Okinawa is an archipelago (Okinawa Islands) located in the southern tip of Japan, with the central city of Naha located on the main island of Okinawa, surrounded by Kerama Island, Kume Island, Miyako Islands and Yaeyama Islands. Although this archipelago is quite strange to the Vietnamese people, it is so familiar to foreign tourists, especially Taiwan (because Taiwan is very close to Okinawa, it is very easy to fly by plane). Visitors often come here for their summer vacations, bathing because the sea is very beautiful sea with white sandy beaches, clear blue water.
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So, is Okinawa worth visiting, how to visit Okinawa, what to do in Okinawa and how to plan a budget trip to Okinawa for the first-time perfectly? Let’s check out our Okinawa travel blog (Okinawa blog) with the fullest Okinawa travel guide (guide to Okinawa, Okinawa tourist guide, Okinawa city guide, Okinawa guide) from how to get to Okinawa, best places to visit, best time to come, what to eat as well as top things to do in Okinawa to help you maximize your trip as follows!
Okinawa travel blog: When is the best time to visit Okinawa?
Owing to its favorable geographical location, the weather in Okinawa is generally warm, not harsh, like the summer is too hot, or the winter is too cold. The best time of year to visit Okinawa is from May to August, at this time the weather is very pleasing people to go to sea, because after August is the beginning of the storm season. However, traveling to Okinawa in this period, you also do not forget a indispensable thing is the sunscreen as well as hat, sunglasses, if you do not want to sunburn or possess a black skin like coal.
Okinawa blog: How to get to Okinawa?
Airplane: The most convenient means of transport to save time and effort. There are several airlines from Vietnam to Okinawa but still have to transit. Or you can combine your Japanese trip to Tokoy or Osaka and take the flight from there to Okinawa. There are also many airlines with cheap domestic flights. Some airlines that you can refer to as: Cathay Airlines, China Airlines, in addition, there are two cheap Japanese airlines are Vanilla Airlines and Peach Airlines.
Ferry: Unless you are Japanese, live long or know a lot about Japan then go by this means, it is quite troublesome because you have to take the bus/train to a certain point and from there take the ferry to Okinawa. The ferry goes very long time, maybe take more than a day to get to Okinawa. So the best way for those who travel self-sufficient are go straight to Okinawa by plane to saving time and health.
Getting around Okinawa
In Okinawa there are very few trams, public transport is mainly buses, or taxis (but quite expensive). If you have an international driver’s license, then the most ideally you should rent a car and drive yourself. There is another choice of motorbikes or bicycles, but you should not choose to rent a bike if your health “not over the level B”, because of climb mountain pass and down pass is not for you.
Okinawa blog: Where to stay?
In order to help you find suitable accommodation, below we will list hotels from budget, mid-range to luxury in Okinawa, you can refer to:
Apartment Hotel & Resort Tilla SeaQ (E-horizon Resort Condominium Sesoko)
This is a popular budget hotel in Okinawa that many tourists choose stay for their vacation. Surely you will be satisfied here because the room has spacious, fully equipped, neat and clean, especially convenient for traveling because the hotel is very close to the famous tourist attractions. The room rates from USD44.32/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).
Address: Sesoko 2268, Motobu-chō, Kunigami-gun, Nakijin, Okinawa.
NAHA-WEST INN
This is a 3-star hotel and is close to popular attractions in Okinawa such as: Sakaemachi Ichiba Market, Cargoes, Sakaemachi Arcade … Staying at this hotel will help you more convenient in moving and exploring interesting places in the city. In addition, the hotel also provides a full range of modern equipment and the most comfortable, especially massage rooms will help you have relaxing moments after the tired trips. The room rates from USD71.04/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).
Address: 1-16-7, Nishi, Naha, Okinawa Main island, Japan, 900-0036.
Beachside Condominium
Beachside Condominium will be the ideal choice if you are looking for a quality hotel, good price in Okinawa. The hotel was built in 2006, with modern and good facilities, and enthusiastic staff to help you to be satisfied when you come here. The room rates from USD78.78/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).
Address: 2-16-2, Nakagami-Gun, Chatan, Okinawa Main island, Japan, 904-0116.
Daiwa Roynet Hotel Naha Omoromachi
It would be missing without mentioning Daiwa Roynet Hotel Naha Omoromachi, this is one of the best hotels in Okinawa. Similar to other hotels in Japan, this place offers a full range of modern equipment, neat and clean rooms, quick service. In addition, guests also have a massage room to help you relax during the vacation. The room rates from USD90.34/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).
