Best Road Trip Destinations from Naha, Okinawa Under 3 Hours
Think of Japan — and the bustling cities of Tokyo and Osaka, as well as the scenic landscapes of Hokkaido, naturally come to mind. Japan isn’t a country that’s usually associated with a tropical holiday; however, how about setting your sights on Okinawa, the ‘Hawaii of Japan’, for something different on your next trip?
With a sub-tropical climate, Okinawa enjoys mild winters and long summers. Temperature-wise, it doesn’t drop below 15 degrees celsius in the winter, with summer temperatures going up to 32 degrees celsius. This sets the scene for plenty of beach and water activities, as well as balmy coastal drives with the roof down!
Fun fact: You can even get your PADI diving license sorted at Okinawa too. How’s that for a change?
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Okinawa car rental
Rent your car at Naha, the capital city of Okinawa. We don’t know about you, but we like to settle all our administrative matters before actually jetting off — enjoy peace of mind by booking your rental car with Klook. Not only will you have absolute quality assurance, you’ll also be able to enjoy free cancellation if your plans take a turn. All you’ll need to do is to apply for an International Driver’s Permit too, and you’ll be all set!
#KlookTip: Don’t forget to get an International Driver’s License in Singapore before you embark on your Japan road trip.
1. Cape Manzamo
Distance: 46.7 kilometres
Drive duration: 51 minutes
Take a scenic drive along the Onna Coast to Cape Manzamo, which is shaped like an elephant trunk. Embark on a short ten-minute walking trail along the cliff to enjoy spectacular views. If you’d like, you can set aside some time to explore Onna Village and enjoy the sights and sounds!
2. Blue Cave
Distance: 44.5 kilometres
Drive duration: 50 minutes
Sunlight is reflected through the seawater in the Blue Cave, causing the cave to have a magical blue glow that naturally illuminates the grotto. Book a snorkelling or diving experience to see it for yourself! The Blue Cave is also right next to Cape Maeda, where you can feast your eyes on splendid views.
#KlookTip: Take a 15-minute drive to Cape Zanpa, where you’ll find a 30-metre-tall lighthouse.
3. Mihama American Village
Distance: 16.1 kilometres
Drive duration: 35 minutes
See the melding of both American and Japanese cultures at Mihama American Village, a mega shopping centre with plenty of shops and restaurants.
Check out Sunset Beach, drop by the Dragon Palace game arcade, and shop for vintage clothes at American Depot. Food-wise, grab Okinawan onigiri from Potama, try the local taco rice at Taco Rice Kijimuna, and dig into the famous Blue Seal ice cream (the Okinawan salt cookie and sweet potato flavours are hot favourites!).
4. Yambaru National Park
Photo credit: Kugel~commonswiki on Wikimedia Commons
Distance: 93.7 kilometres
Drive duration: 1 hour 41 minutes
Located at the Northern tip of Okinawa’s main island, Yambaru National Park is a haven for nature lovers. Check out Cape Hedo, Hiji Waterfall, Kunigami Village Forest Park, Mount Nekumachiji, Shioya Bay, Mount Yonoha, Kayauchi-banta Cliff Observatory, Tataki Waterfall, and Gesashi Bay’s Mangrove Forest — with stunning panoramic views every step of the way.
5. Yagaji Island
Distance: 81.9 kilometres
Drive duration: 1 hour 22 minutes
Spend a day at Yagaji Island, which seems worlds away from the city’s hustle and bustle. Embark on a guided kayaking session, join a cycling tour, go fishing, swim at Yagaji Beach, and enjoy splendid viewsfrom the Kouri Bridge Viewpoint.
6. Kouri Island
Distance: 87.4 kilometres
Drive duration: 1 hour 31 minutes
With a radius of just one kilometre, Kouri Island can be reached via a bridge from Yagaji Island. You can easily drive around the entire island in just 15 minutes! Relax at Kouri Beach, go up Kouri Ocean Tower, spot the two heart-shaped rocks at Tinu beach, plus refuel with some Japanese-Hawaiian fusion grub at the Kouri Shrimp food truck.
