Enjoy Okinawa’s Blue Seas and Tropical Nature as a Family! A 4-Day, 3-Night Summer Itinerary

Start by recharging after your trip and filling your stomach.
One must-try local specialty upon arriving in Okinawa is “Pork Tamago,” a rice ball sandwich made with spam and egg wrapped in seaweed instead of bread.
With just one bite, you’ll experience the perfect harmony of salty luncheon meat, sweet fluffy egg, and the crisp flavor of nori.
It’s like combining the best parts of a rice ball and a sandwich.
In addition to the classic Pork Tamago, this shop offers exclusive menu items topped with Okinawan delicacies like miso stir-fried Agu pork, sea grapes, and deep-fried gurukun (banana fish).
Be sure to try a variety of flavors!

After lunch, head to Okinawa’s most famous shopping street—Naha Kokusai Street.
Home to over 600 shops, this bustling area is the center of tourism and commerce.
On Sundays, the street becomes a pedestrian zone filled with open-air cafés, street performers, events, and local markets.
Whether you’re browsing for souvenirs or sampling local eats, take your time and enjoy the vibrant Okinawan atmosphere as you stroll.

Next, visit an interactive art space created by the world-renowned art collective, teamLab.
Here you’ll find digital exhibits such as the “Sketch Aquarium: Connected World,” where fish you draw swim in a giant virtual tank before your eyes, and “Light Ball Orchestra,” where rolling balls produce changes in light and sound.
Children can move freely and explore this dreamy world of lights and sounds.
With visual, tactile, and auditory experiences, the space stimulates all five senses—like an amusement park made of art.

For dinner, head to Jimanya Naha, a restaurant dedicated to local Okinawan ingredients.
Set in a cozy, traditional-style house, this hidden gem offers a wide range of Okinawan specialties.
Feast on dishes like juicy steak or shabu-shabu made with the rare “Pineapple Pork,” as well as mozuku seaweed appetizers and classic stir-fried champuru.
This is the perfect place to experience the authentic flavors of Okinawa in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

AEON MALL Okinawa Rycom features approximately 220 specialty stores across five floors, including fashion, gourmet food, lifestyle goods, and entertainment facilities.
At the entrance, the “Arrival Gate,” a towering 2.5-meter Shisa statue greets visitors in true Okinawan style.
Other highlights include a massive aquarium with colorful tropical fish and the “Rycom Village,” a resort-style area reflecting Okinawa’s natural charm.
With kid-friendly areas like the Pokémon-themed “Chura Pika Plaza,” this mall is a fun destination for families as well.

Next, take a 30-minute drive from the mall to Cape Maeda, home to the famous “Blue Cave.”
This roughly 30-meter-long sea cave, located below a cliff, is a top snorkeling and diving spot.
Crystal-clear waters reflect sunlight into a magical blue glow across the surface, making you feel like you’ve stepped into another world.
Many colorful tropical fish like batfish and parrotfish inhabit the area, offering an unforgettable underwater experience.

For lunch, indulge in a luxurious shabu-shabu and sukiyaki feast at this well-known restaurant.
Enjoy Okinawan Agu pork, Pineapple-fed Agu pork, and top-grade Kuroge Wagyu (A5 rank, BMS 10+), served with fresh lettuce and mozuku seaweed.
The rare crystal pot used for cooking slowly and evenly heats the ingredients, enhancing the flavor of the meat.
Don’t miss the homemade shikuwasa citrus ponzu sauce, which adds a refreshing accent to the meal.

Located in Onna Village on the main island of Okinawa, Cape Manzamo is a scenic spot famous for its sheer limestone cliffs overlooking the East China Sea.
The cliffs, shaped like an elephant’s trunk, are made of Ryukyu limestone and are said to have impressed a former Ryukyuan king, who praised the area as “a field spacious enough for ten thousand to sit.”
Take a seat on the grassy plateau and enjoy the sweeping view of the blue sea and wide-open sky—the power of nature will surely soothe your spirit.
Next to the cape is the Manzamo Area Revitalization Facility, which features shops, restaurants, and a viewing deck, allowing visitors to enjoy both the view and local specialties (admission fee required).

For dinner, head to the seaside restaurant inside the Best Western Okinawa Onna Beach hotel.
Set in a perfect location overlooking the East China Sea and surrounded by subtropical plants, the buffet offers a wide selection of Japanese and Western dishes.
Enjoy roasted dishes made with Okinawan chicken and local fish and choose your favorites from the buffet at your own pace.
Be sure to save room for the colorful and delicious fruit and dessert corner.

Start the day at iias Okinawa Toyosaki, a large shopping complex located along ChuraSUN Beach.
On the first floor, you'll find large stores offering marine goods and electronics, while the second and third floors are home to popular fashion brands and lifestyle shops.
The mall is well-stocked with everything from daily necessities to souvenirs, perfect for enjoying Okinawan life and tourism.

