Okinawa is the southern island of Japan. It is a favorite tourist destination for Japanese people, and many tourists visit the island all year round. However, most foreigners visiting Japan only visit Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. We introduce the features of Okinawa and its attractions.
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What is Okinawa?
There are 47 prefectures in Japan, and Okinawa is one of them. Located in the southernmost part of Japan, Okinawa has a warm climate throughout the year. Winters are mild and comfortable, with temperatures not falling below 10°C (50°F). There are more than 30 inhabited islands in Okinawa, all of which have beautiful blue ocean views.
The food culture is also different from that of mainland Japan. There are many unique and flavorful dishes such as “Chanpuru (stir-fry)” and “Okinawa soba (buckwheat noodles)” made with ingredients such as “Shimayasai(Okinawan vegetables)”, pork, and southern fish.
Historically, Okinawa was once not Japan but the Ryukyu Kingdom. There are many historic sites of the kingdom on the island, and these are registered as World Cultural Heritage sites by UNESCO.
How to get to Okinawa?
If you are coming to Japan from abroad, Tokyo is the gateway. Okinawa is accessible by air from Tokyo Haneda Airport. JAL and ANA have a large share of domestic air travel in Japan. Low-cost carriers (LCC) also operate flights to Okinawa. There are direct flights from Tokyo to remote islands of Okinawa such as Ishigaki Island and Miyako Island.
Climate of Okinawa
Okinawa is warm throughout the year, with an average annual temperature of 22.7°C(73.4°F). In summer, the maximum temperature exceeds 30°C (86°F), but rarely exceeds 35°C (95°F) due to the maritime climate. In midwinter, the temperature is over 10°C(50°F), but you may feel colder due to the strong northerly winds.
Okinawa is also in the path of typhoons. Between June and October, an average of seven typhoons approaches the island each year. During typhoon season, wind and heavy rain sometimes blow for a long period of time.
Best Okinawa Island for Foreign Visitors to Japan
Okinawa Main Island
The center of Okinawa Prefecture, this fascinating island has a historical background and unique culture. The Peace Memorial Park and Shuri Castle, where visitors can feel the history of war, deeply move visitors. Naha is also the capital city of Okinawa, and Kokusai-dori is Naha’s main street. Lined with souvenir stores and restaurants, it is always crowded with tourists.
Miyako Island
Miyako Island is located approximately 300 km southwest of the main island of Okinawa. It is approximately a 3-hour flight from Tokyo and 40 minutes from the main island of Okinawa.
Miyako Island is famous for having the clearest ocean in Japan. The beautiful color of the sea is called “Miyako blue”. Snorkeling and diving are popular on this island, and you can even enjoy swimming with wild sea turtles.
The island’s population is approximately 50,000. The island is relatively small, so you can drive around the island in about 2 hours. In addition, three large bridges from Miyako Island connect the three islands, Irabu Island, Ikema Island, and Kurima Island. The bridges can be crossed by bicycle, so it is exciting to enjoy island hopping by bicycle.
Ishigaki Island
Ishigaki Island is located further south of Miyako Island. It has a beautiful ocean and white sandy beaches that are comparable to Miyako Island. Miyako Island has no mountains, but Ishigaki Island is rich in mountains and forests. This island also works as a gateway to the surrounding smaller islands. It also offers easy access to remote islands such as Taketomi Island and Kohama Island, where you can enjoy a wide variety of experiences.
