Hi guys,
First time in Okinawa ☺️
I have booked plane tickets for Okinawa next year.
My guest will stay with me for 1.5 days from when we land. I will be there for 3 days.
We will land at 4 pm at Naha Airport and I am planning to rent a car to drive to Onna (accommodation).
Accommodation:
I am just contemplating whether I should go around Naha when I landed, then drive to accommodation in Onna or actually change over the accommodation to Naha instead. And change to Onna the next day? 🤔🤔
My friend told me that Onna is really beautiful to stay at, but it is quite far from Naha when I take a look at Google Maps.
Rough plan:
As for plan, we want to explore Naha night scene, pottery Street, and street food too. As well as Okinawa aquarium, see some nature, and specifically have brunch at Yachimun Cafe Shisa Garden (personal reason of visiting a friend’s aunt) 😊
If we have extra time the we’ll visit Chatan at night too 😊
We don’t plan on visiting cultural sites (I can do it once he leaves Okinawa).
That is all for now I think!
Really appreciate any feedback 😊
4 comments
By the time you get to Onna the first day, it’s going to be late/dark even if you go straight from the airport to the rental car and start driving. If you have a plan the next day in Onna I would do that, but otherwise just stay in Naha the day you arrive and go up to Onna the next day or the day after.
I usually stay at the Hyatt Serigaki Island and eat at this steakhouse
NAKAMA Steak House
098-967-7022
https://maps.app.goo.gl/dV37w9svzK63TYd77?g_st=ic
If you are landing in Naha at 4PM I would just stay and leave the next day
Also, if you rent a car make sure it has English GPS. I tried using Google Maps but the reception was spotty but it was about 5 years ago. I would see if an ETC card rental [like this one](https://www.otsinternational.jp/otsrentacar/en/rental/flat-rate-etc/) is an option because it can save hours of waiting for the tourists to pay the tolls
Good luck
It sounds like a personal choice, Onna itself has a few nice attractions but your friend might not have enough time to do both Naha and the aquarium in a day and half if so because of how far the later is. Also it depends on when he arrives as the Aquarium closes at around 5pm.
Keep in mind that Naha is really close to the airport as well so that makes the return trip easier on them.
IMHO staying at Naha at first night is better.
Although it takes about 1 hour to drive from airport to Onna, But driving at night is always more risky daytime. Also there are traffic jams at Naha during evening. It would takes more time to reach the highway.