9 days Okinawa :)

You might want to consider Iriomote-jima: it's harder to get to in the first place, but has some good hiking if you're prepared (e.g. the island traverse) and nice beaches.

If you want hiking and beaches, I'd probably move through Naha as quickly as you can.

You might want to consider Iriomote-jima: it's harder to get to in the first place, but has some good hiking if you're prepared (e.g. the island traverse) and nice beaches.

If you want hiking and beaches, I'd probably move through Naha as quickly as you can.

Thanks for the reply!
How can I get to Iriomote jima? Can I go from the airport?

Iriomote is among the southernmost of the Okinawan Islands. The nearest airport is Ishigaki, into which you can fly from Naha or Tokyo. (You may even be able to fly from Taiwan.) From Ishigaki, you take a ferry to Iriomote.

There's not much in Naha, it's just a standard modern Japanese city. Maybe one day for shops, etc. There is a small beach, but more of a city beach than somewhere to spend days on.

There are some war sites in the south of the island and a big museum. You could bus to there and do some walking. Good coastal scenery.

From Naha you can get ferries to some outlying islands. Some have beaches and good scenery and make good day trips. I don't know if they have hiking trails as such, but they looked good for walking. You can stay on them if you want, but I imagine they are pretty quiet once the last ferry has left.

I found the best beaches Okinawa were around the Nago Peninsula, particularly the North side. There is fairly good bus service on the island, but for these beaches you would want to stay near to them. You will have to research accommodation.

There were also a few beaches between Naha and Nago with resort type hotels. Again you will need to research.

Once about 40 kms north of Naha to the top, the centre of the island is hilly with forest cover. Few roads or settlements. Good wilderness stuff, if you are in to that.

Thank you!! This is great information :)

Which islands do you recommend from Naha?

Is there a place you suggest for accommodation in the Nago Peninsula?

"40 kms north of Naha to the top, the centre of the island is hilly with forest cover" - sounds great! do you have any idea where I could find a GH or hostel?

THANK YOU!!

I ride a bicycle so I travel at a very different speed to most.

I just chose one island from my guidebook. Can't remember which and my notes are at home (I am touring Malaysia at the moment).

I saw the Nago beaches when riding round the peninsula. I saw there was accomodation, but didn't take notes, hence my comment that you will need to research. I stayed in Nago town and then near the ferry port as I was leaving from there early in the morning. I used booking.com.

North of the Nago peninsula the island of Okinawa is very undeveloped. It's about 50 kms up to the top and there is very little accommodation and no budget stuff. I didn't cycle right round because it was too far in a day and nowhere I could afford to stay.

If you are planning on spending 9 days on Okinawa, I suggest a lot more research.

Enjoy.

thank you so much, this helps!
yes, i just finished planning the bit in the main island and the hokkaido bit.
next is definitely researching okinawa :)
now i have some things to look for already when i start reading! thank you!!

As above Ishigaki (beach), Iriomote (excellent nature/hiking) and Taketomi (culture/beach) could easily fill 9 days, but you'd have to fly to Ishigaki for that.

In other words, 9 days NOT Okinawa.