Finish work early on Friday, take an afternoon flight and enjoy the evening or night. By avoiding the popular Saturday morning departure, not only will you be able to reduce the burden of travel expenses, but you will also be able to spend more time at the destination and enjoy sightseeing at a leisurely pace. Okinawa is a prime example of an area that can easily benefit from these benefits.
If you're going to Okinawa to enjoy the tranquil time, why not try to make your trip more relaxed by shifting the timing of your trip a little and taking advantage of the extra "Day.0" time you gain from it? In this article, we'll introduce you to some spots in Okinawa that have been picked out from a unique perspective for a "Day.0 trip."
Day.0: Enjoy the nightlife after arriving
"Day.0" travel can be achieved by finishing work a little earlier than usual or taking an afternoon off. You will arrive at Naha Airport in the evening or at night. Of course, there are spots near the airport that you can enjoy even from this time. Please use this as a reference for how to spend "Day.0" in Okinawa.
(1) An early evening toast on Senaga Island
Senaga Island Umikaji Terrace is a resort facility that spreads out on the slopes of Senaga Island, just south of Naha Airport. The white buildings stand out against the blue ocean of Okinawa, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a Mediterranean resort that is far removed from Japan. The sense of fulfillment from finishing work in the morning is complemented by a sense of freedom, making this the perfect start to your trip.
Senaga Island Umikaji Terrace's restaurants and cafes offer Okinawan cuisine, so even if you arrive after dusk, it's a great spot for "Day.0." It opened in 2015, but before that it was known to locals as a sunset spot, so the beauty of the evening scenery is guaranteed. Toasting with a local beer while watching the sunset will mark the start of your long-awaited journey.
If you choose to stay at the "Ryukyu Onsen Senagajima Hotel" located on the island, you won't have to move after enjoying some alcohol, making it convenient. You can also enjoy the natural hot springs that bubble up from 1,000 meters underground on Senagajima Island.
Senaga Island Umikaji Terrace
| address | ： | 174-6 Senaga, Tomigusuku City, Okinawa Prefecture |
|---|---|---|
| business hours | ： | 10:00-21:00 (varies depending on store) |
| access | ： | Approximately 20 minutes by Naha Airport Bus (TK02 Umikaji Liner), approximately 15 minutes by taxi |
| web | ： | https://www.umikajiterrace.com/ |
Ryukyu Onsen Senagajima Hotel
| address | ： | 174-5 Senaga, Tomigusuku City, Okinawa Prefecture |
|---|---|---|
| phone | ： | 098-851-7077 |
| web | ： | https://www.resorts.co.jp/senaga/ |
(2) The aquarium bar, which can only be enjoyed at night
When talking about aquariums in Okinawa, many people may think of the Churaumi Aquarium in the north, but we would like to recommend the DMM Kariyushi Aquarium, which opened in 2020, as a "Day.0" spot. The aquarium, which makes full use of the latest video expression and spatial design, opened near the airport, and this is still fresh in our memory.
In fact, admission to this aquarium closes earlier on weekend nights than on weekdays. In the evenings, the bar "Toyosaki Music SAKA-Bar" opens (for people 20 years of age and older only), where you can enjoy a drink while watching the large tanks in which various marine life roam.
Night tours are also held from 8pm on Saturdays and Sundays (for the first 10 people each day), making this a recommended "Day.0" spot where you can experience the aquarium's charms in a different light. If your flight arrives in Okinawa at night, be sure to experience the mysterious blue world of the adult aquarium.
If you plan on enjoying alcohol, you should not drive a rental car, but since the DMM Kariyushi Aquarium is about a 15-minute drive from the airport, you can take a taxi or bus. It is also close to Senagajima Umikaji Terrace, so you might want to stay at the previously introduced Ryukyu Onsen Senagajima Hotel (about a 10-minute bus ride).
DMM Kariyushi Aquarium
| address | ： | 3-35 Toyosaki, Tomigusuku City, Okinawa Prefecture |
|---|---|---|
| access | ： | From Naha Airport Domestic Terminal, take the bus (TK02 Umikaji Liner) for 30 minutes or take a taxi for 15 minutes. |
| web | ： | https://kariyushi-aquarium.com/ |
If you arrive early, you can start your activities in the morning of Day 1.
