Enjoy a tropical atmosphere in a relaxed atmosphere! How about a family trip to Okinawa, Hawaiian style?

As we look forward to the day when we can travel safely again, be sure to read this article and enjoy preparing for your trip with your family.

*The tour travel period is from September 1st onwards.
*All photos in this article are for illustrative purposes only.

When you land at Naha Airport, you will feel a brightness different from any other region in Japan. You will feel an exciting sensation as you see the sun shining in the clear sky and the rows of palm trees. JALPAK's special tour JAL Dynamic Package "Experience an overseas trip in Japan - Tropical resort Okinawa edition" Let's go on a family trip that is unique to this. As soon as we passed through the baggage claim area, the driver of the hire car came to greet us.

Tips for a trip to Hawaii①
All transportation between Naha Airport and the hotel is by hire car.

In Hawaii, where an international driving license is required, you often have to leave the wheel to a driver, but in Okinawa, traveling by hire car is very comfortable. Tamanaha from "Okiichi Hire" will be our guide on this trip. (The car model will be different on the tour. You cannot specify the car model.)

"I wanted to work in the tourism industry, where I could interact with customers, so I became a hire car driver."

Communication is also one of the best parts of traveling. When you come into contact with warm people, your heart seems to relax even more. At the same time, another advantage of traveling by hire car is that you can enjoy the magnificent scenery outside the window without any worries. There are plenty of photogenic spots along the national highway with an ocean view.

Okiichi Hire

Tips for a trip to Hawaii②
For example, Sata Andagi. A sweet that is reminiscent of Hawaii.

One of Okinawa's classic sweets is "sata andagi." Come to think of it, Hawaii also has a similar doughnut made from wheat flour called "malasada." Both are doughnut-like sweets made from wheat flour, but "sata andagi" is deep-fried in low-temperature lard and coated with brown sugar. It is a classic sweet that can be bought everywhere on the island. We visited Tamanaha after asking for recommendations.

Located at the roadside station "Onna no Eki Nakayukui", "Mitsuya Honpo" offers a wide variety of sata andagi. They come in a variety of flavors, including pumpkin, banana, purple sweet potato, and plain, all priced at 90 yen each (tax included). This time, I chose brown sugar and mocha. They use vegetable oil instead of lard, so the texture doesn't change even after a few days. When freshly fried, they are crispy in places and just the right amount of sweetness. They have a refined finish, with a taste of wheat flour along with the flavor.

Mitsuya Honpo

There are also other fruits unique to Okinawa, such as mangoes, pineapples, and shikuwasa. Be sure to enjoy a sweet moment in the tropical atmosphere.

Tips for a trip to Hawaii③
The dynamism of Sheraton, where you can feel the power of Hawaiian resorts

"Sheraton Okinawa Sunmarina Resort" is an oceanfront resort facing the blue sea. When you step into the lobby to check in, you will be overwhelmed by the large atrium structure. Just like the large resort hotels lining Waikiki, it is filled with a sense of openness.

The huge lagoon inside the building is one of the Sheraton Okinawa's unique features. There is also an area where fish swim. This is a resort where you can feel close to Okinawa's beautiful ocean.

And every night at 7:45 and 8:45 p.m., the entire 25-meter-high, 40-meter-wide lobby is used to host the prefecture's largest projection mapping and water performance show, "Sun Marina Fantasy of Sound and Light."

This fantastic and exciting show is perfect for the whole family to enjoy.

The room we were assigned had an ocean view. All rooms on this tour are guaranteed to have an ocean view, but a location overlooking the beautiful sea is sure to lift your spirits. Why not try renting a Kariyushi muumuu while you're there? At Sheraton Okinawa, you can rent this dress, known as the formal attire for Hawaiian women, free of charge. Dressing up in this colorful and gorgeous outfit will make for an extraordinary experience.

Tips for a trip to Hawaii #4
Enjoy the relaxing sanshin and marine activities. Enjoy your time in the tropical paradise.

Sheraton Okinawa offers a variety of programs, from marine activities to indoor kids' programs. If you're looking for a Hawaiian feel, why not try exercising by the pool or on the beach?

In addition to the garden pool and water slide, you can't miss the zip line that crosses the sea, the first of its kind in Japan. It is an exhilarating experience where you glide energetically from a 13m-high deck into the sea for a distance of 250m.

