Top 10 Things To Do In Okinawa Japan (from a local)

I'm Matt, an American living in Okinawa, Japan. Watch as I explore all of Okinawa's coolest places, try the most bangin' foods, and share whatever else I find interesting here in Okinawa.

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[ivoneray]

Hi! Did you and your friend open that business? My husband and I are going to Okinawa in April and we don't feel comfortable driving there so I was wondering if you did open the pick up and drive around business. Do you have a website?

[firewaterintuitive]

So me and my cousin are planning a trip hopefully for October 2025. We plan on staying in Okinawa for a week. If y’all are still there, and have your tourism gig up and running we already decided we would love to meet you guys and get a proper tour of this beautiful place!

[doryjackson]

RIGHT ON MATT!!! THE BEACH and SNORKELING!! By far, our family of children's favorite assignment...UNANIMOUS! We were stationed at KADENA twice...1966-70 and '75-'77. Yes, I agree with All of your other picks also...NAHA, THE CASTLES, HEDO POINT and Of course American Village. And like you said...Get in a car and go see! Our parents did exactly that for us and all we have is very fond memories of OKINAWA and OKINAWA PEOPLE. Okinawa climate has a warm tendency and so do the Okinawa People. Scenically, it is so stunning by the day or even the hour...During the Summer months we could depend on 15-20 minute rain showers to cool everything off late afternoon... And suddenly be refreshed with a cool beautiful sunset...Paradise!

[grantzhang]

Great, thanks for sharing, Matt. Hope to visit Okinawa soon.

[syyenergy]

I bought a Harley when I was in Okinawa. Converted it to a 1200cc and installed Andrews cams and of course open pipes. That thing was wide open many times. Still have the Harley right now.

[OkinawaAdventure-unom]

Hey Matt and Kit! Great video! I lived in Okinawa for 9 years as a civilian working at Camp Foster. My family and I enjoyed it very much and miss everything about it! We wish we could retire there!

[santiagoboschbolta]

Thanks for the video! I'm visiting Japan in february, is it nice in the beach/sea at that time too?

[daverich]

#1 Ryukyu Mura, #2 Hedo Misaki, #3 Shuri Castle, #4 Kerama islands, #5 Ogimi village, #6 suicide cliffs, #7 churaumi aquarium, #8 Teguchi beach and park, #9 Mihama (American village) and #10 Matsuyama if you like the nightlife and want to understand Japanese entertainment then this is your place. I’ve lived in Okinawa for 30 years and trust me this list is it.

[cdmcintyre]

When I was USAF during the Vietnam years I lived off base in Koza City Okinawa 4-5 blocks from the Air Base Gate #2.

[judycherry]

All great suggestions, Matt! I loved snorkeling with my dad when we were stationed in Okinawa! You are so right about the crystal clear, beautiful water. It's like nowhere I've ever been.

[JELEMENT]

This, in my opinion, is the best “Top Okinawa” video I’ve seen. We’ll done. Bise-Fukugi Tree Road is one of our favorite spots to take visitors.

[seizethedayandlive]

Exactly; that's how I travel. I've rented a car for 10 days and have no itinerary and no hotel reservations. Just drive from morning to late afternoon. Thanks man.

[jimmielynn]

Great video Matt! I was in Okinawa with the 3d Marine Division. I was at Kadena AFB outside of Futenma I left in late 1971. I loved it. A place I will never forget. It's strange a physical therapist I had was born in Okinawa; she told me I would not recognize it.
I was all of 19 years old. A buddy of mine was dating a girl whose father was in the Air Force, she also was born there. They introduced me to a girl who at best spoke broken English and of course, I could not speak her language. To make a long story shorter we dated for six months and with some frustration we could communicate. I saw more of Okinawa than most people stationed there all by cab.😊 She could never introduce me to her parents because he hated Americans. I get it. When I left it was one of the hardest decisions I had to do. Come home. Take care! Love your cap. I hope your business is up an running

[kerri-annkumar]

Can you advise what beaches are the best? Soft sand and clear water (no crushed coral sand) in Okinawa

[mountainneko]

A couple of your choices weren't around when I lived there and I was there when Expo park was opened, the aquarium they initially had was pretty impressive, but it does sound like they even improved it. Talking about snorkeling, one summer we went to Ishigaki, to be able to visit Iriomote and Taketome islands (Taketomi is famous for star sand) we stayed at a Minshuku there and there were several mainland Japanese college students who had been there almost all summer diving, we went out with them with the Minshuku owner, he had a glass bottom boat, we went out about a mile and the divers all went in, the coral reef was incredible and even at a mile out from the island, it was only about 6 feet from the surface, so if you don't dive or snorkle, a glass bottom boat tour might be just up your alley. and I loved touring castles sites when I was there, there were several that were not parks, that you had to do a little hiking to get to. . you also forgot about camping, we went to Sesoku (which now has a bridge, but when we went there you went by an old WW2 landing craft, we camped on the beach on the west side of the island. and lastly when we drove around the island clockwise, after Oku, the road was still dirt, it was an adventure in itself. . .other things not on your list: the Japanese Underground Headquarters in Tomigusuku, and to go with your hidden gems, Himeyuri Shrine (The Cave of the Virgins). . .very good list, and if there is one thing I learned about Okinawa, there was always something new to discover👍👍❤❤

[davidhyder]

Good job Matt I think you put together a good list. My list would be similar although I would focus more on the ocean for diving, snorkeling, and fishing. Visiting other islands in the Okinawa prefecture too. And of course eating, like Okinawa soba, gurukun, black squid soup, etc. Also, we lived mostly on the military bases so for us those especially Kadena would be on our visit list. Thanks...trying to visit Okinawa in October 2023.

[PKshockwave]

Very very helpful. Definitely going to send this to my friends. We are doing a Japan trip this September and Okinawa is on the list. Was trying to find things to do and see besides the aquarium which is mandatory lol. Worked at my local aquarium for 7.5 years and have a masters degree in marine biology, so how could I not. I'm from and live in the Caribbean, so pretty used to Tropical beaches and might look for more of the historic stuff instead.

[hayleywester]

Please tell me Dragons Palace arcade still exists there! It’s very nostalgic for me (was in Okinawa from 2004-2007), as are the sticky picture machines!

[SkosiKuma]

Can't forget about Nago Pineapple Park, it's a must-visit for the free samples alone

[somewhrntm]

My husband and I live in Michigan, USA. We are considering a trip to Okinawa in 2025. I don’t know if I’m sure I’ll want to go for sure because of the weather. I hear that it’s VERY VERY humid. I’m looking to relax and get a TAN! I work night shift so I want my body to feel the sun ! 😊