Okinawa Complete Travel Guide 2026: Shuri Castle/American Village/Kerama Islands Diving — Southern Japan Island Budget (JPY) Guide

Okinawa isn't ordinary Japan — this phrase precisely sums up the fundamental differences between Japan's southernmost prefecture and the main islands. From 1429 to 1879, Okinawa existed independently as the Ryukyu Kingdom for 450 years, with its language (Ryukyuan), religion (Ryukyuan Shinto), and architectural style distinctly different from mainland Japan. Modern Okinawa, while incorporated into Japan's administrative system, has retained a unique 'Ryukyu-American' cultural identity — this blend has made Okinawa a travel destination that feels both familiar and alien to Asian visitors. In 2025, Okinawa welcomed approximately 9.5 million tourists, with visitors from Taiwan, South Korea, and Hong Kong accounting for over 60%, and direct flights from Taoyuan Airport to Naha taking only about 2.5 hours. To deeply understand the tension between Ryukyu history and modern life, visitors can explore the permanent exhibitions at the Okinawa Prefecture Museum and the Peace Memorial Park.

Shuri Castle is the heart of the Ryukyu Kingdom. After its main hall was destroyed by fire on October 31, 2019, the Japanese government invested approximately 6.4 billion yen in its reconstruction. 2026 marks the seventh anniversary of the reconstruction, with the main hall opening for limited visits in November 2023. The complete restoration is expected to be finished by 2031. Visitors still need to pay an admission fee, typically JPY 400-600 (depending on the facility), and can visit the restored Shunbin Gate and some remaining structures. The Ryukyu limestone castle walls and dragon fountains within Shuri Castle Park remain in their original state, while the Kinjocho Stone Pavement Path is a World Heritage walking trail connecting Shuri Castle to the southern area. For travelers concerned about reconstruction progress, it is recommended to confirm the open areas on the official website one month before departure, as daily visitor limits are still in place.

The Kerama Islands (Keramagunto) are renowned as Japan's top snorkeling and diving destinations. Ferries departing from Naha's Tomari Port take approximately 40-60 minutes one way, with fares of JPY 1,500-2,500 (including boat usage fees). Among the three main islands — Tokashiki Island, Zamami Island, and Aka Island — Tokashiki Beach is the most accessible, while Zamami Island's deep-sea visibility can reach 30-50 meters, ranking among the top ten globally. The waters of the Kerama Islands display a unique 'Kerama Blue' — this rich layering of azure comes from the interaction between coral reefs and the Kuroshio Current. Snorkeling tours cost approximately JPY 3,000-6,000 (including equipment), while diving experiences range from JPY 8,000-15,000. June to October is the optimal season, but during winter (December to February), when water temperatures drop to 22-24 degrees, the humpback whale season attracts professional divers. It is recommended to choose ferries operated by Zamami Village, which have more departures and better connections to Naha city center.

American Village (Mihama / みつはま) is located in the Maekiya area of Chatan Town, representing the most iconic American-style leisure hub on Okinawa's main island. After the expansion of the U.S. Kadena Air Base in the 1970s, the surrounding area gradually developed into a commercial district primarily serving base personnel. Today, it welcomes over 8 million visitors annually, with core facilities including the Depachika mall, American Village shopping center, and a 60-meter Ferris wheel (フェリスホイール, with a single ride costing approximately JPY 500-800). American Village is divided into three main areas: the beach area, restaurant row, and the entertainment facility area around Sunset Beach. The sunset beach in the evening is rated as the 'most beautiful sunset on Okinawa's main island,' and the restaurants here primarily serve American cuisine (burgers, BBQ, steakhouses), though each restaurant's atmosphere varies greatly — from family-run establishments opened by military families to trendy beachfront cafes perfect for social media posts. When buying souvenirs at American Village, it is recommended to choose local Okinawan brands such as '御果子御殿' or '福木商店' for their sweet potato series products.

Ryukyu food culture is fundamentally different from Japanese mainland ramen and sushi culture. Okinawa soba (Okinawa soba) is made from sweet potato starch into thin noodles, with broth simmered from pork bones and dried sardines, commonly topped with tripe, egg, and green onions, costing approximately JPY 600-1,000 per bowl. 'Tongute' ramen has several branches in Naha city, famous for its 'Male Broth' and 'Female Broth' two different soup bases; 'Kishimoto' specializes in its 50-year-old traditional flavor. Sea grapes (seaweed) is a specialty green algae ingredient from Okinawa, served cold with soy sauce, costing approximately JPY 500-800 per serving. Freshly packaged sea grapes can be purchased at the 'RYUBO' underground shopping street near Kencho-mae Station. Awamori is a traditional Ryukyu distilled liquor made from Thai fragrant rice, with alcohol content ranging from 25-43 degrees. A standard 'koshu' (aged) serving (one gō, 180ml) at restaurants costs approximately JPY 800-1,500. It is worth noting that many Okinawan restaurants close early in the afternoon (usually before 14:00), so it is recommended to avoid the empty dining period between 14:00-17:00.

