Kagoshima to Okinawa Island: How to get to and around Okinawa Island - Access, Transport and Orientation

Getting to Okinawa Island

By air
  • 3 h
  • ¥11,000 - 27,000

ANA and Solaseed Air operate multiple flights per day between Kagoshima Airport and Naha Airport. Flight duration is about 75 minutes. The regular one way fare by ANA is around 31,000 yen, while discount tickets are available for between 15,000 and 26,000 yen. The regular one way fare by Solaseed Air is around 29,000 yen, while discount fares are typically available for between 10,000 and 23,000 yen.

Airfares from Kagoshima to Okinawa over the next 30 days June 3, 2024 - July 2, 2024
AirlineLowest fareAverage lowest fare
Solaseed14,440 yen18,012 yen
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By ferry
  • 26 h
  • ¥15,000 - 30,000

Kagoshima (Kagoshima New Port) and Naha (Naha Port) are connected by ferries operated by A Line Ferry and Marix Line. Both companies have departures every other day (on alternating days), and the trip takes about 25 hours. Fares start at around 15,000 yen one way for second class. A ticket for the first class costs around 30,000 yen.

Above fees and schedules are subject to change. Be sure to check current yen exchange rates.

Getting around

Naha and the other urban areas of Okinawa Honto are served by a relatively good bus network. However, for venturing out of the city, a rental car is the recommended means of getting around. Rental car outlets can be found at Naha Airport and in major cities. Note that traffic can be heavy in Naha and central Okinawa, especially during the morning and evening rush hours on weekdays. To get from Naha to northern Okinawa, take the Okinawa Expressway, which extends from Naha to the northern city of Nago (tolls are about 1000 yen one way).

Public transportation on Okinawa Honto is limited to buses, with the exception of the Okinawa Monorail in central Naha. The bus network is quite dense, but finding the right connections can be complicated. Furthermore, service can be infrequent on some lines. The main hub of the bus network is the Naha Bus Terminal, but some of the lines can also be boarded at the airport.

Two of the most important bus lines are numbers 111 and 117, which connect Naha Airport and Naha Bus Terminal via the Okinawa Expressway with Nago Bus Terminal in northern Okinawa. Nago Bus Terminal is the hub for accessing the sites of interest in northern Okinawa Honto. While line 111 terminates at Nago, line 117 continues beyond Nago to the Churaumi Aquarium.

Also of interest to visitors to northern Okinawa are the Okinawa Airport Shuttle and the Yanbaru Express, two express bus lines that connect Naha Airport and central Naha with the Motobu Peninsula, including the Churaumi Aquarium. Separate airport limousine buses connect Naha Airport with some of the leading resort hotels across the island, including Manza Beach, Moon Beach and Zampa Beach.

There are also high-speed ferries that operate between Naha and Toguchi Port on the Motobu Peninsula (some ferries stop at Nago along the way). The one way ride takes 75 minutes and cost 1000 yen. The ferries depart from the Tomari Port area of Naha.

