I'm looking at five days there at the end of September as part of a longer Japan trip. There with wife and young adult daughter. None of us have been to Okinawa before. Rest of trip will be pretty busy so don't mind chilling to some degree.
Am mulling two options.
1/Flying into Naha, getting a car and tripping around main island. Possible overnight to an island like Zamami to get a more intimate experience
OR
2/Flying into Miyakojima and spending the whole time there.
Given the time of year and perhaps weather implications I'm leaning towards 1. My concern is that if the weather is bad we'll be pretty limited in what we can do in Miyakojima for 5 days.
Would love to hear others' thoughts!
by Nervous_Owl1651
3 comments
Miyakojima is small and unless the plan is to dive everyday I wouldn’t advise doing 5 days there. 5 days on Okinawa would be much better and you’ll have better options in case there is bad weather. Now, all bets are off if there’s a typhoon, but in life you have to choose the risks you are willing to take.
If you want to spend the whole 5 days in Okinawa, the best option is fly to Ishigaki. And from there you can do islands hopping. Iriomote, for jungle trekking and waterfall sightseeing, and river kayaking as well. You can spend 2D1N there. After, you can take ferry to Hateruma for 1N, and see the Milky Way and Southern Star.
Another 2D1N can spend in Ishigaki Island, and visiting Taketomi by ferry. In Ishigaki, you can do a lot as well. Glass bottom boat, visiting Black Pearl Farm in Nagura Bay. Then going to Hirakubozaki, a lighthouse in northern part of Ishigaki. If you likr, you may spend 1 hour in Hakubutsukan, a museum to learn sea faring ancient Ishigaki people. Then as Omiyage, you can spend 2 to 3 hours to make your own Shisa. Shisa is ornaments made by red clay, a pair of Lion like figures. One with mouth closed, and the other one is open. Shisa have deep meaning in Okinawa lives.
During September, bear in mind that Okinawa so many times having typhoon season. So that ferries to other islands sometimes cancelled at the last minute. Always be careful, and listen to the information provided. Hope you can enjoy Okinawa.
Fly to Naha, I can easily spend 5 days there!! There is a lot to do and see.