{"id":1258,"date":"2026-10-13T00:16:36","date_gmt":"2026-10-13T00:16:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.okinawa.com\/blog\/?page_id=1258"},"modified":"2026-10-13T16:15:38","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T16:15:38","slug":"central-okinawa","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.okinawa.com\/blog\/destinations\/okinawa-main-island\/central-okinawa\/","title":{"rendered":"Central Okinawa Travel Guide: Chatan, Onna, Castles & Islands"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Central Okinawa<\/strong> is where many visitors spend most of their time. Within an hour or so of Naha you’ll find seaside shopping and sunsets in Chatan, resort beaches and dramatic capes on the Onna coast, UNESCO-listed castle ruins, and a road across the sea to a string of quiet islands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This region stretches roughly from Ginowan and Chatan north to Onna on the west coast, and across to the Katsuren Peninsula and Uruma on the east. It’s also home to large US military bases, which give towns like Chatan and Okinawa City (Koza) an international flavor you won’t find elsewhere in Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The west coast is the classic resort area, with beaches, dive shops, and big hotels. The east coast is quieter and more local, with mangroves, fishing harbors, and islands linked by bridges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Time to Visit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Beach season runs from around April to October, when the sea is warm enough for most swimmers and summer highs often reach 31\u201332\u00b0C (88\u201390\u00b0F). Late June to early July, after the rainy season ends, is usually bright and sunny. Winter is mild, around 20\u201322\u00b0C (68\u201372\u00b0F) in the daytime, and good for sightseeing, castle visits, and sunsets. Okinawa City hosts its big Eisa<\/strong> festival in late summer. See the best time to visit Okinawa<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting There<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From Naha Airport, Mihama American Village in Chatan is about 20 km (12 mi) away, or 35\u201345 minutes by car. Cape Manzamo in Onna is about 50 km (31 mi) away, or about 55 minutes using the Okinawa Expressway. Katsuren Castle on the east coast is around 35 km (22 mi), or about an hour. Airport limousine buses and regular route buses also serve the main resort areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting Around<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A rental car<\/strong> is the most practical way to explore central Okinawa, especially the castles and the islands on the east side. Route 58 runs up the west coast and can be congested around Chatan and Ginowan at rush hour. Buses link Naha with Chatan and the Onna coast, but services to smaller sights are limited. See getting around Okinawa<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top Things to Do in Central Okinawa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Katsuren
Photo: kanegen<\/a>, CC BY 2.0<\/a> via Wikimedia Commons<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Stone
Photo: 663highland<\/a>, CC BY 2.5<\/a> via Wikimedia Commons<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Mihama American Village (Chatan)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"American
Photo: Toshihiro Matsui<\/a>, CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a> via Wikimedia Commons<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This colorful waterfront complex is packed with shops, caf\u00e9s, restaurants, and a big Ferris wheel. Stroll the seawall at Sunset Beach<\/strong> for one of Okinawa’s best sunsets, or head a little south to family-friendly Araha Beach<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n