Our First Impressions of Okinawa, Japan (Almost No Tourists)

We spend our first full day exploring Okinawa, Japan, often called the Hawaii of Japan, to find out if it’s really worth visiting. From ancient castle ruins and hidden beaches to one of the world’s most unique salt factories, famous Okinawan taco rice, and surprisingly empty tourist attractions, this island completely caught us off guard.

Our adventure starts with an unexpected breakfast… Vietnamese bánh mì. After spending months traveling through Vietnam, we couldn’t resist one more taste before diving into everything Okinawa has to offer.

Our first stop is Zakimi Castle Ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with incredible views over Okinawa. Along the way, we quickly realize something else makes Okinawa unique… there are butterflies everywhere, in every colour imaginable.

One thing we learned the hard way? Rent a car before you arrive. Finding a same-day rental in Okinawa isn’t as easy as we expected, and having a car makes exploring the island so much easier.

Next, we visit the beautiful Yomitan Pottery Village, home to traditional Okinawan ceramics, before heading to one of Okinawa’s most fascinating attractions, Nuchi Masu Salt Factory, where some of the world’s most unique sea salt is produced using a process unlike anything we’ve seen before.

Of course, we couldn’t leave without trying Okinawa’s famous salt ice cream, and it turned out to be one of the most surprisingly delicious treats we’ve had in Japan.

One of the biggest surprises of the day? It feels like nobody is visiting Okinawa. Many of the places we explored felt like private tours, giving us an entirely different experience compared to cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.

After learning how Okinawan salt is made, we stop at the stunning Happy Cliff lookout before relaxing on the crystal-clear shores of Ukun Beach, one of the island’s beautiful hidden beaches.

To finish the day, we try one of Okinawa’s most famous local dishes, authentic Okinawan Taco Rice, and share one final piece of advice that could save your trip.

If you’re planning a trip to Japan and wondering what to do in Okinawa, where to find the best viewpoints, beaches, food, historical sites, and hidden gems, this video is for you!

Timestamps:
0:00 Welcome to Okinawa, Japan
0:40 Bánh Mì Breakfast
1:38 Zakimi Castle Ruins
3:37 Okinawa’s Colourful Butterflies
4:04 Renting a Car in Okinawa
4:31 Yomitan Pottery Village
6:11 Nuchi Masu (Salt of Life) Salt Factory
8:41 Famous Okinawa Salt Ice Cream
10:08 Where Are All the Tourists?
10:39 How Okinawan Salt Is Made
11:38 “Happy Cliff” Viewpoint
12:41 Ukun Beach
13:14 Trying Okinawan Taco Rice
14:11 Rent a Car Before Visiting Okinawa

📍Locations Featured:
– Okinawa, Japan
– Zakimi Castle Ruins
– Yomitan Pottery Village
– Nuchi Masu Salt Factory
– Happy Cliff
– Ukun Beach
– Ruler’s Tacorice

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QUESTION: If you visited Okinawa, what would you want to experience first… the beaches, castle ruins, famous taco rice, or the salt ice cream? 🌴🇯🇵 Let us know in the comments!

This video is NOT sponsored.

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