Address: 1-1-12 Omoromachi, Naha, Okinawa Main island, Japan, 900-0006.
Hotel JAL City Naha
The hotel has the advantage of a beautiful view, near famous attractions in Okinawa. It received a lot of positive feedback from visitors such as modern equipment, good facilities, full, enthusiastic staff … Therefore, Hotel JAL City Naha becomes the stop attracts many tourists when coming to Okinawa. The room rates from USD79.13/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).
Address: 1-3-70 Makishi, Naha, Okinawa.
Hotel Palm Royal Naha Kokusai Street (Address: 3 Chome-9-10 Makishi, Naha, Okinawa 900-0013, Japan / Phone: +81 98-865-5551), a 3-star hotel with room rates from $55/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).
Vessel Hotel Campana Okinawa (Address: 9-22 Mihama, Chatan, Nakagami District, Okinawa 904-0115, Japan / Phone: +81 98-926-1188), a 4-star hotel with room rates from $99/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).
Hotel Monterey Okinawa Spa & Resort (Address: 1550-1 Fuchaku, Onna, Kunigami District, Okinawa 904-0413, Japan / Phone: +81 98-993-7111), a 5-star hotel with room rates from $142/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).
Hotel Aqua Citta Naha by WBF (Address: 3 Chome-2-20 Maejima, Naha, Okinawa 900-0016, Japan / Phone: +81 98-866-5000), a 5-star hotel with room rates from $58/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).
Hotel Nikko Alivila Yomitan Resort Okinawa (Address: 600 Gima, 字 Yomitan, Nakagami District, Okinawa 904-0327, Japan / Phone: +81 98-982-9111), a 5-star hotel with room rates from $137/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).
ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort (Address: Onna-son 2260 Aza-Seragaki Onna-son, Kunigami District, Okinawa 904-0493, Japan / Phone: +81 98-966-1211), a 5-star hotel with room rates from $143/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).
Wisteria Condominium Resort (Address: 973 Yamakawa, Motobu-cho Kunigami-gun, Motobu, Okinawa Main island, Japan, 905-0205 / Phone: +81 980-51-7722), a 3-star hotel with room rates from $86/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).
You can find more, check rates, availability & booking for Okinawa hotels on Agoda.com or Booking.com.
Okinawa travel blog: Best places to visit and top things to do in Okinawa
Northern Okinawa
Cape Hedo: Cape Hedo is located in the northernmost tip of Okinawa, which is a super-beautiful place with rocks covered by moss, green grass. Virtual living, “deep” living here is guaranteed not at all cost. Moreover, visiting here you will see the interference between two oceans: the Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea.
Address: Hedo, Kunigami, Kunigami District, Okinawa Prefecture 905-1421, Japan
Daisekirinzan Park (Kunigami-son): Situated in Yanbaru National Park, the park has four famous walking trails, which will take you about 20-30 minutes to get to the end of one road. Walking in this park is fun, surrounded by plants that you hardly find elsewhere, as well as limestone slabs that are chiseled by the nature into the unique shapes. View from the park overlooking the Cape Hedo must say is perfect. For those who want to take photos look like picking the Cape Hedo by hands, should not overlook this view from this park.
Address: 1241 Ginama, Kunigami, Kunigami District, Okinawa Prefecture 905-1422, Japan
Opening hours: 9:30AM–5:30PM
Phone: +81 980-41-8117
Churaumi Aquarium: Traveling to Okinawa, you maybe no bathing, no visit to any tourist attractions, but definitely not to overlook the Churaumi Aquarium, one of the most beautiful aquariums in the world. The three-storeyed aquarium will allow you to admire more than 700 species of marine life diverse and unique. There is also a coffee bar for you to sip a cup of coffee, while watching the fishes swim up and down, the beauty can not imagine!
Address: 424 Ishikawa, Motobu, Kunigami District, Okinawa Prefecture 905-0206, Japan
Opening hours: 8:30AM–7PM.
Mihama American Village: Get lost in Mihama you will not think you’re in Japan but somewhere in California. Built on the US military base, the American village is a complex of restaurants, cafes, shops… Right next to the village is a place to watch beautiful sunset.
Address: 15-69 Mihama, 北谷町 Nakagami District, Okinawa Prefecture 904-0115, Japan
Phone: +81 98-926-5678