I can share my itinerary for my 1 week trip to Okinawa late Nov 2018. I hope you find it useful. Some other friends who went to Okinawa did cycling, snorkelling, diving,etc but the water is cold in Nov.
I am more a sight-seeing person and I like to visit nature and historical sites. In the next post, I can share some other POIs that I did not visit due to the limited time
Day 1 - Central/North Okinawa
Arrive in Naha 0800 hrs. Collect car at 1000 hrs. Take shuttle service to Car Rental Station near Naha Airport.
Car Rental Company – Orix. Car – Honda Freed (Navigation systems in Japan commonly use phone number to get to destination.) (Afternote : Use the website Taibirai, which is “Trivago-like. It searches for the best deal for car rentals. It is cheaper by 10-20% compared to booking directly with car rental companies.)
Kadena Tenbodai Rest Area 道の駅かでな 展望台
Rest stop Kadena is famous for its Jumbo Burger and local handcrafts and artworks. The selling point of this rest stop is the Sky Lounge on the top floor of the building, where you can see the runway of Kadena Air Base. Place to Eat : Kitty-UP at Rest Area - Jumbo Cheese Burger
Hrs : 0900 to 1800
Addr : 1026-3 屋良 嘉手納町 Nakagami District, Okinawa Prefecture 904-0202, Japan Phone : +81 98-957-5678
Estimated distance from Naha Airport : 28 km via国道58号線. Estimated travel time : 50 mins
Hotel : Okinawa Marriot Resort & Spa
Addr : 1490-1 Kise, Nago-City, Nago, Okinawa Main island, Japan 905-0026 Phone : +81-098-051-1000
Est distance from Naha Airport : 70 km.
Afternote : Hotel is nice and in a quite locations. Not many amenities like eateries nearby. Beach is also 10 mins walk away although there is an hourly shuttle bus to the beach. For exploring the north Okinawa, can consider hotels in Nago or Motobu.
Day 2- North Okinawa
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
Ocean Expo Park – One of Japan’s most beautiful aquariums.
Churaumi Aquarium – Catch the Dolphin Show and check out the Kuroshio Tank, which is one of the largest tanks in the world where you will get to see the giant whale sharks and manta rays swimming past.
Hrs : 0830 to 1830 (Oct-Feb) Admission : ¥1850/adult (normal); ¥1290/adult (after 4pm) Estimated visit duration : 3 hrs
Addr: 424 Ishikawa, Motobu, Kunigami District, Okinawa Prefecture 905-0206, Japan Phone : 098-048-3748
Estimated distance from hotel : 33 km via 国道58号線 and 国道449号線. Estimated travel time : 44 mins
Kokko Shokudoコッコ食堂／民宿コッコ
This home-eatery deserves an article to itself. There are basically only two items on the menu, but both are so delicious. Whether you have the soba or the rice set, you will be having the same hot and yummy chicken broth. It has all the wholesome goodness of Grandma’s home cooking. The Okinawa soba called “Jidori Ougon Soba (golden soba with local chickens)” is that the chicken broth soba topped with a fluffy egg omelet and flavorful chicken meat.
Shaved ice desserts. There are at least two places that sell these for around 500 yen each. Lots of flavors are available, but I’d go for the purple yam just because it has a more local flavor about it. The larger shop is extremely spacious, and has a crafts display where you can pick up some souvenirs to bring home. Both shops are along the main road that lead past the entrance to the Fukugi Tree Trail right down to the beach parking lot.
Addr : 905-0207 Okinawa Prefecture, Kunigami District, Motobu, 355Bise
Kokko Sokudoh is located in Bise, Motobu nearby to Okinawa Expo Park. Follow the signs to Bise, park your car at the entrance to Bise Village, and look for the small yellow sign on the right. Ask the locals there, if required.
Estimated distance from Churaumi Aquarium : 1 km via 県道114号線
Bise Fukugi Trees Roadフクギ並木
Bise Fukugi Trees, which is a windbreak to protect the seaside village, is a beautiful area. As the old style of tiled-roof houses remain here and there, and the nostalgic sceneries spread out in this area. If you have a thing for quaint old villages straight out of a picturebook, then Bisezaki is right up your alley. Carefully preserved, the houses with their zinc roofs and wooded environs date back several decades. For nature lovers, the Fukugi Tree Trail is a must-do.
Estimated distance from Churaumi Aquarium : 1 km via 県道114号線
Cape Bise
Everyone comes here to take in the crystal-clear waters. you can choose to wade into the shallows or strap on a mask and take a dip, you will see colorful schools of fish swimming all around you. even if you don’t want to get wet, you will still get to enjoy amazing underwater views of marine life in their natural habitats.
