We are planning our honeymoon for Japan for next year and we are having a hard time figuring out when it's best to go to Okinawa. We are planning to do Ishigaki, Iriomote, and Taketomi, and are thinking of either going in early July or early October.
This is what we have gathered so far and are conflicted. Would appreciate any thoughts and opinions on when the better time is to go. Thank you in advance for your help!
July (first two weeks):
- Pros: Lower chance of rain & hotter (I think that's a pro for the beach, but maybe it'll be too hot?)
- Cons: Typhoon risk is higher
October (first two weeks):
- Pros: Lower typhoon risk & fewer tourists
- Cons: Higher chance of rain, cooler (high 70s/low 80s), and not all tourist activities in full swing (have seen some hotels close water sports by end of September)
Here is our full itinerary for reference:
Day 1: Tokyo
- Land in Tokyo
- Relax & then go clubbing in the evening
Day 2: Tokyo
- Shopping around Ginza
- TeamLabs Planet
- Dinner at a Michelin-star restaurant, looking at myoujaku. but open to recs.
Day 3: Kanazawa
- Morning travel to Kanazawa via Shinkansen (2.5 hours) & check into ryokan
- Lunch at Barrier
- Explore Higashi Chaya
- Dinner at Ryokan
- Cocktails at Furansu Cocktail Bar
Day 4: Kanazawa
- Breakfast at Ryokan
- Kenroku-en gardens & Castle
- Lunch at Omicho market or Okina Sushi
- Potentially some kind of workshop like kintsugi or wagashi sweet making
- Relax in private hotel onsen
- Dinner at Ryokan
Day 5: Shirakawa-go & Takayama
- Breakfast at Ryokan
- Stop over for a few hours in Shirakawa-go, on our way to Takayama
- Check into at Ryokan in Takayama with private in-room onsen
- Walk around Sanmachi Suji & sake tasting at Harada Sake Brewery
- Dinner at Ryokan
Day 6: Takayama
- Breakfast at Ryokan
- Miyagaqa Morning Market
- Takayama Shōwa-kan Museum (Retro Museum)
- Squirrel Forest
- Dinner at Ryokan
Day 7: Nakasendo Trail & Nagoya (if we go in June then we would not do Nakasendo Trail and will likely go straight to Nagoya)
- Breakfast at Ryokan
- Morning 2 hour private transfer to Magome-Juku. From there we will do the 7 km trail to Tsumago, stopping at a tea house and for snacks along the way.
- From there we will do the next 3.5 km trail to Nagiso (or take a taxi depending on how we are feeling).
- From Nagiso we will take the train into Nagoya (1 hr 15 min).
- Nagoya is a stop over so we can fly out the next morning.
Day 8-10: Taketomi
- Flight to Ishigaki from Nagoya (2 hr 30 min), then short ferry to Taketomi
- Stay at either Hoshinoya Taketomi or Haimurubushi Resort
- Explore Taketomi with bikes
- Relax on the beaches, go snorkeling, and star gazing
Day 11-12: Iriomote
- Ferry to Iriomote & rent a car to get around the island
- Stay at a glamping hotel like the dome tent at Asobi Hack
- Do an excursion to one of their main waterfalls which includes kayaking and hiking
Day 13-16: Ishigaki
- Ferry to Ishigaki
- Stay at a nice resort like Fusaki Beach Hotel
- Spend the last 4 days of honeymoon relaxing on the beach, scuba diving, maybe rent a boat for a sunset cruise, etc.
by otyotyy