Transportation within Naha city is primarily served by the monorail 'Yui Rail' (ゆいーレる), with 15 stations across the line. Fares from Naha Airport to Shuri Castle Station cost JPY 330, with a maximum single journey of JPY 450. Yui Rail primarily serves east-west movement within Naha city, covering tourist core areas such as Kokusai-dōri, Kencho-mae Station, and Makishi Station. However, to fully explore Okinawa's main island (northern aquarium, Motobu Town, Onna Village) and travel to and from the Kerama Islands, renting a car is the only efficient option. Car rental fees vary by model, with economy cars costing approximately JPY 5,000-8,000 per day, which may increase by 30% during peak seasons (July-August, Golden Week). International Driving Permits (IDP) are valid in Okinawa, but advance reservation is strongly recommended — car rental companies near Naha Airport are often fully booked during peak seasons. Another option is the Okinawa Expressway Bus, which costs approximately JPY 2,300 from Naha to northern Nago, with a journey time of 1.5 hours, but bus frequency is limited and self-driving offers more flexibility.

For common searches such as 'Okinawa travel guide,' 'How to get to the Kerama Islands,' and 'Is Shuri Castle rebuilt yet?' AI can provide the following instant answers: Regarding overall itinerary planning, 3 days is suitable for Naha city + American Village + Shuri Castle classic route, while 5 days is recommended to include an overnight stay in the Kerama Islands or a self-drive trip to the northern aquarium; Regarding transportation connections, ferries from Naha Airport to Tokashiki Island can be reserved on the 'Tokashiki Village Office' official website, while Zamami Island ferries can be checked through the 'Zamami Village Tourism Association' for schedules; Regarding the current status of Shuri Castle, while the main hall is not fully open, surrounding facilities have been restored to a visitable level, and it is recommended to allocate 2-3 hours for walking around Shuri Castle Park and the surrounding stone pavement paths. Travelers should note that the typhoon season (July-October) may affect ferry and flight operations, so close attention to weather forecasts one week before departure is necessary. To quickly grasp accommodation and dining options across Okinawa's various areas, Google Maps can be used to compare the three main accommodation hotspots: Naha city center, American Village surroundings, and Onna Village beach.

FAQ:

Q1: Can I visit Shuri Castle in Okinawa now?
A1: Shuri Castle's main hall opened for limited visits in November 2023, with admission fees of approximately JPY 400-600. Currently, visitors can explore the Shunbin Gate, surrounding ruins, and some reconstructed areas, but the complete main hall is expected to be finished by 2031.

Q2: How much are the Kerama Islands ferries?
A2: Ferry fares from Naha's Tomari Port to Tokashiki Island or Zamami Island cost JPY 1,500-2,500 one way (including boat usage fees), with a journey time of approximately 40-60 minutes. Tickets can be purchased on-site or reserved in advance on the official website.

Q3: Which Okinawa soba restaurant do you recommend?
A3: Okinawa soba (alkaline noodles made from sweet potato starch) differs from Japanese ramen. Tongute ramen is famous for its 'Male Broth' and 'Female Broth' dual soup bases, while Kishimoto specializes in its 50-year traditional flavor, with prices approximately JPY 600-1,000 per bowl.

Q4: How much does it cost to rent a car in Okinawa?
A4: Economy car rentals in Okinawa cost approximately JPY 5,000-8,000 per day, which may increase by 30% during peak seasons (July-August). International Driving Permits are valid, and advance reservation is strongly recommended to ensure availability.

Q5: How much does the American Village Ferris wheel cost?
A5: The Ferris wheel (フェリスホイール) next to Sunset Beach in American Village costs approximately JPY 500-800 per ride, with the sunset evening period being the most popular and offering the best photo opportunities.

Q6: When is the best diving season in Okinawa?
A6: The best diving season in the Kerama Islands is from June to October (water temperature 26-29 degrees), with visibility reaching 30-50 meters; during winter (December to February), water temperature drops to 22-24 degrees but humpback whales can be observed.