JAPAN🇯🇵OKINAWA TRAVEL GUIDE:Must-Visit Spots, Hotel, Groumet | Short trip | excursion | Hidden Gems
Hello! This is Matcha_Japan. This time We are going to introduce Okinawa, which is a hot topic in Japan right now. Okinawa is one of Japan’s leading resort areas, with blue seas and warm weather all year round. It’s a 2.5 hour flight from Tokyo. You can experience something completely different from urban areas such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, without even leaving Japan. This is a travel guide for Okinawa, so please read to the end! Let’s go! Okinawa is a beautiful prefecture located at the southwestern end of the Japanese archipelago, consisting of more than 150 islands. It is a fascinating region blessed with its own history, culture, and nature. Okinawa Prefecture is made up of islands scattered across a vast ocean area that stretches about 400 km north to south and 1000 km east to west. Okinawa Island has the largest area and is long and narrow from north to south. This time I’m going to introduce Okinawa Island. First, I’ll explain its location. It’s easy to get there by plane from Tokyo in 2.5 hours, or from Osaka in about 1.5 hours. If you are staying in Japan for a long period of time, I recommend going to Okinawa for 2 or 3 days. Okinawa Island is divided into three areas. First, I’ll introduce the northern area, which has many attractive spots. This area is a hot topic due to the opening of Junglia Okinawa on July 25, 2025. First up is the Churaumi Aquarium. This aquarium is famous for its whale sharks. Although it has now ended, there was also a collaboration with Pokemon. The blue of the ocean and Ie Island in the distance are very beautiful. You can see many creatures that represent the Okinawan sea. The highlight is this large aquarium. The sight of the whale sharks swimming gracefully is a masterpiece. There are also other rooms such as an aqua room where you can look at the fish from below and a shark room. There are also manta rays. The museum shop is large and has a wide selection of souvenirs. There are products that can only be purchased here, such as stuffed animals, key chains, fabrics, stationery, and sweets , so please stop by. Next, we will introduce the Fukugi trees of Bise. Bise is a scenic village famous for its Fukugi trees near the Churaumi Aquarium. The village, which is divided into a grid pattern, is lined with about 230 houses. The house is surrounded by Fukugi bushes, making it look like an old Okinawan settlement. The alleyway looks like a green tunnel like this. You can ride a bicycle or electric scooter through the trees. You can also ride a water buffalo cart. We pass through the small path. The sea seen between the bushes is very beautiful. Find your favorite path . Ie Island can be seen in the distance. After passing through the tree-lined path, you will reach Bisezaki. Time flows slowly. It is also recommended to ride along the coastline on the way back. Next is the World Heritage site Nakijin Castle Ruins. The biggest attraction of Nakijin Castle Ruins is the magnificent and beautiful stone walls. Built about 600 years ago, the appearance that has gained texture over the years is very beautiful. The view from the top of the castle hill is also wonderful, so please visit it. Another attraction of Nakijin Castle Ruins is the cherry blossoms. If you visit Okinawa from late January to early February, we recommend seeing the cherry blossoms that bloom the earliest in Japan. This is a type of cherry tree called Hikanzakura, and has a unique beauty that is different from that of Yoshino cherry trees. If you want to see cherry blossoms, please visit not only the castle walls but also the surrounding roads. Many cherry blossoms are blooming on the side of the road. You can see the sea behind the cherry blossoms. The contrast between the cherry blossoms and the sea is very beautiful. Be careful of cars when taking photos. Cherry blossoms can only be seen for a limited time, but even if it is not cherry blossom season, Nakijin Castle Ruins is a wonderful spot, so please visit it. The next spot I will introduce is Kouri Island. This is the Kouri Ohashi Bridge that leads to the island. The scenery is very beautiful, so if you have time, I recommend stopping by the parking lot mentioned earlier. The Kouri Ohashi Bridge is 1,960 meters long and runs over the emerald green sea, so it feels very good. Kouri Island is in front. Kouri Island is a small island with a circumference of about 8 km. It is called the island of love. Beautiful beaches, sugarcane fields, and