Senagajima

    Day visitors can use the public bath without staying at the hotel.

14. 19:33

    Zanpa Beach

    🏢 Landmark · Yomitan

    Bring sunglasses on sunny days.

15. 19:50

    Cape Zanpa

    🏢 Landmark · Yomitan

    Not suited to marine leisure or water activities, but a nearby cafe makes a good cake-and-coffee stop.

16. 20:23

    Cape Hedo

    🏢 Landmark · Kunigami

    Yoron Island, 22 km away, is visible from here.

17. 20:32

    Yanbaru Forest

    🌳 Park · Kunigami · brief mention

18. 20:54

    Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

    🏢 Landmark · Motobu

    Also has sea turtle and dolphin exhibits, and is very crowded with visitors from around the world.

19. 21:56

    Neo Park Okinawa

    🌳 Park · Nago

    Visitors can feed the birds.

20. 23:38

    Kokusai-dori

    🛍️ Shopping · Naha

21. 23:58

    Tsuboya Pottery Street

    🏘️ Neighborhood · Tsuboya