Planning an Okinawa itinerary is mostly about choosing what to leave out. The Main Island alone could fill a week, and the outer islands add a whole new layer of beaches and nature. These day-by-day plans are a starting point; mix and match them to suit your interests and the weather.
All drive times are approximate, assume a rental car and normal traffic, and use the Okinawa Expressway where it helps. Traffic around Naha can be heavy at rush hour and on weekends, so build in slack. Distances and times are measured from Naha Airport unless noted.
Before You Plan
- Rent a car for anything beyond Naha. See getting around Okinawa for permits and tips.
- Change bases as you move north, rather than driving back to Naha every night.
- Keep a flexible day for rain, typhoons, or ferry cancellations.
- Check opening days. Many museums and restaurants close one day a week.
- Pick the right season. See the best time to visit Okinawa.
Key Drive Times from Naha Airport
| Destination | Distance | Approximate time |
|---|---|---|
| Okinawa Peace Memorial Park (Itoman) | About 20 km (12 mi) | About 45 minutes |
| Mihama American Village (Chatan) | About 20 km (12 mi) | 35–45 minutes |
| Sefa-utaki (Nanjo) | About 30 km (19 mi) | About 50 minutes |
| Katsuren Castle (Uruma) | About 35 km (22 mi) | About 1 hour |
| Cape Manzamo (Onna) | About 50 km (31 mi) | About 55 minutes |
| Kouri Bridge (Nakijin) | About 85 km (53 mi) | About 1.5 hours |
| Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (Motobu) | About 96 km (60 mi) | About 2 hours |
| Cape Hedo (Kunigami) | About 120 km (75 mi) | About 2.5 hours |
3 Days on Okinawa Main Island: The Essentials
Best for a long weekend or a first taste of Okinawa. Base yourself in Naha for two nights, then move to the central west coast, or stay in Naha throughout.
Day 1: Naha and Shuri
- Monorail to Shuri for Shuri Castle Park and the Kinjo-cho stone lane.
- Lunch at Makishi Public Market, then wander Kokusai Street and Tsuboya pottery street.
- Dinner and live Okinawan music in central Naha.
- No car needed today. See Naha.
Day 2: Southern Okinawa
- Pick up your car. Drive to Peace Memorial Park, about 20 km (12 mi), or 45 minutes from the airport area, and visit the museum.
- Himeyuri Peace Museum nearby.
- Afternoon at Sefa-utaki in Nanjo, then coffee at a sea-view café.
- Return to Naha, roughly 30 km (19 mi), or about 50 minutes. See southern Okinawa.
Day 3: Central West Coast
- Drive north to Cape Manzamo, about 50 km (31 mi), or about 55 minutes via the expressway.
- Snorkel the Blue Cave at Cape Maeda (book a tour) or relax on an Onna beach.
- Head south to Mihama American Village for sunset, then return to Naha or the airport, about 20 km (12 mi), or 35–45 minutes. See central Okinawa.
5 Days on Okinawa Main Island: South to North
Five days lets you add the Churaumi Aquarium and the Motobu Peninsula. Suggested bases: two nights in Naha, one night on the central coast, and two nights in Motobu or Nago.
- Day 1, Naha: Shuri Castle Park, Kokusai Street, and the market. Overnight in Naha.
- Day 2, the South: Peace Memorial Park, the Himeyuri Peace Museum, Sefa-utaki, and the Niraikanai Bridge. Overnight in Naha.
- Day 3, Central Okinawa: Drive to Nakagusuku Castle, then Katsuren Castle, about 35 km (22 mi) from the airport, and cross the Kaichu Doro to Henza and Hamahiga islands. Finish at American Village in Chatan for sunset. Overnight in Chatan or Onna.
- Day 4, the West Coast to Motobu: Zakimi Castle and Cape Zanpa in Yomitan, Cape Manzamo, then continue north to Motobu. The coastal drive from Onna takes about an hour without stops. Overnight in Motobu.
- Day 5, Motobu Peninsula: Churaumi Aquarium at opening, Emerald Beach, the Bise Fukugi Tree Road, Nakijin Castle, and the Kouri Bridge. Drive back to Naha Airport, about 96 km (60 mi), or around 2 hours. Allow extra time for traffic.
7 Days on Okinawa Main Island: The Complete Loop
A week lets you explore at a relaxed pace, include the Yanbaru forest, and add a ferry trip to the Kerama Islands.
- Day 1, Naha: Arrive, explore Kokusai Street and the market arcades. Overnight in Naha.
- Day 2, Kerama Islands: High-speed boat from Tomari Port to Tokashiki, about 40 minutes, or to Zamami, about 50–70 minutes. Beach and snorkel, then return to Naha. See Kerama Islands.
- Day 3, Shuri and the South: Shuri Castle Park in the morning, then pick up a car and drive to Peace Memorial Park and the Himeyuri Peace Museum. Overnight in Naha or Nanjo.
