Welcome to Okinawa & the Southwest Islands
Collectively known as the Southwest Islands, the Nansei-shotō (南西諸島) comprises several chains of semitropical, coral-fringed isles far removed from the concerns of mainland life, where the slow pace and unique cultural heritage of the former Ryūkyū kingdom endures, offering a vibrant contrast to Japan's obsession with modernity, technology and homogeneity.
Top experiences in Okinawa & the Southwest Islands
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Okinawa & the Southwest Islands activities
Naha Airport to Hotels Private Arrival Transfer
Travel from Naha Airport to your hotel with this private transfer service. When making a booking, you will need to advise your arrival details and your hotel details. Your transfer will be confirmed within 48 hours and you will be provided with a travel voucher to present to the driver.Price is per person, based on eight adults per vehicle.At time of booking, YOU MUST include the following flight and drop-off details in the 'Special Requirements' box: Arrival Airline Arrival Flight Number Arrival Time Name, Address, and Phone Number of Your Hotel Total Number of Luggage Naha hotel Zones A to H Zone A Hotels:Southern Beach Hotel & ResortMoon Ocean Ginowan Hotel & Resort Laguna Garden HotelZone B Hotels: Hyakuna Garan OkinawaThe Beach Tower OkinawaCamPana Vessel Hotel Em Wellness Resort Costa Vista Hotel & SpaHilton Okinawa Chatan ResortHotel Okinawa Grand Mer ResortZone C Hotels:Hotel Nikko AlivilaOkinawa Zanpamisaki Royal Hotel Renaissance Resort OkinawaCOC Garden Resort Okinawa The Uza Terrace Beach Club VillasZone D Hotels: Hotel Moon BeachHotel Monterey Okinawa Spa & ResortKafuu Resort Fuchaku Condo HotelSun Marina HotelRizzan Sea-Park Hotel Tancha-BayZone E Hotels:InterContinental ANA Manza Beach ResortOriental Hills OkinawaThe ATTA Terrace Club Towers Zone F Hotels:Okinawa Beach Resort Ocean Spa Kariyushi Spa Resort ExesOkinawa Marriott Resort & SpaThe Busena TerraceThe Ritz-Carlton, OkinawaKise Beach Palace LiVEMAX AMMS Canna Resort VillaBest Western Okinawa Kouki BeachThe Terrace Club at BusenaZone G Hotels:Kanucha Bay Hotel & VillasChisun Resort Okinawa ChuraumiMahaina Wellness Resort OkinawaHotel Orion Motobu Resort & SpaMARINE PIAZZA OKINAWA Marine Piazza Okinawa Hotel Resonex NagoZone H Hotels:JAL Private Resort Okuma
General Admission to Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium was the first aquarium in the world to succeed in raising and breeding manta alfredi, one of the largest species of ray. Get an up close look at the magical whale shark, the largest fish in the sea Whale sharks as long as 8.7m, manta rays and a wide variety of fish swim in the gigantic tank Enjoy an interactive and educational tour and hold sea cucumbers and star fish Observe manatee, sea turtles and dolphins in the Ocean Expo Park just next to the aquarium See the world's first successfully bred in captivity manta ray, a giant of the ocean
Ishigaki to Taketomi Island Day Trip with Kondoi Beach Option
In the morning, make your way to the Ishigaki Port ferry terminal and board a boat to Taketomi Island. Upon arrival, you’re picked up at the port and transferred to the tour office. First, hop into a water buffalo cart for a half-hour ride around the village of Taketomi, ambling along sandy paths past the red clay roofs of Ryūkyū-style homes. Listen as the driver plays the sanshin (a traditional Okinawan instrument) and sings traditional Okinawan songs. Afterward, a bus picks you up for the trip to Kondoi Beach, or you can rent a bicycle to explore the island on your own. See the Important Information tab for pricing and other details. Option A: Rental BikeIf you’ve selected the bike rental option, walk about 3 minutes on foot to the rental office and get fitted with your bicycle. You’ll have access to your bike all day, allowing you to explore the island sights at your own pace. Pedal to the plentiful handicraft shops and watch local artisans weave traditional cloth, take in the views of white-sand beaches or sink your teeth into a sumptuous meal of island-raised shrimp (own expense). After returning the bicycle you will be taken back to the port in time for whichever ferry you would like to take back to Ishigaki. Option B: Kondoi BeachIf you’ve chosen this option, a bus picks you up from the water buffalo cart boarding point and takes you to Kondoi Beach, where you can spend free time swimming in the turquoise water and relaxing on the impressive expanse of white sand. Just tell the driver which ferry you plan to take back to Ishigaki Port and you’ll be picked up at the beach in time for your departure. Alternatively, you can decide later and call the driver when you are ready to return to Ishigaki. Click on “ View Additional Info” for the meeting locations.
Iriomote Island Urauchi River Cruise, Maryudo Falls Adventure
Make your own way to the tour office in the morning to pick up a round-trip ferry ticket before departing from Ishigaki Port. Ride the 50-minute ferry on your own to Iriomote Island (Iriomote-jima), where you’ll join a Japanese-speaking tour group and be met by an English-speaking assistant who provides limited translation for the day’s activities. From Uehara Port, take a bus to the Urauchi River, the longest river of Okinawa Prefecture. Board a boat for a sightseeing cruise through the lush mangrove estuary. Disembark at the start point of your jungle hike.Head down an easy forest trail for about 30 minutes until you reach an observation platform. Here, take in the splendor of Maryudo Falls, a 52-foot (16-meter) cascade that is considered one of Japan's must-see waterfalls. Linger longer or walk another 10 minutes to the end of the trail to marvel at another waterfall, Kanpire Falls.Cruise back along the Urauchi River and enjoy a bento box lunch upon arrival at the dock. After fueling up, receive a brief kayak instruction and embark on a 2-hour guided kayak journey along the Urauchi River and Utara River, a branch of the larger waterway. Paddle through mangroves and listen as your guide describes the flora and fauna of Iriomote Island and the surrounding region.Back at the dock, you can take a warm shower before riding the bus back to Uehara Port. Return by ferry to Ishigaki in the evening.Click on “View Additional Info” for the meeting locations.
Iriomote Island Kayaking Full-Day Tour with Sangara Falls Hike
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Hirata Tourism, Ishigaki, Okinawa PrefectureYou will check in and receive your tour ticket here.Duration: 20 minutesStop At: Iriomote Island, Iriomote-jima, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa PrefectureYour canoe and trekking tour will be held in Iriomote islandDuration: 5 hoursPass By: Hirata Tourism, Ishigaki, Okinawa PrefectureYou will come back to Ishigaki Ferry Terminal.
-Ishigaki Ocean- Sea Kayak Adventure with English-Speaking Guide
1. Pick-up at Designated Hotels or Check-in at ChulaChula Shop 2. Reception and Departure for Starting Point Enter the shop and have your reservation checked then receive your free rental equipment for this activity. 3. Arrival at Starting Point and Introduction to Kayak After a 15-minute car ride to the starting point, learn the basic techniques on rowing a kayak from a licensed instructor. 4. Practice Start by hopping in your kayak and use your paddle to practice rowing left and right. After getting your balance right, paddle across the shallow shores first before heading further out. 5. Kayak Experience Set out to the open waters as you let the waves push you along the clear waters of Ishigaki Island. Explore the wonderful wildlife as you enjoy your kayak adventure! 6. Tea Time at a Secret Beach Follow your instructor and head to a secret beach nearby. Spend a relaxing time on the island with a cup of tea specially prepared for you. 7. Return to the Beach 8. Drop-off at Designated Hotels or Check-out from ChulaChula Shop