So I’ll be heading to Okinawa on April 27 to May 3 and trying to plan an itinerary but so many questions… me and my wife are used to aggressive itineraries and will be traveling with a 3 year old toddler.
This is what I’m thinking at a high level:
Day 1
Land late morning in Ishigaki direct from Tokyo. Rent a car for 2 days and a hotel in the city for 2 days. Not sure if Kabira Bay is worth driving up for a quick lunch and play in the beach before heading down to Ishigaki Yaima Village / Salt Factory / Stalactites? Then head down to check into hotel. (I heard this timeframe may be wet season so we probably will skip the beach resort and clubmed is a bit out of budget). Any advice on car rental and is it easy or even necessary for a toddler seat given how little distance is (or I guess legal).
Day 2
Ferry to Taketomi. Are there bike rentals with a toddler seat? Would like to bike around the island and look for whatever the star sand is. Have lunch on the island and head back. Not sure what else to do in the Ishigaki city to be honest? Should I return the car here before heading to Iriomote? Most local car rentals allow pick up at airport and drop off in city?
Day 3
Head to Iriomote and do the kayaking / waterfalls / beef / night sky viewing. Is there a good way to coordinate this? Should I get a car for this island too or is it too much hassle? Is this even possible to day trip? Tho thinking it’s best to stay one night for the night sky viewing.
Day 4
Ferry back to Ishigaki and flight to Naha. Seems like flights leave every hour or so not sure when to book to align with ferry schedule but is there any easy public transport for pier to airport? Arrive Naha lunch time-ish and aim to rent a car visit and get some taco rice at the American village, chibi chirigama?, blue cave, cape Manzama. Drive up and maybe stay 2 nights in Onna? (Have some Hyatt points)
Day 5
Visit churaumi aquarium, maybe that bike tree road thing, planetarium maybe, and tropical dream center. Dinner somewhere Then onward to pineapple park, nio park, and Orion park.
Day 6 enjoy hotel beach a bit then head down back toward city along the way shiro castle, sefa utaki and stay in Naha
Day 7
Gyokusendo cave, Okinawa world, peace memorial park, DMM aquarium?, fish market maybe, outlets. Stay in Naha for morning flight out tmw back home.
Any advice tips of things to not go to or add to the list is appreciated. Really looking forward to the delicious eats especially the beef and pork belly. And just any fun experience for the toddler. Somewhere I think I forgot to add the squirrel monkey place for her haha.
Thanks!!
by howkom