Okinawa (Naha) in 3 days

Japan's tropical south: coral reefs, turquoise seas, Ryukyu castles and a food culture unlike anywhere in the country. Best time to visit: April-June, September-November. Average daily budget: $90 to $170 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Naha & Kokusai-dori, The capital's market street, food scene and monorail spine.

Morning: Snorkel or dive the Kerama Islands. Day-trip from Naha to 'Kerama Blue' coral water.

Afternoon: Explore Naha & Kokusai-dori, The capital's market street, food scene and monorail spine.

Evening: Churaumi Aquarium. See whale sharks in one of the world's largest tanks.

Eat: Okinawa soba, thick wheat noodles with pork ribs

Day 2, Go deeper

Base: Shuri, The hilltop castle district of the old Ryukyu Kingdom.

Morning: Shuri Castle & Ryukyu heritage. Explore the reconstructed seat of the Ryukyu kings.

Afternoon: Explore Shuri, The hilltop castle district of the old Ryukyu Kingdom.

Evening: Blue Cave snorkelling at Cape Maeda. Swim into the famous glowing cavern off the Onna coast.

Eat: Goya champuru, the bitter-melon stir-fry of longevity fame

Day 3, Hidden side

Base: Chatan (American Village), The central coast's sunset dining and entertainment strip.

Morning: The outer islands, Miyako and Ishigaki rival the Maldives for water colour.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Chatan (American Village), The central coast's sunset dining and entertainment strip.

Evening: Yachimun pottery village's climbing kilns in Yomitan.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Taco rice in its birthplace, Kin Town

Hidden gems

The outer islands, Miyako and Ishigaki rival the Maldives for water colour.
Yachimun pottery village's climbing kilns in Yomitan.
Kouri Island's heart-shaped rocks and turquoise bridge crossing.
The Peace Memorial at Itoman, a moving account of the 1945 battle.

Getting around

Fly into Naha from Tokyo, Osaka or Seoul, about 2.5 hours from Tokyo. Naha's Yui Rail monorail covers the city from the airport to Shuri. Beyond Naha a rental car is near-essential: express buses exist but are slow, and driving is easy on the left. Kerama day boats leave from Tomari Port; ferries and short flights reach Miyako, Ishigaki and the Yaeyamas.

Safety

Okinawa is very safe, with low crime and friendly norms; the main risks are environmental. Typhoon season runs June to October and can ground flights, rip currents affect some beaches so swim at lifeguarded spots, and habu snakes and habu jellyfish exist though encounters are rare. Sun is fierce year-round, and coral cuts should be cleaned promptly.

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