Okinawa 4-Night 5-Day Free Travel Core Guide

3 cities | 11 attraction(s) | total distance 146 km

TIPS

The Okinawa 4-night, 5-day itinerary is a free-travel route designed to balance 'relaxation + historical/cultural experiences.' It includes renting a car and traveling a circular route from Naha to the northern, central, and southern regions of Okinawa. --- ## Overview of Entire Itinerary - Travel Type: Rental car free-travel - Concept: Emerald seas + Ryukyu Kingdom history & culture + Peace & wartime history - Route: Naha (urban/historical) → Northern region (aquarium/ocean) → Central region (resort/activities) → Southern region (peace/sacred sites) → Naha (shopping & departure) --- ## Day 1 – Naha City & Ryukyu History - Shurijo Castle The iconic ruins of the former royal palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom, offering insight into unique Ryukyu culture and history. - Kokusai Street Naha's main shopping street, perfect for souvenirs and trying local foods like Okinawa soba, agu pork, and Blue Seal Ice Cream. - Makishi Public Market A traditional market showcasing local ingredients like seafood, pork, and tropical fruits. Ideal for experiencing Okinawan food culture by cooking freshly bought ingredients. --- ## Day 2 – Northern Region: Churaumi Aquarium & Ocean Views - Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium Famous for its massive Kuroshio Tank featuring whale sharks and manta rays. A must-visit to explore Okinawa’s marine ecosystem. - Emerald Beach Located inside Ocean Expo Park, this beach offers emerald-colored waters, white sands, and a calm ambiance suitable for families and couples. - Bise Fukugi Avenue A serene walking or cycling route surrounded by Fukugi tree tunnels and traditional houses, giving glimpses into Okinawan village life and coastal views. --- ## Day 3 – Onna and Central Region: Resorts, Activities, and Driving - Manzamo A cliff featuring elephant-shaped rocks with breathtaking views of the deep blue ocean, perfect for photography and a short walk. - Ryukyu Mura A cultural theme park with restored traditional houses, Eisa dance shows, and craft workshops to experience Ryukyu customs firsthand. - Maeda Cape Popular for snorkeling, diving, or tours around the ‘Blue Cave.’ Even if you don't engage in water activities, the views from the observation deck are stunning. --- ## Day 4 – Southern Region: War/Pace Memorials and Sacred Sites - Himeyuri Monument A memorial honoring the student nurse corps lost during WWII. Visiting the monument and museum sheds light on Okinawa’s wartime tragedy. - Peace Memorial Park A vast park commemorating victims of the Battle of Okinawa, offering memorial walls, museums, ocean views, and reflective walking paths. - Sefa Utaki Considered the most sacred place of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Its ancient forests, scenic seaside views, and spiritual ambiance provide insight into Okinawa’s shamanistic culture. --- ## Day 5 – Naha: Last Ocean Views & Shopping, Departure - Senaga Island Umikaji Terrace Near Naha Airport, featuring white Mediterranean-style buildings, ocean views, cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops, plus close-up airplane watching. - Naha Airport The final stop for shopping Okinawa-exclusive products like brown sugar, salt, and snacks alongside a small meal before concluding your trip. --- Summary Highlights - Day 1: Explore Naha city, learn about Ryukyu Kingdom history, browse markets & streets - Day 2: Northern drive with aquarium, beach, and village landscapes - Day 3: Resort area drives featuring cultural experiences and scenic ocean views - Day 4: Dive deep into war, peace, and sacred sites of historical significance - Day 5: Relax at a coastal café area near the airport before departure This itinerary offers a balanced blend of relaxation, sightseeing, nature, and cultural exploration suitable for first-time visitors to Okinawa.

Day1: Naha

3 attraction(s) · 4 km

This itinerary explores Okinawa's Naha city and historical sites, starting at Shurijo Castle—a UNESCO World Heritage site and former royal palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom—to experience Okinawa's unique history and culture. Then, move to Kokusai Street, Naha's bustling downtown area, for souvenir shopping and enjoying local foods such as Blue Seal ice cream, Okinawa soba, and agu pork. Lastly, visit the nearby Makishi Public Market to browse fresh seafood and tropical fruits, and experience local food culture by cooking ingredients you select.