We have suggested some night spots you can enjoy on "Day.0", but from here on we will introduce a "Day.1" plan that will allow you to take advantage of the benefits of being there early. If your flight departs in the morning of the day of your trip, you will only be able to get active from noon. However, if you have been enjoying your trip since "Day.0", you will be able to be active from the morning of "Day.1".
(1) Breakfast at a hearty sandwich stand
If you want to enjoy Okinawa from "Day.0", then have breakfast on the morning of "Day.1". Hotel breakfast buffets are one of the joys of traveling, but why not skip the hotel breakfast and go out into the city to find breakfast instead?
In particular, having breakfast in a local area will enhance your travel mood. We recommend "BUY ME STAND OKINAWA" near Sakaemachi Market, which has a nostalgic Okinawan atmosphere.
This sandwich stand is open from 8am. It is run by the Tokyo apparel brand SON OF THE CHEESE, and the Okinawa store has an interior that evokes the atmosphere of "good old America" with attention to detail.
Enjoy a hearty breakfast in a peppermint green interior with an old American atmosphere, and start your day off right with a power boost.
BUY ME STAND OKINAWA
| address | ： | 1-4-13 Asato, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture |
|---|---|---|
| phone | ： | 098-927-4995 |
| business hours | ： | Breakfast 8:00-11:00, Sandwiches 11:00-17:00 (last order 16:30) |
| web | ： | https://www.instagram.com/buymestand_okinawa/ |
(2) Take a short day trip to Kumejima
For those who want to be active from the morning on "Day.1", we recommend a short trip to Kumejima. When you think of Okinawa's remote islands, you probably think of Ishigakijima and Miyakojima, but visiting these islands on your way to Naha takes time and money. On the other hand, Kumejima can be accessed by a 30-minute flight from Naha Airport, and there are many flights available. If you arrive at Kumejima in the morning and spend the day touring the island, you can enjoy Kumejima's nature and food, making for a very satisfying day trip.
What made Kumejima famous is "Hate no Hama," which floats on the emerald green shallows and is said to be the most beautiful in the Orient. "Hate no Hama" is the collective name for three beaches: Mainu Beach, Nakano Beach, and Hate no Hama, and is a long, narrow beach that stretches for about 7km in total. It is located about a 20-minute boat ride from Tomari Fisherina, east of Kumejima. The long, narrow white sand beach stretches on forever, and you will be tempted to walk farther away.
If you've come all the way to Kumejima, why not choose an activity that allows you to experience the island's nature and culture first-hand? The horse riding you can experience on Kumejima is a little different from the thoroughbreds you ride in typical horse riding experiences. At the Kumejima Horse Ranch, we ride native Japanese horses that have been part of the island's people's lives since ancient times. They are not the slender, long-legged thoroughbreds you'd find at a racetrack, but farm horses, so the ride is very stable. In "Horse Play at the Sea," you can take a leisurely stroll around Eef Beach, which has been selected as one of the "100 Best Beaches in Japan."
Each horse has its own unique personality. Enjoy interacting with the horses as you stroll along the beach.
Hatenohama Beach
| address | ： | Janaido, Kumejima, Okinawa Prefecture |
|---|
Kumejima Horse Ranch
| phone | ： | 080-6491-1950 |
|---|---|---|
| web | ： | https://kumejimauma.jimdofree.com/ |
"Day.0" trips allow you to have a relaxed trip just by slightly delaying your departure time. If you want to enjoy your time in Okinawa to the fullest, this is a travel style you should definitely try. Please use this as a reference when planning your next trip to Okinawa.
JAL "Love Story of Kumejima" (original version)
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Okinawa and remote island tour
How about taking a trip that will take you to many different islands in one go?
If you're going to Okinawa, departing in the afternoon is definitely the best deal!
Arrive the day before and enjoy a leisurely trip to Okinawa.
*Some content was updated on June 28, 2023.
The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
