Okinawa Travel: My Honest Thoughts!

Okinawa's glassy sea is absolutely stunning, rivaling any tropical island! Plus, the number of tourists is "relatively" less overwhelming, and the local lifestyle is slow-paced, making it the perfect destination for relaxation and unwinding. 🚗 1. Transportation Okinawa's main island is long and narrow, with scattered attractions spanning a large north-south distance. - 🚕 Taxi: Expensive - 🚌 Public buses: Infrequent and time-consuming, not very practical - 🚘 Driving: Chinese driver's licenses are not valid in Okinawa Recommendation: Renting a car with a driver for island tours is the best option; for nearby islands, you'll need to take a ferry. 🏠 2. Accommodation Recommendations Stay near Kokusai Street: - 🏙️ The city center's Ryukyu cultural shopping street - 🍜 A hub for delicious food - 🛒 Features a massive Don Quijote store, making shopping super convenient 🗓️ 3. Itinerary Suggestions Day 1: Arrival in Okinawa 1. ✈️ After landing at Naha Airport, head to Kokusai Street to check into your hotel. 2. 🛌 Rest briefly, explore Kokusai Street (takes about half an hour), and try the unique salt-flavored ice cream. 3. 🚗 From Kokusai Street, drive about an hour to American Village (highly commercialized, with many "made in China" products). 4. 🌃 In the evening, visit the First Makishi Public Market: - 🦞 Buy fresh seafood and Ishigaki beef on the first floor - 🍳 Have it cooked on the second floor (seafood prices are high, but cooking fees are reasonable, offering good value) Day 2: Ocean and Scenic Beauty 1. 🐬 Visit Churaumi Aquarium (a filming location for "Itazura na Kiss," incredibly picturesque and perfect for photos; don't miss the free dolphin show). 2. ⏰ From 2 to 4 PM, head to Cape Manzamo (breathtaking views). 3. 🎎 If you're interested in culture, visit Ryukyu Village. Day 3: Shrines and Island Scenery 1. 🌅 Morning: Naminoue Shrine (small but exquisite, takes about 20 minutes to explore). 2. 🌉 Head to Kouri Bridge and Kouri Island: - 🌊 Stunning glassy sea views along the way - ❤️ On the island, check out the heart-shaped coral reef 3. 🏊 Afternoon: Experience snorkeling at Blue Cave (completely different from Hainan; Okinawa's sea is truly impressive). Day 4: Leisure on Nearby Islands 1. ⏳ If time permits, highly recommend visiting Tokashiki Island: - 🌐 Book ferry tickets in advance on the official website (available in Chinese) - ⚓ Choose the slower ferry 2. 🚌 After disembarking, take a 15-minute shuttle bus to Aharen Beach: - 🤿 Offers various diving activities (with Chinese-speaking instructors) - 🏄 Paddleboarding, banana boats, etc. - 🩱 You can bring your own swimwear for swimming or rent a tent to relax Day 5: Shopping Finale