I'd wanted to visit Okinawa ever since I learnt of its existence. Someone casually told me about these islands hundreds of kilometers south of Tokyo, about this tropical version of Japan, a few years ago, and it instantly seemed like my sort of heaven. I've been to Japan twice and still haven't found a method to go there. Too distant, too complex, too costly, the wrong season, and so on. The fact is that Okinawa is a journey in and of itself, and it's probably not a smart idea to combine mainland Japan and Okinawa in the same trip. This was my sense when I began planning this schedule, and based on how happy we were at the conclusion of our vacation, I'd think this is the way to go. apartments to rent in tenerife costa adeje
The prefecture of Okinawa is made up of numerous groupings of islands. Except for the biggest one, Okinawa-Honto, the most of them are fairly minor. Although the postcard picture of empty beaches may be found on the little islands, I believe this does not imply you should miss the major island. A vacation to Okinawa may (and should) be about enjoying its beautiful seas, but it would be a pity to miss out on Japanese culture. A "culture" trip here doesn't have the same meaning as it does in mainland Japan; don't expect a flurry of old temples, but it's still a pure delight to see how the people inhabit the islands and their landscape, how they have integrated American culture, and how the Okinawans are a distinct type of Japanese. If you still believe that Japanese people are quiet and austere, you're in for a major surprise. Some of this may be seen on the little islands, but travelling to Naha, the major city, and visiting the remainder of the main island is quite rich and intriguing.
The islands are divided into separate groups, and to go from one group to another, a domestic aircraft is required. Don't be put off by the fact that, as is customary in Japan, flying from one location to another is completely painless. You may also go to nearby islands by boat or ferry.
Okinawa has been on my mind ever since I learned of its existence. Several years ago, someone said in the middle of a discussion that there were islands thousands of kilometers south of Tokyo, like a tropical extension of Japan, in two words, my kind of paradise. After two trips to Japan, I still hadn't figured out how to get there. Too far, too expensive, too complicated, not at the right time, and so on. What must be admitted is that Okinawa is a self-contained trip, and the idea of extending one's stay in Japan is probably not a good one. It was my intuition that led me to go on this journey, and judging from the happy smiles on our lips from one end of the journey to the other, I believe it is sound advice.
The prefecture of Okinawa is made up of many groups of islands, the most of which are small, if not very small, with the exception of the main island, Okinawa-Honto, which has its own highway. The picture of the desert beach on a postcard is more easily found on the smaller islands, but I would not recommend avoiding the larger island for the time being. Sure, many come to Okinawa for the beaches and clear waters, but missing out on the native culture would be a travesty. The "culture" experience here is a little different than in the rest of Japan; you won't find a plethora of ancient temples, but it's still fascinating to see how the Japanese inhabit the islands and their landscapes, how they have successfully integrated American culture, and how the Okinawans are a distinct subset of the Japanese. If you're still stuck on the stereotype of cautious and suspicious Japanese people, you're in for a treat! On can see a little of everything on the smaller islands, but the most complete picture is obtained by traveling to Naha and seeing the whole of the main island.
The prefecture's islands are divided into archipelagos, and getting from one to the other requires an internal flight. However, there is no need to be concerned since flying in Japan is such a straightforward and quick process that it is really a formality. Then, via boat or ferry, you may travel between nearby islands.
WHEN: Late March-April
HOW LONG IS IT? 16 DAYS/13 NIGHTS
MYSELF AS A TRAVEL AGENT
TRANSPORTATION: China Eastern flight from Paris to Naha (around 500 euros). Ferry or domestic flight between islands (reservations for low-cost flights between islands open only a few months in advance). In Naha, the capital, take a taxi or walk (using the bus is tough if you don't know Japanese, and riding the monorail is simple but won't go you very far). On the little island of Taketomi, you may go for a walk or ride your bike. Nissan car rental in the Nanjo area. Although it is possible to enjoy Okinawa prefecture without a vehicle, it is more difficult than in mainland Japan, but it is almost impossible to tour Okinawa-honto, the major island, without one.
