Why go
- Prefecture of Japan.
- Served by Yoron Airport (RNJ).
History
Okinawa Prefecture is the southernmost and westernmost prefecture of Japan. It consists of three main island groups—the Okinawa Islands, the Sakishima Islands, and the Daitō Islands—spread across a maritime zone approximately 1,000 kilometers east to west and 400 kilometers north to south. Despite a modest land area of 2,281 km2, Okinawa's territorial extent over surrounding seas makes its total area nearly half the combined size of Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. Of its 160 islands, 49 are inhabited. The largest and most populous island is Okinawa Island, which hosts the capital city, Naha, as well as major urban centers such as Okinawa, Uruma, and Urasoe. The prefecture has a subtropical climate, characterized by warm temperatures and high rainfall throughout the year. People from the Nansei Islands, including Okinawa, the Sakishima Islands, and parts of Kagoshima Prefecture, are often collectively referred to as Ryukyuans. However, there are significant cultural and customary differences between individual islands and even between local communities.
Restaurants & places to go
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Airports
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 18 airlines, 32 direct destinations
- All Nippon Airways NH (737, 767, 735, 737-800, 777-200, 777-300…) · 22 routes: Beijing*, FSZ, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Ishigaki, Kagoshima, Kobe*, Kumamoto, Matsuyama, Miyako, Miyazaki*, Nagasaki, Nagoya, Niigata, Osaka, Osaka, Sapporo*, Sendai, Seoul*, Takamatsu*, Tokyo, Tokyo
- Japan Transocean Air NU (734) · 8 routes: Fukuoka, Ishigaki, Kanazawa, Kumejima, Miyako, Nagoya, Okayama, Osaka
- Skymark Airlines BC (737) · 8 routes: Fukuoka, Ishigaki, Kobe, Miho, Miyako, Nagoya, Tokyo, Tokyo
- Japan Airlines Domestic JL (767, 777-300, A320, 777, 737-800) · 4 routes: Osaka, Shanghai*, Tokyo, Tokyo*
- Peach Aviation MM (A320) · 3 routes: Ishigaki, Osaka, Taipei
- Asiana Airlines OZ (A320, A321) · 2 routes: Busan, Seoul
- China Airlines CI (737-800, A330-300, A340-300) · 2 routes: Kaohsiung, Taipei
- Genesis GK (A320) · 2 routes: Osaka, Tokyo
- Air China CA (737-800) · 1 route: Beijing
- Arrow Air JW (A320) · 1 route: Tokyo
- Cathay Pacific CX (A330-300) · 1 route: Hong Kong
- China Eastern Airlines MU (A320) · 1 route: Shanghai
- Dragonair KA (A330-300) · 1 route: Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Airlines HX (A330-200, A330-300) · 1 route: Hong Kong
- Jin Air LJ (737-800) · 1 route: Seoul
- Juneyao Airlines HO (A320) · 1 route: Shanghai
- Mandarin Airlines AE (Embraer 190) · 1 route: Taichung
- TransAsia Airways GE (A320, A321) · 1 route: Taipei
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Getting there by ferry
Where things are
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.
Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.
Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Yoron Airport (RNJ); 9 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: OKA has direct flights to 32 destinations on 18 airlines (incl. Tokyo, Ishigaki, Osaka, Fukuoka, Hong Kong…). By water: 1 ferry terminal within 20 km (nearest: Motobu Harbor, 20 km).
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Okinawa, Japan. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.
Trains & rail
Coaches & shuttles
Private aviation
On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.