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Hong Kong to Okinawa: Naha and Ishigaki

Hong Kong → Naha (Okinawa) → Ishigaki

Shuri Castle
"Naha Okinawa Japan Shuri-Castle-02.jpg" by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence
Naha Okinawa Japan Shuri-Castle-01 (Okinawa)
Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ryukyu culture & coral islands Best season (general guide): Mar–Jun, Oct–Nov

Okinawa is a chain of subtropical islands in Japan's far south, once the Ryukyu Kingdom, with its own culture, food and music. This route spends three nights in Naha and three on Ishigaki. From Hong Kong you'll fly to Naha.

How to pace it: Spend days one to three in Naha (Okinawa): day one, Kokusai Street; day two, Shuri Castle; day three, Churaumi Aquarium. Then spend days four to six on Ishigaki: day four, fly to Ishigaki; day five, Kabira Bay; day six, Taketomi Island.

In Naha, walk Kokusai Street, lined with shops and restaurants. You can visit the grounds of Shuri Castle, the Ryukyu royal palace, which was destroyed by fire in 2019 and is being rebuilt. UNESCO lists it among the Gusuku sites.

Drive north to the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium to see its huge tank with whale sharks.

A short flight takes you to Ishigaki, closer to Taiwan than to Tokyo. On Ishigaki, go to Kabira Bay for its turquoise water. A ferry crosses to Taketomi, a small island with traditional houses and sandy lanes.

The rainy season is in May and June, and typhoons are possible from July to October.

Okinawan food is distinct, with dishes such as goya champuru, a stir-fry with bitter melon, and Okinawa soba. Music is played on the sanshin, a three-stringed instrument. On Ishigaki, snorkelling and diving trips visit coral reefs and manta ray points, and the island's beef is a local speciality. Taketomi's lanes are best explored by bicycle or on a water buffalo cart.

Practical notes: a hire car is useful on Okinawa's main island. Use reef-safe sunscreen and avoid touching coral.

Ferries from Ishigaki's port also reach other small islands, so you can add a day trip if the weather is good. On Okinawa's main island, a drive north leads to quieter beaches, forests and viewpoints over the sea. Book ferries early in the holiday season, when they fill quickly.

Suggested outline

  1. Hong Kong

    Start

  2. Naha (Okinawa)

    By air · 3 nights suggested

    Kokusai Street, Shuri Castle and Ryukyu culture.

  3. Ishigaki

    By air · 3 nights suggested

    Kabira Bay, coral reefs and the island of Taketomi.

    Kabira Bay
    "Kabira Bay 33.jpg" by RitikaPahwa4444, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · Naha (Okinawa) — Arrive; Kokusai Street· Hong Kong → Naha, Okinawa (by air)
  2. Day 2 · Naha (Okinawa) — Shuri Castle
  3. Day 3 · Naha (Okinawa) — Churaumi Aquarium
  4. Day 4 · Ishigaki — Fly to Ishigaki· Naha, Okinawa → Ishigaki (by air)
  5. Day 5 · Ishigaki — Kabira Bay
  6. Day 6 · Ishigaki — Taketomi Island
  7. Day 7 · Ishigaki — Travel home from Ishigaki· Ishigaki → Hong Kong (by air)

A suggested pace only; expedition days are set by the operator.

Flights, leg by leg

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Naha (Okinawa)

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Ishigaki

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