Okinawa Prefecture is a place where you can enjoy sightseeing all year round, including marine activities in the summer and whale watching in the winter. If you're going to visit Okinawa, you'll want to stay at an inn where you can enjoy a spectacular view of the ocean. Therefore, this time, we will introduce 5 private accommodations by area that we recommend for families and groups when sightseeing on the main island of Okinawa.
*The prices listed in this article are the prices posted on the reservation site as of the end of August 2023.
If you purchase or make a reservation for the products or services introduced in this article, FUN! JAPAN will receive a commission from the sales proceeds.
Features of each area and main tourist spots that you should know before traveling to the main island of Okinawa
Okinawa Prefecture is the fourth smallest prefecture among the 47 prefectures, and if you visit for sightseeing, you will either have to tour the main island of Okinawa, which is long and narrow from north to south, centering on Naha, or take a plane or ferry to a remote islands.
With the exception of Naha City, where the monorail runs, there are many areas on the main island of Okinawa where there are no railways, and the main means of transportation are rental cars and buses, making it difficult to visit many sightseeing spots in one trip!
In order to enjoy sightseeing on the main island efficiently, first understand the characteristics of each area.
Northern area of Okinawa main island (Kouri Island, Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, Nakijin Castle ruins, etc.)
This area is full of spots that people of all ages can enjoy, including "Kouri Island", where you can enjoy a scenic drive, and "Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium", which boasts one of the world's largest aquariums. Other popular travel destinations include "Nago Pineapple Park", where you can enjoy souvenir shopping for pineapple sweets and related goods, and "Nakijin Castle Ruins", which is registered as a World Heritage Site.
Central area of Okinawa main island (Manzamo, RyukyuMura, Mihama Town Resort American Village, etc.)
An area where you can feel the influence of ancient Okinawan traditional culture and American culture, such as the shopping area “Mihama Town Resort American Village”, which is inspired by the townscape of the west coast of the United States, and the theme park “RyukyuMura”, where you can experience Okinawan culture and performing arts.
It is also home to some of the prefecture's most scenic spots, such as "Cape Zanpa" and "Cape Manzamo", which are representative of Okinawa.
Southern area of Okinawa main island (Naha City Kokusaidori Shopping Street, Naha City Makishi Public Market, Shurijo Castle Park, etc.)
Kokusaidori Street
©OCVB
In the southern area where "Naha Airport" is located is full of standard tourist spots such as "Naha City Kokusaidori Shopping Street (commonly known as Kokusaidori Street)", one of Okinawa's leading downtown areas, "Shurijo Castle Park" and "Naha City Makishi Public Market".
Itoman City, which can be reached in about 15 minutes by car from Naha Airport, is also a region where you can enjoy the culture and nature unique to the southern country.
If you want to go sightseeing in Okinawa main island with your family or group, we recommend renting a whole house!
If you are traveling to Okinawa with your family or group, we recommend staying in a private lodging where you can rent out a whole house.
The biggest advantage is that if you rent out the whole house, you can have the blue sky and sea all to yourself. You don't have to worry about the neighboring rooms, so it's even okay for small children to have their fun without minding the neighbors! Not only can you enjoy the ocean view to yourself while staying at such accommodation, but you can also spend an elegant time in the private pool and Jacuzzi.
Many of them have everything you need for a long-term stay, such as home appliances and amenities, so you're sure to find a place that suits your travel style♪
Recommended private lodging in the northern area of Okinawa main island
【Nakijin Village】KOURI Ocean Moon Cottage: A cottage with a panoramic view of Kouri Ohashi Bridge from the rooftop terrace
"Kouri Ohashi Bridge" has a total length of 1,960m and connects the emerald green sea straight from Yagaji Island in Nago City to Nakijin Village and Kouri Island. "KOURI Ocean Moon Cottage" is a cottage that offers a panoramic view of Kouri Ohashi Bridge from its rooftop terrace. From the rooftop terrace, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the ocean.
There is also a Jacuzzi on the deck that can accommodate 4 to 5 people at a time, so you can relax in the bath while gazing at the beautiful ocean that stretches out in front of you.
The interior design is based on white, with a sophisticated design featuring brown accents on the doors, window frames, and pillars. There are 4 bedrooms in the 80m2 facility, and the maximum number of guests is 9 people.
- Address: 1011-2 Kouri, Nakijin Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-0406
- Check-in: 15:00-18:00
- Check out: 10:00
- Price: Starting from 50,000 yen/night (tax included)
- Access: Approximately 110 minutes by car from Naha Airport
- Reservation page: KOURI Ocean Moon Cottage
【Onna Village】Hotel Aniversario 365: Ocean view detached house with private pool
"Hotel Aniversario 365" is located in the southwestern part of Onna Village, near the border with Yomitan Village, and is open to only one group per day. It's only 0 minutes walk to the beach in front of you! It's also only a 10 minute drive to Cape Maeda, making this hotel ideal for sightseeing.
