Tripbaa – Asia’s Free Travel Expert
When it comes to self-guided trips to Okinawa, most people would immediately think of driving. But in fact, to accommodate the growing number of visitors to Okinawa, in recent years the island has introduced many one-day tours and sightseeing buses, allowing solo travelers or those who don’t drive to still enjoy Okinawa without worrying about transportation arrangements!
Currently, some of the more popular Okinawa sightseeing bus routes can be broadly divided into three types: the Okinawa Aquarium Route, the Ryukyu Kingdom Route, and the Okinawa Nature Route. Today, we’ll introduce the classic Northern & Central Okinawa Aquarium Route, giving you a sneak peek online at the highlights of a self-guided Okinawa trip before you start planning your own!
■ Okinawa Sightseeing Bus Route: Aquarium → Cape Bupi, Namegata View Tower → Kerama Islands → American Village
■ Okinawa Sightseeing Bus Route: Shurijo Castle World Cultural Kingdom → Shurijo Castle → Chinen Cape → Ryukyu Glass Village → Okinawa Outlet
■ Okinawa Sightseeing Bus Route: Aquarium → Cape Henoko → Oki Daito Mountain
■ Okinawa Sightseeing Bus Route: Aquarium → Kerama Islands + → Manzamo + Nago Pineapple Park
Okinawa Sightseeing Bus. (Photo / Tripbaa – Asia’s Free Travel Expert)
Kerama Islands is located in northern Okinawa. Ever since the Japanese Johnny’s idol group “Arashi” shot an ad featuring its iconic heart-shaped rock, the island has seen a surge in tourism. Aside from the Kerama Bridge, Kerama Beach, and the heart-shaped rock, there’s also a must-visit attraction for those taking the Okinawa sightseeing bus — the 82-meter-tall Kerama Ocean Tower!
After purchasing a ticket at the entrance of Kerama Ocean Tower, you can take a fully automated audio guide vehicle to reach the first-floor shellfish museum and souvenir area. The second and third floors feature indoor observation decks, while the rooftop offers a tropical plant garden terrace and a bell tower — perfect for taking in sweeping views of the entire Kerama Islands. I highly recommend heading up to feel the ocean breeze and soak in the vast scenery of this Okinawan spot!
Okinawa Sightseeing Bus Route – Kerama Bridge. (Photo / Tripbaa – Asia’s Free Travel Expert)
When talking about Okinawa, you absolutely can’t miss the beautiful Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in the north. It’s not only home to a wide variety of marine life and ecosystems, but every summer it also hosts the grand “Ocean Expo Summer Festival.” During the day, there are fun activities like water balloon fights and water gun battles, and at night, a dazzling fireworks display. It’s a favorite not just among foreign tourists on Okinawa sightseeing buses, but also among locals and couples who love visiting Churaumi for dates or bringing their kids!
Okinawa Sightseeing Bus Route – Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. (Photo / Tripbaa – Asia’s Free Travel Expert)
Since Okinawa is made up of numerous large and small islands, there are many bridges crossing between the main island, southern areas, and outlying islands. One of the most famous in central Okinawa is the WARUMI Bridge, which connects the main island to Yagaji Island. Stretching 315 meters, it offers views of rich wetland ecology, the inner bay scenery of the Okinawa Warumi Strait, and distant views of the Kerama Bridge.
P.S. If you want to stop and fully enjoy the scenery, there are observation decks on both sides of the WARUMI Bridge — but please don’t park randomly on the roadside of the bridge!
Sightseeing Bus Route – WARUMI Bridge. (Photo / Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau)
Sightseeing Bus Route – WARUMI Bridge. (Photo / Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau)
Bise no Hama Underwater Park (Bise Ocean Park) not only features a 5-meter-deep underwater observatory, but also offers 360-degree views of coral reefs and colorful tropical fish through 24 glass panels.This allows you to enjoy the underwater scenery regardless of the weather, and you can even take a transparent glass-bottom boat to gaze at the tropical fish swimming just beneath the surface, taking an underwater stroll in Okinawa!
■ Operating Hours: 09:10 – 17:30, with departures every hour (April – October)
■ Ticket Price: Adults 1,540 yen, Youth 1,230 yen, Children 770 yen
■ Official Website: Bise Underwater Park
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Sightseeing Bus Route – Bise View Tower. (Photo / Tripbaa – Asia’s Free Travel Expert)
I know many people dislike group tours or day trips because they often include shopping stops. But the shopping spots on these Okinawa sightseeing bus routes are definitely ones you’d include in your own itinerary — like the Okinawa American Village in Mihama, Chatan!
At Okinawa American Village, you can shop to your heart’s content, enjoy all kinds of Okinawan and international cuisine, and visit iconic landmarks. You can also take a large observation wheel for panoramic views of Okinawa, or stroll along Sunset Beach. It’s truly a must-visit spot in Okinawa that’s great for food, fun, and shopping!
Sightseeing Bus Route – American Village. (Photo / Tripbaa – Asia’s Free Travel Expert)
If you take the Okinawa sightseeing bus back to Naha City and still have energy to spare, you can also check out the major department stores in Kokusai Dori, such as Ryubo, Don Quijote, Daikoku Drug, PABLO, Calbee+, and other well-known shops. Many of them offer Okinawa-limited items — definitely worth a visit and picking up some souvenirs to bring back for loved ones!
Sightseeing Bus Route – Naha Traditional Craft Museum. (Photo /
If you're planning a self-guided trip to Okinawa in April, you can't miss the Ryukyu Kaien Festival, held annually in Ginowan City just north of Naha. This summer celebration, blending Okinawa's natural beauty and cultural heritage, is also Japan's earliest fireworks festival.
The 16th Ryukyu Kaien Festival will take place on April 13, 2019, once again at Ginowan Seaside Park. As many as 10,000 fireworks will light up the night sky in harmony with original Okinawan music, creating a breathtaking visual and auditory feast. The entire fireworks display is expected to last about an hour, making this a must-see festival during Okinawa's summer season!
■ Event Date: 2019.04.13
■ Official Website: 16th Ryukyu Kaien Festival
Recommended Reading:
Ryukyu Kaien Festival. (Photo / Ryukyu Kaien Festival ryukyukaiensai)
After reading this introduction to Okinawa's sightseeing bus routes, do you feel that traveling to Okinawa on your own isn’t actually that troublesome—even without a car? Just follow the principle of sleeping on the bus and sightseeing when you get off, and you can easily explore all the major attractions in Okinawa. In truth, Okinawa isn’t extremely large nor too small. Whether you drive yourself or take the Okinawa sightseeing bus, both options are fun and convenient—it just depends on which style of self-guided Okinawa trip suits you best!
[Tripbaa Quba]Authorized Repost | Original Article: [Okinawa Self-Guided Trip: How to Explore Without a Car—Follow the Okinawa Sightseeing Bus for a Complete Experience]