Hotels around Okinawa Island

Top rated on Okinawa Island
Budget:
    • La Passione Boutique B&B
      Budget-friendly
      Featuring free WiFi and a terrace, La Passione is a secluded bed and breakfast in Naha. Guests can take a 10-minute walk to Naha Kokusai Dori or go to Jogaku Park, a 4-minute walk from the property. Bicycle hire is available upon reservation. All rooms have an electric kettle and a refrigerator, while some rooms are equipped with a private bathroom. A hairdryer is provided on site. Extra amenities include face tissues, cotton buds, hand soap, body soap, hair shampoo and conditioners. Guests can enjoy Western-style breakfast at La Passione. Luggage storage is available on site. Tamaudun Mausoleum is 500 meters away from La Passione, while Makishi Public Market and Yachimun Street are both a 10-minute walk away. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, a 20-minute taxi ride from the property.
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    • Best ever hotel -SEVEN Hotels and Resorts-
      Mid-range
      Best ever hotel -SEVEN Hotels and Resorts- features accommodation within 700 metres of the centre of Naha, with free WiFi, and a kitchenette with a microwave, a fridge and a stovetop. The air-conditioned accommodation is 1.4 km from Naminoue Beach. The accommodation offers a lift and full-day security for guests. At the aparthotel, every unit comes with a desk, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom, bed linen and towels. Tamaudun Mausoleum is 4.7 km from the aparthotel, while Nakagusuku Castle is 20 km from the property. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 4 km from Best ever hotel -SEVEN Hotels and Resorts-.
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    • Hotel Collective
      Luxury
      In a prime location in Naha, Hotel Collective offers air-conditioned rooms, a fitness centre, free WiFi and a restaurant. Each accommodation at the 5-star hotel has city views, and guests can enjoy access to a sauna and a hot tub. The accommodation provides a kids' club, a 24-hour front desk and currency exchange for guests. At the hotel, every room has a wardrobe. The units in Hotel Collective are equipped with a TV and a hairdryer. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy an American breakfast. Naminoue Beach is 1.8 km from Hotel Collective, while Tamaudun Mausoleum is 3.5 km away. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 5 km from the hotel.
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    • Okinawa EXES Naha
      Luxury
      Set in Naha, 1.2 km from Naminoue Beach, Okinawa EXES Naha offers accommodation with a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, private parking, a fitness centre and a restaurant. With free WiFi, this 5-star hotel offers room service and a 24-hour front desk. The property is 700 metres from the city centre and 4.9 km from Tamaudun Mausoleum. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a coffee machine, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a terrace and a private bathroom with a bidet. At Okinawa EXES Naha all rooms come with bed linen and towels. Nakagusuku Castle is 20 km from the accommodation, while Sefa Utaki is 22 km away. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 4 km from Okinawa EXES Naha.
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    • Living Inn Nahakoumae
      Mid-range
      Living Inn Nahakoumae offers accommodation within 1.2 km of the centre of Naha, with free WiFi, and a kitchenette with a microwave, a fridge and kitchenware. It is set 1.3 km from Naminoue Beach and features a lift. The aparthotel has family rooms. All units come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, washing machine and kettle. All units feature a private bathroom, a hair dryer and bed linen. Tamaudun Mausoleum is 5.4 km from the aparthotel, while Sefa Utaki is 22 km from the property. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 4 km from Living Inn Nahakoumae.
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    • Daiwa Roynet Hotel NAHA-OMOROMACHI PREMIER
      Luxury
      Conveniently located in Naha, Daiwa Roynet Hotel NAHA-OMOROMACHI PREMIER offers a buffet breakfast and free WiFi throughout the property. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space. Guests can enjoy city views. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At Daiwa Roynet Hotel NAHA-OMOROMACHI PREMIER all rooms have bed linen and towels. Tamaudun Mausoleum is 2.8 km from the accommodation, while Nakagusuku Castle is 17 km from the property. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 7 km from Daiwa Roynet Hotel NAHA-OMOROMACHI PREMIER.
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    • Ryujin Hotel Ukishima
      Luxury
      Situated right in the centre of Naha, 1.8 km from Naminoue Beach and 3.6 km from Tamaudun Mausoleum, Ryujin Hotel Ukishima features air-conditioned accommodation with a terrace and free WiFi. With city views, this accommodation offers a balcony. The aparthotel has family rooms. The units come with parquet floors and feature a fully equipped kitchen with an oven, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, and a private bathroom with bidet and slippers. A microwave, a toaster and fridge are also offered, as well as a kettle. All units have a desk. Nakagusuku Castle is 19 km from the aparthotel, while Sefa Utaki is 20 km from the property. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 5 km from Ryujin Hotel Ukishima.
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    • Hotel GrandConsort Naha
      Luxury
      Well set in the centre of Naha, Hotel GrandConsort Naha is within 1.5 km of Naminoue Beach and 4.2 km of Tamaudun Mausoleum. This 4-star hotel offers a shared lounge, a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi. Private parking is available on site. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At Hotel GrandConsort Naha every room comes with bed linen and towels. Sefa Utaki is 20 km from the accommodation, while Nakagusuku Castle is 21 km away. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 5 km from Hotel GrandConsort Naha.
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    • JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Naha
      Luxury
      JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Naha offers accommodation in Naha. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant during their stay. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property and private parking is available on site for an additional fee. JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Naha is completely non-smoking and fully equipped with barrier-free facilities. Each of the hotel's carpeted rooms is air-conditioned and soundproofed. The rooms have a flat-screen satellite TV. The bed is equipped with a Simmons pocket coil mattress. Rooms are equipped with an electric kettle, clothes rack and refrigerator. The rooms have a private bathroom with a bathtub. Towels, bathrobes, slippers, toothbrushes and free toiletries are also provided. There is also a safety deposit box and a laptop safe. Free luggage storage is available at the 24-hour front desk. Drinks vending machines and a free trouser press are available on site. Paid massages and meeting/banquet facilities can be arranged for an additional fee. JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Naha is a 1-minute walk from Naha Kokusai Dori Shopping District and a 5-minute walk from Miebashi Monorail Station. Naha Airport is within 30 minutes by train.
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    • Tokyu Stay Okinawa Naha
      Luxury
      Boasting a garden, a shared lounge as well as a restaurant, Tokyu Stay Okinawa Naha is situated in the centre of Naha, 1.9 km from Naminoue Beach. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk, a concierge service and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is set 5 km from Tamaudun Mausoleum. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bath. At Tokyu Stay Okinawa Naha rooms include bed linen and towels. A buffet breakfast is available each morning at the accommodation. Sefa Utaki is 21 km from Tokyu Stay Okinawa Naha, while Nakagusuku Castle is 22 km from the property. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 3 km from the hotel.
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Experiences around Okinawa Island

Top rated in Okinawa