Travel to Okinawa, Japan, Okinawa must-see attractions recommended
Preface
I actually can’t remember why I chose Okinawa. Every trip I take is casual yet determined, without any reason, I just want to go.
This is where Naoki and Xiangqin from "It Started with a Kiss" honeymooned, and where Leslie Cheung from "Love in Okinawa" left behind many memories. And there's also Yui Aragaki's smile and Rimi Natsukawa's singing voice. Aragaki Yui, a true Okinawan, is picturesquely beautiful. Are you instantly captivated by her smile?
Depart from Hangzhou
Okinawa Prefecture is located between Japan's Kyushu Island and China's Taiwan Province. It is an island prefecture under the illegal trusteeship of the United States. It is centered on the Ryukyu Islands and consists of islands such as the Miyako Islands and the Yaeyama Islands. Many small islands form an arc along the Chinese mainland, and its land area accounts for about 0.6% of Japan's total area.
It is difficult to find Okinawa on the map. It is a small island with infinite beauty and style.
There are several flights from Xiaoshan to Naha, Okinawa, of which only one is a direct flight, and the others require a transfer. If you want to save time, you can choose a direct flight, which is at a better time, 14:45 in the afternoon, and the arrival time is 18:10 (Okinawa, Japan is 1 hour ahead of China).
There are traces of US military bases everywhere in Okinawa. Almost half of Naha Airport is occupied by military aircraft, which looks very spectacular.
The international terminal and domestic terminal of Naha Airport are separate. Please make a plan before departure. If your hotel is far away, you can also book the hotel's airport transfer service.
Luggage storage
The domestic departure terminal of Okinawa Airport has a luggage storage service, which is very automated and you only need to insert coins. If you have exchanged Japanese yen in China, there is a Lawson convenience store in Naha Airport. You can exchange coins for anything you buy and don’t have to worry about not being able to change them. The staff are all very nice.
Cape Zanpa
Cape Zanpa, a promontory jutting out from the northern tip of Yoya Village on Okinawa Island, boasts a 30-meter-high cliff and stretches for two kilometers. The cape consists of a beach, a white lighthouse, a red lion statue, a plaza, and a hotel.
transportation
Taxi/charter
The most common way to travel is to charter a car. Transportation in Japan is extremely expensive, with the starting price of a taxi being 500 yen (within 1.8 km, and an additional 60 yen for every additional 401 meters).
The approximate price of chartering a car is 1200rmb~1500rmb/day.
Public transportation
From each departure point, take bus No. 28 on the Yomitan-Chupei Line or bus No. 29 on the Yomitan-Kina Line and get off at the last stop. It will take about 20-30 minutes to walk.
The number 14 on the ticket you get when you board the bus indicates you're boarding at the 14th stop. You don't need to pay when you get on; simply pay the amount displayed on the electronic screen when you get off. It's quite clever. For example, the number 14 in the picture below corresponds to 460 yen, so you can pay 460 yen when you get off.
chapel
Okinawa has several pure white churches built on the seaside. I've seen photos of them before, and they often feature large floor-to-ceiling windows facing the ocean, creating a truly beautiful and ethereal scene. Local photography companies work with these churches, so contact them ahead of time for opportunities to hold weddings there. If you're interested, keep an eye out for them.
lighthouse
The lighthouse always makes people feel fresh and clean. It is said that it was opened to the public in August 2001 (Heisei 13) due to demand, and an additional fee of 200 yen per person is required to climb the tower.
Next to the lighthouse is a statue of a man, modeled after Taiki, who made five voyages to China during the Ryukyu Kingdom. Traveling by ship was extremely dangerous at the time, and the locals greatly admired his courage. He was also a skilled merchant, becoming the first Ryukyuan to have his name recorded in Chinese history. Since he was born in Yomitan Village, the locals created a statue of Taiki, with his finger pointing toward China, to commemorate him and enshrine him as the "God of Merchants."
Cape Zanpa has a free beach where you can see schools of tropical fish from just 2-3 meters away. You can also watch the fish from a small boat. There are scheduled departures, so be sure to check your itinerary.
American Village
The American Village in Kitako-machi.
American Village (アメリカンビレッジ) is located in Chatan Town, about 20 km northeast of Naha City. Take bus No. 28 from Cape Zanpa to Sana or Junyiyuanmae, and it is a short walk from the station.
