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Key Info for Visitors
- Currency: JPY
- Languages: Japanese, Okinawan dialects, English (commonly spoken by tourists)
- Climate: Subtropical
- Timezone: Asia/Tokyo
- Population: Approximately 1.4 million people live in Okinawa Prefecture.
- Best Time to Visit: best time to visit is from April to October for warm weather and outdoor activities.
- Visa Requirements Visitors from many countries, including the US, EU, and UK, can enter Japan visa-free for short stays typically up to 90 days. Visa on arrival is generally not available for Okinawa. E-visa options are expanding but travelers should check current requirements before visiting. A valid passport and return or onward ticket are usually required.
About Okinawa
Okinawa is a unique island destination in Japan known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning natural beauty, and subtropical climate. Unlike mainland Japan, Okinawa offers a laid-back island atmosphere with pristine beaches, coral reefs, and vibrant marine life, making it a paradise for beach lovers and divers. The islands also boast a distinct Ryukyuan culture with traditional music, crafts, and cuisine that differ from the rest of Japan. Visitors are drawn to Okinawa for its combination of outdoor adventure, historical sites such as ancient castles, and wellness benefits linked to the local longevity culture. The warm climate allows year-round exploration of its lush landscapes and underwater wonders. Okinawa’s blend of Japanese and indigenous influences, along with its friendly communities and relaxed pace, make it a compelling destination for travelers seeking both cultural enrichment and natural beauty.
Top Attractions
1. Shurijo Castle - A UNESCO World Heritage Site and former royal palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom, showcasing Okinawa’s unique history and architecture. 2. Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium - Famous for its massive Kuroshio Tank and diverse marine species, it is one of the best aquariums in the world. 3. Cape Manzamo - A scenic cliff offering breathtaking ocean views and popular for photography and sunset watching. 4. Gyokusendo Cave - The largest limestone cave in Okinawa, featuring impressive stalactites and an underground river. 5. Kokusai Street - The bustling main street in Naha city, lined with shops, restaurants, and markets offering local crafts and cuisine.
Popular Activities
Okinawa offers a variety of activities including snorkeling and scuba diving among vibrant coral reefs, hiking in lush forests, and exploring historical sites. Visitors can experience traditional Okinawan music and dance performances, participate in local festivals, or enjoy water sports like kayaking and paddleboarding. Cultural workshops such as pottery making and sanshin (traditional instrument) lessons are also popular. Relaxing on white sandy beaches and tasting local cuisine are must-do experiences.
Okinawa Tours & Experiences
- Top Attractions: Highlights of Japan
- Duration Range: Half-day or Full-day
- Group Size: Intimate Groups
- Difficulty Level: Mixed Difficulty
- Recommended For: The best time to visit is from April to October for warm weather and outdoor activities. Pack light, breathable clothing, swimwear, and sun protection. Respect local customs such as removing shoes indoors and polite greetings. Okinawa is safe, but be cautious of strong ocean currents when swimming. Cash is widely used, though credit cards are accepted in many places. Learning a few basic Japanese phrases can enhance your experience.
Average Tour Price: $80
Lowest Price Tour: $50
Highest Price Tour: $250
289 Available Tour Excursions in Okinawa
Discover the beauty of the Yanbaru region in Northern Okinawa with a kayak tour guided by a native English-speaker. Whether you want to get amongst the mangroves to learn about the unique adaptations of this incredible ecosystem or paddle over the coral reef, this private tour caters to your group's skill level, we will contact you after booking to curate a personalized experience that meets your needs and ensures a memorable outing. Meeting at a suitable location where you can change and grab a drink before heading to the launch site, we'll provide you with a brief introduction to kayaking before you embark on your adventure. The launch location and exploration routes will depend on weather and sea conditions, as well as your group's preferences and abilities. Our tour may include visits to picturesque spots such as Kouri Island, Nakijin Reef, Yagaji Sea Valley, or Haneji Inland Sea, where you can explore secret beaches, mangroves, and remote islands.
Price: $78.76
Duration: 2-3 hours
★ Comprehensive Safety Measures! Life jackets, helmets, and specialized shoes are provided free of charge! Join us with peace of mind! ★ Day Trip from Ishigaki Island OK! This half-day plan allows you to enjoy the tour as a day trip from Ishigaki Island! ★ Free Photo Data! Capture your travel memories! During the tour, our guides will take photos with a dedicated waterproof camera and provide the photo data to you for free. ★ Committed to Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Tours We are dedicated to offering tours that are kind to the Earth and promote sustainability.
Price: $51.85
Duration: 2 hours
【The very best of your Okinawan experience】 This private tour includes 2 boat dives into the calm yet exciting Okinawan ocean, where visibility is exceptionally good in the northern parts of Okinawa. After the dives, local wagyu lunch is served - a must try top quality local taste, along with seasonal vegetables from nearby farms. 【Suitable for all levels of divers】 Beginners and uncertified divers are most welcome. We will take extra care of you through thorough briefing sessions and hand-held support underwater. If you are an experienced diver, we will explore deeper and into the underwater scenery. The Okinawan waters offer a wide variety of marine life as well as underwater tunnels and caverns. 【We prioritize safety and comfort】 Our rental gears are new and functional, ensuring safety and comfort of our guests. Also, we take things slowly and at our guests' pace especially in SCUBA diving. *Tour may not be private if single-person use.
Price: $249.39
Duration: 7 hours
English-speaking professional guide helps you explore the beauty of Okinawa’s waters with these highlights: Kayak or SUP – Your Choice! No experience needed. Expert Guidance – Safety briefing, paddling lesson, and ocean conditions explained before departure. Family & Beginner-Friendly – Suitable for all ages, including children. Stunning Scenery – Paddle through crystal-clear waters and explore hidden beaches. Tour Itinerary: 1 Meet at Sirumichu Beach in Uruma City 2 Kayak or SUP Lesson – Learn the basics from your guide 3 Paddle to Hamahiga Island – A remote beach ONLY ACCESSIBLE BY WATER 4 Break on the Beach – Relax, take photos, and enjoy the surroundings 5 Paddle Back to Sirumichu Beach Get ready for an unforgettable marine adventure in Okinawa!
Price: $85.00
Duration: 3 hours
Explore Okinawa with this incredible private ocean tour in Yanbaru, kayak along a lagoon and reef in north Okinawa to an excellent snorkel location. A perfect opportunity to embrace the natural environment while exploring a quieter part of the island. This Private tour will take you on an unforgettable journey along the untouched coastline, where you'll witness stunning views and experience the beauty of nature up close. You'll kayak over the crystal-clear water and past white sandy beaches, stopping to snorkel at locations which suit your group's ability and preferences.
Price: $137.82
Duration: 3-4 hours
【Safe even for beginners】 Experienced instructors who have been active in Japan and abroad for a long time will respond one-on-one. Courses will be held on request based on your pace. [Safe for foreigners] Staff who can speak English fluently will be happy to assist you. [VIP private course] We offer a complete one-on-one course with no other guests. We will respond to your age, physical condition and preference. [With insurance on course] We have insurance which is suitable for injuries of customers and heat stroke. [Photograph gifts during the course] You will receive a free photo of the customer in the course.
Price: $183.76
Duration: 4 hours
★Cruising in the mangrove river, a natural treasure! Canoeing, a very popular activity, and SUP, a new activity from Hawaii, in the hirugi forest of Miyara River, a national natural treasure! ★"Phantom Island" is an island made of sandy beach floating in the ocean on the west side of Ishigaki Island. The name comes from the fact that it changes its shape depending on the tide level. You can swim with many fishes and corals in the surrounding sea! It is like a natural aquarium! ★Embark on an eco-friendly adventure with us, which our eco-tour is designed with sustainability in mind.
Price: $98.44
Duration: 4 hours
English-speaking professional guide helps you explore the beauty of Okinawa’s waters with these highlights: Stand-Up Paddle-boarding – No experience needed. Expert Guidance – Safety briefing, paddling lesson, and ocean conditions explained before departure. Family & Beginner-Friendly – Suitable for all ages, including children. Stunning Scenery – Glide over or dive under Okinawa’s crystal-clear waters and take in the breathtaking views. Tour Itinerary: 1 Meet at Sobe Beach in Yomitan village 2 Stand-Up paddle-boarding Lesson – Learn the basics from your guide 3 Glide on! – Discover the stunning waters of Okinawa’s west coast 4 Break on Tobe/Yubanta Beach – Relax, take photos at the pristine hidden beach 5 Glide Back to Sobe Beach Get ready for an unforgettable marine adventure in Okinawa with Hiro!