WEATHER: Mostly dry, warm, and sunny (25°C / 77°F), with a handful of cloudy/rainy days. The weather on the Yaeyama islands (the second leg of the journey) was a little hotter and sunny. It has a subtropical climate with warmish overcast winters, very hot and humid summers, significant rains in June, and typhoon season from September to October. In other words, unless you want really hot weather and water, the months of March-April-May are your best chance. The water temperature was roughly 25°C / 77°F, thus it was more like the Mediterranean Sea than the Caribbean!
TOURIST CROWD: The only places we saw visitors were on Taketomi and Zamami islands, and they were in small numbers. It seems that it becomes substantially more busy in the summer.
QUAND: end of March/beginning of April
TEMPERATURE COMBINATION: 16 HOURS/13 NUITS
MY AGENCY: MY AGENCY
TRANSPORTATION: China Eastern Airlines flies from Paris to Naha (autour de 500 euros). Ferry or internal flight between islands (internal low-cost flights are only available for booking a month or two in advance). Taxi and walking in Naha (using the bus is difficult if you don't speak Japanese; taking the monorail, on the other hand, is simple but doesn't allow you to go very far). Taketomi is a little island where you may go for a walk or ride your bike. Nissan car rental on the island of Ishigaki and in the vicinity of Nanjo. It is possible to visit Okinawa Prefecture without a car, albeit it is more difficult than in the rest of Japan; however, exploring Okinawa-honto, the largest private island, without a car is almost impossible.
MÉTÉO: Generally dry, warm, and sunny (about 25 degrees) for the most part, with a few cloudy days and one or two averses. The weather in the Yaeyama Islands (the second leg of the journey) was a little hotter and drier. The prefecture of Okinawa has a subtropical climate with cold and wet winters, hot and humid summers, heavy rains in June, and a typhoon season from September to October. To put it another way, March-April-May is a good time to visit if you don't mind high temperatures and hot water. The sea temperature in March and April is about 25 degrees, thus it is more like the Mediterranean in the summer than the Carabes.
TOURISTS: The only places we saw tourists were on the islands of Taketomi and Zamami, but it was quite reasonable. The summer has become noticeably more lively.
in depth / en profondeur
Island of Naha Nanjo Taketomi
The island of Ishigaki
Airbnb Naha (4 nights)
I planned a slow start, with no automobile for the first few days, so our first stop was an apartment in Naha's Pottery Museum neighborhood. If you read about Naha in a classic guidebook, the evaluation will most likely be unfavorable. This puzzles me since I like this city. It's very relaxed and pleasant, with a covered market where I could spend hours, good restaurants (including vegan options!) and intriguing stores. We spent an evening at the beautiful Senagajima hotel onsen and a day on the pristine Zamami island, which is just a short boat ride away. We also took a cab to Stateside town, which has converted old US barracks into an independent store complex. The Kinjo Stone road area is also a wonderful half-day excursion. Our flat was modest but functional; there aren't many options in the city center.
I wanted a quiet start to our trip, so our first stop was an apartment in the heart of Naha, near the Pottery Museum. If you read the section about Naha in a traditional handbook, you could have the urge to go somewhere else. Personally, I find this odd, since I like the city's laid-back atmosphere, its covered market, its excellent restaurants (including many vegan options!) and its unique shops. Today, one may easily spend an afternoon at the Senagajima Hotel's onsen with a view of the ocean or a day on the island of Zamami with its clear waters and tortues (accessible by ferry from the harbor). We'd also taken a cab to go scouting in Stateside town, where old American baraquements have been converted into little independent stores. The historic Kinjo Stone Road district is also a great place for a ballad. Our airbnb was modest yet convenient; the alternatives in the city center are somewhat limited.
If I could redo it / s'il est possible de redoer
– Because this trip was a huge success, I feel like my "regrets" are more about what I'd want to do next time and less about what might have made this trip better. – If swimming is a major priority for you, I'd suggest visiting in April when it's a little bit hotter.
- The trip's overall impact was so positive that my potential "regrets" have been replaced with want to do things again.
– If swimming is one of your top priorities, I would recommend traveling later in April to take advantage of warmer temperatures.