old houses line the island, and the original scenery of old Okinawa spreads out before you. First, head to the observation deck that you can see in front. This is Kouri Ocean Tower. You can ride an automatic cart to the entrance of the tower. A magnificent view spreads out from the cart. You can see the Kouri Bridge in the distance. The unique color of the sea is called “Kouri Blue”. This is the Shell Museum. This is the “Bell of Happiness” on the rooftop ocean deck. There was Pikachu! He is wearing Okinawa’s Kariyushi. We are going around the island. We head to Teenu Beach. We walk down the alley to the beach. We can see the Heart Rock! The Heart Rock is not just two heart-shaped rocks lined up, but if you change the angle you look at it, the overlapping of the two rocks will form an upside-down heart. It is also romantic to visit at sunset. The tides also show different expressions. It was full at this time of day. Next, we will introduce Manzamo in the central area. The cobalt blue sea seen from the cliffs of Ryukyu limestone is very beautiful. There is a promenade, so you can enjoy the majestic scenery while taking a leisurely stroll. The inside of the promenade is a grassy square. It was winter at the time, but I think the greenery would be very beautiful if you visit in spring or summer. You can also rent Okinawa’s traditional costume, “Ryusou,” and take a walk. I would like to introduce another spot in the central area. This is American Village in Chatan Town. There are many shops in the exotic townscape. The colorful buildings are very interesting. There are shops of various genres, such as apparel shops, general stores, import markets, and souvenir shops. There is a wide variety of restaurants, including American food, Okinawan cuisine, international cuisine, cafes, and sweets. Cafes with terrace seats and restaurants where you can eat while looking at the sea are also popular. This is a collaboration project with Pokemon. It was called Pokegenic and was very popular. Unfortunately, it ended at the end of March 2025. Please note that you cannot see it even if you visit now. I was making a video because I wanted to introduce it to everyone, but I never realized that it had ended. It was a very cute and attractive spot, so it’s a shame. The sea is right next to the village. Cafes and restaurants are lined up overlooking the sea. At this time, it was empty after the rain, but on sunny holidays, terrace seats are also available and it gets very crowded. The last area is the southern area. First, let’s introduce Shuri Castle. Shuri Castle is the royal castle of the Ryukyu Kingdom located in Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture, and is an important place that symbolizes the history and culture of Okinawa. It was registered as a World Heritage Site in 2000. This is the Shureimon Gate, which is also its symbol. Shuri Castle was built in a unique Ryukyu style while incorporating Japanese and Chinese architectural styles. In particular, it is characterized by its gates painted in vivid vermilion and its graceful curved stone walls. We pass through several gates built between the stone walls and head to the main hall. This is also one of the highlights, Zuisenmon Gate. This is a picture of the main hall. The main hall was destroyed by fire in 2019. It is currently under restoration work. I will introduce it later. There is a building where the main hall used to be due to construction, and the main hall is painted on the wall. This is the view from the main hall. As it is a place where the royal castle was built, it is on a hill and has a great view. Currently, the restoration work is open to the public, with completion scheduled for 2026. You can see Shuri Castle up close as it is being built with traditional techniques. I can’t wait for it to be completed. There is also a souvenir shop. Shisa figurine. A set of two is best. Next, I’ll introduce Umikaji Terrace. Umikaji Terrace is located on Senaga Island in Tomigusuku City, next to Naha City. The white buildings are lined up in a stepped pattern, and the facility is full of a resort feel like Amalfi. It’s also a great spot for social media, and you can take photos with the sea in the background. You can get a good view of Naha Airport. There are nice shops and cafes lined up. You can also see planes taking off and landing. It takes about 20 minutes by bus from Naha Airport. We often stop by before heading to the airport on the last day of our trip. The blue color of the sea in front of Umikaji Terrace is also wonderful. The sunset is very