The Ultimate Travel Guide to the Island of Okinawa
The Ultimate Travel Guide to the Island of Okinawa
Okinawa island is not only perfect for a relaxing getaway but also history lovers. Read on to discover the complete and ultimate travel guide to the Island of Okinawa.
When’s the last time you saw Karate Kid? Who can forget the iconic character Mr Miyagi, the man who brought his karate wisdom to America from his hometown of Okinawa, Japan?
Although Mr Miyagi isn’t real, Okinawa certainly is. Tourists are often surprised to learn that Okinawa isn’t only an island, but an entire prefecture of Japan. In fact, this prefecture is home to over 1.4 million people. Travellers can spend weeks exploring each of the Japanese islands in Okinawa Prefecture.
To get more information about this region of Japan, check out the ultimate Okinawa travel guide below.
Okinawan Culture
The best part of travelling to a foreign country is learning about their culture. Okinawa has a rich and complex history, including some hardships in recent memory. World War II saw some of its most gruesome battles in the prefecture.
Going farther back, Okinawa was inhabited by settlers from other areas, like China and Australia. It wasn’t until the 1800s that Japan occupied and annexed the region. Back then, it was known as the Ryukyu Kingdom and it had a widely different culture than the rest of Japan.
When travelling around Okinawa, make sure to learn about the unique features of Ryukyu culture. This may include Ryukyu food, religion, or landmarks.
The Islands
Although most people know Okinawa Island, they may not realize that Okinawa Prefecture has 160 islands. Not all of these are tourist destinations, but the prefecture is generally divided into three groups of islands.
Okinawa Islands
The main Okinawa islands are the most developed in the prefecture, but they’re also the most crowded. For travellers new to Japan, this may be the easiest place to start. Public transportation is easier to find and there are plenty of bars and shops around.
Nagannu Island, Kudaka Island, Ie Island, and Tokashiki Islands are all a short ferry ride from Okinawa main island.
Miyako Islands
The Miyako Islands are less famous and less developed, but also less crowded. This group contains 12 islands, with several beaches consistently listed as the best in Japan.
Miyako Island is the main hub, but several other islands are easily accessible by ferry. These include Tarama Island and Ogami Island.
Yaeyama Islands
The Yaeyama island group is the farthest from the Japanese mainland; you can practically see Taiwan from here. The Yaeyama islands include Iriomote Island, a place with a beautiful national park and the rare Iriomote cat.
There are many other gorgeous islands accessible by ferry, including Ishigaki Island, Taketomi Island, Kohama Island, Hatoma Island, Hateruma Island, and Yonaguni Island.
Getting Around
One thing that most tourists love about Japan is the great public transportation system. On Okinawa main island, getting around is pretty convenient. Purchasing a bus pass Okinawa is ideal.
For the other islands, renting a car or scooter is better. The less developed islands have infrequent buses that can make getting around difficult. Some shops even rent bicycles for an eco-friendly option.
Okinawa Travel and More
Okinawa is much different than the rest of Japan. It’s a place of beauty and relaxation, offering some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Make sure to refer to this Okinawa travel guide when planning your vacation.
For more helpful travel tips, don’t forget to check out the rest of the site.
