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Things to Do in Okinawa

Hand-picked sights and experiences across Okinawa.

Whale sharks and a manta ray gliding through the huge Kuroshio Sea tank at Churaumi Aquarium, visitors silhouetted along the glass belowOkinawa Churaumi AquariumTwo divers in wetsuits and masks surfacing side by side in the luminous cobalt water of the Blue Cave on Okinawa's Onna coast, the rock roof of the grotto above themBlue Cave Snorkeling & Diving in OkinawaWeathered limestone cliffs topped with low green scrub on the Okinawa coast, above clear turquoise shallows and open blue seaFull-day tour: Northern OkinawaThe giant cream and green Junglia Okinawa tethered balloon rising above fan palms against a bright blue skyJunglia OkinawaChildren colouring paper fish at desks while their finished drawings swim across a huge projected Sketch Aquarium wall in front of themteamLab Future Park OkinawaThree drivers in bright cartoon-character onesies giving peace signs from red street go-karts on a seafront road in OkinawaStreet go-kart tour in OkinawaEisa drummers in red, blue and gold costumes and red headbands striking their drums mid-performance on a covered wooden stageOkinawa World & Nanjo Cultural WorkshopsA group of seven people of different ages in patterned kimono and yukata posing together on a tree-lined street in NahaOkinawa Kimono & Yukata RentalWhite T-shirts printed with vivid blue, green and pink coral patterns laid out on a bamboo bench outside a dye workshopShuri Ryusen's Unique Coral Dyeing Experience

When to catch the colours in Okinawa?

Average cherry blossom and autumn foliage dates for Okinawa, from the Japan Meteorological Agency's 1991–2020 normals — the fortnight to aim for, not a promise for any particular year.

Okinawa is measured on kanhizakura, the deep pink cherry that opens in midwinter, rather than the someiyoshino recorded everywhere else.

Where to look next?

The prefectures we've mapped so far, nearest to Okinawa first.

Frequently Asked Questions