Price: $85.00
Duration: 3 hours
You will experience the Japanese culture Tea Ceremony in the traditional tea room, which is probably not found anywhere else in Okinawa. Our experienced instructor will teach you how to enter through the small entrance of the tea room and introduce each tea utensil. After that, you will move to the room where Ryu-Rei-style, tables and chairs for tea ceremony are set. At the tables, you will enjoy having Japanese and Okinawan sweets before having the bitter tea. Then, you will learn how to treat each tea tool, and finally you will make your own green tea, matcha and taste. Tea Ceremony experience while wearing a simple kimono will surely become a good memory of your trip. Everyone is welcome. *Minimum 2 people, maximum 8 people. *Reservation required at least 3 days before the experience.
Price: $85.32
Duration: 1 hours
Snorkeling with sea turtles by a fluent English-speaking guide. 97% turtle sightings! Free pickup, photos and videos. -97% chance to see turtles! Our guides have 10 years of experience in Ishigaki island as a scuba diving and snorkeling instructors and knows all the best spots in the area, which makes this sea turtle snorkeling tour possible! -Guided tour in fluent English made for international guests. No Japanglish! This tour will be held in only English. We don't mix Japanese or other languages in our tour. -See more than turtles! Up to 2 hours in the water with turtles, coral reefs, reef sharks, and tropical fish. -We care! Eco-friendly, marine-responsible tours. We never touch or disturb marine life. -Half day tour (~4h) Real snorkeling with up to 2 hours in the water. Every tour is different! -Beach snorkeling (NOT BY BOAT) Easy beach entry – great for beginners. -Early bird gets the turtle Morning tour (7:30am) = better chance for turtles and fewer crowds. -Small groups
Price: $72.19
Duration: 4 hours
【Very popular with overseas visitors】 Nami MIYAKO offers the best hospitality and service to each and every one of our guests. We will do our best to help make your trip to Miyako Island a special memory. 【Nami MIYAKO is the reason why we recommend our services.】 ☆ Pick-up and drop-off service is available from morning to night in all areas of Miyako Island! ☆English speaking service is also available, so overseas visitors can join the tour without any worries! ☆Anyway, safe and secure tour! ☆Free SNS photos and video data! ☆Experienced guides are kind and courteous! Let's go find the star-filled sky and giant coconut crabs! ※If you can't see the stars, we will mainly explore the jungle (rain or shine). A guide who knows Miyako Island inside out will tell you all you need to know! There is a lot of information about Miyako Island that is not in the guidebooks.
Price: $32.16
Duration: 2 hours
This plan offers early morning cruising on Miyako Island’s sea by SUP or canoe. Enjoy the fresh island morning air and the cheerful songs of wild birds that color the dawn. At the end, watch the beautiful sunrise from your SUP or canoe, soaking in the morning sun to recharge your energy—a perfect start to a refreshing day. This tour is ideal for those who want to make the most of their last day on the island or have some free time before their flight. You can also choose canoeing. Please notify us by the day before if you prefer canoeing. We are committed to offering eco-friendly and sustainable tours that respect the Earth.
Price: $51.85
Duration: 1 hours
I feel like Yamato! You can take a commemorative photo with traditional Japanese kimono! Hanahana offers a wide variety of kimonos, kimonos, yukatas, and more than 500 kimonos from 0 years old. Experienced staff carefully dresses each person from a hair set and handles everything from photography to shooting. All plans are included from underwear, so you can visit us with confidence.
Price: $22.97
Duration: 1 hours
This is our most popular tour recommended for those who want to enjoy both kayaking and snorkeling. We will give a lecture so that even beginners can enjoy it from the bottom of their hearts. With kayaking, you can experience a realistic experience with your eyes close to the surface of the water. At the snorkel, you can see colorful fish and corals up close in the world-class Kerama Blue water. You can also take a nap or lunch while listening to the beautiful scenery and the sound of the waves on the open beach. It should be one of the experiences that cannot be done anywhere else. Since it is a one-day tour, one of the features is that you can relax and enjoy each activity.
