Überblick
Okinawa was the independent Ryukyu Kingdom until it was annexed by Japan in 1879, and its music, food, architecture and language differ noticeably from mainland Japan. The main island has the capital Naha, resorts along the west coast and the Motobu Peninsula in the north. Further-flung island groups — the Kerama, Miyako and Yaeyama (Ishigaki, Iriomote, Taketomi) islands — offer some of Japan's clearest water.
The Battle of Okinawa in 1945 was one of the bloodiest of the Pacific War; the Peace Memorial Park in Itoman is a moving place to learn about it.
Sehenswürdigkeiten & Aktivitäten
- Shuri Castle: Former royal palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom. The main hall burned in 2019 and is being rebuilt; the grounds and some buildings are open and you can see reconstruction in progress.
- Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium: Huge Kuroshio Sea tank with whale sharks and manta rays.
- Kerama Islands: National park islands about 35–50 minutes from Naha by high-speed ferry — great for snorkelling and, in winter, whale watching.
- Okinawa Peace Memorial Park: Memorials and museum on the site of the battle's final days in southern Okinawa.
- Gusuku sites: Castle ruins such as Nakijin, Katsuren and Zakimi, part of a UNESCO listing with Shuri.
- Sefa-utaki: Sacred Ryukyu worship site in the south.
Lokale Küche & Spezialitäten
- Okinawa soba: Thick wheat noodles in a pork-and-bonito broth, topped with pork belly or spare ribs.
- Goya champuru: Stir-fry of bitter melon, tofu, egg and pork.
- Rafute: Pork belly simmered in awamori, soy and brown sugar.
- Taco rice: Taco fillings over rice — a post-war fusion dish.
- Awamori & Orion beer: The local distilled spirit and the island's own beer brand.
Anreise & Nahverkehr
Naha Airport (OKA) has frequent flights from Tokyo (around 2.5–3 hours), Osaka, Fukuoka and other cities, plus some international routes. Low-cost carriers often run sales. Outer islands like Ishigaki and Miyako have their own airports with direct flights from the mainland and Naha.
Naha has the Yui Rail monorail from the airport to Shuri. Beyond Naha, public buses exist but are slow; most visitors rent a car to explore. Traffic in and around Naha can be heavy at rush hour. On outer islands, rental cars, scooters, bicycles and tour buses are common.
Unterkünfte & Viertel
- Günstig (Budget): Guesthouses and hostels around Naha and on the outer islands.
- Mittelklasse: Business hotels in Naha; mid-range beach hotels along the west coast.
- Luxus & Ryokan: Beach resorts in Onna, Nago and on Ishigaki and Miyako.