American Village in Okinawa – Tacky or Totally Worth It? The Hawaii of Japan

American Village in Okinawa – Tacky or Totally Worth It? The Hawaii of Japan

Exploring the American Village in Okinawa 🇯🇵🇺🇸 | A Day Trip from Naha by Bus

Welcome to Okinawa! In this video, I take you on a quirky day trip to one of Japan’s most unusual seaside attractions: American Village, located in Chatan, about an hour by bus from Naha. Expect pastel buildings, fighter jets overhead, palm trees, arcades, beach boardwalks, taco rice joints, and yes—plenty of neon.

I break down how to get there using public transport (no car needed), explain how Okinawa’s bus system works (hint: there are two types of fare systems), and give you a tour of the area’s retro Americana charm. From Blue Seal ice cream to a kitschy 50s cinema and a place literally called Christmas Land, this place is part theme park, part shopping mall, and 100% a cultural mash-up of Japan and the USA.

Whether you’re here for the beach, the shopping, or the sheer weirdness of it all, American Village is a fun and photogenic escape that’s perfect for a chilled afternoon. I also reflect on island life, Japan’s connection to the U.S. military, and how it all blends into this strange but endearing spot on the Okinawan coast.

📍 How to get there:
From Naha, take Bus 20, 28, or 120. It takes about 45–60 minutes depending on traffic. Get off near Mihama or Chatan Park.

💸 Entry: Free – it’s a public area! Just bring spending money for food, drinks, and souvenirs.

☀️ Best time to visit: Late afternoon to catch the sunset, then stick around for the lights at night.

📝 Let me know in the comments—Have you been to the American Village? Does it remind you of Hawaii? Florida? Or just something totally unique?

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