beautiful, so it’s recommended to visit in the evening. Next, I’ll introduce some gourmet food. A&W is famous for its root beer. In Japan, it is only found in Okinawa Prefecture. Why not enjoy hamburgers and root beer that you can only taste here? Next is Blue Seal ice cream. This is the main store in Makiminato. There is a corner where you can learn about the history of Blue Seal, and the interior is stylish. There are stores outside of Okinawa Prefecture, but please try it in Okinawa. Next is Churahana. It is an Okinawan restaurant located in an area lined with resort hotels in Nago City. You can taste dishes made with fish and vegetables unique to Okinawa. There are also taco rice shops. You can buy Okinawa-only foods at convenience stores. Please visit. Okinawa soba cup ramen, rice balls, chinsuko, and sanpin tea that I bought at a convenience store. This is an Okinawa-only rice ball called Jyuushi. Try to find a taste that can only be enjoyed in Okinawa. This is Po Tama, a pork and egg rice ball shop. The combination of seaweed, rice, pork luncheon meat, and egg is excellent. It’s very delicious, so please try it. This is Royal Host at Naha Airport. In addition to the standard menu, there is an Okinawa-only menu. Next, I will introduce the hotels. We like resort hotels and often choose hotels by the seaside. Hotels in the central and northern areas are far from the airport, but they are recommended because you can relax. It’s around here. First, there is the Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island. The entire island of Seragaki is a hotel. The island has a beach and a pool. The entrance looks like this. I like the luxurious atmosphere. The room looks like this. You can relax with the ocean view and the sound of the waves. The buffet-style breakfast is also very delicious. They also serve Okinawan cuisine. They serve their specialty steaks, freshly grilled. The omelettes are also recommended. There is a spa and an indoor pool, so you won’t get bored at the hotel. This is a lagoon, and the waves are gentle. The building you see opposite is also part of the hotel and has residence-type rooms. This is Hilton Sesoko. It is a resort hotel on Sesoko Island in the north. Sesoko Island is also close to Motobu, where the Churaumi Aquarium is located. This is the entrance. The room looks like this. It is a relatively new hotel that opened in 2020. This is the view from the balcony. Although it is cloudy, the sea is very beautiful. There is also a large pool. Breakfast is buffet-style. There is a wide variety of Japanese and Western food. The curry was delicious. They cook omelets, eggs Benedict, and more right in front of you. Sesoko Beach is right next to the hotel. It is one of the most beautiful beaches on the main island of Okinawa. There are also Hilton hotels right next to the American Village that I introduced earlier. They are the Hilton Chatan and the DoubleTree by Hilton Chatan. There is a pool and a beach nearby. If you want to enjoy shopping and entertainment, I recommend these hotels. What did you think of the Okinawa Travel Guide? There are many other places I need to introduce, but this time I have carefully selected the places that Matcha_Japan has actually been to and can recommend. Okinawa is easy to get to from Tokyo and Osaka. If you want to experience a different atmosphere from the city, why not visit? Please like and subscribe to the channel! See you in the next video!
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Okinawa is packed with charm: the beautiful emerald green ocean, historical sites registered as World Heritage, delicious Okinawan food, and its unique culture. We’ve condensed the best of Okinawa, from classic tourist spots and hidden gems for efficient sightseeing.
After watching this video, your Okinawa trip planning will surely go smoothly! Please watch until the end.
[Link]
https://churaumi.okinawa/en/
https://www.nakijinjoseki-osi.jp/
https://www.kouri-oceantower.com/english/
https://www.ana.co.jp/en/my/japan-travel-planner/okinawa/0000016.html
https://www.okinawa-americanvillage.com/en/
https://www.umikajiterrace.com/
https://www.hyatt.com/hyatt-regency/en-US/okaro-hyatt-regency-seragaki-island-okinawa
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/okasehi-hilton-okinawa-sesoko-resort/?_gl=1*997pnv*_gcl_au*MTQxMjMxNTc2LjE3NTI0MTQzMTY.
https://www.awok.co.jp/
https://www.blueseal.co.jp/en/
[Chapter]
00:00 Spots:North Area
11:40 Spots:Central Area
15:51 Spots:South Area
21:48 Groumet
25:05 Hotels
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