- Day 4, Nanjo and the East: Sefa-utaki, the ferry to Kudaka Island from Azama Port, then Okinawa World and Gyokusendo cave. Drive to Chatan for the night, about 30–40 km (19–25 mi), or around an hour.
- Day 5, Castles and Coast: Nakagusuku and Katsuren castles, the Kaichu Doro, then cross to the west coast for Cape Manzamo. Overnight in Onna.
- Day 6, Motobu Peninsula: Churaumi Aquarium, Bise, Nakijin Castle, and Kouri Island. Overnight in Motobu or Nago.
- Day 7, Yanbaru and back: Drive north to Cape Hedo, about 60 km (37 mi), or around 1.5 hours from the aquarium area, with stops at Ogimi or Daisekirinzan (Hiji Falls has been closed since storm damage in November 2024). Then return south to Naha Airport, about 120 km (75 mi), or roughly 2.5 hours. Consider a late flight, or spend an extra night in the north. See northern Okinawa.
Tip: if day 7 feels too long, swap Yanbaru for a relaxed beach day and visit Cape Hedo on a future trip.
10 Days: Main Island Plus Outer Islands
Ten days is ideal for combining the Main Island with one of Okinawa’s outer island groups. Fly between them; there are no regular passenger ferries from the Main Island to Miyako or Ishigaki.
Days 1–6: Okinawa Main Island
- Day 1: Naha, Kokusai Street, and the market.
- Day 2: Shuri Castle Park, then the South: Peace Memorial Park and Sefa-utaki.
- Day 3: Day trip to the Kerama Islands.
- Day 4: Central castles, the Kaichu Doro, and sunset in Chatan.
- Day 5: The Onna coast and Cape Manzamo, then on to Motobu.
- Day 6: Churaumi Aquarium and Kouri Island, then return toward Naha, about 96 km (60 mi), or around 2 hours.
Days 7–10, Option A: Yaeyama Islands
- Day 7: Fly from Naha to Ishigaki, around 1 hour. Drive to Kabira Bay, about 25 km (16 mi), or 40 minutes from the airport, for a glass-bottom boat. Overnight in Ishigaki town.
- Day 8: Ferry to Iriomote, about 40–55 minutes. Mangrove kayak and waterfall tour. Stay overnight on Iriomote or return to Ishigaki.
- Day 9: Ferry to Taketomi, about 15 minutes from Ishigaki. Cycle the village and swim at Kondoi Beach. Sunset at Nishi Pier.
- Day 10: Manta ray snorkel or a beach morning on Ishigaki, then fly home via Naha or direct to the mainland.
See Yaeyama Islands, Ishigaki, Iriomote, and Taketomi.
Days 7–10, Option B: Miyako Islands
- Day 7: Fly from Naha to Miyako, under an hour. Pick up your car and head to Yonaha Maehama Beach for the afternoon.
- Day 8: Cross the 3,540 m (2.2 mi) Irabu Bridge to Irabu and Shimoji. Snorkel at Nakanoshima Beach and see the 17END coast.
- Day 9: Higashi-Hennazaki cape, Aragusuku Beach, and the Ikema Bridge, 1,425 m (0.9 mi), to Ikema Island.
- Day 10: Beach morning and fly home via Naha or direct to the mainland.
See Miyako Islands.
Itineraries Without a Car
It’s possible to enjoy Okinawa without driving. Base yourself in Naha and use the monorail, buses, and day tours. A car-free week might include: Naha and Shuri; a bus tour to the Churaumi Aquarium and the north; a tour of the southern war memorials and Sefa-utaki; a ferry day to the Kerama Islands; and a few days in Ishigaki, using buses, tours, and ferries to Taketomi and Iriomote. Taketomi is best explored by bicycle anyway.
Itineraries by Interest
- Beaches and snorkeling: Kerama Islands, the Onna coast, and Miyako. See beaches and snorkeling and diving.
- History and culture: Shuri, the UNESCO castle sites, Sefa-utaki, and the southern war memorials. See castles and historic sites and the Battle of Okinawa.
- Nature and hiking: Yanbaru and Iriomote. See hiking and nature.
- Families: Churaumi Aquarium, calm beaches, American Village, and Okinawa World.
- Food lovers: Naha’s markets, Motobu’s soba shops, and Ishigaki beef. See Okinawan food and drink.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do I need in Okinawa?
Three days gives you a taste of the Main Island, five days covers the highlights, and a week or more lets you add the outer islands.
Is a day trip to the Churaumi Aquarium from Naha realistic?
Yes, but it’s about 2 hours each way by car. Staying a night in Motobu or Nago makes it much more enjoyable.
Can I visit the Main Island and Ishigaki in one trip?
Yes. Fly from Naha to Ishigaki, which takes around an hour. Allow at least three or four days in the Yaeyama Islands.
Should I stay in one hotel or move around?
Moving north in stages saves hours of driving. Two or three bases work well on a week-long trip.