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We absolutely loved Okinawa. I’d go as far as to say it was our favourite place in Japan. But let’s be clear, this isn’t Tokyo or Osaka. There’s no darting around on bullet trains or hopping between subway stations. Okinawa runs on island time and I’m here for it.
That slower pace does mean one thing though. To really get the best out of your trip, you’ll need to rent a car. Public transport exists, but it’s nowhere near what you get on the mainland.
Don’t rent your car through booking.com – Despite the “genius discount” you might be getting. we found much better prices using Discover Cars which compares all the local rental agencies.
Click here to compare car rental prices from Discover Cars
We based ourselves in Motobu and avoided the overpriced hotels in Naha. Our rental was a traditional Japanese house called Grandma’s House, complete with tatami tea room living rooms and mountain views. It felt like living inside a film. I cannot recommend highly enough this place to stay. It was such good value for money. Staying on your own isolated in the mountains, with a roof terrace and surrounded by nature really added to our experience.
Motobu also happens to be much closer to the good stuff. The beaches you’ve seen on Instagram, the waterfalls that barely feel real. Beachy weekends don’t seem to attract the locals, so even on the hottest days, you’ll often have these places all to yourself.
Thinking about getting uber around. We’d advise against it, find out why here.
Day 1: Nature, Tropical Dream Centre and Sunset Walk
Agenda
- Morning – Tropical Dream Center
- Midday – Emerald Beach Swim
- Afternoon – Bise Fukugi Tree Road
- Sunset – Sesoko Beach
Click here for the full google maps route.
Morning – Tropical Dream Center
An hour and a half is enough here, especially on a hot day. But if you want that wow factor on Instagram, this is your place. It’s full of different gardens and a beautiful viewing platform at the top of a spiral tower. (P.S. there’s a lift to get you up, and you can just walk down.)
- Time : 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
- Entry Fee : Adults: ¥760 × 2 = ¥1,520 / Kids (under 15): Free (There’s no need to book ahead here, no savings to be made or ques to beat).
- Parking : Free
Parent Tip:
There is a shaded playground a 5 minute walk from the Tropical Dream Centre Entrance (head towards the beach). There’s maps everywhere so you cant miss it, don’t bother with the botanical gardens. Its obviously they stopped maintaining it a couple years ago, its not worth the time.
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Midday – Emerald Beach Swim
This was easily our favourite beach in Okinawa. It’s the best on the island. It’s clean, calm, and has everything you want from a proper beach day. Big shaded canopies? Yes. Lifeguards actually doing their job? Yep. There are even floats out in the water where you can lie back and sunbathe without anyone kicking sand in your face.
It’s one of the few beaches that feels like it’s looked after, which might be because it’s maintained by the nearby Orion Hotel. You’ve got toilets, food options, places to rinse the sand off your feet before heading back to the car. And it’s got a handful of smaller beaches right along side, perfect for a coastline walk, if you are lucky you might get to see turtles nesting on one of the nearby beaches.
- Time : 11:15 AM – 3:00 PM
- Entry Fee : Free
- Parking : Free (at the P9 parking facility – don’t be conned. There is a couple of plots of nearby land where locals are charging a parking fee).
Lunch suggestion: Theres a couple of food options nearby, you have a seeside café, the Orion hotel but our preffered choice was a little restaurant that is 5 mins walking distance ftom the beach – Sea Side Cafe & Bar BuLL’s
The four of us ate and had drinks for £25 but has a great view across the Ocean as you eat.
Afternoon – Bise Fukugi Tree Road
This is a nice walk and definitely one to tick off. It takes around 45 minutes to an hour to explore on foot, with kids. You can rent a bike, but in my opinion it’s not really big enough to need one. The whole route is shaded, which makes it a solid option in the heat, and it’s an easy win for a few Instagram-worthy shots.
- Time : 3:15 PM – 4:30 PM
- Entry Fee : Free
- Optional Bike Rental : ¥500 per adult (My advise is its not required).
