Living the Island Life: My Favorite Okinawa Spots That Made It Feel Like Home

With bright blue oceans, mouth-watering cuisines, and tropical vibes, Okinawa offered so much during my time there. My experience living there was unforgettable. 

Moving to Okinawa was a milestone for me for various reasons. One, I had never been to Japan before. Two, I had never lived overseas previously. Honestly, I had never traveled outside the U.S. before going to Okinawa. I was wary of living abroad, but I got lucky with this opportunity. 

There is so much that I love about Okinawa, and I miss them all so much. From the beautiful landscapes to amazing outer island day trips and eccentric thrift shops, there is plenty to explore on that beautiful island. 

Here are some of my favorite places in Okinawa. 

Zamami Island

Just a ferry ride from Okinawa, this beautiful outer island was an excellent getaway for a holiday. On the 4th of July, I took the day to enjoy Zamami Island, and it was a treat. I walked about 20 minutes from the ferry port to Furuzamami Beach. Even when walking, the scenery surrounding the path was breathtaking. I was surrounded by beautiful greenery that I thought I was used to since living in Okinawa, but it was so lush and fresh. 

When I arrived at Furuzamami Beach, I was excited. The white sand and beautiful blue water were something that I saw in photos, so seeing it in person was surreal. Another plus was that, shockingly, there were few people there. This beach is the optimal place for snorkeling because of the abundance of tropical fish that can be seen. There was also a shack with food and snacks, which was perfect.

Shuri Castle

Shuri Castle is a historical site that tells the story of the Ryukyu Kingdom. I visited with my family because it was the perfect day trip. The castle is exquisite! It is not the original castle, as it was reconstructed, but the exterior is magnificent. The interior is eye-catching and supplies fascinating information about the history of Okinawa. My favorite area was the room with an overlook, where the emperor would watch the fireworks during the New Year celebrations. It was just a fun image to imagine.

About halfway through the tour, guests could enjoy a tea ceremony. We arrived late but enjoyed the tea and treats they provided. They also provided a pamphlet with information about everything we were indulging in. 

Shuri Castle provided extra fun for guests as they toured the grounds. They provided a scavenger hunt through the castle, where people looked for stenciled animals for a fun prize at the end of their tour. My family and I had a great time with the scavenger hunt. 

*Unfortunately, Shuri Castle burned down, and this news crushed me.

Manga Souko

Many people say this place was overwhelming, but it was hands down my favorite place in Okinawa. I would go there on days off, when I had nothing to do, anytime I could. Manga Souko was a thrift shop with arcade games and other items available for purchase. I am sure what I listed as “other items” is more important to most since that includes video games, manga, and figurines from favorite animes. It was a boisterous shop you could visit, but I will discuss that in another post.

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

The aquarium in Okinawa is another attraction that would be a day trip since it was far from where I lived. Walking to the entrance, we encountered all these cute animal-shaped bushes. 

The aquarium was a pleasant way to relax after doing so much while my family was in Okinawa. The craziest underwater creature we saw was the long-legged crabs. They were terrifying, and I didn’t stay in that tank for too long. Thinking about them gives me goosebumps.

Many don’t know, but the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is one of the largest aquariums in the world, and it is displayed in the whale tank. It’s a beautiful, enormous tank that is frequently posted. The awe-inspiring tank alone makes it worth visiting.

Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum

The Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum is one of the places I visited because it offers rotating exhibitions. I went three times in one week because it had a Disney exhibition that any Disney lover had to see. There were terrific never-before-seen sketches, sets from movies, and more. In the end, I had to keep going to buy more memorabilia from the gift shop. 

The museum also had information about Okinawa’s history. The permanent exhibit flows chronologically through the past, from the Ryukyu Kingdom, its fall, and the Battle of Okinawa to today. It is an excellent lesson if you don’t know much about Okinawa. 

Have you visited or lived in Okinawa? Share your favorite places below.