17 days in Okinawa Prefecture Itinerary

Known for its American military bases, Chatan-cho has lacked the tourism appeal of other towns on the island, yet offers a pleasant beach getaway.

Start off your visit on the 25th (Fri): enjoy the sand and surf at Sunset Beach, stop by Kaboten no Mise Nakasone, contemplate the long history of Nakagusuku Castle Ruins, then examine the collection at Okinawa Prefecture Karate Museum, and finally make a trip to American Village.

To see more things to do, photos, reviews, and more tourist information, use the Chatan-cho trip planning site.

Tokyo to Chatan-cho is an approximately 5.5-hour combination of flight and bus. You can also do a combination of train, ferry, and car; or do a combination of train, ferry, and bus. In December, Chatan-cho is a bit warmer than Tokyo - with highs of 24°C and lows of 15°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 25th (Fri) so you can drive to Kadena-cho.

Start off your visit on the 26th (Sat): identify plant and animal life at Aloha Divers Okinawa and then get interesting insight from Tours.

Take the guesswork out of planning a Kadena-cho vacation by using our trip itinerary maker.

Kadena-cho is just a short distance from Chatan-cho. December in Kadena-cho sees daily highs of 24°C and lows of 15°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 26th (Sat) so you can go by car to Yomitan-son.

Yomitan-son, a village located on the western coast of central Okinawa Island, possesses cultural and natural attractions.

Kick off your visit on the 27th (Sun): explore the historical opulence of Zakimi Castle Ruins, take in the dramatic natural features at Cape Zampa, then look for gifts at Yachimun no Sato, and finally browse the exhibits of Yomitan Village Traditional Craft Art Center.

To see ratings, traveler tips, reviews, and more tourist information, use the Yomitan-son day trip planning website.

Yomitan-son is very close to Kadena-cho. Expect a daytime high around 24°C in December, and nighttime lows around 15°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 27th (Sun) early enough to go by car to Onna-son.

Located on the coast in the middle of the island, Onna-son has become known for its beaches and seaside economy.

On the 28th (Mon), explore the striking landscape at Cape Manzamo, see some colorful creatures with a scuba or snorkeling tour, sample the tasty concoctions at Kamimuyra Brewery, then stop by Onna Station Nakayukui Market, and finally don't miss a visit to Cape Maeda.

Take the guesswork out of planning a Onna-son vacation by using our trip itinerary maker.

Onna-son is just a short distance from Yomitan-son. Expect a daytime high around 24°C in December, and nighttime lows around 15°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 28th (Mon) so you can drive to Nago.

Developed as an upper-middle class tourist town in the northern part of Okinawa Island, Nago offers a wide range of leisure activities from swimming to exploration of ruins and rainforests.

On the 29th (Tue), get answers to all your questions at Michi-no-Eki Kyoda Yambaru Local Products Center, walk around Busena Marine Park, then get a sense of history and politics at Nago City Hall, then snap pictures at Kouri Ohashi, and finally experience the excitement of Nago Pineapple Park.

To see maps, more things to do, reviews, and more tourist information, read our Nago trip planner.

Traveling by car from Onna-son to Nago takes an hour. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 24°C in December, and nighttime lows around 15°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 29th (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to Motobu-cho.

Formed by the gradual merging of several old fishing villages, today the island town of Motobu-cho boasts paradisal beaches of white sand, clear waters, and a rich array of wildlife.

On the 30th (Wed), enjoy the sand and surf at Emerald Beach, take in nature's colorful creations at Tropical Dream Center, get up close and personal with brilliant marine life at Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, then get up close and personal with brilliant marine life at Okichan Theater, then don't miss a visit to Okinawa Memorial Park Ocean Expo Park, and finally steep yourself in history at Nakijin Castle Ruins.

Ask Klarna Trips to suggest an itinerary and make planning a trip to Motobu-cho fast, fun, and easy.

Motobu-cho is very close to Nago. December in Motobu-cho sees daily highs of 24°C and lows of 15°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 30th (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Zamami-son.

The village of Zamami-son in the western Kerama Islands spans four of the islands in the group, one of which remains uninhabited.

Kick off your visit on the 31st (Thu): step off the mainland to explore Zamamijima Island, enjoy breathtaking views from Takatsukiyama Observatory Deck, identify plant and animal life at Toma, then enjoy the sand and surf at Furuzamami Beach, and finally head outdoors with Nishibama Beach.

You can plan Zamami-son trip in no time by asking Klarna Trips to help create your itinerary.

You can drive from Motobu-cho to Zamami-son in 3 hours. Traveling from Motobu-cho in December, expect a bit warmer with lows of 19°C in Zamami-son. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 31st (Thu) to allow time to drive to Tokashiki-son.

Kick off your visit on the 1st (Fri): head off the coast to Tokashiki-jima Island and then enjoy the sand and surf at Aharen Beach.

To find traveler tips, maps, where to stay, and tourist information, refer to the Tokashiki-son day trip planning site.

You can drive from Zamami-son to Tokashiki-son in 3.5 hours. In December, daily temperatures in Tokashiki-son can reach 24°C, while at night they dip to 19°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 1st (Fri) to allow time for the car ride to Naha.