In Okinawa, the US military maintains ten air bases, including Kadena, Naha, and Futenma. Chatan American Village was formed because of the nearby Kadena Air Base. Initially serving US military personnel and their families, it has gradually developed into a large commercial complex, modeled after an American small town, with a variety of shops and restaurants.
There is a huge conveyor belt sushi restaurant at the entrance. I read a lot of guides before coming here, and they all recommended it.
The American Village is full of colors, a bustling commercial district, and there is a large AEON shopping mall. There are many drugstores nearby, which, in addition to duty-free, also have good discounts.
International Communication
Kokusai-dori is the bustling district of Naha, Okinawa's largest city. It stretches from the Kumoji intersection to the Asato tri-junction. Along its approximately 1.6 kilometers, it boasts department stores, souvenir shops, restaurants, cafes, and small bars. Its rapid post-war development has earned it the nickname "Miracle Mile."
The entire main street of Kokusai-dori is lined with souvenir shops. There are many side streets leading to various destinations, and there are also many small shops, which is really fun to browse. Even the buses are cute. This is really a lovely country.
Kokusai-dori is full of unique shops where you can take great photos. Every staff member is very friendly, smiling and polite. They also sell Okinawa's specialties, such as snow salt, cookies, and brown sugar, which are great souvenirs.
There are many shops in Kokusai-dori where locals come to eat. If you want to taste authentic Okinawa cuisine, you can walk around and choose one you like.
I looked up the Makishi Market in the online guide. If you want to eat seafood, you can buy it here. The store can find someone to help process it, and the prices are clearly marked.
Sakurazaka-dori & Heiwa-dori
Sakurazaka-dori is a sparsely populated street, so most Chinese people don't know much about it. However, it's very popular on Instagram, with many exquisite small shops and few people around, so you can start snapping photos. The porcelain in the shops is beautiful, but also very expensive, so whether to buy depends on your needs.
Sakurazaka Theater
It often plays some local non-mainstream Okinawa movies, occasionally holds small concerts, and sells records on the first floor.
Aga Island
Aka Island is the third largest island in the Kerama Islands. Aka Island is primitive and simple, with only about 350 residents living on the island. Tourists almost all travel around the island by trucks of residents.
Because of this, even the waters of Aka Island Port are exceptionally clear and transparent. When viewed from the air, the fish, turtles, and ships in the sea seem to be floating in the air.
Aka Island is an outlying island trip, so it's best to book your ticket at least one day in advance. Also, ferry departure times are subject to change due to weather and other factors, so they may not match the information on the website. If you're unsure, it's best to ask at the ticket counter; there are Chinese-speaking staff.
Ship type
Ferry Zamami - regular boat
The one-way trip takes one and a half hours. The round-trip fare is 4030 yen, about 200 RMB.
Queen Zamami - High-speed boat
The one-way trip takes 50 minutes. The round-trip fare is 5970 yen, about 300 RMB.
The key point here is that you must bring your passport, you must bring your passport, you must bring your passport. I say it three times because it is important.
Please visit Zamami Village's official website for the shipping schedule: http://www.vill.zamami.okinawa.jp/ship/. There are two ways to book. One is to book and pay directly through this website. Be sure to book early as tickets are still very tight. It is said that some people were unable to book a speedboat a month in advance.
The ferry was actually very smooth and not dizzy at all. It's a large, three-story boat with seating inside and outside. The staff will collect your luggage before you board, and you can pick it up on shore when you disembark.
There are many seats on the boat, the cabin is air-conditioned, and there is an area where you can lie down and sleep. In addition, the beverage vending machines and toilets are very good and very user-friendly. The riding experience is great.
If your itinerary is confirmed, it is best to buy two tickets at once for the outbound and return trips to enjoy the round-trip discount price.
Things to note when going to the island
1. Wear mainly short-sleeved shirts and shorts. Bring a long-sleeved shirt or a scarf. The air conditioning on the boat is strong enough to prevent colds.
2. Be sure to prepare sunscreen and a hat, otherwise you will get tanned like a black man.
3. For those who enjoy the water, I strongly recommend buying a one-piece dive skin, about 0.5mm thick. These are called jellyfish skins on Taobao. Okinawa is home to a wealth of marine life, and this will help prevent them from getting too close. Most importantly, it provides sun protection in hot weather and warmth in cold weather. It's incredibly effective.
