OKINAWA TRAVEL GUIDE 2025 | What You NEED to Know Before You Go! 🌴✈️

OKINAWA TRAVEL GUIDE 2025 | What You NEED to Know Before You Go! 🌴✈️

Hey everyone, Pat and Yumi here. If it’s
your first time on the channel, welcome. We’re all about slow, simple, sometimes
budget friendly, sometimes not, and always an honest travel. So, today we were supposed
to show you our big adventure on Zamami Island. We plan to camp right by the beach, sleep 
in a tent under the stars, and snorkel every day. But life had other plans. A typhoon rolled in 
literally the same week we arrived. Oh my god. Ferries to Zamami were all cancelled for almost 
10 days. So instead of Island life, we ended up stuck on the main island of Okinawa. And guess 
what? We still had a pretty awesome trip. So, we decided to make this full guide to Okinawa, 
not just for sunny days and perfect weather, but for a real travel, rain or shine, because Okinawa is
still worth visiting. And we’re going to show you why. Okay, so why come to Okinawa? Well,
imagine Japan, but tropical, like beaches, palm trees, and chilled out island vibes. It’s 
still Japan. Same amazing food, clean streets, and friendly people. But it feels totally different
from places like Tokyo or Kyoto. It’s slower here. People aren’t rushing. If you love nature, the ocean,
small towns, and warm weather, this is your place. Let’s talk about seasons real quick.
The best time to visit is spring, like March to May or fall, September 
to November. It’s warm, not too humid, and there’s less rain. Perfect for beach 
weather. Summer, especially July and August, it’s super hot, but the ocean is warm and clear. 
Excellent for swimming, but lots of typhoon, which is when we went from around June to September, storms
can pop up suddenly. Some pass quickly, some don’t. Now, where should you stay? We stayed in
Naha the whole 10 days. Why? Because, well, we had no plan B. When the ferries got cancelled, 
we were just stuck figuring things out day by day. But Naha turned out to be a good base. It’s the 
main city close to the airport and has lots of hotels and car rentals, but it’s busy and it’s not 
near the best beaches. If we could redo the trip, we choose Yomitan. It’s kind of in the middle 
between the airport and the beaches in the north. Less crowded than Naha
and closer to nature. Further north, there’s
Motobu and Onna Coast. More remote, quiet, and beautiful. Great
if you just want to stay by the beach and relax. Just be ready to pay more the further 
out you go. Also, you’ll definitely need a car. Let’s be real. The only way to fully enjoy Okinawa 
is to rent a car. Most of the good beaches and nature spots are far from Naha, like really far. 
Public buses exist, but they’re slow and not very convenient, especially if it’s raining. We rented 
a tiny car and it was perfect. Easy to drive. The roads are calm, signs are easy to understand, 
most cars are automatic, and we never had trouble finding parking. If you’re looking for a cheap 
rental, we highly recommend Flip-Flop Car Rental. It’s about a 14-minute walk from Miebashi station. 
They were the cheapest we found, just 2,500 yen for a full day. Here’s a parking tip. Always 
check Google Maps before you go. There’s often free parking near beaches or viewpoints, but not 
always. Having that info ahead of time saved us from stress and extra costs. Taxis are expensive. 
Bus tours are okay if you don’t want to drive, but they choose the schedule, not you. So, 
yeah, we highly recommend getting a rental car. The beach is totally our happy place, but not 
just any beach. We love the quiet ones. The kind that feel wild and free, not lined with hotel 
chairs or roped off swimming areas. Here are the best beaches we absolutely loved. First
one is Koki Beach and the whole coast nearby. This was actually the first beach we went to on one of 
the few clear days we’ve had right after we found out our ferry was cancelled. The drive there was 
nice palm trees, green hills, and great views. The water there is clear, great for swimming. Sesoku 
Beach is our favorite beach of the whole trip. white sand, insanely clear water, and if you 
walk a little further to the right away from the main area, it’s paradise. Quiet, peaceful, 
and gorgeous. Next one is Rendoubaru Shell Mound Beach. This one is right next to Nirai Beach, but 
completely hidden. No crowds, just a tiny stretch of sand surrounded by rocks and trees. It felt 
like a private beach. And lastly, Ie Beach on Ie Island. It’s a total hidden gem. You’ll need 
to take a ferry to get there, but it’s 100% worth the trip. We had the beach almost completely 
to ourselves, and the views were stunning. Okay, so one note about the weather. It is wild. 
One minute sunny, the next minute rainy. In Naha, it’ll be pouring, but just 40 minutes north, 
blue skies. If you’re heading to the beach, always check tide times and sea conditions 
beforehand, especially during unpredictable weather. If the rain seems
light, it’s best to play it safe. Here’s what you need to know about ferries. If you’re planning to hop around the outer islands like Zamami, Tokashiki, or Aka, you’ll be using Tomari Port in Naha. 
You can book tickets in person or online, but if you’re traveling during busy season, 
it’s smart to book in advance. Now, here’s what happened to us. We had this dreamy plan to camp on 
Zamami Island for 10 days. We were packed, ready, and so excited. But then typhoon started building
up out of nowhere. Every single ferry cancelled. We ended up renting a car in Naha.
Mhm. It wasn’t part of the plan. Yeah, it wasn’t part of the plan, but we needed to. 
Yeah, the boats are cancelled today because of the weather, but the weather is not actually 
that bad. It’s just a little windy. Yeah. We decided to stay a few
more days in Naha. It was super frustrating and
honestly pretty heartbreaking. But that’s when plan B kicked in. We went
up north and took a ferry to Ie Island instead. It’s only 30 minutes from Motobu and way
less likely to be cancelled. And you know what? It ended up being one of the best days 
of our entire trip. So here’s the tip. If your ferry to the outer islands get cancelled, 
don’t give up. Just shift gears. Ie Island, Mina Island, and other spots up north are amazing 
alternatives, and they might just surprise you. Okinawan food is delicious. Let’s start with 
Okinawan soba. Not like regular soba in Japan, this one has thicker noodles and comes with 
rich broth and tender sweet pork on top. There’s also soki soba, which has big, soft, sweet ribs 
on top. so comforting. We had one of our best meals at a little place called Deigoya. We got 
Okinawan soba and a fried fish set. It was so good and super affordable. Prices are from 800 
to 2,000 yen. But the real gem, a small noodle shop near Motobu Port called Minato. Their 
soba was only 500 to 700 yen, but the taste and size so satisfying. It’s one of those spots 
where you know the food’s going to be amazing. And don’t forget Blue Seal ice cream. 
It’s famous here. After dealing with canceled ferries and driving in the rain, we 
treated ourselves to some scoops. And yep, it totally helped. Shopping in Okinawa. 
Oh yes, bring an extra bag. Start with the Naha Shopping Street. It’s a long, fun 
street full of souvenirs, snacks, t-shirts, crafts, and more. You can get colorful 
shirts, and these mini shisa statues. And if walking isn’t your thing, just 
head straight to Don Quijote. It’s this huge store where you can literally 
find everything. Shirts, snacks, gifts, socks, weird things 
you didn’t know you needed. Let’s talk about money real quick. Accommodation 
around Naha usually costs between 5,000 to 15,000 per night and depending on the location, but you 
can definitely find cheaper places too if you look around. Renting a car starts around 2,500 yen 
a day, but it can get a lot pricier depending on the season, the company, and the type of 
car you choose. Food was very reasonable. Most meal cost between 800 to 2,000 yen. We 
saved a lot by eating at small local shops, which were often the tastiest. Anyway, fairies 
vary in prices depending on where you’re going, but they’re not super expensive. Just make 
sure to double check the return schedules, especially during typhoon season. And the best 
part, most of the beaches are completely free. Real talk, visiting Okinawa during typhoon season 
probably not our brightest idea. We were way too optimistic, thinking it would be sunny every 
day, but it rained a lot. Lesson learned. Always have plan B and maybe C. Check fair schedules and 
weather ahead of time. Don’t just wing it. Okinawa is beautiful, but traveling in bad weather isn’t 
easy. Honestly, Okinawa might not be for everyone. So, should you visit Okinawa? Absolutely. If you 
love nature, beaches, slower days, and don’t mind some unpredictable weather, you’re going to 
love it. Even with all the weather struggles and fairy sadness, we still had a great time. and 
be found joy in unexpected places. So, if you’re planning to visit,
go for it. Just be flexible. And hey, if you like this guide,
don’t forget to like and subscribe. We’ve got more videos from
our Okinawa series coming up, including beach guides, travel
tips, and all the good stuff. Thanks for being here, and
see you in the next one.

