An Insider's Guide to Okinawa and the Ryukyu Islands (2025)

Okinawa is best for people looking for a mix of adventure, natural beauty, and exotic culture together with lots of relaxation. For those looking to recreate, learn, grow, and rest, you'll appreciate the unusual mix of world-class tourist attractions, healthy cuisine, intense natural beauty, and polite smiling people.

For highlights, climate, and travel information, read on and start planning your unforgettable Okinawa and Ryukyu Islands recreation tour.

When are the Best Times to Visit Okinawa

The best time to visit Okinawa for traveling and relaxation is from March to November.

During spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November), the weather is pleasant and not humid or scorching, and there are fewer crowds. You'll enjoy lower prices, easier bookings, and more relaxed sightseeing.

The spring rains from May to June don't affect your traveling much. They make the vegetation lusher. Overall, these are great months to visit if you don't like the heat and want to avoid the crowds.

Summer (June-August): Schools are out across Japan and much of Asia, so expect busy beaches and higher prices. It's hot and humid, but great if you're after that classic island summer vibe. Just be sure to book early.

Storms and typhoons: There are some tropical storms in the summer, and about three typhoons affect the weather from July through September. They usually cause little damage, cool everyone off, and refresh everything.

July and October offer the most tropical feel, with hot days and surprisingly low rainfall—great months if you're chasing beach time.

Winter (mid-December to February) is quiet but cooler. Skies and seas can look grey, and crowds spike again around New Year's, so plan ahead if visiting during the holidays.

Cherry blossoms bloom earlier than on the mainland (from mid-January to early February), perfect if you want a head start on sakura season.

Okinawa's Climate (Averages)

Sea Temperature (Averages) for Okinawa and the Kerama Islands

Sea temperatures are much warmer than air temperatures in the winter. The sea is, of course, much cooler than the air in the summer. You can swim even in January and February, though it will feel cold, especially to children and the elderly.

Coldest month: In February, the average air temperature high is 20°C/68°F. The average water temperature is 22°C/72°F. Kids and elderly people feel uncomfortably cold.

Hottest month: In August, the average air temperature high is 32°C/89°F. The average water temperature is 29°C/84°F.

Best months for beaches and seas: We recommend arriving between June and October when the average water temperature is over 25°C (77°F). You'll appreciate the combination of warm water and high air temperatures.

Warmest Waters for Swimming: If you love swimming or snorkeling, July to September is perfect. The seawater stays at an average of about 29°C or 30°C (84°). And it can feel even hotter in shallow bays and sunny coves. During these months, the air temperature hovers just below 32°C (90°F), giving you that true tropical island feel.

The Top 10 Things to Do on Okinawa and the Ryukyu Islands

1. Enjoy the Beaches

Okinawa's sunny beaches and warm seas are outstanding, especially in the north, such as Okuma Beach near a military recreational facility and Emerald Beach near the Expo Park.

The beaches in the populated central and southern areas of Okinawa are more crowded. Beaches on the Kerama Islands, Zazami, and Miyako are more private and beautiful.

2. Visit the Nearby Islands

The Kerama Islands are the closest to Okinawa, about an hour away by ferry. They are great for a tropical escape away from the tourist crowds. You can enjoy better, cleaner, and more scenic beaches and seas than on Okinawa. You can go from island to island, hike, and just relax.

The Amami Islands are an archipelago partway between Kyushu and Okinawa. These little islands are another place for a tropical getaway. Lightly populated, there are many things to do, and the people are friendly.

3. Explore the City of Naha and Surroundings

Naha is an excellent touring location. Flights to Okinawa land at Okinawa International Airport (OKA) in Naha. Cruise ships dock at Naha Port, bringing in hundreds of thousands of tourists every year.

There are many things to see:

• Shuri Castle: the castle of the King of Okinawa, Okinawa Prefectural Museum
• covering the history and traditional culture of Okinawa, Kokusai-dori Street
• Kokusai-dori Street: known for its vibrant nightlife,
• Gyokusendo: an amazingly beautiful limestone cave

4. Take a Trip to the North

Motobu Peninsula and the area of northern Okinawa is where many of Okinawa's best highlights are. The expanses of farmlands and hills, and little villages are much more beautiful than the city areas. You can hike in the mountains.

