If you’re planning on only seeing the main island, Okinawa is good for 5 days or so for a comfortable pace of driving around and seeing the various sights all over the island. Bear in mind that while Okinawa island itself isn’t huge, driving north to south takes up to 3 hours.
Is driving in Okinawa easy?
All in all, I’d still consider driving in Okinawa to be fairly easy . Roads are usually not that busy, Okinawan drivers are pretty calm on average, and road conditions are good. Okinawa is definitely a place for a nice road trip, so grab a car and go!
How long does it take to drive from one side of Okinawa to the other?
The Okinawa Expressway is a toll road that runs for 57.3 kilometers between Nago in the north and Naha in the south. While it takes about two hours by car to travel between those cities on Highway 58, it’s approximately one hour using the expressway.
Can I use Pasmo in Okinawa?
Pasmo and Suica Cards Aren’t Accepted
Cards not accepted in Okinawa . Anyone that has lived in or visited a major city in Japan will know just how prevalent and useful these two IC cards are. You can use them to pay for most modes of transportation, whether it’s the train, bus, or taxi.
Is there Uber in Okinawa?
Is Uber in Okinawa? Uber is not in Okinawa . There are two other apps, however: JapanTaxi: and Didi-Rider.
Why is Okinawa famous?
Known as the “Hawaii of Japan”, Okinawa has amazing star-gazing, diving, a unique cuisine and yes, cherry blossoms too .
Is Okinawa considered Japan?
Situated in the East China Sea, Okinawa prefecture is a chain of islands located between Kyushu of Japan and Taiwan. Though a part of Japan, it’s not geographically linked to any parts of the rest of Japan — making it the only prefecture that’s not connected on the Japan Rail.
Can you get to Okinawa by car?
The drive will take about 16 hours , and the expressway toll is at least 30,000 yen. You will also have to pay for the rental car and fuel along the way. A road trip to Okinawa may be fun, but this route is most suited for those with extra time and money.
Is Okinawa Tourist friendly?
Okinawa has beautiful beaches, great weather and friendly people ! The culture is very distinct from what you’ll find on the main islands of Japan, so it’s definitely worth a visit!
How expensive is Okinawa?
The average price of a 7-day trip to Okinawa is $1,899 for a solo traveler, $3,411 for a couple, and $6,394 for a family of 4 . Okinawa hotels range from $51 to $290 per night with an average of $62, while most vacation rentals will cost $60 to $420 per night for the entire home.
Can Americans drive in Okinawa?
Americans cannot drive in Japan with only a U.S. drivers license . Persons found driving in Japan without a legal license are subject to fines, arrest and possible deportation. “International Driving Permits” are not a medium-to-long term substitute for a Japanese driver’s license.
Do they speak English in Okinawa?
Most Okinawans speak Japanese and do not speak English . Those who do know English, are often too shy to use it. Regardless, Okinawa is easy to get around without knowing Japanese. Major hotels, popular tourist areas, and areas near U.S. military bases, often know and are willing to use English.
Do I need a passport to go to Okinawa?
You must have a valid passport and an onward/return ticket for tourist/business “visa free” stays of up to 90 days . Your passport must be valid for the entire time you are staying in Japan. You cannot work on a 90-day “visa free” entry.
Is Okinawa a diverse?
There are many studies on the history before the Ryukyu Kingdom was born in 1429, but the history of the Ryukyu Kingdom, which had a 450-year history as an independent country until it became Okinawa in 1879, unraveled the uniqueness of Okinawa.
Can I use Toica in Tokyo?
TOICA is also usable in Suica accepting area (Greater Tokyo Area, Sendai, and Niigata) and ICOCA accepting area (Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto and Okayama-Hiroshima) and SUGOCA accepting area (Fukuoka-Saga).
What is the meaning of IC card?
What Is an Integrated Circuit Card? An integrated circuit card, or chip card, is a payment card that uses an embedded microchip to store data in addition to (or instead of) a traditional magnetic stripe .
How does IC card work?
IC cards are rechargeable cards that can be used to conveniently pay fares on public transportation and to make payments at many vending machines, shops and restaurants by simply touching the card on a reader for about one second .
Is taxi expensive in Okinawa?
Get around affordably with taxi fares cheaper than in mainland Japan. Taxis are common throughout Japan, but Okinawa has one big advantage; they are cheaper than other parts of the country .
Do I need a car in Okinawa?
Travelling to Okinawa without a car definitely requires you to plan your trip in advance due to its irregular bus schedules and to fully maximise the public transport passes that will make your trip a lot more budget-friendly.
How far is Okinawa from Japan mainland?
Okinawa Prefecture consists of more than 150 distinct islands, all of which lie 400 miles from mainland Japan. This sets Okinawa apart as a world unto itself.
Why is Okinawa so poor?
A key reason for the island’s poverty is sheer distance : Because of its long distance from the mainland, costs for transportation are high. Take Toyota, which operates an assembly plant in Iwate Prefecture.
What is Okinawa flavor?
Often compared to Hokkaido milk tea, Okinawa milk tea is a tasty blend of black tea, milk, and sweetener . Okinawa milk tea gets its unique taste from the Okinawa brown sugar that’s used to sweeten the tea.
Is Okinawa cheaper than Tokyo?
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tokyo and Okinawa, we can see that Tokyo is more expensive. And not only is Okinawa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination .
Do Okinawans speak Japanese?
| Okinawan | Native to Japan | Region Southern Okinawa Islands | Native speakers Endangered (2000) | Language family Japonic Ryukyuan Northern Ryukyuan Okinawan |
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Who owns Okinawa?
The US military has handed over 9,909 acres (4,000 hectares) of Okinawan land to Japan on Thursday in what’s been lauded as the largest return of US-occupied land since 1972.
Is there a US military base on Okinawa?
There are 13 United States military bases on Okinawa Island . Approximately 62% of all United States bases in Japan are on Okinawa. They cover 25% of Okinawa island. The major bases are Futenma, Kadena, Hansen, Torii, Schwab, Foster, and Kinser.
