As a travel destination, Japan evokes images of cherry blossoms, bullet trains, and Mt Fuji. It also has a reputation for being fast-paced and tech crazed. Certainly Tokyo and other mainland cities live up to these expectations.
However, to many people’s surprise, Japan also has a laid-back side. Okinawa in southern Japan offers visitors a unique glimpse of local lifestyle. Instead of skyscrapers and neon, here one finds ocean vistas, world-class scuba diving, and a funky beach culture. It’s also relatively easy to travel here; because of the presence of US military bases on Okinawa, English is spoken widely and many restaurants accept US dollars. Unfortunately, travelers to Japan often bypass Okinawa completely, focusing on typical mainland attractions. But there are so many reasons to visit this remote island – here are just a few of them.
Perhaps Okinawa’s best feature is that it’s an island paradise. For snorkelers and scuba divers, the mild climate year round offers chances to enjoy the warm ocean of the East China Sea. Several reefs are renown for their excellent underwater conditions. Sea life includes clown fish, barracuda, turtles, hammerhead sharks, and manta rays amid underwater caves and wreckage from WWII.
Okinawa is an excellent jumping off point for nearby islands. The Keramas, a chain of 22 mostly uninhabited islands, are easily accessible for day-trippers looking for a little solitude. Other destinations accessible by ferry include pastoral Ieshima island, which has lily and hibiscus fields overlooking the ocean, the heavily forested Kume island, and Yoron island, home to elusive “star sand.”
While Okinawa may not conform to general conceptions about Japan, it offers visitors a different experience. Here you can escape the hustle bustle of mainland, lounge on secluded beaches, chomp on fresh pineapple, and breathe fresh ocean air far from the frenetic energy of Tokyo.
Okinawa is best reached by flying from mainland Japan. JAL, ANA, and Skymark Airlines operate direct flights from Tokyo, which average about $250 US. There are also ferries, but the trip can take up to 44 hours and may be no cheaper than flying. The busiest travel times of year include New Year’s Holiday, Obon (mid August), and Golden Week (end of April).
Search here for flights to Okinawa or read about more ways to save on your trip to Japan.