Addr : Bise, Motobu-cho, Kunigami-gun 905-0200, Okinawa Prefecture Phone : 81 980-47-2700
Estimated distance from Bise Village : 1 km (walk only)
Kouri Bridge
A remote island named Kouri Island is approximately 8 kilometers in circumference, and it is accessible by car. Kouri Bridge is the bridge which connects Kouri Island and Yagaji Island (Okinawa Main Island side). Kouri bridge is the longest toll free bridge with a span of 1,960 meters in Japan featuring the spectacular ocean views. You'll only need 10 to 15 minutes to drive around the whole island.
Estimated distance from Bise Village : 20 km via本部循環線/国道505号線. Estimated travel time : 35 mins
Day 3 - North Okinawa
Hiking trail to the Hiji Waterfall 比地大滝
Hiji Falls (比地大滝 Hiji Ōtaki) is a National Park and popular tourist destination on the island of Okinawa. It is located in the northern part of the island, approximately 20 kilometers north of the city of Nago. The area the falls and the ensuing river flow is tropical most of the year. It is a popular destination for both sightseers and hikers.
The waterfall can be accessed in an attractive and easy hike along a nature trail through the forest. The trailhead is about two kilometers inland from the main road along the island's western coast. At the trailhead there is a gate where an entrance fee must be paid. From there, the distance to the waterfall is about 1.5 kilometers, and the hike takes about 40 minutes one way. The trail is well maintained, and there are quite a few steep sections with stairs along the way. One of the highlights of the walk is crossing a suspension bridge that spans a valley 17 meters below.
The trail comes to an end at the Hiji Waterfall, which makes an impressive sight. Nestled in the forest, the waterfall is about 26 meters tall. The sound of the running water and the tranquil atmosphere of the forest make the waterfall a good spot for a rest before making the return trip to the trailhead.
Hrs : 0900-1800 Admission : ¥500 Estimated visit duration : 3 hrs
Estimated distance from hotel : 43 km via 国道58号線. Estimated travel time : 70 mins
Hedo Misaki 辺戸岬 (Cape Hedo)
The Northernmost Tip Of Okinawa Island. Yoron Island and Okinoerabu Island in Kagoshima Prefecture can be seen on the horizon from the elevated coral. The sea spreads as far as your eye can see, and it is also a great sunrise spot.
Addr: Hedo, Kunigami, Kunigami District, Okinawa Prefecture 905-1421, Japan Phone: 81 980-41-2101
Estimated distance from Hiji Waterfall : 26 km via 国道58号線. Estimated travel time : 50 mins
Ogimi Village, Okinawa's Village of Longevity
Ōgimi (大宜味村 Ōgimi-son, Okinawan: Ujimi) is a village located in Kunigami District, Okinawa Prefecture.
As of October 2016, the village has an estimated population of 3,024 and a population density of 51 persons per km². The total area is 63.12 square kilometres (24.37 sq mi). Several population works have established that this village has the most longevity index in the world with a great percent quantity over 100 years old
Addr : 454 Kijoka, Ogimi-son, Kunigami-gun 905-1303, Okinawa Prefecture Phone : +81 980-44-3033
Estimated distance from Cape Hedo : 28 km via 国道58号線. Estimated travel time : 30 mins
Day 4 - Central/South Okinawa
Hotel : Hotel JAL City Naha
Addr : 1-3-70 Makishi, Naha, Okinawa Main island, Japan 900-0013 Phone : +81 988 662 580
Estimated distance from Urumu Gelata : 31 km via 縄自動車道国道330号線. Estimated travel time : 51 mins
(Est. from Marriot : 56km) (Afternote : Clean hotel a great location in the middle of the Kokusaidori)
Cape Manzamo
Enjoy a scenic elephant-shaped rock formation, facing the East China Sea which affords an outstanding view of the surrounding area.
Addr : Onna, Kunigami District, Okinawa Prefecture 904-0411, Japan Phone : +81 98-966-1280
Estimated distance from Kadena Rest Area : 23 km via国道58号線. Estimated travel time : 30 mins
Aeon Mall Okinawa Rycom (Mega Mall)
Enjoy extensive shopping, delicious cuisines and exciting entertainment.
Hrs: 1030- 1730
Addr: 901-2300 Okinawa Prefecture, Nakagami District, Kitanakagusuku Phone: +81 98-930-0425
Fish Market Payao at Awase Port 泡瀨漁港 パヤオ直売店 (Optional)
Grilled Lobsters,Tuna donburi,Unagi donburi
Hrs: 1030- 1730
Addr: 1 Chome-11-34 Awase, Okinawa, Okinawa Prefecture 904-2172, Japan Phone: +81 98-938-5811
(Afternote : Small market. Only a few stalls selling fresh and frozen seafood. One stall selling sashimi and another cooked seafood stall. Not value-for-money as the seafood is not that fresh)
Kaichu Doro Causeway (海中道路)
This sea road stretches about 5 kilometers featuring stunning views of the ocean, parking lot where you can get out of the car and rest on the beach, and even a large shop that combines an eatery serving Okinawan specialities.
