OKINAWA

A different Japan altogether

Okinawa feels unlike anywhere else in Japan.

Stretching across a chain of subtropical islands far to the south of the country's main islands, it has its own history, culture, food and landscapes. For centuries, the islands formed the independent Ryukyu Kingdom, developing strong trading relationships with China and other parts of Asia before becoming part of Japan in the nineteenth century.

That history remains visible today, from castle ruins and traditional music to distinctive food and architecture.

Okinawa can add something genuinely different to a journey through Japan, but its location means it needs enough time to justify travelling there.

Naha and the Ryukyu Kingdom

Naha is the capital of Okinawa Prefecture and the principal gateway to the islands.

Shuri was the political and cultural centre of the Ryukyu Kingdom for several centuries. Shuri Castle, badly damaged by fire in 2019, has been undergoing a major reconstruction that itself provides an unusual opportunity to see traditional building techniques being used on one of Okinawa's most important historic sites.

Elsewhere in Naha, markets, neighbourhood restaurants and shops provide an introduction to Okinawan food and everyday life.

The city is useful for understanding that Okinawa is much more than a beach destination.

Food and culture

Okinawan cuisine developed separately from much of mainland Japanese food, influenced by the islands' climate, history and trading relationships.

Pork features prominently, alongside ingredients such as bitter melon, tofu, seaweed and sweet potato. Okinawa soba bears little resemblance to the buckwheat soba found elsewhere in Japan, using thicker wheat noodles usually served in a pork-based broth.

Awamori, Okinawa's traditional distilled spirit, has been produced on the islands for centuries.

Music is another important part of Okinawan culture, particularly the distinctive sound of the sanshin, a three-stringed instrument closely associated with the islands.

These differences are part of what makes travelling here interesting. Okinawa isn't simply mainland Japan with warmer weather.

Beyond the main island

The wider Okinawa archipelago contains more than 150 islands, and the experience changes considerably depending on where you go.

The Kerama Islands, accessible from Naha, offer clear water, beaches and opportunities for snorkelling and diving.

Further south, the Yaeyama Islands have a more remote character. Ishigaki acts as a gateway to islands including Taketomi and Iriomote.

Taketomi retains traditional Ryukyuan houses, stone walls and sandy lanes, while much of Iriomote is covered by subtropical forest and mangroves. Kayaking, walking and exploring its rivers provide a very different experience from staying at a beach resort.

Choosing the right island is therefore much more important than simply deciding to “go to Okinawa”.

Landscapes and the outdoors

The natural environment is one of the strongest reasons to travel this far south.

Warm seas, coral reefs, mangrove forests and subtropical vegetation bear little resemblance to the landscapes of Honshu or Hokkaido.

For active travellers, Okinawa can involve much more than spending time on a beach. Kayaking through mangroves, snorkelling, diving, walking and paddleboarding can all form part of a stay.

It can also provide something valuable towards the end of a longer journey: a change of pace after several weeks of cities, trains and sightseeing.

But that only works if you actually want what Okinawa offers. Adding a few days simply because it is warmer doesn't necessarily improve the journey.

When should you visit?

Okinawa's seasons are very different from those of central Japan.

Spring and autumn can be particularly pleasant, while summer is hot and humid. The islands are also exposed to typhoons, particularly during the warmer months, and severe weather can disrupt flights, ferries and other travel arrangements.

Winter is considerably milder than most of Japan, although it isn't necessarily the tropical beach weather some visitors expect.

The timing of an Okinawa stay therefore needs to be considered separately from the rest of a Japan itinerary rather than assuming conditions will mirror Tokyo or Kyoto.

How Okinawa fits into a journey

Unlike the other regions we've covered, Okinawa cannot simply be incorporated into an overland route.

You will normally fly from one of Japan's major cities, and travelling onwards to the smaller islands may involve another flight or ferry.

That makes time particularly important.

On a short first visit to Japan, we would usually question whether flying to Okinawa is the best use of several days unless the islands are a particular priority. There is already an enormous amount to experience on the main islands.

With a longer holiday, however, Okinawa can provide a striking final chapter. After Tokyo, Kyoto and perhaps the mountains or rural Japan, finishing among the subtropical islands can make the journey feel remarkably varied.

It can also justify a holiday in its own right, particularly for travellers interested in diving, outdoor activities or Ryukyuan culture.

Should Okinawa be part of your journey?

Okinawa is worth considering because it offers something different, not because a journey through Japan needs a beach at the end.

If your interests include Ryukyuan history, subtropical landscapes, diving, snorkelling, kayaking or simply experiencing a part of Japan with a distinctly different cultural identity, travelling south can be very worthwhile.

But it needs enough time.

For some journeys, Okinawa will be exactly the right ending. For others, those extra days would be far better spent exploring somewhere already on the route.

The question isn't whether Okinawa is worth visiting. It's whether what makes Okinawa distinctive is important enough to you to make the journey south.

Instant

‍