- Parking : ¥300 (If you are lucky and can get a spot along the road, its free).
Sunset – Sesoko Beach
Because the beach faces west, it’s one of the best spots to watch the sun go down. Just a heads-up. Unlike Emerald Beach, there’s no shade here, and the walk into the sea is much rockier. Swim shoes are a good idea. Then look at that photo and tell me this isn’t a place you absolutely have to see for yourself.
- Time : 4:30 PM – Sunset (around 7:00–7:30 PM)
- Entry Fee : Free
- Parking : ¥500 (again if lucky, there is some nearby roadside parking)
Day 2 – Pineapples, Pints & Robot Waiters
Agenda
- Morning – Pineapple Park
- Midday – Orion Beer Factory Tour
- Afternoon – Lunch at Coco’s Curry House
- Sunset – Nago Citizen Beach
Click here for the full google maps route.
Morning – Pineapple Park
This is without a doubt the cheesiest day out we had in Okinawa. And we genuinely loved it. Pineapple Park even has its own theme song, which plays on loop through almost every section of the park. There’s a Fruits Land right next door, but I’d skip it. It doesn’t land the same way Pineapple Park does. For reasons no one really explains, there’s also a full dinosaur section. Apparently the sweetness of the pineapples brought them back. Or maybe it’s just easier to get hold of dinosaur statues than pineapple ones.
Cheesiness aside, the kids loved it. So did I. It’s good value for what’s included – a pineapple cart ride, juice tasting, wine samples for adults, and a walk-through museum. Just be warned, you’ll probably spend double that in the gift shop. I left with pineapple cake and pineapple wine I didn’t plan on buying.
- Time : 10:00 AM – 12.00pm
- Entry Fee : ¥1,500 adults, ¥750 Children (4–15), Under 4: Free (Beat the ques at the entrance and book tickets ahead of time here)
- Parking : Free
Midday – Orion Beer Factory Tour
This one is what it says on the tin really. Its not as good as Pineapple park for kids but its short and something to do and see. Orion plays a big part in the local area and its worth it just to say been there done that got the T-shirt.
- Time : 12:10 AM – 1:30 PM (5 mins from Pineapple Park).
- Entry Fee : ¥500 Adults, ¥200 Children (7–15), Under 7 : Free
- Parking : Free
Afternoon – Lunch at Coco’s Curry House
Can you even say you’ve been to Japan, if you havn’t had your food brought to you by a robot waiter. Look this is a great spot for lunch just based on the food alone but the fact, its all brought to you by a jingle playing robot waiter means the kids absolute love it. For a family of four with drinks and desserts you’re look at about ¥5000. Coco’s curry house, well worth a visit.
- Time : 1:45 PM – 3.00 PM
- Parking : Free
Sunset – Nago Citizen Beach
Ok so Emerald beach was our favourite but this is a close second, nearby toilet facilities, would advise sea shoes is the tide is out a bit but a lovely beach and we actually spend one day here with the entire beach to ourselves. Doesn’t get as busy as emerald beach.
- Time : 3.15 – 7.30pm Sunset
- Entry Fee : Free
- Parking : Free
Day 3: Jungle Adventures & Coastal Chill
Agenda:
- Morning – Ta-Taki Waterfall
- Midday Lunch – Kishimoto Shokudo Restaurant
- Afternoon – 21st Century Beach
- Evening Shopping – Aeon Nago
Click here for full google maps route
Morning – Ta-Taki Waterfall
This one caught us off guard. We didn’t realise it was a full hike to reach the waterfall, its about 45 minutes trekking up the river, including a rope-assisted rock climb thrown in for good measure. Along the way we saw fish, bugs, butterflies, and even water spiders.
By the time you reach the falls, you feel like Bear Grylls. And that makes it all the more rewarding. The kids absolutely loved it. One of the best stops of the trip.
