Okinawa Travel Guide

 
by Jim70563
 
  •   Okinawa
    by Jim70563
  •   Okinawa
    by sundanz
  •   Okinawa
    by sundanz
  • Seiden (Main hall) of the Shurijo Castle
      Seiden (Main hall) of the Shurijo Castle
    by sorcieus
  • Northern most point--Cape Hedo
      Northern most point--Cape Hedo
    by sundanz
 

Explore Okinawa

Things to Do  

Shurijo Castle

Shurijo Castle, Okinawa

 sorcieus Says:  This largest castle in Okinawa was built at the end of 14th century. Distroyed during the WW II/the war of Okinawa in 1945, and re-opened in 1992 after a six years of planning and rebuilding. 

Okinawa World

Okinawa World, Okinawa

 dgines Says:  Enjoy and eisa drum show, a glass blowing center, a pottery village, an awamori shop (to include habu saki), and a reptile museum. You'll get to see a handler agitate a cobra and watch a habu compete with a mongoose. 

Hotels  

Grand Mer Hotel Okinawa

 1 Review and 110 Opinions  I made a reservation aproximately one week in advance for a 3 day week end. I asked for a large room... 

Okinawa Port Hotel

 1 Review and 48 Opinions  The stay in Okinawa was nice. The perople were nice. Some front desk people would not exchange money... 

Restaurants  

Volare Restaurant: Authentic Italian food in Okinawa

Volare Restaurant: Authentic Italian food in Okinawa, Okinawa

 nessy86 Says:  My fiance`and I met one of the chefs (Pierro) while out on the town in Okinawa one night. I felt this restaurant is rather tucked away and not a lot of information available about it, hence why I wanted to write a raving review. I would have never found this hidden gem if we... 

Tacos-ya: Japanese Taco Bell

Tacos-ya: Japanese Taco Bell, Okinawa

 dgines Says:  As with everything else in Japan it may be called the same, but it's different. This one is a good different. The tacos at Tacos-ya are one of my favorite meals. The shells are freshly made and all the ingredients fresh down to the ground beef, lettuce and tomatoes. The taco... 

Jin Jin: Traditional Okinawa Food

Jin Jin: Traditional Okinawa Food, Okinawa

 bones1169 Says:  Not really large restaurant, but traditional style sit on the floor or regular tables and chairs available. Vegetarians will love the Okinawa style food, but meat lovers have only fish and chicken to choose from. To wet your whistle make sure to try the Chu Hai. English... 

Yoshi Sushi: freshest fish

Yoshi Sushi: freshest fish, Okinawa

 zulu240 Says:  the absolute best sushi i have ever had, very fresh, very clean. freshwater eel 

Obbligato's: Great Food

Obbligato's: Great Food, Okinawa

 dgines Says:  If you go to Obbligato's expecting Tex-Mex, you'll be greatly disappointed. This is Mexican food with an Okinawan touch, and while it may not be authentic, there are many delicious meals to try. Carnitas 

Nightlife  

www.partiesinternational.jp: A Party Bus that will show you all the hot spots

www.partiesinternational.jp: A Party Bus that will show you all the hot spots, Okinawa

 JAKEBARTON Says:  They came and picked me and 30 of my friends up at futenma with a Party Bus. There flat rate included all we could drink on the bus, round trip transportation, even a free drink at the bar! They invited several local girls to come with us too. The girls were pretty hot and... 

www.partiesinternational.jp: A Party Bus that will show you all the hot spots

www.partiesinternational.jp: A Party Bus that will show you all the hot spots, Okinawa

 JAKEBARTON Says:  They came and picked me and 30 of my friends up at futenma with a Party Bus. There flat rate included all we could drink on the bus, round trip transportation, even a free drink at the bar! They invited several local girls to come with us too. The girls were pretty hot and... 

Bar Spade International Bar & Lounge: Sing like a star!! karaoke bar in Naha.

Bar Spade International Bar & Lounge: Sing like a star!!  karaoke bar in Naha., Okinawa

 grantsurfs Says:  Located in downtown Naha in the popular Kumoji district. This is a great place to have a fun night with friends or meet new ones. The owner is American and is well connected with the happenings on Okinawa. The interior is new and modern, they feature the Premier-Dam Karaoke... 

Kinville Camp Hansen Area: The Okinawa North of Okinawa City

Kinville Camp Hansen Area: The Okinawa North of Okinawa City, Okinawa

 bones1169 Says:  Kin area has started to evolve into a more reputable Night Life area. Diversified, it still has some “Buy me Drinky Bars,” Pubs, Pool Halls, and Hole in the wall clubs; but the area is starting to get some quality local live entertainment in some of the American owned... 

