Japan
Okinawa
Okinawa is a chain of subtropical islands far to the south, with coral reefs, white beaches and a culture of its own from the Ryukyu kingdom.
On the main island, beach resorts such as Hoshinoya Okinawa at Yomitan or The Busena Terrace on its cape suit a few days of rest; further south, Rosewood Miyakojima has pool villas on Miyakojima, and Hoshinoya Taketomi Island is a village of villas on a small island off Ishigaki. We know 5 places to stay here.
How to choose
For a beach, with children
The Busena Terrace: a 760 m private beach and a Kids' Club from 6 months
For a pool of your own
Rosewood Miyakojima: every villa has its own pool, over Oura Bay
For an old island village
Hoshinoya Taketomi Island: red-tiled, coral-walled villas on Taketomi
For the food
The Hiramatsu Ginoza: French cooking of Okinawan produce, facing the Pacific sunrise
When to go
October to December and March to early May are the best months, warm without the summer heat; the rainy season runs from mid May to late June, and typhoons can come from June to September, most often in August and September.
How long
Three or four nights at the end of a trip, flying down from Tokyo or Osaka.
Getting there
Flights from Haneda reach Naha in about two and a half hours, and the resorts on the main island are about an hour to an hour and a half by car; Miyako is under an hour by air from Naha, and for Taketomi, fly to Ishigaki and take the ten-minute ferry.
Ready to stay here?
Tell us where and when. Our team in Japan books the room we would choose, at the inn’s own rate, settles your requests with the inn, and stays in touch before and during your stay. Price and cancellation terms are confirmed with you first.
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Have it reviewed for USD 85Ryokans and hotels
Nikadori, Miyakojima
HotelRosewood Miyakojima
ローズウッド宮古島
Pool villas of Ryukyu limestone by Piet Boon
Gima, Okinawa
HotelHoshinoya Okinawa
星のや沖縄
Low suites on 1 km of coast behind a gusuku-style wall
Taketomi Island
HotelHoshinoya Taketomi Island
星のや竹富島
A village of red-tiled, coral-walled villas
Matsuda, Okinawa
AubergeThe Hiramatsu Ginoza
THE HIRAMATSU HOTELS & RESORTS 宜野座
French cooking of Okinawan produce, Pacific sunrise
Cape Busena, Nago
HotelThe Busena Terrace
ザ・ブセナテラス
Three towers on a cape, 760 m of its own beach
On our wishlist
Hotels we have yet to stay in but want to, and book for clients. Ask us about any of them.
Onna coast, Onna
HotelHalekulani Okinawa
The Honolulu hotel's sister on a stretch of Onna coast protected as a quasi-national park, with five pools led by its orchid pool.
Fukai, Ishigaki
HotelJUSANDI
Just five pool villas on Ishigaki's north coast, each with one of the largest private pools in Japan, a short walk from a blue sea cave.
Sample trips through Okinawa
Routes we have drawn up that stay in Okinawa: starting points for a trip we build around your dates and pace.
Collections for Okinawa
Elsewhere in Japan
Q&A
The main island is easiest, an hour or so from Naha airport: Hoshinoya Okinawa, The Busena Terrace and The Hiramatsu Ginoza are there. The smaller islands are quieter and need another flight: Rosewood Miyakojima on Miyakojima, and Hoshinoya Taketomi Island by ferry from Ishigaki.
The Busena Terrace has a Kids' Club for 6 months to 15 years, and Rosewood Miyakojima a club for ages 4 to 12. Hoshinoya Okinawa and The Hiramatsu Ginoza take all ages.
At The Busena Terrace tattoos must be covered throughout the hotel, with a rash guard at the pool and beach, and guests with tattoos may not use the spa baths. Hoshinoya Taketomi Island has no shared baths.