- Time : 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
- Parking : ¥500
- Entry Fee : The parking fee covers your entry. If you manage to park nearby, there’s nothing stopping you from just walking in and joining the river. But parking at the main lot gives you access to toilets, changing rooms, and gear hire. You’ll want the sea shoes. Helmets and life vests are also available, but you probably won’t need them unless you’ve got little ones. We already had life vests because my two swim like a brick.
Midday Lunch – Kishimoto Shokudo Restaurant
Kishimoto Shokudo is the real deal for our Day 3 route. It’s a local soba shop about 15 minutes from Ta‑Taki, with homemade Okinawa noodles and rich, pork‑bone broth in good‑size portions. It’s cheap, quick, and family‑friendly, proper Soba Noodles, solid food. Its a must try when in Okinawa. The kids can slurp their soup and be done in no time. Parking is free and you can pay at the ticket machine. If you’re after a proper lunch without overthinking it, this is the place.
- Time : 12.45 – 13.45
- Parking : Free
- Cost : Small bowl soba: ¥600 – Large bowl soba: ¥750
Afternoon – 21st Century Beach
The keen eyed here will notice this is exactly the same location as Nago Citizen. Its basically the name given to a different stretch of sand but essentially it’s the same beach, but it’s a good spot, worth taking a walk down the coast as well. Theres a few more rock pools and different sea life you can catch walking along this section of the beach. We made a mansion house for a hermit crab we found.
- Time : 14.00 – 17.00pm
- Parking : Free
Evening Shopping – Aeon Nago
They sell just about everything you can think of under one roof. Electronics, clothes, groceries, and most importantly, souvenirs. Out of everywhere we looked in Nago, this place had the best prices by far. It’s ideal for grabbing everything you need to take back for family and friends.
The supermarket section is also a winner for dinner options. And if you’re not on a strict budget, head upstairs where there are a few restaurant choices too.
Travel Tip:
If you go around 5pm, keep an eye out. Staff start marking down ready meals with 10%, 20%, even 50% off stickers. Perfect if you’re looking to grab a cheap bite on your way out.
- Time : 17.00 – 19.00pm
- Parking : Free
Day 4: Water Play, Marine Wonders & Sunset Return
Agenda:
- Morning – Ginoza Splash Park
- Midday – Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium / Ocean Expo Park
- Sunset – Emerald Beach
Click here for the full google maps route
Morning – Ginoza Splash Park
There’s a splash park that’s ideal on a hot day, and it links via footbridge to a massive playground. It’s popular with American army families stationed nearby, so our kids made friends easily. We killed a good few hours here while grabbing iced coffees from nearby spots and letting the kids run wild.
- Time : Time: 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
- Fee : Free
- Parking : Free
Midday – Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium / Ocean Expo Park
This is the big one. Whale sharks, manta rays, deep sea creatures all under one roof. The main tank alone is worth the visit.
But just to flag, this is still an Asian aquarium. Some of the outdoor tanks feel way too small. It’s a good chance to explain to the kids how we’ve learned more about animal welfare and why places like this still have a way to go. Still, it’s impressive. Busy, yes, but a must-do if you’re in Okinawa.
- Time : 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM
- Fee : Adults: ¥2,180, ¥710 Children. (Book your tickets here ahead of time to beat the ques)
- Parking : Free
Sunset – Emerald Beach
We’ve been here before and yes, there are other beaches but if you’re trying to tick off the best of Okinawa, this one deserves a re-visit. We’ve seen a lot of the smaller spots, and Emerald still tops the list for us.
As a treat, pop into the Orion Hotel. It’s a beautiful beachfront hotel with an excellent on-site restaurant. Prices are higher than a local noodle shop, but not outrageous — around ¥2,000 to ¥3,000 per person. The food’s great quality, the setting’s classy but relaxed, and the views from the terrace are worth the stop.