Transportation  

Okito Taxi Group - Island wide on/off base service

Okito Taxi Group - Island wide on/off base service, Okinawa

 dgines Says:  You can use Okito Taxi for Tours, Transportation, School Trips, etc....Local & Cell Phone: 0120-23-5477Camp Foster Area: 637-5900Kadena AB: 634-5900Camp Courtney: 622-5900Taxis take cash or creditOther Services:- Jumbo Taxis (9 capacity)- Mini Buses (19 capacity)- Buses (25... 

Shopping  

Cocok: Pamper yourself in style

Cocok: Pamper yourself in style, Okinawa

 dgines Says:  Sit in a massage chair and immerse your feet in a hot bath until they're ready to be pampered and beautified! You can get just plain solid colors or pay a bit extra to get some very intricate designs.OpenMonday - Saturday1000-2000Sunday0900-1900 A pedicure! $20-$40... 

Tourist Traps  

Okinawa's Gate 2 Kadena area

Okinawa's Gate 2 Kadena area, Okinawa

 popeye68 Says:  All the hype about gate 2 kadena is just that... hype and drunken military braggards trying to impress their buddies. I was on gate 2 in 94-99 and I live here again now, yes it was a wild place then. Now that GWOT is going on there is a world wide crack down on human... 

What to Pack  

Pack Lightly

Pack Lightly, Okinawa

 sundanz Says:  There are laundries here so pack lightly. Our luggage was delayed 3 days from usa, so pack complete change of clothing in your carry-on We were here during the rainy season, bring an umbrella, if not for the rain, to shade yourself from the sun. Comfortable walking shoes a... 

Off The Beaten Path  

Hiji Falls

Hiji Falls, Okinawa

 dgines Says:  Hike a manicured trail to one of the most beautiful and scenic sites on the island. 

USO - Tunnel Rats Tour

USO - Tunnel Rats Tour, Okinawa

 dgines Says:  Explore several caves that served as shelter during WWII and the Battle of Okinawa Historical Society museum. Keep a look out for old coins, rounds and other great finds.Make sure you wear study shoes, a hat, flashlight/head lamp, gloves and old clothing. 

Sports & Outdoors  

Scuba, Scuba, Scuba

Scuba, Scuba, Scuba, Okinawa

 dgines Says:  Okinawa is an excellent place for diving. If you are military or a dependent, you can take advantage of the most inexpensive PADI dive courses you'll find anywhere in the world.There are many options for dive sites all around the island.- Sunabe Seawall- Oura Wan Bay-... 

Marathons

Marathons, Okinawa

 dgines Says:  Okinawa has 2 marathons: the Naha Marathon and the Okinawa Marathon.Both marathons are held annually. The Naha Marathon is in December and the Okinawa Marathon in February. It has rained during both marathons in the past. 

Favorites  

Travel agency

Travel agency, Okinawa

 saraguev Says:  Okinawa has beautiful coasts, beaches and surrounding islands. It is difficult for a foreigner to travel alone because most of the people does not speak english. There are many travel agencies. I used Jumbo Tours ( http://www.jumbotours.co.jp/en/ ). They have english... 

The Place

Plan a Okinawa vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Okinawa locals

Experience Okinawa
  •   76 Tips and Reviews
  •  35 Photos
  Share your Travels  
Map of Okinawa
 

The People

14 Members Live Here
 
Our Members Say
 profile photo

 Hike a manicured trail to one of the most beautiful and scenic sites on the island. 

14 members live in Okinawa

 

Questions and Answers

mccalpin profile photo

Q:  The OSU (Official Spousal Unit) spent a number of formative years in Okinawa at the US SAC base there during the 60s (Air Force... 

Rabbityama profile photo

A: I'm not sure I completely understand the situation, but if the trip is meant for nostalgia, I would probably ask her where she went or what places she would like to try... 

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Top Okinawa Writers

1

Okinawa

dgines profile photo

 Okinawa is perhaps the largest population of Americans outside of America with all four US military services hosting bases on the tiny Island. It is home to the largest air base in the Pacific, Kadena... 

2

Everything Okinawa

sorcieus profile photo

 I've got some interesting experiences in Okinawa. I'd love to share with you the 16 tips I've written, the 15 photos uploaded, and 0 travelogues I've created. 

3

Oki- The best place on earth

spicypepper21 profile photo

 I went to Okinawa to teach swim lessons and lifeguard on a Marine base. I lived there for three months and had the most amazing time in my life. I got scuba certified, climbed a waterfall, went to... 

4

My Life in Okinawa

sundanz profile photo

 Our home base was Okinawa City. Our hotel was centrally located, in walking distance of many shops, resturants, and bus stations. It was easy getting around town on foot,and one can get to know a... 

5

Stationed here as a Marine

CTL profile photo

 Located at the top of a hill with a wonderful view of the Sae of japan. 

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