Churaumi Aquarium is one of the main highlights in Okinawa. At four stories tall, it is the first or second biggest aquarium in the world. Through the glass, you can watch huge whale sharks swim above you.

5. WWII Battlefield Touring

You may want to see the sights where the Battle of Okinawa was fought in 1945. There are many WWII sites you can see on a tour:

• Hacksaw Ridge: a particularly difficult battle site for both sides
• The Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters: a major bunker and fort complex
• The Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum and Park, where there are 240,000 fallen combatants' names etched in stones and testimonies of the survivors.

6. Visit the Best Museums

Other than Shuri Castle, there are two other suggested museums. Nakijin Castle Ruins are the remnants of a fortress. The site offers scenic views and a chance to learn about the Ryukyu Kingdom's history.

Okinawa Prefectural Museum exhibits mockups of traditional homes, art, and traditional craftsmanship. The first floor has ancient history, the second floor has Meiji-era (1868–1912) history, and the third floor has post-WWII history and art.

7. Learn about Healthy Diets and Lifestyle Choices

Okinawans are reputed to be among the healthiest and longest-lived people in the world. Men are expected to live to about 84, while women are expected to live to almost age 90.

Eating the local cuisine will help you learn about having nutrient-rich and fresh meals with fewer calories. Vegetables grown in Okinawa's volcanic/limestone soil are packed with vitamins and minerals.

Okinawa's drinkable tap water helps to neutralize acidity and is an antioxidant.

8. Try Okinawa's Famed Dishes: Soba Soup, Mozuku Seaweed, and Goya Champuru

Soba noodle soup and goya chaumuri (bitter melon stir-fry) are like national dishes for the Okinawans. Okinawan soba is an iconic dish. These chewy, thick, white, wheat noodle soups are light but filling, energizing, and soothing.

Goya champuru is made by lightly stir-frying bitter melon, balanced with a mixture of tofu, eggs, pork and other vegetables and herbs. Mozuku seaweed is a locally grown special variety of brown seaweed valued in Okinawan cuisine and traditional medicine.

9. Go Surfing

The region's best surfing is right in Naha at the Sunabe Seawall near the airport and Naha port. Heda Point at the northern tip of Okinawa has strong currents and waves. The best time to come to surf is from July onwards to late October when tropical storms and typhoons bring in the waves.

10. Go Scuba Diving, or Snorkeling/Kayaking/Canoeing

Okinawa diving is some of the best in Asia. The waters surrounding Okinawa and the other islands are home to vibrant coral reefs teeming with wildlife.

Excellent warm-water diving opportunities, especially in the summers and fall, can be found at the Chatan/Sunabe Seawall area, the Kerama Islands, and Aka Island's Nishibama Beach area.

Japan is strict about diving licenses, but you can snorkel without a license almost everywhere, or you could rent a canoe or kayak.

How Many Days to Spend on Okinawa?

If you're planning to visit, about 5 days allows you to explore the island of Okinawa itself. However, you won't be able to immerse yourself and get to know the local culture. Fitting in excursions to other islands in 5 days means missing interesting places on the island.

So, to experience highlights in Okinawa and the nearby Kerama Islands, and then visiting one of the northern or southern far-flung archipelagos of the Ryukyu Islands, we suggest an 8-to-14-day tour.

If you spend more days there, you will probably become happier and more refreshed. You will have more experiences with the beautiful, clean environment, the unusual culture, and the delicious and healthful, even medicinal, cuisine.

A Suggested 5-Day Okinawa Itinerary

Five days are enough to visit Naha at a relaxed pace and to visit northern Okinawa highlights on an excursion or by staying at a hotel in the north. You could also do a day excursion to the Kerama Islands.

Instead of rushing through tourist spots, we'll help you experience Okinawa like a local. You will stroll through neighborhood markets, taste home-style dishes, and see how everyday life unfolds, while still visiting the must-see highlights.

Day 1: Arrival in Naha.

After landing in Naha, settle in and stroll down lively Kokusai-dori Street. Explore little shops, grab a casual bite, and get a feel for Okinawan street life.

In the evening, enjoy a meal at the Makishi Market area, where you can sample nutritious (and adventurous!) Okinawan dishes. It's tasty, healthy, and full of surprises.

Day 2: Beach Time & Shuri Castle

Spend your morning at one of the best local beaches near Naha. We'll match you with the best spot for the season. In the late afternoon, visit the restored Shuri Castle, once the royal seat of the Ryukyu Kingdom, and catch golden hour views over the city.

Day 3: Island Escape to the Keramas

Take a day trip to the Kerama Islands, just a short ferry ride away. Go snorkeling in crystal-clear waters, hike scenic trails, or simply relax on quiet beaches. This is Okinawa at its most peaceful.

Day 4: History & Northern Highlights

Start with a visit to key WWII heritage sites for a meaningful look at Okinawa's past.

Then head north to the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, one of the biggest in the world, where kids (and adults) will be wowed by whale sharks.

Back to Naha in the afternoon.

Day 5: Departure.

8-14 Day Itineraries on Okinawa and the Ryukyus

To fully cover the Ryukyu's major highlights, an 8–14-day itinerary will allow you to take side trips to the Kerama Islands, Ishigaki Islands, or the Amami Islands.

The longer you stay in Okinawa, the more you can relax and enjoy recreation. You can enjoy learning about the culture.

Days 6–10: You might want to attend a cooking class, see karate demonstrations, or appreciate native Okinawan plays and performances of Okinawan music and dance. You could go to a different beach each day.

Days 11–14: For the last three or four days of your tour, you could travel to the islands of Ishigaki, Miyako, or Amami. We would introduce the island groups and help you decide which island group is better for you.

How to Travel to Okinawa

The Okinawa International Airport (OKA) has short runways and generally only handles regional flights from Japan and countries around Okinawa. Long-distance travelers often transfer at Tokyo's Narita and Haneda airports, Taipei's Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), and the Hong Kong International Airport (HKG).

USA to Okinawa (Return Tickets)

From New York (JFK) to Naha (OKA), low season (September, April) costs 930 to 1,000 USD. High season (June, May) costs 1,600 to 1,700 USD.

From Los Angeles (LAX) to Naha (OKA), the low season (January) costs 722 USD. High season (June, July) costs 1250.

UK to Okinawa (Return Tickets)

London (LGW) to Naha (OKA)

• Low season (November, early December, April) flights average 415 GBP.
• High season (August, late December) costs 1,175 GBP

Japan Main Islands to Okinawa

About 30 airports in Japan have flights to Okinawa. Most American and European tourists travel to Okinawa by transferring at Tokyo airports.

Want to take the road less traveled? You can actually reach Okinawa by ferry from Kagoshima, after riding the Shinkansen all the way south. It's slower and pricier than flying, but offers a chance to explore the hidden Amami Islands — a tropical gem few tourists see.

Let us help you plan a smooth transfer with island stops, local stays, and the best ferry timing.

How Much Does It Cost on Okinawa?

Costs on Okinawa are lower than on mainland Japan. Accommodation, food, and public transportation are cheaper. Since the island is small, you can get around fairly quickly and inexpensively. Even during seasons of higher tourism, such as the end of December, hotel prices in the Chatan and Naha area stay low.

Low tourism season is most of the winter and spring, except for the Christmas and New Year's holidays, and during the Golden Week holidays in May.

May and November to February are the least expensive months. July and August are the most expensive.

What to Pack for Okinawa

Okinawa has four seasons: warm and short spring and autumn, a hot summer, and a cool winter. Take the basic items below along with you. In the winter, bring a jacket/coat and some warm clothing too.

Basic Packing List

• Sneakers, running shoes, or sandals.
• Beach sandals
• Poncho or umbrella
• T-shirts and shorts or thin cotton blouses.
• Thin, long-sleeved cotton shirts and trousers or long skirts
• Sunhat
• Swimwear
• Polarized glasses for the glare

Especially from about May to October, it is important to cover your skin to avoid sunburn.

Tailor Your Okinawa Experience, Your Way

We don't just plan trips! We create experiences around you. Whether it's finding the perfect beach, skipping the crowds, or getting a real taste of Okinawan life, we'll help you explore at your own pace and in your own style.

Let us customize your Okinawa trip with flexible options, local insight, and a relaxed rhythm your family will love.