- Time : 3.45 – 19.30pm
- Parking: Free
Day 5 – American Village and sunset beach
Agenda:
- Morning and Afternoon – American Village
- Sunset Beach
Click here to find the full google maps route
Morning and Afternoon – American Village
Ok so you caught me, this isn’t really a driving route, but let’s be honest, you don’t need one. If you’re visiting Okinawa island, you can’t miss the American Village. Just park up and wander. There’s more than enough to fill your day without an itinerary.
You’ll find everything from arcades to bowling alleys, souvenir shops to photo spots. We started with a browse around one of the many quirky stores, including a year-round Christmas shop. The owner has clearly seen a few things, judging by the “children must be accompanied by a hand-holding adult” sign on the door and multiple “you break it, you buy it” warnings inside. If, like me, you enjoy the devilment of walking in with two hyper kids just to catch the look of panic from behind the counter, this one’s for you.
There’s a huge variety of restaurants: Japanese, American, Hawaiian, taco stands, burger joints, you name it. Whatever you’re in the mood for, it’s probably here. We went for an iced coffee from Climax Coffee which was genuinely incredible.
A lot of the bars offer all-you-can-drink packages for two hours. We had the kids with us, so didn’t take full advantage, but it’s clearly a popular option, especially for anyone doing this leg of the trip without little ones. My advice, there is an amazing Cafe called Cafe Climax. Grab anything from pancakes, to the best iced coffees to a beer all whilst enjoying the superb ocean view.
Sunset Beach
As the day winds down, make your way to Sunset Beach just a short stroll from the heart of American Village. It’s one of the best spots on the island to watch the sun dip below the horizon. Even with kids in tow, it’s calm, open, and easy to settle into. Bring a drink or grab one nearby, let the kids play on the sand, and soak in the final glow of the day.
Travelling Japan and looking for tips, why not check out our ultimate guide here for Japan beginners.
Where to Stay in Okinawa (Family Budget and Upgrade Options)
When most people start planning a trip to Okinawa, they get drawn into looking at Naha. It’s the capital, it’s got the airport, and on paper, it seems like the obvious base. But here’s the thing almost everything you’re actually going to want to see is up north. The best beaches, the waterfalls, the viewpoints, the island drives, they’re all clustered around Motobu and the surrounding coastline.
What’s more, Naha prices are steep. You’re often paying city rates for places that don’t deliver anything beyond location. And that location just ends up meaning longer drives every day. So we chose Motobu. It’s quieter, better value, and perfectly placed for the best parts of the island. If you’re hiring a car (and you should), it just makes more sense
Family Budget Option
If you’re heading to Okinawa and want more than just a place to sleep, this is it. I genuinely can’t recommend this place highly enough. It’s not a hotel, it’s not a rental, it’s an experience. Tucked away in the hills of Motobu, Grandma’s House feels like you’ve stepped straight into an old Japanese storybook. You’re not just surrounded by nature, you’re in it (in house gecko’s included) and yet you’ve still got all the comfort and space that’s usually reserved for properties five times the price.
There’s something about having the whole place to yourself that instantly slows everything down. The traditional tatami rooms, the spacious kitchen, the calm. It’s beautifully furnished, and the little touches the tea room, the roof terrace morning coffee’s.
We stayed here with our two kids and honestly, it felt like having our own slice of Japan. The kind of stay that sticks with you.
Check availability and priced here
Upgrade Option
If you’re not on a tight budget and want to be right in the heart of it all, the Orion Hotel is unbeatable. Location-wise, it doesn’t get better. It’s right alongside Emerald Beach, which we think is the best beach on the island soft sand, calm waters, plenty of shade, and lifeguards on duty. You literally step out of your room and straight into paradise.
The hotel itself delivers proper luxury. There’s a spa, a rooftop onsen with views out to sea, and an in-house restaurant serving up high-quality Japanese and Western options. You’ll also find a shop in the lobby for snacks, drinks, and last-minute essentials, and the service throughout is top class.
If we weren’t watching every yen to stretch our travels, this would’ve been our first choice. It’s not just a place to stay, it’s part of the trip somewhere you come back to and instantly feel like you’re on holiday again.
Check availability and prices here