👉 New to Okinawa? Or maybe planning your second trip? Either way — this is your ultimate Okinawa travel guide with real advice, honest stories, and must-know tips to help you explore like a pro.
⛈️ We planned to camp on Zamami Island… but a typhoon had other plans. So instead, we turned a rainy week into one of our most memorable trips — and this video is here to help YOU plan your visit, rain or shine. 🌧️🌞

🗺️ What’s Inside This Okinawa Travel Guide:
☀️ Why Visit Okinawa?
→ Japan’s tropical side — underrated, unforgettable, and full of surprises
📆 Best Time to Go
→ Weather tips, typhoon season truths & when to avoid the crowds
🏨 Where to Stay
→ From Naha city life to peaceful beach towns like Yomitan & Motobu
🚗 Getting Around
→ Car rentals, ferry tips & how to make your trip stress-free
🏖️ Best Beaches
→ Our top picks for swimming, relaxing & soaking in the island vibe
🌧️ Typhoon Season Lessons
→ What went wrong (and right) + why backup plans are a must
⛴️ Island Hopping & Ferry Tips
→ Hidden gems, delays & what you really need to know
🍜 Our Favorite Food Spots
→ Local soba, fresh seafood, tropical ice cream & more
🛍️ Shopping & Souvenirs
→ Unique local finds to bring a piece of Okinawa home
💰 Budget Breakdown
→ What we spent, how we saved & real costs for travelers
🤔 What We’d Do Differently
→ Honest lessons & reflections to help you plan better
💬 Got questions about Okinawa? Drop them in the comments!
📌 Coming soon: Part 2 – more beaches, driving tips, and how to plan the perfect beach-hopping day.

🌺 Useful Travel Tips:
✅ Always check ferry and weather updates in typhoon season
✅ Rent a car — it’s the best way to explore Okinawa
✅ Don’t skip local noodle shops (trust us!)
✅ Pack for rain even during summer
✅ Be flexible — Okinawa rewards slow, spontaneous travel

🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more Japan travel guides, budget tips, and beach adventures! We’re Pat & Yumi — filming slow, simple, and real travel experiences around Japan and beyond.
🧳 Whether you’re here to swim, drive, relax, or explore — Okinawa’s got something for you. This isn’t just a vacation spot… it’s a whole vibe. 🌊

#okinawa #japan #okinawajapan #okinawatrip #travelgram #islandlife #exploreokinawa #travel #trip #wanderlust #Okinawa2025 #patandyumi #traveltips #okinawatravel #beokinawa