Bagintravel
Download
Okinawa

Japan travel guide

What to see in Okinawa

Tropical Japan: white-sand beaches, coral reefs and a culture of its own, that of the old Ryukyu kingdom.

Updated 19 October 2026 · How we make our guides

  • 5 must-see places
  • Best time: June and from November to April
Photo: SteFou! · CC BY 2.0

Okinawa highlights

The places you can’t miss. In the app we sort them by day and close to each other.

  1. Shuri Castle

    Seat of the old Ryukyu kingdom, in Naha.

  2. Kokusai Street

    Naha’s main avenue.

  3. Churaumi Aquarium

    Whale sharks in a giant tank.

  4. Kerama Islands

    Crystal-clear water for diving.

  5. Cape Manzamo

    A cliff shaped like an elephant’s trunk.

Day trips from Okinawa

We take you straight to the best-rated tour on GetYourGuide, with its reviews and dates.

Some links are affiliate links: if you book through them, Bagintravel may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

When to travel to Okinawa

The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Okinawa are June and from November to April. If you can, avoid August, September (typhoon season).

  1. Jan no warnings
  2. Feb no warnings
  3. Mar no warnings
  4. Apr no warnings
  5. May with warnings
  6. Jun no warnings
  7. Jul with warnings
  8. Aug with strong warnings
  9. Sep with strong warnings
  10. Oct with warnings
  11. Nov no warnings
  12. Dec no warnings
  • May

    Golden Week

    From 29 April to 5 May half of Japan is on the move: bullet trains packed, hotels expensive and queues everywhere.

    What to do: Book reserved shinkansen seats and your hotels as early as possible.

  • from July to October

    Typhoon season

    From July to October typhoons pass through often: flights and boats are cancelled for a day or two.

    What to do: Leave some margin before your flight home and take out travel insurance.

Where and what to eat

To eat like a local: an izakaya. The dishes you can’t miss are in the Japan guide.

Frequently asked questions about Okinawa

What to see in Okinawa?

Shuri Castle, Kokusai Street, Churaumi Aquarium, Kerama Islands and Cape Manzamo.

What to see in Okinawa in one day?

Don’t miss Shuri Castle, Kokusai Street, Churaumi Aquarium, Kerama Islands and Cape Manzamo. To split it into days and areas without crossing the city back and forth, the Bagintravel app plans your trip in a minute.

What’s the best time to travel to Okinawa?

The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Okinawa are June and from November to April. If you can, avoid August, September (typhoon season).

What day trips can you take from Okinawa?

Churaumi and northern Okinawa and Snorkelling in the Keramas.

Bagintravel · We travel together

Shall we plan your trip to Okinawa?

Tell us where and in under a minute you’ll have your day-by-day route, with places to stay, transport, expenses and tips. And we go with you in your pocket, offline too.

The app is currently available in Spanish.

Download Bagintravel See how it works

More in Japan

Guide reviewed 19 October 2026. Places, areas and seasons: the same data the Bagintravel app uses. Sources and method.