4. If the weather is colder or you want to dive, a wet suit is recommended. It is about 3mm thick and is called a diving suit on Taobao.
5. Students who are reluctant to buy diving shoes can bring a pair of worn beach shoes that can be worn for walking and swimming to avoid stepping on dangerous fish while snorkeling.
6. Many B&Bs on the island do not provide toiletries, so you need to prepare them yourself.
About shopping
There are three major shopping spots in Okinawa: Outlets, DFS, Kokusai-dori, and AEON in the American Village.
Outlets
Airport Departure
Take bus No. 95 from Platform 4 of the domestic line.
The bus from the airport to the outlet mall departs every hour from 10:00 to 19:00. The one-way fare is 250 yen and takes about 20 minutes.
The bus from Outlet to Airport departs every hour between 10:30 and 19:30, and the interval is also one hour.
The boarding and alighting locations for the outlet bus going directly to the airport are different from those for ordinary buses. They are located next to ABCMart, with dedicated boarding and alighting points. You will often see people queuing there, and there is a taxi stand next to it.
International Departure
Take Line 98/55/56 from the Prefectural Office North Exit Station and get off at "アウトレットモールあしびなー前" stop.
The one-way trip costs 460 yen and takes about 30 minutes.
Depart from Shintoshin
Take bus No. 98/55/56 from "おもろまち駅前" in front of DFS station and get off at "アウトレットモールあしびなー前" stop.
The one-way journey costs 470 yen and takes about 55 minutes.
DFS
DFS is located in the Shintoshin shopping district of Naha City, Okinawa, with a total area of 45,000 square meters. The store sells more than 120 luxury brands and is divided into five major business areas: beauty and perfume, brand specialty stores, luxury watches, fashion luggage, foreign wines, local souvenirs and food, etc.
The vast majority of brands are priced at Japan's duty-free and consumption tax-free prices, saving over 30% compared to Chinese market prices. Non-duty-free brands include Chanel, Gucci, Godiva, as well as local souvenirs and food.
According to Japanese customs regulations, international tourists staying in Japan for less than six months can enjoy a 5% consumption tax reduction on Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Gucci items by presenting their passport or embarkation card. The store accepts RMB cash, UnionPay cards, and various credit cards.
Free Wi-Fi is available in the store's business areas, and customers are provided with a nursing room, lounge, accessible restroom, free rental of wheelchairs and strollers, etc.
transportation
Take the monorail to Omoromachi Station and walk directly to DFS from the platform in just 2 minutes.
International Communication
Kokusai-dori is the most bustling place in Naha, Okinawa's largest city, so I won't introduce it in detail.
American Village
There are many drug stores, 100-yen stores, supermarkets, and specialty restaurants in American Village. There is also Children's Kingdom and Aeon Mall, the largest shopping mall in Okinawa, nearby.
Departing from Naha Airport
Method 1: Take a taxi for 3,500-4,000 yen, 45 minutes
Method 2: Okinawa Airport Limousine Bus, 800 yen for adults, 1 hour ride, directly to the main hotels in American Village
Method 3: Bus No. 120, 790 yen for adults, 1 hour, get off at "Kuangjiang" and walk 3 minutes to reach America Village
Depart from Kokusai-dori/Shintoshin
Method 1: Take a taxi for 3,000-3,500 yen, 35 minutes
Method 2: Take the Okinawa Airport Limousine Bus from Akamine Station. It costs 720 yen per adult and takes 50 minutes to reach the main hotels in American Village.
Method 3: Bus No. 120, about 700 yen for adults, 50 minutes, get off at "Kuangjiang" and walk 3 minutes to reach America Village
American Village to AEON MALL
Method 1: Taxi costs 1,500 yen and takes 13 minutes
Method 2: Route 96 can go directly, but the service is infrequent (get on at Sanjiang and get off at Ionmore Okinawa Lifestyle).
Conclusion
Everything in Okinawa is so natural, and people and animals are very friendly to each other. Along the way, whether you're European or American or a local, everyone greets you with a "konijiwa," as if you're not a tourist, but a friend you haven't seen in a while.
Okinawa is worth visiting again!