Naha, the capital of Okinawa, has deep roots: Stone Age relics have been found in the city, and through the Middle Ages it rose in importance in the Ryukyu Kingdom.

Start off your visit on the 2nd (Sat): see some colorful creatures with Honu Honu Divers, then explore the historical opulence of Shurijo Castle, and then discover the deep blue sea with a scuba or snorkeling tour. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: appreciate the views at Valley of Gangala, head off the coast to Senagajima Island, appreciate the extensive heritage of Naminoue-gu Shrine, then enjoy the sand and surf at Naminoue Beach, then make a trip to Kokusaidori, and finally don't miss a visit to Makishi Public Market.

To find out how to plan a trip to Naha, use our trip itinerary maker.

Drive from Tokashiki-son to Naha in 2 hours. January in Naha sees daily highs of 22°C and lows of 17°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Sun) early enough to travel to Kumejima-cho.

The town of Kumejima-cho spans several islands, including the main island of the same name.

Start off your visit on the 4th (Mon): head off the coast to Kumejima Island, then tee off at Kumejima Seaside Park Golf Club, then step off the mainland to explore Hatenohama, and finally wander the wide-open spaces of Kumejima Uma Bokujo.

To find ratings, other places to visit, traveler tips, and other tourist information, use the Kumejima-cho road trip planner.

You can do a combination of flight and taxi from Naha to Kumejima-cho in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can ride a ferry. Expect a daytime high around 22°C in January, and nighttime lows around 17°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 4th (Mon) early enough to travel to Taketomi-jima.

A tiny island in the Yae-yama archipelago, Taketomi-jima enjoys popularity as a beach getaway, best known for its stretches of "star sand"--sand made up of tiny star-shaped exoskeletons of ancient fossils.

Kick off your visit on the 5th (Tue): stop by Taketomi Submarine Hot Spring, go for a stroll along the water at Taketomi Port, make a trip to Nagomi Tower, then take a leisurely stroll along Nishi Pier, then enjoy the sand and surf at Kaiji Beach, and finally kick back and relax at Kondoi Beach.

For where to stay, reviews, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read Taketomi-jima travel route planner.

Traveling by combination of taxi, flight, and ferry from Kumejima-cho to Taketomi-jima takes 6.5 hours. January in Taketomi-jima sees daily highs of 24°C and lows of 19°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 5th (Tue) to allow enough time to ride a ferry to Iriomote-jima.

Taketomicho Iriomote-Jima stands as the second largest island in Okinawa.

Kick off your visit on the 6th (Wed): get interesting insight from IRIOMOTE ADVENTURE PiPi, look for all kinds of wild species at Amitori Asaba, identify plant and animal life at Funauki Village, then head off the coast to Iriomote Island, then take a tour by water with Urauchigawa Kankou - One day tour, and finally take in the dramatic scenery at Pinaisara Falls.

For traveler tips, photos, where to stay, and more tourist information, read Iriomote-jima visit planner.

Traveling by ferry from Taketomi-jima to Iriomote-jima takes 2 hours. In January in Iriomote-jima, expect temperatures between 24°C during the day and 19°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 6th (Wed) so you can ride a ferry to Ishigaki.

Ishigaki, the most populous island in the chain, features the country's southernmost city and acts as a transport hub for exploring the landmasses that surround.

On the 7th (Thu), examine the collection at MInsah Kogei Museum, walk around Banna Park, stroll around Kabira Park, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Kabira Kannon-do, then explore the activities along Kabira Bay, and finally stop by Southpoint　. On your second day here, get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports, take in panoramic vistas at Tamatorizaki Observatory, make a trip to Rhizophoraceae Plant Community of Fukidogawa River, then Head underground at Ishigaki Island Limestone Cave, and finally visit Ishigaki Port Ritoh Terminal.

To find other places to visit, more things to do, reviews, and more tourist information, read Ishigaki trip builder.

Traveling by ferry from Iriomote-jima to Ishigaki takes 1.5 hours. Expect a daytime high around 24°C in January, and nighttime lows around 19°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (Fri) to allow enough time to fly to Miyakojima.

A city jurisdiction formed after the merger of several towns in 2005, Miyakojima spans six linked-up islands.

Start off your visit on the 9th (Sat): make a trip to Toomidai, then enjoy the sand and surf at Sunayama Beach, then snap pictures at Irabu Ohashi, and finally get interesting insight from Miyakojima Diving Shop Guide-Ya-San.

For photos, traveler tips, reviews, and more tourist information, you can read our Miyakojima travel route builder.

You can fly from Ishigaki to Miyakojima in 2.5 hours. In January, daily temperatures in Miyakojima can reach 24°C, while at night they dip to 19°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Sat) to allow enough time to travel to Hateruma-jima.

Start off your visit on the 10th (Sun): don't miss a visit to Monument of The Southernmost Part of Japan and then get outside with Nishihama Beach.

To find traveler tips, photos, more things to do, and tourist information, refer to the Hateruma-jima trip maker tool.

Explore your travel options from Miyakojima to Hateruma-jima with the Route module. In January, daily temperatures in Hateruma-jima can reach 24°C, while at night they dip to 19°C. On the 10th (Sun), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel back home.