Price: $108.29
Duration: 6 hours
You can train online via Zoom with famous Karate and Kobudo senseis from Okinawa, the birthplace of Karate. The senseis of the programs are carefully selected from among high ranking senseis, and the content of the training and the Karate styles can be tailored to the participants' needs and preferences.
Price: $787.55
Duration: 1 hours
Seeking out authentic Okinawan flavors on your own can be challenging. This private morning tour takes the guesswork out by guiding you to hidden spots in Naha with a relaxed pace. It’s the perfect way to start your first or second day in Okinawa, giving you the chance to taste local snacks and drinks while learning about the island’s unique culture and history. ・Discover hidden gems of Naha with a private guide ・Enjoy 1 local juice ・Taste 3 local Okinawan bites ・Try 3 types of Okinawan alcohol, with guidance on the proper way to enjoy awamori ・Private tour ensures a personal and comfortable experience ・Gain insights into Okinawan history, culture, and local life
Price: $63.00
Duration: 1 hours
Discover the breathtaking beauty of the Yambaru region in Northern Okinawa with a multi-beach tour guided by a native English-speaker. Join this private, pickup only, customisable tour and make your way to visit some of the best beaches and snorkel spots on the Motobu peninsular in North Okinawa. Check out the tour details and either share your customisations and requests beforehand, or jump in and go with the flow. Whether it's popular tourist spots with amenities or rugged beaches with only sand and sea, we will curate a tour that fits your needs. Our licenced snorkel guide can take you to areas suitable for your group's ability, from rock pool snorkelling to an outer reef adventures. After booking, we will contact you to learn about your specific preferences.
Price: $578.85
Duration: 6-8 hours
Explore Ishigaki's vibrant reefs, colorful fish, and coral. We snorkel about 1-2 hr, of course if you want to stay longer and if the time allows us we definitely stay longer!
Price: $64.32
Duration: 4 hours
1. Choose Your Tour
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2. Check Details
Review tour inclusions, duration, and meeting points carefully.
3. Book Online
Complete your booking securely with instant confirmation.
4. Enjoy Your Experience
Join the tour and create unforgettable memories in Okinawa.
Important Tour Information
- Bring comfortable walking shoes and appropriate clothing
- Check tour cancellation and refund policies
- Arrive at the meeting point at least 15 minutes early
- Carry valid identification and tour booking confirmation
Frequently Asked Questions
Local Food & Cuisine
Okinawan cuisine is distinctive with influences from Japan, China, and Southeast Asia. Signature dishes include Okinawa soba (thick wheat noodles in broth), goya champuru (stir-fried bitter melon with tofu and pork), and rafute (braised pork belly). The diet is known for promoting longevity. Dining customs emphasize fresh, seasonal ingredients. Noteworthy restaurants include traditional izakayas in Naha and seaside eateries offering fresh seafood.
Getting Around
Okinawa is accessible by air via Naha Airport, which connects to major Japanese cities and some international destinations. Local transportation includes buses and taxis, but services outside Naha are limited. Renting a car is the most convenient way to explore the islands. Bicycle rentals are available in some areas. Costs for public transport are moderate, while car rentals vary depending on the season.
Travel Tips
The best time to visit is from April to October for warm weather and outdoor activities. Pack light, breathable clothing, swimwear, and sun protection. Respect local customs such as removing shoes indoors and polite greetings. Okinawa is safe, but be cautious of strong ocean currents when swimming. Cash is widely used, though credit cards are accepted in many places. Learning a few basic Japanese phrases can enhance your experience.
Culture & Customs
Okinawan culture is deeply influenced by the Ryukyu Kingdom heritage, emphasizing respect, hospitality, and community. Traditional festivals like Eisa dance during Obon are vibrant cultural highlights. Social customs include bowing as a greeting and valuing harmony. Visitors should be mindful of quietness in temples and shrines and show respect when visiting historical sites. The local people are proud of their unique identity and welcome cultural exchange.
