Island hopping in Okinawa: The Hawaii of Japan

There’s no denying the allure of visiting Japan. The country boasts incredible food, a fascinating history, and novel experiences you won’t find anywhere else. But, despite the booming tourism throughout the main three islands (Hokkaido, Honshu, and Kyushu), the southernmost region of Okinawa remains an undiscovered paradise.

Often referred to as the Hawaii of Japan, Okinawa brings pristine coastlines, sparklingly clear water, and lush subtropical forestry matched with the unique Ryoku culture and food. It is an archipelago of 160 tropical islands in the Pacific Ocean that are split into four different groups: Okinawa Island, the Kerama Islands, the Yaeyama Islands, and the Miyako Islands. To help you plan your next best trip, this Okinawa island hopping guide is diving into exactly what makes each island exceptional and the ultimate activities both on land and sea.

Okinawa Island

The prefecture’s main island and namesake, Okinawa Island, is just over 100 km from north to South and home to around 1.4 million people. Famous in the West for its US Marine base, Okinawa island is so much more than its military history.

Naha

Before the late 1800s, Okinawa was a sovereign archipelago known as the Ryuku Kingdom, with Naha as its capital. Today, you can visit Shuri Castle, which is being rebuilt after a devastating fire in 2019 using the same materials and techniques used to construct it centuries before. Naha itself is an electric city with wonderful shops, kind people, and exquisite Okinawan food like champuru (a stir fry dish) and jimami (peanut) tofu. Venture to the Tsuboya district, and you’ll find quaint streets with each house revealing a bespoke pottery business that sells one-of-a-kind handmade treasures.

Yanburu

In the North of Okinawa Island is the Yanbaru region and Yanbaru National Park. It’s best explored by car and offers striking coastline views and epic forest scenery. For some environmental wonders, try visiting the subtropical mangroves in Kunigami Forest Park or the tropical Hiji waterfall. Travel southwest to Nago for incredible bay views, with a stop at Emerald Beach to dip your toes in the turquoise waves. Nearby is the Churaumi Aquarium, where visitors can come face-to-face with giant whale sharks and manta rays.

The Kerama Islands

Hop on a ferry from Naha to Zumami, and you’ll arrive at the Kerama Islands within an hour or two. This area is home to four inhabited islands: Zumami, Aka, Tokashiki, and Geruma Island. The area is any ocean-lover’s dream, with crystal clear waters, expansive wildlife, and amazing water activities from paddle boarding to scuba diving.

Zumami

Zumami is quiet and pristine, with only a few accommodation options island-wide. Make the quiet hill-side walk to Furuzamami Beach, where you can rent sun loungers and eat ice creams while taking in the tranquil panoramic views of the islands. During the winter months, it’s whale season when humpback whales migrate through the northern waters.

Zumami is within Keramashoto National Park which is a protected area. As a result, you can only swim in designated places to keep the coral reef thriving. Alternatively, you can be led on an ocean adventure by one of the many local guides to snorkel with turtles or take underwater photos with a sea cucumber.

Aka

Aka is best known for the sparkling Kerama blue water that surrounds it. This is a charming island with spectacular diving and Nishihama beach, which has been included in countless lists of the world’s best beaches. There are bridges connecting Aka to Tokashiki and Geruma island with the best way to hop between them being via taxi.

The Yaeyama Islands

The Yaeyama Islands are Japan’s southernmost archipelago and are made up of 23 different islands. They’re home to Okinawa’s second-largest island, Iriomote, as well as one of the best known, Ishigaki.

Ishigaka

Ishigaki is the perfect home base for exploring all of Yaeyama with its own airport and countless ferries. The island is known for its stunning sandy beaches, boutique resorts, and a general laid-back island vibe. It’s best to rent a car to explore the island as there is limited public transport and taxis, plus there’s nothing better than a relaxed island drive through a tropical wonderland.

While on Ishigaki, you must try taking a glass-bottom boat ride at Kabira Bay to see beautiful green turtles and incredible giant clams that grow as large as 1.2m and weigh over 200kg. Also on the island is an incredible soybean farm that serves fresh tofu and soymilk to those who visit early enough each morning.

Taketomi

Taketomi is 10 minutes away by ferry and a perfect day trip from Ishigaki. The island is an idyllic Ryukyu village frozen in time, with white sand paths, silver volcanic rock walls, and even huge water buffalo-drawn carts moving through the streets. Taketomi is surrounded by coral reefs with every beach covered in mesmerising hermit crabs. If you’re lucky, you might even see an octopus or lionfish.

The Miyako Islands

Home to Okinawa’s largest coral reef, there really is no greater place for diving into marine wildlife than the Miyako Islands. Miyako Island is the largest in the area, with a selection of smaller islands around it that are accessible via bridge or ferry. The easiest way to arrive is by flying into Miyako Airport from Naha, Ishigaki, or even Tokyo.

Miyako

One of the most magical things about Miyako Island is that you can find a breathtaking beach paradise at almost every turn. Popular beaches like the spectacular Yonaha Maehama Beach and the snorkeling haven Yoshino Beach are set up with showers, cafes, and plenty of water sports, from parasailing to banana boats. Looking for something more secluded? Drive to any corner of the island or swim to one of the countless hidden sandy coves for an incredible moment of private soft white sand against the sound of gently crashing waves.

While on Miyako Island, you cannot miss the chance to stop by Cape Higashi-Hennazaki. The awesome coastline is at the northern point of the island, punctuated with a picture-perfect white lighthouse. From there, you can look out at the backdrop of rugged outcrops and distant hazy islands just waiting to be visited.

Kurima

Only a 15-minute drive from Miyako airport is Kurima Island, accessible via a long island-hopping bridge. Although small (Kurima is only 2.84 km²), this island is a very special place to those lucky enough to visit. On the island, you’ll find cute cafes, chic boutiques, and sweeping 360-degree views of the Miyako archipelago. You can even camp on any of the deserted beaches to enjoy uninterrupted stargazing from your remote island paradise.

When is the best time to visit Okinawa?

As a set of islands in the Pacific, the weather in Okinawa can vary greatly. The islands are beautiful all year round, but each season brings its own challenges which should be planned for accordingly.

Spring is one of the best times to visit Japan and Okinawa due to the hot (but not too hot) weather and generally dry conditions. It is less busy than the summer months, with great visibility and plenty of activities to enjoy.

Summer can be tricky as, although hot days spent at the beach are wonderful, the typhoon season falls between June and August. These tropical storms are infrequent but unpredictable and easily able to disrupt your travel plans. These months are also the hottest and most humid, as well as seeing the largest crowds of tourists.

Autumn brings mild but still warm days with fewer crowds and lower prices. There are also many cultural festivals throughout the autumn months for an authentic local experience.

If you’re less concerned with perfect beach weather but are still looking for adventure, then winter is an amazing time to visit Okinawa. Temperatures rarely dip below 17°C (63°F) during the day making it ideal for hiking and exploring. The most exciting time is the January whale watching season and February cherry blossom hanami (flower viewing).

How many days are enough to explore Okinawa?

Okinawa is one of those destinations that you could visit again and again, and still discover something new every time. I would recommend spending at least a week island hopping through the archipelago, with each group deserving a minimum of 3 days to explore.