Okinawa Prefecture is located to the south of Kyushu and is made up of many islands, including Okinawa Main Island, Ishigaki Island, Miyako Island, and Iriomote Island. On this trip, we traveled for five days and four nights, exploring the length of Okinawa Main Island. The prefectural capital is Naha City (Travel period: November 29, 2021 - December 3, 2021).

Day 1

Departure from Itami Airport: 14:55 (JAL2087)

Arrival at Naha Airport: 17:05

We then traveled approximately 60 km from Naha Airport to our hotel in Yomitan Village.

　　　　　　　　　　[Royal Hotel Okinawa Zampa Bay]

Day 2
We departed the hotel around 9:30 AM and traveled approximately 95 km by bus to the northernmost tip of Okinawa Main Island, Cape Hedo. The cape faces both the Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea, and on a clear day, you can see Yoron Island in the Amami Islands. Unfortunately, the weather was cloudy with occasional sunshine and rain, so we couldn't enjoy that view.
Next, we visited "Daichi Shinzan" in Kunigami Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa Prefecture. This area features karst topography formed by the long-term erosion of limestone. There were four courses to explore: A: Odd Rocks and Giant Stones Course (1000m/approximately 35 minutes) B: Churaumi Observation Deck Course (900m/approximately 30 minutes) C: Barrier-Free Course (600m/approximately 20 minutes) D: Banyan Tree and Forest Course (900m/approximately 30 minutes)
I chose courses B and C from the starting point at Seiki Goya. Although there were some ups and downs, it was a pleasant workout with views of the sea.
Afterwards, we had lunch at the "Michi-no-Eki Yui Yui Kunigami" and then headed to Kouri Island via Okino Island, Yagaji Island, and the Kouri Ohashi Bridge. Our main destination for the day was the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium.
The Okinawa Churaumi Ocean Park has several attractions:
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium ... A large tank featuring whale sharks
Emerald Beach ... A beach with emerald green waters
Restaurant Ino ... A restaurant with a view of the East China Sea
Okichan Theater ... A venue for dolphin shows
Tropical Dream Center ... A display of over 2,000 orchid plants
Okinawa Village ... A recreation of a village from the Ryukyu Kingdom era
Ocean Culture Museum and Planetarium ... Various facilities spread across a vast area
I entered the Churaumi Aquarium specifically to photograph the whale sharks. The aquarium follows a one-way route with various fish on display, but the whale sharks were the highlight. I waited for the perfect photo opportunity as they gracefully swam around the massive tank. I was very satisfied with the close-up shots I managed to get. After spending about an hour and a half exploring the aquarium, our sightseeing for the day concluded. Tonight, we will stay for two nights at a hotel in Onna Village.
　　　　　【Okinawa Kariyushi Beach Resort Ocean Spa】








Day 3
Today we had a relaxed start with a departure at 10:30 AM. We began our day by visiting the "Yachimun no Sato" craft village in Yomitan Village, where traditional Okinawan pottery workshops are clustered. "Yachimun" refers to Okinawan ceramics. There were about 20 workshops scattered up a slight incline from the parking area. Although there were both affordable and expensive items on display, I wasn’t very interested in pottery, so we only visited 3 or 4 shops before moving on.
Afterward, we crossed the Sea Road, heading to Henza Island and Miyagi Island. On Miyagi Island, we visited the "Nuchimaasu Salt Factory." "Nuchimaasu" is an Okinawan term meaning "life" and "salt," and it refers to high-quality sea salt made from Pacific Ocean water on the east side of Miyagi Island. We toured the salt production room and received a guide’s explanation.
The site also features the breathtaking "Kafu Banta" viewpoint. In Okinawan dialect, "Kafu" means happiness and "Banta" means cape, so "Kafu Banta" translates to "Cape of Happiness." The stunning cobalt blue and emerald green sea views are said to purify both the mind and body, evoking a sense of happiness. Additionally, there are other power spots such as "Hanari Gokoku," "Santen Goza," and "Ryujin Fudo."
We then proceeded to the Nakahara Ruins on Ikei Island and Hamahiga Island, and our sightseeing for the day concluded there.

　　　　　　　【Okinawa Kariyushi Beach Resort Ocean Spa】





Day 4
Today we departed at 9:00 AM. Our first stop was Cape Manzamo, located northwest of Onna Village Hall. This cape features steep Ryukyu limestone cliffs and offers stunning views of the cobalt blue East China Sea, as well as the dramatic natural erosion caused by the rough waves hitting the limestone plateau.
Afterward, we headed to Chinen Misaki Park. The view of the Pacific Ocean from here was spectacular, but we quickly moved on to our next destination, the Seifa Utaki. "Seifa Utaki" is pronounced "Se-fa U-ta-ki" and refers to a sacred site in the southwestern islands of Okinawa. Within Seifa Utaki, there are sacred areas known as "Ibi," and places like Daikori, Yorimichi, and Sankori are named after rooms in Shuri Castle, indicating a deep historical connection between Shuri Castle and Seifa Utaki.
Next, we went to "SENAGAJIMA UMIKAZI TERRACE" for lunch. This area offers a variety of gourmet and shopping options, and we enjoyed our meal there. There are also terrace shops on the upper level, where you can watch planes landing at Naha Airport from a close distance. Occasionally, you can see military planes landing as well, as it seems to be a joint-use airport.
After lunch, we visited the Shuri Castle ruins, which were destroyed by fire on October 31, 2019. Shuri Castle is a symbol of Okinawa’s history and culture, and its history is intertwined with that of the Ryukyu Kingdom. The images of the castle's destruction were shocking. We wanted to understand how the reconstruction was progressing, but seeing it in person, it was clear that the restoration would take a long time. We started at Shureimon Gate and passed through it, seeing the "Son Hyakumi Utaki" (a World Heritage site) and passing through Kankeimon Gate. We then purchased tickets for the paid area where the Seiden (main hall) used to be. The area where the Seiden once stood was completely destroyed, and a sign with the reconstruction schedule indicated that the main hall is expected to be restored by 2026. I plan to visit Okinawa again in 2026 when Shuri Castle is expected to be fully restored.

　　　　　　　　　　　【Hotel Royal Orion】





Day 5
Since our departure from Naha Airport was around noon, we left our luggage at the hotel and walked along Kokusai Dori to the Prefectural Office. Kokusai Dori is lined with many shops, making it a great place for sightseeing. The Prefectural Office was larger and more impressive than I had expected. The monorail in Naha City is very convenient. The station nearest to our hotel was "Makishi," and the tickets use a QR code that you scan at the touchpoint of the ticket gate, so I kept it as a souvenir.

Naha Airport departure: 12:10 (JAL2084)
Itami Airport arrival: 14:00