8 Things No One Tells You About... Okinawa, Japan
With brilliant blue waters, some of the most famous diving spots in the world and top-notch cuisine, it's no surprise that Okinawa is often referred to as the Japanese Hawaii. While many travelers are familiar with larger mainland cities like Tokyo and Kyoto, these eight tips will help you make the most of your time in this often overlooked island paradise.
1. Okinawa Wasn't Always Japanese
The hundreds of islands that today make up Okinawa Prefecture — with Okinawa island being the largest of them — didn't come under Japanese rule until the 19th century. Prior to that, the Ryukyu Kingdom was an independent dynasty that played a crucial role in building East Asian shipping networks. It wasn't until the 16th century that the Ryukyus were forced to pick sides. After refusing the request of a Japanese ruler to aid in his military campaign against China, the Japanese invaded the Ryukyu Kingdom, eventually annexing it in the late-1800s. There are still monuments to the old Ryukyu Dynasty all over the island, including Shuri Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site just 15 minutes from downtown Naha, pictured below.
2. Scuba Is for Everyone Here
Whether you're a PADI-certified pro or feel more comfortable on solid ground, Okinawa is one of the few places where anyone can scuba dive without prior training. The Blue Cave at Cape Maeda is one of the most popular spots on the island, and because it's only seven meters (about 21 feet) deep, beginners can safely dive here with the help of a guide.
My guide did a great job controlling my buoyancy and direction so all I had to do was remember to breathe — and watch the beautiful fish swimming around me, of course. If you're certified, you'll be given more freedom to move on your own, but I felt perfectly safe and comfortable thanks to his help.
3. Being American Will Elicit Mixed Reactions
While a lot of countries have mixed feelings about the US right about now, the sentiment in Okinawa runs much deeper. Bad geographic luck put the city right in the path of the invading allied forces during World War II, and the three-month-long Battle of Okinawa left more than a third of the civilian population dead. Fast-forward to 2017, and Okinawa is still home to tens of thousands of American soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen. While they play an important role in maintaining our defenses in the Asia-Pacific theater, occasional incidents of US soldiers physically and sexually assaulting locals has only further strained the tension. Despite all of this, the overwhelming majority of locals I met there were genuinely excited that a young American had picked their hometown for his vacation — they were proud of the natural beauty of the island and excited to show it off.
4. Introduce Yourself to Awamori
This rice liquor is a unique Okinawan creation, made from a distillation process that makes it closer to soju than to sake. While it's available all over the island, be careful how much you drink! It tastes deceptively weak, almost watered down, despite most brands containing 30 percent or more alcohol by volume.
5. Pork Is King on This Island
Most people come to Japan expecting to eat sushi for every meal, but pork reigns supreme in Okinawa. Pigs were introduced to the island in the 15th and 16th centuries by the Chinese, and now Okinawans eat every part of the pig except the squeal. That means you'll have the chance to slurp down some soba noodles in pork broth, or let rafute — pork cubes simmered in brown sugar, soy sauce, and maybe a bit of awamori — dissolve on your tongue.
6. Follow the Locals to Find the Best Food
This is probably the part where you're expecting recommendations for the best food on the island, but I just can't do that. Don't worry: I ate well while I was there, but even if I wanted to, I couldn't tell you where the best meals I had were. That's because they weren't from restaurants I looked up on Google and sought out; they were from the hole-in-the-wall places lining the streets and alleys of Naha, the tiny stalls that can barely seat four people at a time. The authentic local joints — the ones without an English menu, where you put your blind faith in the owner/waiter/chef, three roles usually played by the same person, to satisfy your hunger. I don't know what I ate or where I ate it, but these were still some of the most memorable meals of the entire trip.
7. A Rental Car Is a Must If You Plan to Leave Naha
Okinawa looks deceptively tiny on a map, but given how long and narrow it is, it can take several hours to get from one end of the island to the other. The main city of Naha, where the airport is located, has a comprehensive public-transit system, but once you leave the city, you're on your own. Many hotels — as well as the best beaches, dive shops and other activities — are located on the northern half of the island. Cab fares from Naha to the north can quickly add up to several hundred dollars, so save yourself the headache and book a rental car before you leave.
8. That Said, Take a Taxi Once During Your Trip
While much of the island boasts modern infrastructure, including an international airport and monorail, the cabs and their drivers are a relic of days gone by. The antique cars and antique drivers give Okinawa a lovely "stuck in time" feeling. While I would have rather saved money by renting a car, I truly enjoyed the unique conversations I had with my cab drivers.
What are some of your favorite things to do in Okinawa, Japan? Tell us about them, below.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees