Getting to Kudaka Island

When you’re packing for your trip, it’s a good idea to bring sun protection, mosquito spray, cash, and enough to drink. And if you want to go swimming, it’s good to bring swimwear, a towel, and a snorkel set. Kudaka Island is connected to Okinawa Main Island by a ferry that leaves from Azama Port in the southeast of the island. Check their timetable the day before you go, and count at least one hour to drive here from central places. There is a slower and a faster boat, but the travel time and fee don’t differ significantly. We caught the slower boat, which took around 20 minutes to get there.

The boat only leaves a few times per day, so it is important to plan your visit well. We left the Main Island with the 11 am boat, and we took the 2 pm boat back. If you want to stay a bit longer, for example, if you want to swim, there will usually be a boat back at 4 pm. There is a large and free parking lot at the harbor, and the harbor is very small so you don’t need to arrive super early.

Cycling on Kudaka Island

There are not many cars on the island and the best way to get around is by bicycle. You really can’t get lost here, as you will always end up back at the sea.

After getting off the boat, you walk up the hill on your left and soon you will see two bicycle rental places. We went to the shop on the righthand side and rented normal bicycles for 2 hours. They have kid bicycles too, and you can also opt for electric bikes. The kid’s bicycle came with a helmet as well. Most roads are flat, so we had no problems using normal bicycles. We paid around 700 yen per person, and off we went!

Kudaka Island is called the ‘Island of Gods’ because the whole island is considered sacred. The people living here, there are only about 200 of them, see nature as a gift of the Gods to use respectfully. Therefore, there are areas that tourists can’t access. And you are not supposed to take any natural elements (like sand or shells) of the island back with you.

Points of Interest

It is a very small island of which some parts are off-limits, so there are only a few points of interest to visit. The place where you rent your bicycle and where the harbor is is near the ‘village center’. Don’t expect too much from this center, as it is just a few houses, a tiny supermarket, and a few simple restaurants and cafes. As we wanted to have lunch at the end of our cycling trip, we went south and took a counter-clockwise tour around the island. That way we would finish in the village where the cafes are.

Main roads are paved and very easy to cycle, but you will also pass a few sandy roads. The sand is pretty hard with small stones, so it is still easy enough to cycle. You will see a lot of tropical vegetation, and I loved the smell of the clean air and flowers here. Our first stop was at Pizza Hama, a nice beach to chill a bit. Then we cycled to Habyan in the north, which had very nice ocean views. We continued on a nice road (Romance Road) to Yaguruga, another nice view point.

Then we circled back to the village and had lunch at a nice little cafe called Rumi’s Cafe. The menu was simple but happened to have what we love. We had spam onigiri sandwiches, tempura, and strawberry kakigori. It took us exactly 2 hours, and we had a pretty relaxed tempo. And if you want to go swimming too, you could do that at the end of your bicycle tour around the island.

Swimming in Kudaka Island

There is only one beach from where you are allowed to swim, it’s called Megihama (メーギ浜). The other beaches are off-limits when it comes to swimming as they are regarded as sacred. Megihama is located on the southwestern part of the island, near the harbor. But, it is good to note that there is no lifeguard and swimming is at your own risk. There are showers, toilets and a small shop near the beach.

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As seasoned Japan experts, we create perfect Japan package tours including destinations like Okinawa. Check out our group tours and private tours, or contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country. Japan is full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

Kudaka Island Area Map

Kouri Island

The small Kouri Island near the central part of Okinawa Main Island is surrounded by emerald water and white sandy beaches. It’s a bit off the beaten tourist tracks, so especially off-season you can enjoy the wonderful environment in peace. There isn’t much there besides the beaches and some amazing restaurants and cafes, so it lends itself to a perfect day trip. You can also stay overnight in a luxury accommodation if you want to make it a real little getaway.

We visited Kouri Island on a nice and sunny day in April. Before passing the bridge leading to the island we stopped at a parking lot with an amazing view. It seemed to be a popular spot for taking pictures as we were far from alone here.

We then had an early lunch in Airando Fiji Restaurant & Cafe, a very pretty and modern space with one of the best views in Okinawa. The food was really delicious, we had tacos and curry with starters and a dessert for around 2500 yen. It’s not cheap for lunch in Japan, but it was definitely worth the splurge.

Then we went to Chigunu Beach near the bridge, which was a very beautiful white beach. In April, the water is still a bit cold but if you don’t mind that it’s a refreshing swim. We do recommend going on a not-so-windy day, as the waves will be much calmer then.

Tataki Waterfall

After lounging around the beach for a bit we headed to the Tataki (or Ta waterfall) parking area. The road you have to turn right to isn’t well-marked, so it’s good to use your navigation system or Google maps. Parking costs 500 yen if you don’t stay over 2 hours, which is usually enough. You will get a card with an English explanation when entering the parking lot.

After putting our swimsuits, rash guards, life vest, and marine shoes on we went on our way. It is a short walk through the countryside to the start of the river trek. The river was surrounded by lush greenery and pleasantly cool. Rocks and narrow passageways made the trek fun and a little challenging, but my 9-year old had no problems finishing the route. It took us around 30 minutes to get to the goal, the Tataki waterfall with a small pool in front.

Many hikers take a break here before heading back the same way, and I highly recommend taking a dip in the refreshing water. There’s a Tarzan rope that everyone can use, and those brave enough went behind the waterfall to enjoy the mist.

Handy Tips for this Day Trip

Of course, you need to bring your swimming gear on this trip. We recommend wearing a rash guard that covers most of your arms and legs. Marine shoes are also indispensable. This gear will protect you from corals, jellyfish, rocks, sunburn, and mosquitos. Sunscreen and mosquito spray for your exposed skin is also handy. Kids also have to wear a life vest at the waterfall. You can rent both life vests and marine shoes for a small fee at the parking lot of the waterfall. Don’t forget to bring your towels, and bring a bottle of water for everyone.

If you are planning to enter the sea on Kouri Island, it is a great idea to also bring a snorkeling set. If the sea is calm enough, it is a great place to snorkel.

We recommend leaving on time in the morning, especially if you are coming from Naha or elsewhere down south. From many popular resort areas, it is a drive of around 1.5-2 hours to Kouri Island. The island is definitely the best place for lunch as you won’t find much around the Tataki Waterfall area. The parking area near the Tataki Waterfall closes at 5.30 pm, so it is recommended to arrive no later than 4 pm.

Your Japan Tour

As seasoned Japan experts, we create perfect Japan package tours including destinations like Okinawa. Check out our group tours and private tours, or contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

Kouri Island Area Map

Tataki Waterfall Area Map

The Gyokusendo Cave

The first attraction you will probably do after entering the park is the Gyokusendo cave. You will take a long staircase down, and the first viewpoint in this limestone cave is a large cavern filled with stalagmites and stalactites. Many of the natural formations look like sculptures, and if you look around closely you might see bats hanging around. You will then continue onto a smaller pathway while looking at this otherworldly underground cavern.

There is a very obvious walkway, so you won’t get lost. The walkway is lined by railings, and at the very end of it, you will even use an escalator to go back up. I thought it is a bit of a shame that the path is quite unnatural, it gives a bit less sense of an adventure. But it’s safe, and the light-up they’ve done, although unnatural, gives the cave a fairytale-like feeling. My favorite spot was the place that looks like a fairy pond of Nintendo’s Legend of Zelda games. The water is so clear and the shape of the pond with the waterfalls looks man-made, so perfect.

It took us around 25 minutes to walk through the cave, and the route is around 850 meters long. They also take your photo at the entrance of the cave and there’s a photobooth halfway through. This photo will be offered to you after you exit the cave, and the small version is free.

Okinawa World Traditional Village

Once you get out of the cave, you will enter the rest of the park. First, you will pass through a lush garden with all kinds of tropical plants, many of them which bear fruits. Luckily, you can taste these delicious fruits here as well. There is an airy cafe with fruit smoothies or freshly cut fruit right next to the garden.

I also loved the buku buku tea that they served in the traditional village. It looks a bit crazy with a large amount of foam on top of the tea, but I thought it tasted very good. Tasting just like foamy tea, the drink goes very well with the sweet they serve with it. Sitting in this traditional environment with a typical Okinawan drink was a nice experience.

Other experiences to try out are dressing up in traditional clothes and having tiny fish clean your feet. The latter is not for the ticklish, but very fun to try out if you can stand the feeling. After getting our feet tidied up, we looked around the large souvenir shop near the entrance of the park. Pretty much anything you can think of relating to Okinawa, they have it here. Typical Okinawa omiyage souvenirs are also for sale here.

Other Attractions in Okinawa World

One of the most popular things to do in Okinawa World is their handicraft workshops. You can try crafting cups or plates from colorful Ryukyu glass, textile dyeing, textile weaving, or paper-making. Please note that these activities come at an additional fee. We made a small blue plate which cost around 2500 yen plus 1500 yen for shipping. It’s cool to have a unique plate for snacks at home!

Throughout the day they hold traditional performances in the arena area. You can see the Eisa dance, the Lion dance, and other traditional dances accompanied by Okinawan music. And finally, there is the Habu Museum Park, which is part of Okinawa World. The habu is Okinawa’s famous venomous snake. Most people in Japan are quite scared of them, and you see many signs all over Okinawa warning of the habu. This museum is a good place to see snakes including the habu and other reptiles up close.

The museum also holds a show a few times per day. They used to let mongooses and habu snakes fight each other, but because this was too cruel they changed their show. Now, you can see a mongoose racing a sea snake in the water, and a cobra ‘fight’ a human. The highlight of the show is when the habu snake attacks a warm balloon. The habu’s speed is amazing! If you don’t understand Japanese, they have free earphone sets with translations.

Planning Your Trip to Okinawa World

We easily spent a half-day here, and also did an evening jungle tour, so it is good to budget time accordingly. We arrived around 2 pm, spent around 30 minutes in the cave, 15 minutes on the glass-making activity, and 1 hour on having drinks in the village and walking around. If you also want to catch a performance and take your time buying souvenirs, you should add another hour. The Habu Museum plus show took another 40 minutes.

We had around 1.5 hours to kill between leaving the park and coming back for the evening tour. In that time, we took a 10-minute drive to the tiny Ojima island down south to have dinner. There seem to be a few nice places to eat around the area, and we chose a seafood restaurant called Ojima Kaisanbutsu Shokudo. That was a great choice, as the food was delicious and not even that expensive. The sashimi I had there was some of the best I have ever had!

After dinner, we went back for our night tour, which lasted for another 1.5 hours in total. I would recommend buying the all-in value ticket that includes entrance to the cave, the snake museum, the park itself, and 1000 yen to spend on food, activities, or souvenirs in the park. For current prices, you can check the park’s website.

Uwaga Jungle Night Tour

Have you always wondered what lives in the jungle in Okinawa? And do you like nature walks when it’s dark? Then you will love the night tour Okinawa World offers in their on-site jungle. For around 3000 yen per person, you will be taken on an adventure in the dark by a guide.

You’re taken to the start of the trail by jeep, a very short but exciting ride. The path is natural but quite clear, and because everyone has a pocket light, it is not too difficult to walk. But you do have to watch your step, as you are really in the middle of the jungle. We saw fireflies, an owl, small spiders, lizards, and shrimps. I think that this tour is especially cool for kids aged 4-12. At the end of the tour, they brought out one of their bats. He was quite wild, but inside a cage so it was safe to see him up close. The kids on the tour were very excited to see a cute bat!