Shuri Castle

Shuri Castle is located on a highland in the northeast corner of Naha City, at an elevation of 120 meters, overlooking Naha City. The castle was built in the late 14th century and served as the official residence of the kings of Ryukyu and the political center, witnessing the rise and fall of the Ryukyu Kingdom. The main hall of Shuri Castle is the largest wooden structure in Okinawa and is where the Ryukyu monarchs handled official affairs and held important ceremonies. In front of the main hall are the Shureimon Gate and the courtyard, with the South Hall and North Hall on either side. The North Hall once hosted envoys from China, while the South Hall was used to receive artists from Satsuma. The main hall of Shuri Castle has experienced a tumultuous fate, having been destroyed and devastated by wars, but thanks to the negotiations of Ito Chutaro and Kamakura Yoshitaro, it was preserved and registered as a World Cultural Heritage site in 2000. Now, the interior of the main hall is open to the public, while the North Hall and South Hall are used as exhibition halls, allowing visitors to learn about the daily life and rituals of the Ryukyu Dynasty at that time. In addition, there are many castle gates within Shuri Castle worth seeing, especially the Shureimon Gate, which is the main gate of Shuri Castle and a symbol of Okinawa. Although the character '之' is a Chinese character and is no longer used on the 2000 yen banknote issued by the Japanese government, it remains a must-see for tourists.

4 km

Kokusai-dori

1 km

Makishi Public Market

Day2: Okinawa

3 attraction(s) · 1 km

The Okinawa northern driving course starts at Churaumi Aquarium, one of the world's largest aquariums featuring whale sharks and manta rays, followed by relaxation at Emerald Beach, a nearby spot with emerald-colored waters and white sands. Then, head to Bise Fukugi Avenue to enjoy a leisurely stroll or bicycle ride through greenery created by Fukugi trees, immersing yourself in the tranquil scenery and the nostalgic atmosphere of traditional Okinawan villages.

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

This aquarium, one of the world's largest, features sharks, coral, fish, manta rays & more.

1 km

Kokuei Okinawakinenkoen Emerald Beach

1 km

Bise-Fukugi Tree Road

Sandy road lined with centuries-old fukugi trees, popular for biking & ox-drawn cart rides.

Day3: Okinawa > Kunigamigun Onnason

3 attraction(s) · 14 km

A driving route covering Onna and central Okinawa includes the stunning Manzamo cliff resembling an elephant and overlooking the azure East China Sea, an iconic scenic spot. You can also visit Ryukyu Mura—a cultural theme park with restored traditional houses, Eisa performances, and hands-on craft experiences to explore Ryukyu heritage. Finish the day at Maeda Cape to snorkel or dive in the famous 'Blue Cave,' or simply admire the coastline from the observation deck.

Cape Manzamo

Oceanfront rock formation shaped like an elephant's trunk, popular with tourists & photographers.

12 km

Ryukyu Mura

Recreation of a traditional Okinawan village, with cultural performances & hands-on workshops.

2 km

Cape Maeda

Busy seaside destination best known for panoramic water views as well as scuba diving & snorkeling.

Day4: Okinawa

1 attraction(s) · 0 km

The Okinawa Southern Peace and Healing course visits 'Himeyuri no Tou,' a monument honoring the tragic story of a student nurse corps during WWII, and 'Peace Memorial Park' to remember the casualties of the Battle of Okinawa and reflect on the meaning of peace. Next, visit Sefa Utaki, considered one of the Ryukyu Kingdom's most sacred sites, to walk through untouched forests, unique rock formations, and sea views and experience Okinawa's spiritual culture.

Sefa Utaki

Lush, holy place, believed by the Ryukyuan to be the site where the goddess Amamikyu appeared.

Day5: Naha

1 attraction(s) · 0 km

On the final day, explore 'Umikaji Terrace' on Senaga Island near Naha Airport, where you can enjoy Mediterranean-style white buildings, ocean views, cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops while watching planes take off and land up close. Afterwards, go to Naha Airport for souvenir shopping, including Okinawa-exclusive snacks, salt, and brown sugar, and have a simple meal to wrap up your 4-night, 5-day trip smoothly.