Addr: Kaichu Road, Uruma, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan
Estimated distance from Aeon : 17 km via県道85号. Estimated travel time : 28 mins
Uruma Gelato
Hrs: 1100- 1800
Addr: 1860-1 Yonashiroteruma, Uruma, Okinawa Prefecture 904-2301, Japan Phone: +81 98-978-8017
Estimated distance from Causeway : 4 km via県道10号線 toward 県道37号線. Estimated travel time : 10 mins
Kokusaidori (国際通り)
Kokusaidori (国際通り, Kokusaidōri, literally "International Road") is Naha's main street, stretching for roughly two kilometers through downtown Naha. The street takes its name from the former "Ernie Pyle International Theater", a movie theater that was built along the road after the war.
Starting around the Naha Bus Terminal and Prefectural Hall, Kokusaidori is lined by restaurants, cafes, bars, hotels, souvenir shops, boutiques and department stores. Many shops remain open until 10pm, and live Okinawa music is played at several restaurants.
Also in this area is the Daiichi Makishi; a rustic public market with vendors selling an array of meat and seafood as well as inexpensive dry goods such as household items. On the second floor lies a food hall with various food vendors around the perimeter selling foods like sashimi and traditional Okinawan cuisine.
Hrs : 0800-2100 (some stores and restaurants vary)
Day 5 - South Okinawa
War Memorials
Former Navy Underground Headquarters
Himeyuri Monument
Peace Memorial Park
Near the end of World War Two, Okinawa Honto became the site of one of the war's bloodiest battles, when the US forces invaded and occupied the island. An estimated 200,000 people, including more than 100,000 civilians and 12,500 Americans were killed in the battle, which lasted from April to June 1945. The devastating effects of the war had a profound impact on the Okinawans, and there are a number of monuments and museums relating to the period throughout Okinawa Honto. The worst fighting of the battle took place in the south, and that is where some of the larger monuments have been constructed.
Peace Memorial Museum
Hrs : 0900-1700 Admission : ¥300 Estimated visit duration : 60-90 minutes (museum only)
A few kilometers west of the Peace Park stands the Himeyuri Monument (Himeyuri no To) with an adjacent museum. It commemorates the fate of female high school students, who worked in army field hospitals in caves under horrendous conditions. Most of them did not survive the war.
Hrs : 0900-1730 Admission : ¥310 yen Estimated visit duration : 45 minutes
Another thought provoking, war related site is the Former Navy Underground Headquarters, which consists of several hundred meters of underground corridors and rooms that served as the Japanese navy's headquarters during the war. Many sailors committed suicide in these tunnels, after their situation had grown hopeless towards the end of the battle. Visitors can see in one area a room whose walls have been riddled with shrapnel from a grenade.
Hrs :0830-1700 Admission : ¥440 Estimated visit duration : 45 minutes
Estimated distance from JAL Hotel : 4 km via県道10号線 toward 県道37号線. Estimated travel time : 10 mins
Factory Outlet Mall – Ashibina Outlet Mall
There are 100 shops providing popular and luxury items at special outlet prices
Hrs: 1000-1800
Addr: Japan, 901-0225 Okinawa Prefecture, 豊見城市豊崎１−１８８ Phone: +81 98-891-6000
Day 6 - South Okinawa
Shuri Castle
The residence of the Ryukyu Kings for several centuries and designated as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. A city district of Naha today, Shuri is the name of the former capital of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Shuri Castle (首里城, Shurijō) served as the administrative center and residence of the Ryukyu kings for several centuries until Okinawa became a Japanese prefecture in 1879. The castle is included as one of the UNESCO World eritage designated Castles of the Ryukyu Kingdom sites. Shuri Castle was originally built in the late 1300s, the current buildings are beautiful reconstructions dating from 1992. The approach to the castle's central buildings leads through multiple gates, including the well known Shureimon Gate. The castle's hilltop location allows for nice views over Naha along the way.
Hrs: 0830-1800 Admission : ¥820 Estimated visit duration : 1.5 hr
Addr: 1 Chome-2 Shurikinjocho, Naha, Okinawa Prefecture 903-0815, Japan Phone: +81 98-886-2020
Estimated distance from JAL Hotel : 4.5 km via県道29号線. Estimated travel time : 20 mins
Fish market Tomari Iyumachi
Maguroya Honpo (まぐろや 舗). Its tuna donburi with Okinawa's signature, sea grapes, only cost ¥500!
Hrs : 0600-1800
Addr : 1 Chome-1-18 Minatomachi, 港町 Naha-shi, Okinawa-ken 900-0001, Japan Phone: +81 98-868-1096
Estimated distance from Shuri Castle : 5 km via県道29号線. Estimated travel time : 16 mins
Return car at T Galleria by 1800 Hrs.