If you want to book this tour, you should make a reservation on their website. The guides can speak simple English, enough to explain the basics during the tour.

Your Japan Tour

As seasoned Japan experts, we create perfect Japan package tours including destinations like Okinawa. Check out our group tours and private tours, or contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

What to Do in Naha

Kokusai-Dori Avenue is a tourist hub in Naha, a long street lined with all kinds of shops and department stores. There are plenty of restaurants serving all kinds of cuisine, cafes, and many souvenir shops. Here you can buy all kinds of edible and non-edible souvenirs.

If you are looking for something local to eat, near Kokusai-Dori you can find the Makishi Public Market which is nicknamed Naha’s Kitchen. It’s a lively place with many local elderly ladies working alongside fast-paced vendors. For those who are wondering what is typical Okinawa cuisine, one dish in particular that you should try while on a holiday in Okinawa is Taco Rice, which is exactly what it sounds like: a fusion dish with American and Japanese influences.

Many local families enjoy shopping at the large DFS Galleria Okinawa, where tax-free overseas brand items are sold, as well as to visit the nearby movie theaters and restaurants.

If you like ceramics and other artisanal products, make sure to head to Yachimun street during your visit to Naha. It is a great place to shop for a unique souvenir while supporting local artisans.

Other attractions in Naha include the Okinawa Prefectural Museum and Art Museum where the nature, culture, and art of Okinawa can truly be appreciated, and the Shrikinjocho Stone-Path Road if you want to take a scenic stroll through the historic part of town.

Shurijo Castle

Naha once prospered as the outer port of Shuri when there was plenty of trade going on with China and Southeast Asia. Shuri flourished as the capital of the Ryukyu Kingdom until Japan annexed the archipelago in 1879. The political and cultural center of the Ryukyu Kingdom was the Shurijo Castle, which stood there for many centuries until it was completely destroyed in WW2.

The castle got partly rebuilt in the 20th century but was unfortunately destroyed once more in a fire in 2019. They are currently rebuilding the castle again.

Your Japan Tour

As seasoned Japan experts, we create perfect Japan package tours including trip extensions to destinations like Okinawa. Check out our group tours and private tours, or contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country. Japan is full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

Video of Okinawa

Naha Area Map

History of Shurijo Castle

Okinawa was an independent kingdom named the Ryukyu Islands from 1429 to 1879. This is when Japan annexed the island group. Shurijo Castle was the seat of this Kingdom for hundreds of years. It was a center of foreign trade and the cultural and political heart of the Ryukyu Islands.

After the Japanese annexation of Okinawa, the castle was used by the Imperial Army as barracks and they dug tunnels and caverns below the castle. This tunnel system was again used by the Japanese Imperial Army as a headquarters during WW2. It was able to hold off some massive US offenses, but it was taken by the Americans and completely destroyed.

Later in the 20th century, the castle was rebuilt, but unfortunately, on October 30th, 2019, there was a big fire and the main part of the castle was destroyed yet again. Rebuilding works are currently underway, and those should be finished around 2026. You can, however, still visit the castle as many buildings are still standing, and the park s

Your Japan Tour

As seasoned Japan experts, we create perfect Japan package tours and we can arrange extensions for destinations like Okinawa. Check out our group tours and private tours, or contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

Shuri Castle Area Map

The main tank has a volume of 7,500 cubic meters of water being the largest glass screen in the world. It is 8.2 meters high by 22.5 meters long and a thickness of 60 centimeters. The biggest attraction is the whale sharks since along with the aquarium in Georgia (USA), Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is the only aquarium that exhibits this animal.

If you want to learn more about what you see, you can borrow an English audio guide at the front desk.

Your Japan Tour

As seasoned Japan experts, we create perfect Japan package tours including trip extensions to destinations like Okinawa. Check out our group tours and private tours, or contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

Churaumi Aquarium Area Map