It also houses attractions like DMM Kariyushi Aquarium and Little Universe OKINAWA, making it an ideal destination even on rainy days or for families with kids.
Tourist information and facility guidance are available at the information center, and universal services such as nursing rooms and wheelchair rentals are also well-equipped—providing peace of mind for families.

Time for lunch at A&W, a fast-food chain originally from the United States and found only in Okinawa.
Loved by locals since its arrival in 1963, A&W is famous for its non-alcoholic drink Root Beer, made from over 14 types of herbs.
It pairs perfectly with burgers, and the best part—refills are free inside the store.
Don't miss their signature The A&W Burger, which features cream cheese and brown sugar pepper pork for a uniquely Okinawan twist.

After lunch, head to DMM Kariyushi Aquarium, which is directly connected to iias Okinawa Toyosaki.
With the theme “Unforgettable encounters and immersive fantasy beyond a typical aquarium,” it offers interactive experiences beyond traditional exhibits.
In addition to showcasing marine life and plants from Okinawa and nearby regions, the aquarium offers a variety of hands-on programs such as feeding animals.
Entering from the second-floor entrance, you'll find “Yanbaru Forest,” a mystical zone themed around subtropical nature, where you can observe freshwater fish as if trekking through a real forest.

Chameleons, lizards, and other reptiles and amphibians can be found in “Gumasan Cave,” while the “Umikaji Dome” recreates Okinawa’s sea based on the actual time of day. There is also a touch pool where you can interact with sharks and starfish.
Visitors can even feed animals such as otters, penguins, and sloths—an experience that makes you feel as if you’ve wandered into the wild.

The first floor features a massive tank filled with marine creatures from the waters around Okinawa, along with an underwater tunnel that gives visitors the feeling of strolling through the sea. There are also numerous smaller tanks with colorful tropical fish and jellyfish, all beautifully and artistically displayed.

In spring 2025, a new area called tetote Animal Encounter Plaza will open.
Here, visitors can interact with rare animals such as micro pigs (even smaller than mini pigs), owls, and call ducks. It offers hands-on experiences like feeding, making it a highly popular attraction for families.

As the trip nears its end, visit Umikaji Terrace, a resort facility on Senagajima located just a short drive from Naha Airport.
With beautiful white buildings lining the blue sea, this area is known for its Mediterranean-like scenery, attracting over 3.3 million visitors annually.
About 50 shops offer Okinawan gourmet food, sweets, jewelry, and crafts made in Okinawa, as well as relaxing spa services.
If you have time, consider visiting the Ryujin hot spring at the nearby Senagajima Hotel, which draws natural hot spring water from 1,000 meters underground.

Located on a hilltop in Senagajima, POSILLIPO cucina meridionale is a restaurant themed around Southern Italy.
Named after the scenic Posillipo hill in Naples, the restaurant offers sweeping views of Okinawa’s sea and sky.
It also features a rooftop bar and a ceremonial space, making it a perfect spot for anniversaries and weddings.

The restaurant serves authentic dishes rooted in Italian tradition while making full use of Okinawa’s fresh local ingredients.
You can enjoy specialties like Napoli-style pizza made with an original flour blend, charcoal-grilled meats, and flavorful pasta.

Begin the last day with a visit to Chura SUN Beach, the largest artificial beach in Okinawa, boasting a 700-meter stretch of sandy shoreline.
Popular with both tourists and locals, the beach offers a safe swimming area with jellyfish nets and on-site lifeguards.
It’s also perfect for family fun, with areas for marine sports like jet skiing and banana boating, inflatable ocean playgrounds, and even seaside net-based athletic equipment.
There’s also a BBQ area, making it ideal for large groups.
Let this be the final beach memory you and your children take home from Okinawa.

After enjoying the sea, head to Okinawa’s only outlet mall, conveniently located near Chura SUN Beach.
Featuring Grecian-style architecture and a backdrop of emerald-green waters, the expansive mall houses around 100 popular brands—ranging from high-end fashion and casual wear to sports gear and lifestyle goods.
The outlet prices are a big draw, and the site occasionally hosts movable playgrounds and cultural events like Eisa dance performances that showcase Okinawan heritage.

Cap off your trip with a hearty lunch at Steakhouse 88, a beloved Okinawan steakhouse chain known for its wide selection and reasonable prices.
The main branch is decked out in neon signs inside and out, evoking a nostalgic American diner vibe.
Enjoy generously sized American-style steaks like tenderloin, sirloin, and rib-eye. The menu also features premium Japanese beef such as Ishigaki wagyu, with over 20 steak options to choose from.