TRAVEL INSPIRATION

TRAVEL INSPIRATION

Trip ideas, travel stories, and things to do in Okinawa

With so much to see and do across 160 different islands, deciding what to do is not always easy. Browse recommended trips, new and trending attractions, travel stories and guides. Be inspired by Okinawa.

TRENDING ARTICLES

Nature & Wildlife

Why Okinawa is a Birdwatching Paradise
Watch migratory birds flock to Okinawa’s subtropical islands
Discovering Okinawa’s Subtropical Mangroves
Paddle into the intertidal zone of mangrove ecosystems
Okinawa and SDGs
Learn how Okinawa is doing its part to promote sustainable development goals
Your Guide to Whale Watching in Okinawa
Find out when, where, and how to see these majestic creatures in Okinawa
Saving Okinawa’s Fragile Coral Reefs
Learn how communities are working together to restore Okinawa’s precious coral reefs for future generations
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Heritage & Tradition

Preserving and reviving Okinawa’s traditional hous…
Stay or dine in Okinawa’s renovated kominka
Ryukyu Lacquerware, Okinawa’s native lacquer craft
See, touch, and use genuine Ryukyu-lacquered tableware
Ryukyu Bingata, Okinawa’s flamboyant dyeing tradit…
See how a new generation is reviving this ancient Okinawan art
Okinawa’s Local Culture and Ryukyu Heritage
Beyond symbolic icons such as limestone castles, centenarian citizens, three-stringed sanshin, a…
Shurijo Castle’s Road to Recovery
Shurijo Castle’s road to recovery is long, but visitors can witness every step of progress
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Flavors of Okinawa

Taste Brown Sugar from Okinawa’s Eight Remote Isla…
Discover the unique blessings of each island through its brown sugar
Beautiful, Sustainable, Gastronomical Ie Island
Visit the tiny island whose barley is behind Okinawa’s Orion craft beer
10 Must-Try Okinawa Street Foods
These are unique dishes not to miss while island hopping
Urumarché-the Heart of Farm to Table Food
Discover why this Okinawa marketplace is the perfect place to take your tastebuds on a culinary adventure
The Revival of a Ryukyu Spirit
In addition to awamori, Okinawa is home to imuge, a unique island spirit distilled from sweet potatoes
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Shopping & Relaxation

Okinawa’s Natural Skincare Products
Discover natural skincare products made from sustainable ingredients from the Okinawan islands
Sustainable Living in Okinawa’s Unspoiled Yanbaru …
Learn the ancient wisdom of Yambaru Hotel Nammei Shinshitsu
Naturally Relaxing Retreats in World Heritage Okin…
Okinawa’s rich natural heritage beckons adventurous travelers to sustainably explore the wild, w…
The Many Charms of Ojima Island
Explore a charming, cat-filled seaside town with must-try food
Enjoy a Luxury Stay at a Villa Resort
Enjoy luxury on island time at these high-end Okinawan villas
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Activities & Experiences

Multicolor Dyeing with Coral Fossils
Dye a rainbow of colors in fossilized coral patterns
Get a Birds-Eye View of Okinawa
Helicopter tours offer a unique way to appreciate the beauty of Okinawa’s islands
A Pilgrimage to the Ruins of Tamagusuku Castle
Follow in the footsteps of Ryukyu kings with a journey to ruins steeped in myth
Okinawa Snorkeling Guide
Discover what you can see and where to go for some of the best snorkeling in Okinawa
Get to Know Naha
These three themed tours are the perfect way to explore Okinawa’s capital
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Okinawa Life

Rich Creativity at Yambaru’s Annual Art Festival
The Yambaru Art Festival is an annual event that celebrates the fusion of creativity and nature
Workcation in Okinawa
Enjoy Okinawa’s relaxed island vibes with a workcation getaway
The Rural Charms of Ogimi Village
Slow down and learn the wisdom of a long life in this quaint “village of longevity”
Presenting the Power of Okinawa “Power of Textiles…
How did the unique view of the world shown in traditional Okinawan textiles come about? Muney…
Presenting the Power of Okinawa “Power of Pottery”
In Okinawa, pottery is known as “yachimun” and the beautiful colors and carefree forms make thes…
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Recommended Trips

okinawa world eisa
How to Get Around Nanjo City Without a Car: A 2-Day Bus Trip Itinerary
Relax and enjoy Okinawa without a car; this itinerary introduces the highlights of Nanjo City via bus
cape higashi hennazaki
Three Days Exploring Around Miyako Island
Escape to the subtropical haven of Miyako Island, where beautiful nature, crystal clear waters, and rich cultural history await you
shimakazi
A 3-Day Journey Through Okinawa’s Main Island
You do not have to leave the main island to experience the seaside beauty, natural wonder, enduring history and culture, and luxury offered in Okinawa
taketomi island village traditional
4 Days Exploring around Ishigaki, Taketomi, and Iriomote Islands
Get ready to make the most of one of Okinawa’s most remote destinations, surrounded by dreamlike waters and gorgeous scenery
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