There is a private pool overlooking the ocean, so enjoy a luxurious vacation by enjoying the sea breeze, BBQ, bonfire, and outdoor sauna* on the poolside terrace. You can even dive into the sea if you feel like it! If you have any problems during your stay, ask the owner who resides on the 1st floor.
*Advance reservation required for BBQ and sauna, separate fee required
- Address: 3378-13 Maeda, Onna Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa 904-0417
- Check-in: 15:00-20:00
- Check out: 11:00
- Price: Starting from 48,000 yen/night (tax included)
- Access: Approximately 70 minutes by car from Naha Airport
- Reservation page: Hotel Aniversario 365
Recommended private lodging in the central area of Okinawa main island
【Uruma City】Premium Villa Miyagijima: Very close to the sandy beach. 1 private villa with private pool
"Premium Villa Miyagijima" is limited to one group per day. The sea on Miyagi Island, where the inn is located, is highly transparent and is a "secret beach" known only to those in the know. At low tide, the sandy beach appears in front of you like a private beach, making it an excellent location where you can casually play in the water.
The villa also has a private pool, so you can spend time in the pool while gazing at the ocean. In addition to being equipped with a sauna and jacuzzi, you can also enjoy BBQ on the terrace, so why not make some great memories by watching the sunset while having a BBQ after relaxing from your travels?
- Address: 1-77 Yonashiro Ikemi, Uruma City, Okinawa Prefecture 904-2422
- Check-in: 15:00-19:00
- Check out: 11:00
- Price: Starting from 70,000 yen/night (tax included)
- Access: Approximately 80 minutes by car from Naha Airport
- Reservation page: Premium Villa Miyagijima
Recommended private lodging in the southern area of Okinawa main island
【Itoman City】Nashiro White Cube: Only 1 minute walk to the sea! A rental house that can be accessed in 30 minutes by car from Naha Airport
"Nashiro White Cube" is a cube-shaped house based on white that shines against the blue sky. This lodging is located near the sea in Itoman City, which can be reached in about 30 minutes by car from Naha Airport. The nearest sea is just a 1-minute walk away, and "Kitanashiro Beach", a natural beach where you can camp and BBQ, is less than a 5-minute walk away. It is a perfect inn to enjoy the sea.
The sunlight pours in through the large windows inside the room, turning the bare concrete space into an open, relaxing space. There are 3 bedrooms, 4 sets of bedding, and a tatami area where you can stretch out and relax, so your children will have a place to play freely.
- Address: 224-1 Nashiro, Itoman City, Okinawa Prefecture 901-0351
- Check-in: 15:00-22:00
- Check out: 10:00
- Price: Starting from 25,000 yen/night (tax included)
- Access: Approximately 30 minutes by car from Naha Airport
- Reservation page: Nashiro White Cube
【Nanjo City】Private villa RESO Nanjo ~ GRACE: Enjoy BBQ and open-air bath on the ocean view terrace
Nanjo City is dotted with various sightseeing spots, including Sefa Utaki, a sacred site of the Ryukyu Kingdom, which is one of the historic sites that make up the World Cultural Heritage Site "Gusuku and Related Sites of the Ryukyu Kingdom". "Private villa RESO Nanjo ~ GRACE" is a single private villa built in a place where you can see the sea in Nanjo City.
The biggest feature of this villa is the spacious terrace on the sea side. It is a space where you can feel like you are in a tropical resort, with a dining set, bar counter, and an open-air bath that doubles as a mini pool.
There are plenty of marine activities such as diving and snorkeling in neighboring beaches.
- Address: 658-1 Tomisato, Tamaki, Nanjo City, Okinawa 901-0611
- Check-in: 15:00-23:00
- Check out: 10:00
- Price: Starting from 45,000 yen/night (tax included)
- Access: Approximately 30 minutes by car from Naha Airport
- Reservation page: Private villa RESO Nanjo ~ GRACE
Book accommodations all over Japan from Vacation STAY
"Vacation STAY" is one of Japan's largest lodging and private lodging reservation sites where you can reserve over 100,000 accommodations. In addition to private accommodations in Okinawa, you can also book unique accommodations such as accommodations with a view of Mt. Fuji or old folk houese Kyomachiya. If you are a Rakuten member, you will also receive 1% Rakuten Points back, so you can stay at a great deal!
Complete guides to how to enjoy Okinawa!
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