Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Okinawa?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Okinawa?
Many visitors spend three to seven days in Okinawa during their visit. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because there's so much to see and do. This archipelago offers a number of attractions to explore, including scuba diving and snorkeling, the beaches, the hiking, and the beautiful scenery.
Okinawa is a tropical region in Japan that has long attracted vacationers and adventure-seekers. The region is filled with white sand beaches, impressive scuba diving and snorkeling, and a truly unique cuisine. There are also resorts where you can relax in luxury and hiking trails where you can find an adventure.
Do you have one or two days to visit Okinawa? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in Okinawa?
With only one day, you'll probably feel rushed to explore the island. After all, With its wealth of sights and attractions, Okinawa is a top choice for tourists. To fully embrace Okinawa, a longer visit is better. Most travelers tend to schedule about three to seven days to experience scuba diving and snorkeling, the beaches, the hiking, and the beautiful scenery. Nevertheless, if your schedule is limited, we can provide some suggestions to maximize your visit.
How to spend a day in Okinawa
Scuba diving and snorkeling around Okinawa is world-class, and is one of the main reasons why so many visitors come here. Spend a day exploring the beauty of the surrounding underwater world. The waters around Okinawa are filled with a rich biodiversity of corals and tropical fish. You'll also find sea turtles and other larger marine animals. There are also mangrove forests that form the breeding ground for many types of marine life. The snorkeling and diving in the area is world class, and attracts both beginners and experienced divers.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Naha: Full-Day Snorkeling Experience in the Kerama Islands, Okinawa ($66)
- Naha: Full-Day Introductory diving & Snorkeling in the Kerama Islands, Okinawa ($86)
- Kerama Islands 1 day snorkeling tour from Okinawa Naha ($73)
Okinawa is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The islands are filled with beautiful natural environments that range from white sand beaches to mangrove forests. The water is turquoise and the setting is idyllic for vacationers.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Okinawa Local Experience and Sunset Cycling Tour ($86)
Public transit in Okinawa is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the archipelago quite easily. Public transit through the area is decent in urban areas but gets more limited outside of the cities. On the main island there are buses, shuttles, and a monorail, but off the main island you'll want your own vehicle.
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Okinawa?
The archipelago of Okinawa boasts plenty of sights and attractions, making it a popular destination for tourists. A weekend is probably not enough time on the idyllic archipelago. You might feel rushed to see the main attractions of Okinawa such as scuba diving and snorkeling, the beaches, the hiking, and the beautiful scenery. To thoroughly enjoy the whole island, you'll probably want more time, as most travelers schedule at least 3 or as many as 7 days here. Nevertheless, we have some nice suggestions for your visit below.
Okinawa, Japan
How to spend 2 days in Okinawa
With a weekend (two to three days) in Okinawa, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the archipelago has to offer.
The beautiful beaches await you in Okinawa, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. The region is filled with white sand beaches and turquoise water. Some of the beaches are accessible and lively while others are more remote and peaceful. Furuzamami Beach is both easy to access but also has a relaxed atmosphere. Nishihama Beach is more remote but well worth the effort and Aharen Beach is a popular day trip by ferry.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Mangrove kayaking to enjoy nature in Okinawa ($36)
- Mangrove Kayak ＆ Sea Fishing Experience in Okinawa ($57)
- Private Transfer from Naha City Hotels to Nakagusuku Cruise Port ($59)
You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this archipelago, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. Food in the region is truly unique, and sometimes a bit bizarre. There's a surprising amount of international influence on the cuisine because the islands are close to China and Taiwan, and there's a large American presence due to the US military. Despite this, the cuisine has its roots in the area's long history. Local dishes include rafute (pork belly in a stew), goya chanpuru (stir fry with melon, pork, and tofu), and umibudo (sea grapes).
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Okinawa, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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