Hey guys,
We will stay in Okinawa for about a week in early july.
I am a bit terrified because I read everywhere that public transport is a nightmare to navigate but my partner absolutely refuses to rent a car and I have no license.
Are taxis viable at all? I know they are supposed to be extremely expensive.
We don't even know where to stay because I have no clue where to look for that would be connected to public transport.
We mostly want to be at nice beaches/restaurants but we also want to visit the aquarium and the pokemon center.
Do you have any advice for where I should be looking for places to stay that is near a nice beach and could be reached by bus?
I appreciate and advice!
by Rururuun
7 comments
I messaged you privately. Il give you some info in the morning. I have traveled to okinawa multiple times in the past 3 years, and I’m currently in okinawa now. But it’s 3am so time for sleep. Will answer your questions in the morning on dms
When I visited in Naha, Okinawa last August I was able to get a taxi just by sticking my hand out on the side of a street. The price was affordable but my mother is actually from the area so I don’t know if the prices would be different for someone who may look foreign. Bus transportation was also easy to use in the area near shuri castle.
I recently stayed in Onna (resort area) for a family reunion. We did taxis but our resort could also book a driver for the day if you wanted one. People will say it’s expensive but if you have the budget it’s 100% doable to just use uber. Fare was about $80USD to Naha or Nago one way. I would also look at booking limousine bus to get from the airport to your hotel, depending where you stay.
Cab fares will add up and a rental car would be the most economical method to getting around but you can still manage with public transit. Use this guide for the buses: https://okinawabus.com/en/rb/rb_userguide/rb_ridemethod/
As far as places to stay, some hotels have a shuttle from the airport and if you are staying north of Naha, you could be closer to the Aeon mall with the Pokemon Center and the aquarium in Nago. Check out hotels near sunset beach (definitely a touristy area) but walking distance to the water. It is about a ¥5500/$45 cab ride from the airport to that area.
Happy to discuss this more with you, but that’s the exact opposite of my experience. I found the public transportation to be easy and relatively inexpensive. Shoot me a message if you have any specific questions or would like some pointers.
Me and my friends are doing a group trip first week July. There are taxis but heard they are a bit pricey & renting a car isn’t the worst thing if you know what to look for
You need to break up with your partner now. If you don’t, you will after that trip.
It will start with you getting mad cause you got stuck somewhere without transport and can’t get a taxi to pick you up.
Anyone with the ability to and refusing to get a rental car for a one week trip IN OKINAWA because they think they don’t need it is Mentally deranged.
Unless the plan is to have you stuck in one area for the whole trip or spend a bunch of money on Taxi.
A trip from Okinawa city to Onna is easily 10,000 yen. Okinawa city to Naha is about the same as well.