7-Day Okinawa Adventure Recap: Cuisine, Spirituality, and the Perfect Road Trip!

Just wrapped up an unforgettable 7-day trip to Okinawa, and I’m still reminiscing about the amazing food, spiritual experiences, and the freedom of a self-drive journey! 🌅 From the urban vibes of Naha to the natural wonders of Churaumi, I explored the island in a Budget Toyota Aqua Hybrid, indulged in diverse cuisines, and prayed at Naminoue Shrine, creating countless beautiful memories. 💙 Let’s revisit this 7-day Okinawa adventure together and feel the charm of the sea breeze and culture! 📸

📍 Itinerary Overview:
• Day 1: Arrival in Okinawa, Sunset at Senaga Island 🌴
Flew from Hong Kong to Naha Airport via AirAsia ✈️, arriving around 4:00 PM. Took a shuttle bus 🚌 to Budget Rent-a-Car to pick up the vehicle 🚗, then drove to Senaga Island to enjoy the sunset 🌅 and dinner 🍴. Returned to Naha city for the night and checked into a city hotel 🏨.

• Day 2: Exploring Naha City 🏙️
Departed the hotel at 10:00 AM and drove 🚗 to Naminoue Shrine ⛩️ for an hour-long visit. Had lunch at Jack’s Steakhouse 🥩 after queuing. Spent the afternoon shopping 🛍️ at Sports Depo and Paco City, dined at Paco City’s food court 🍽️, and returned to the hotel 🏨.

• Day 3: Exploring Southeastern Okinawa 🌊
Started the day with breakfast at Itoman Fish Market 🐟, then drove 🚗 to Gyokusendo Cave 🪨 for a two-hour tour. Visited Chinen Cape Park 🏞️ nearby. Returned to Naha in the evening for dinner at Kokusai Dori Yatai Mura 🍜 and strolled along Kokusai Street 🛍️.

• Day 4: Kokusai Street and American Village 🍣
Had a seafood breakfast at Makishi Public Market 🐠, made a brief stop at Kokusai Street 🛍️, then drove 🚗 to American Village 🎡. Spent the afternoon exploring and enjoyed a famous conveyor belt sushi dinner 🍣. Stayed overnight at a nearby hotel 🏨.

• Day 5: Exploring Central Okinawa 🏖️
Started the day with breakfast at the popular Morning Works ☕ near the hotel, then headed to Sunabe Baba Park Beach 🏝️. In the afternoon, drove 🚗 to Nago City, stopping at Cape Zanpa 🌄 and Manzamo 🪨 along the way. Enjoyed ramen at Namu Ramen 🍜 for dinner.

• Day 6: Churaumi Aquarium and Kouri Island 🐬
Drove 🚗 to Kouri Island in the morning to admire the turquoise sea 🌊 and Heart Rock 💖, experiencing Okinawa’s natural beauty. Had shrimp rice 🦐 for brunch. In the afternoon, visited Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium 🐠 and dined on Agu pork cuisine 🐖 at a century-old house for dinner.

• Day 7: Shopping and Departure 🛍️✈️
Shopped 🛍️ at Don Quijote and Uniqlo in Nago City in the morning, had lunch at Motobu Ranch 🐮, then returned the car 🚗 at Budget Rent-a-Car near Naha Airport. Took the shuttle bus 🚌 to the airport and flew back to Hong Kong ✈️.

🚗 Transportation: Budget Rent-a-Car (Naha Airport branch, $400/day including insurance). The Toyota Aqua Hybrid was fuel-efficient and easy to handle, with parking costs around ¥300/day.

🎫 Expenses: Total budget approximately HK$6,000-8,000/person (car rental, meals, tickets, accommodation). 💰

🌿 Highlights of the 7-Day Okinawa Experience:
1. Freedom of Self-Driving: The Perfect Companion, Toyota Aqua Hybrid
A nearly brand-new Toyota Aqua Hybrid (just over 1,000 km), with fuel consumption as low as 3.9L/100KM and a pristine interior. Driving along coastal roads between Senaga Island and Churaumi was a flawless experience! 🚙 Budget’s convenient service and shuttle buses made car pick-up and return hassle-free.
📷 Photo Tip: Take photos of the car with the sea in the background, incorporating Kouri Island’s Heart Rock for a touch of road trip charm.

2. Culinary Exploration: From Seafood to Taco Rice
The shrimp burger at by・The・Shrimp was juicy and tender, enhanced by the seaside view; the omelet taco rice at Taco Rice Cafe Kijimuna was tangy and flavorful, rich in Okinawan taste. Both meals totaled ¥2,150, offering great value, with outdoor dining adding to the experience! 🍤🌮
📷 Photo Tip: Capture close-ups of the shrimp burger and taco rice, with Umikaji Terrace’s white walls and sea view in the background to highlight the culinary vibe.

3. Spiritual Journey: Tranquility at Naminoue Shrine
The cliffside sea view and red torii gate at Naminoue Shrine were breathtaking. Prayed to Okuninushi-no-Mikoto and purchased a safety amulet, feeling the spirituality of Okinawa. Overlooked Naminoue Beach, where white sand meets blue sea. ⛩️
📷 Photo Tip: Take panoramic shots of the sea from the torii gate, including close-ups of the amulet to emphasize the sacred and natural beauty.

🏝️ Nearby Itinerary Suggestions:
• Kokusai Street: A 5-minute walk in Naha city for shopping and street food. 🛍️
• Shurijo Castle: A 15-minute drive to explore Okinawan history. 🏯
• Nago Pineapple Park: A 1-hour drive for an afternoon swim or stroll. 🏖️

💡 Travel Tips 🌟
1. Best Timing: Pick up the car between 9:00-11:00 AM, dine between 2:00-4:00 PM, and enjoy the scenery between 6:00-7:00 PM. 🌞
2. Budget Reference: Car rental HK$2,800/7 days + meals ¥3,000 + tickets ¥1,000 + parking ¥2,100, totaling around HK$7,000/person. 💸
3. Outfit Suggestions: Light summer wear or Kariyushi floral shirts, paired with sun hats and comfortable shoes. 👕
4. Safety Tips: Follow left-side driving rules, stay safe near cliffs, and bring rain gear and sunscreen. ⚠️

🌟 Overall Rating: 9/10 💎
This 7-day Okinawa trip perfectly combined self-driving, cuisine, and spirituality! 🚗 The pristine Toyota Aqua Hybrid, delicious meals at by・The・Shrimp and Kijimuna, the tranquility of Naminoue Shrine, and the natural beauty of Churaumi left a lasting impression. The overall experience was impeccable. Next time, I’d love to try an SUV to explore inland areas! 🏞️ What’s your favorite Okinawa spot? Feel free to share your 7-day journey in the comments! 😊💬