6. Churaumi Aquarium
Distance: 90.6 kilometres
Drive duration: 1 hour 34 minutes
The world-renowned Churaumi Aquarium is said to be one of the world’s largest aquariums. Indeed, its Kuroshio Sea tank is big enough to house two whale sharks — imagine that! Don’t miss the daily feeding sessions at 9.30am, 3pm, and 5pm. Home to over 700 species of marine life, the aquarium also has free dolphin shows five times a day.
#KlookTip: The aquarium is located just 34 minutes (21.5 kilometres) away from Kouri Island, so you might want to combine both on the same day if you have the time.
7. Bise Fukugi Tree Lane
Photo credit: Visit Okinawa Japan on Facebook
Distance: 91 kilometres
Drive duration: 1 hour 33 minutes
A five-minute drive will bring you to Bise Fukugi Tree Lane, an enchanting avenue enveloped by a canopy of trees. See if you can spot the ‘Husband and Wife’ Fukugi trees, which are two interconnected trees that are believed to bestow happiness upon married couples.
8. Busena Marine Park
Photo credit: ブセナ海中公園 Busena Marine Park 部濑名海中公园 on Facebook
Distance: 57.5 kilometres
Drive duration: 1 hour 5 minutes
Delve into the fascinating underwater world at Busena Marine Park, an underwater observatory. Seize the chance to view schools of fish, and have a 360-degree view of the ocean — from five metres below the surface. During good weather, glass-bottom boat cruises bring visitors out to the coral reef.
#KlookTip: Bookmark this website to check sea conditions and visibility, before making the trip down.
9. Okinawa World
Distance: 13.7 kilometres
Drive duration: 27 minutes
Have a fun day at Okinawa World, a theme park revolving around Okinawan culture. Visit the Kingdom Village, a recreation of a traditional Ryukyu village. Wander through the Gyokusendo Cave, as well as the onsite Habu Snake Park.
#KlookTip: Don’t miss out on the nearby Valley of Gangala, where you can explore as part of an hourly walking tour.
10. Bios no Oka
Photo credit: ビオスの丘（bios no oka) on Facebook
Distance: 39.5 kilometres
Drive duration: 50 minutes
The best way to learn about nature is to play amongst it — or so Bios no Oka, a subtropical forest park, believes. Check out seasonal flora and fauna, walk alongside free-ranging chickens, go canoeing, and go on a guided nature walk.
11. Nago Pineapple Park
Distance: 73.7 kilometres
Drive duration: 1 hour 13 minutes
Did you know that Okinawa produces the largest volume of pineapples in Japan? Immerse yourself in all things pineapple at Nago Pineapple Park, where you can hop onto a self-driving pineapple cart to explore the tropical gardens. Sample fresh pineapple, buy pineapple products — think: pineapple wine or snacks –, and drop by the winery for a taste of pineapple wine.
#KlookTip: Combine your visit with the adjacent Okinawa Fruits World, an interactive fruit orchard where you can learn all about — and taste! — seasonal fruits.
12. Orion Happy Park
Photo credit: Visit Okinawa Japan on Facebook
Distance: 69 kilometres
Drive duration: 1 hour 5 minutes
After getting your fill of fruits, take a 10-minute drive (4.3 kilometres) to Orion Happy Park — where Orion Beer, Okinawa’s most famous and popular beer, is brewed at. Go on a brewery tour (make a reservation here) to learn all about the history of the beer, and how it’s made, topped off by a 20-minute tasting session at the end.
BONUS: Go island-hopping
What’s an island paradise without some good old island-hopping? Take a ferry from Naha to the Kerama Islands. Snorkel among turtles or go diving at Tokashiki Island, go hiking, snorkel with whales and, in winter, see if you can spot migrating humpback whales.
The uninhabited Nagannu Island is also just a 20-minute ferry ride away from Naha, where you can go snorkelling in crystal-clear waters, and revel in scenic views in every direction. All of these islands can be easily reached from Tomari Port, which is a short drive from downtown Naha.
P.S. Looking to bag more savings? Snag up to 33% off multiple attractions — like the Churaumi Aquarium or Okinawa World — with the Klook Pass Okinawa!
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