Hotels in Okinawa (and vicinity)

Okinawa Hotels

Okinawa is made up of several vibrant, cosmopolitan cities, as well as hundreds of isolated islands. At the heart of the district is Naha, a center for shopping and business, where modern high-rise buildings sit alongside traditional architecture. You’ll also find several pleasant coastal cities which look out to the sparkling East China Sea.

International Street is a neon-soaked district where the wide range of shops and restaurants open late into the night. Along the palm tree-lined streets you’ll often see demonstrations of traditional dancing for the benefit of tourists, as well as market stalls selling local and handmade goods. Mihama American Village is a fun, family-friendly entertainment complex with shops and restaurants based around an American theme. You’ll find carnival rides, fast food outlets, and shops styled in kitsch Americana styles. Bargains can be found at the DFS Galleria Okinawa, a stylish marble-covered shopping mall which has designer goods at low prices. The impressive Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium has giant shark tanks and a glass tunnel where you can see tropical and exotic marine life up close, and there’s even a soothing touch tank where you can stroke the gentle shallow water creatures that live there. The Himeyuri Peace Museum is a monument to the young girls drafted to serve as nursing assistants during the Second World War, and you can see the small cave where the girls hid during raids.

Hotels in Okinawa

If you decide to travel in Okinawa, there is a wide range of accommodation options available, from capsule hotels to luxury resorts. Most hotels in city are 3 or 4 star, and have plenty of extras such as restaurants, cafés, complimentary WiFi, safe deposit boxes, free newspapers, and designated smoking areas. Guestrooms are also well-appointed, with amenities such as bathrobes, down comforters, flat-screen televisions with international channels, rainfall showerheads, bidets, complimentary toiletries, and hair dryers.

Where to stay

Naha is the capital of the Okinawa area, and is a busy, lively city full of high-rise buildings. It’s the cultural and economic heart of the region, as well as being host to many of the major transport hubs. Onna is a coastal village that attracts plenty of tourists thanks to its white sandy beaches and clear blue seas that make up national park land. In the rugged hills surrounding the village you’ll find pineapples, mandarins, and other exotic fruits being grown, and can even sample some of the local pineapple wine. Nago is also popular with those on vacation, with clear seas full of coral and exotic marine life, and back on land, cherry blossoms that flower in the early spring.

How to get to Okinawa

Naha Airport is less than 3 miles away from the downtown area of Naha, with regular services across Asia and to New Zealand. Upon arrival, visitors can simply catch the Okinawa Monorail, with the journey from the airport to the end of the line taking less than half an hour. Popular stops along the way include Makishi Station which is close to one of the largest markets in the region, and Miebashi Station which is close to many central government buildings. There are also regular buses running from the airport to cities across Japan, making it easy to get to your destination.