Among the 2.1291 million tourists who visited Okinawa in 2016, Taiwanese made up over 30%, marking a 29% increase from the previous year. Short flight times, affordable prices, and child-friendly facilities are the main reasons why Okinawa has become an increasingly popular travel destination.
■Okinawa makes for an incredible spot for a family vacation. Best of all, there are loads of kid-friendly things to do.
With a flight time of about one hour from Taiwan, many first-time parents use it to test how well their child adapts to flying. The abundance of clean baby facilities and services such as stroller rentals or free baby supplies offered by hotel malls help alleviate many parental concerns and hassles, making it a well-deserved top choice for family travel.
Car rental prices are cheaper than in Taiwan
Self-driving around Okinawa is the most suitable way to travel, especially for parents with kids, which is why renting a car is an important part of pre-trip planning. Typically, you can book your desired vehicle online from Taiwan and even choose to include a child safety seat. Car rental prices in Okinawa are cheaper than in Taiwan, and safety seats are priced per use rather than per day, with a single rental costing 1,080 yen.
From the airport to shopping centers in Okinawa, baby changing stations are available next to toilets, making it convenient for parents to change diapers. Hot water is also provided for preparing formula, and stroller rentals are available, showing thoughtful planning.
From north to south, Okinawa has numerous parks and slides, which are major draws for families. Aside from the famous Ocean Expo Park, Nakagusuku Park is the largest comprehensive park in Okinawa Prefecture. Its two large trampolines and various slides make it a great spot for both locals and tourists to take kids for playtime and picnics. Additionally, the slide at Urasoe Park, said to be the longest in Asia, is another excellent reason to visit Okinawa for a family trip.
When it comes to accommodations, many family-friendly hotels in Okinawa are also popular vacation spots for Japanese tourists. Hotels that emphasize being family-friendly usually register the child’s age at the time of booking and provide free diapers, formula, and cookies or snacks daily. For meals, the hotel breakfast often includes a section designed for young children to serve themselves, with lower counters where many kids happily help themselves. The food includes kid favorites like hash browns and chicken nuggets, along with baby-friendly options such as rice porridge and mashed pumpkin, saving parents the trouble of preparing special meals.
Hotel operators often have well-maintained beaches
Most hotels in Okinawa have their own well-kept beaches, complete with several lifeguards on duty. Some hotels set up seaside amusement facilities from mid-April to early October and also offer activities like snorkeling and glass-bottom boat rides (for viewing underwater life). As a result, some visitors can fully enjoy a summer vacation experience right at their hotel, especially convenient for parents with kids, allowing the children to have fun while the adults relax.
In addition, AEON malls are available throughout Okinawa for purchasing fresh produce and daily necessities, and convenience stores are ubiquitous. The slightly lower cost of living compared to mainland Japan also leads more people to choose Okinawa for their holidays. Some even joke that compared to high-end guesthouses in Kenting, Taiwan, a trip to Okinawa is even more affordable and offers rooms with ocean-view balconies. Okinawa’s popularity has soared as a result, making it a top choice for corporate group trips within Taiwan.
For family travel, cleanliness and hygiene are the top priorities, followed by convenience and fun. Okinawa meets the expectations of most Taiwanese parents in these areas. Coupled with its proximity to Taiwan, it's common to hear the sounds of children laughing and crying on flights to Okinawa. It’s expected that this Okinawa family travel trend may continue even after the decline in popularity of Kenting.