And if you get tired of playing, take a relaxing break at a sanshin lesson. The soft sound and slow tempo of the instrument, similar to that of the Hawaiian ukulele, will help you to relax and unwind from the stresses of everyday life. (Additional fee applies for tours.)

There are also plenty of programs for children, including the "Sheraton Touch Pool" where you can interact with animals in the lagoon in the lobby, the "Kids Hotel Tour" where you can tour the hotel's backstage area, and the "Junior Rescue Course" where you can experience being a lifeguard on the beach. (Tours are an additional cost.)

In addition, from July to August, the hotel will hold the "Sheraton Fireworks Festival," which will launch dynamic fireworks at the hotel's marina, and the "Sheraton Kids Carnival," which will have a wide variety of events for children to enjoy. Only a large resort facility can offer a variety of ways for the whole family to have fun.

Tips for a trip to Hawaii 5
Gorgeous and powerful. Fill up on Hawaiian cuisine

There are many Hawaiian delicacies, but many people would say that one of the must-try dishes is the dynamic steak. Steak is also a standard menu item in Okinawa cuisine. Tomahawk steak is popular at The Grill, a beachside restaurant at Sheraton Okinawa. (Additional cost for tours)

The American-sized, thick bone-in steak weighs about 1kg and is plenty big enough to share with the whole family. It looks big, but it's tender and juicy. It's no wonder so many customers visit just for this steak.

You can choose your favorite breakfast in the main dining room, but room service is also a fun option. The in-room breakfast you can enjoy on the tour is a gorgeous all-American breakfast. The full-sized menu makes for a luxurious time that you can only have while traveling.

Okinawa is an easy place to visit and has great potential as a resort destination.

Hawaii is known as one of the world's leading resort destinations, but Okinawa is no less impressive. Large-scale resorts are opening one after another, and the cuisine and activities are constantly evolving. You are sure to enjoy the rich tropical atmosphere.

Come with your family, friends, or partner for a slightly more luxurious domestic trip than usual. Even if you are used to going to overseas resorts, you may find an unforgettable experience that exceeds your imagination.

Sheraton Okinawa Sunmarina Resort

Enjoy the Hawaiian atmosphere with your family! Choose from a variety of resort hotels

In "Experience an overseas trip from Japan - Tropical resort Okinawa edition", you can choose from a total of eight hotels. All of them are guaranteed to have an ocean view. We will introduce three facilities that are perfect for a special trip. In addition to the "Sheraton Okinawa Sunmarina Resort" that we visited this time, the lineup is sure to satisfy the whole family.

A different world of everyday life spent in a "villa" overlooking the beautiful sea. "Hotel Nikko Alivila"

As the name "Relaxing Villa" suggests, the exotic Spanish colonial-style architecture creates a special atmosphere where time flows. Another feature is the extensive program that the whole family can enjoy, from marine sports to outdoor recreation.

Hotel Nikko Alivila

Beautiful beaches and untouched nature close at hand. "Hilton Okinawa Sesoko Resort"

Sesoko Island is an area with one of the clearest beaches in Japan. The Yanbaru forest is nearby, making it the perfect base for eco-tours to enjoy nature. Being away from the center of Okinawa Prefecture, you can enjoy a rich time surrounded by nature.

Hilton Okinawa Sesoko Resort

A well-balanced base with a good location and well-equipped facilities. "Hilton Okinawa Chatan Resort"

Located in the center of Okinawa's main island, it is easily accessible from Naha city and the Churaumi Aquarium. Not only is it a great base for sightseeing, but it also has one of the largest pools in the prefecture, and the resort is a great place to enjoy. At this well-balanced resort, experiences that will put a smile on the face of the whole family await.

Hilton Okinawa Chatan Resort

Related article

Hawaii lovers, head to Okinawa! How to enjoy Okinawa, one of Japan's top tropical resorts, in the Hawaiian way

We would like to introduce you to JALPAK's special tour, "Experience an overseas trip from Japan - Tropical Resort Okinawa Edition," where you can fully immerse yourself in a tropical atmosphere with friends or a partner.

Click here to apply for JALPAK

Experience overseas travel in Japan ~Tropical resort Okinawa~

In these days when it is difficult to enjoy overseas travel, we would like to introduce you to a special tour by JALPAK that will let you feel like you are in a tropical paradise in Okinawa, one of Japan's leading resort areas, and let you feel like you are traveling abroad while still in Japan.

*The tour travel period is from September 1st onwards.

*Some content was revised on July 30, 2021.