One of the most popular and beloved experiences when traveling to Okinawa is water-based activities. Whether it’s snorkeling, canoeing, SUP, or even visiting Okinawa’s aquariums or going whale watching, all are related to water activities. This article will recommend other fun experiences for you—outdoor adventures for nature lovers, DIY souvenir handicraft experiences, or cultural experiences related to the Ryukyu/Okinawan heritage, giving you a comprehensive overview all in one go.
Must-Do in Okinawa – Cultural Experiences
Must-Do Cultural Experience #1｜Karate
When it comes to popular martial arts, karate originated right here in Okinawa!Combining Chinese martial arts techniques with traditional Ryukyuan fighting styles, karate is now widely recognized and will even be featured in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics!Such a culturally meaningful experience is not to be missed when visiting the Ryukyu Islands. Don’t worry if you’re elderly or bringing children—karate moves are gentle, and instructors at the dojos provide careful guidance. It can be a really fun family activity to experience karate together during your Okinawa trip.
Must-Do Cultural Experience #2｜Ryukyuan Traditional Clothing Experience
Just as people love to wear kimono in famous cultural spots in Japan such as Asakusa or Kyoto to take beautiful photos in traditional attire, when you come to Ryukyuan Okinawa, you must try wearing Ryukyuan traditional clothing, or Ryusou. Ryusou culturally blends elements of traditional Chinese Hanfu and Japanese kimono, featuring wide sleeves and floral patterns. Compared to kimono, it is looser and often uses bright colors like red and yellow. For dancers, Ryusou may include flower hats—red lotus designs on top with navy blue underneath—which are particularly eye-catching whether worn on the head or carried.
Must-Do in Okinawa – Handicraft Experiences
Must-Do Handicraft Experience #1｜Coral Dyeing
Okinawa is a coral island, and it utilizes this characteristic by turning fossilized coral reefs into natural dye known as coral dyeing. For the people of Ryukyuan Okinawa, coral is considered an amulet that wards off evil and summons happiness. Now you can dye items like clothes, shopping bags, tote bags, and fans with this symbolic protective coral dye. When traveling to Okinawa, be sure to try the hands-on experience of coral dyeing and create your own unique, meaningful keepsake.
Must-Do Handicraft Experience #2｜Bubble Tea
The Okinawan teas people are most familiar with are jasmine tea and bitter melon tea, but if you’d like to combine that with a renowned Japanese tea ceremony experience, try making bubble tea in Okinawa!Wear traditional Ryusou, sit upright, and immerse yourself in Okinawan tea culture.
The base of bubble tea consists mainly of roasted brown rice and white rice. Ordinary tea is whisked with a bamboo whisk to create bubbles. Both the process of making the bubbles and the way the tea is enjoyed are unique hands-on experiences you can only have in Okinawa. Bubble tea is not just a traditional Okinawan tea but also carries the meaning of sending off travelers with prayers—symbolizing leisure and openness.
Must-Do Handicraft Experience #3｜Hand-Molded Clay/Painted Shisa Lion
Naha’s famous Kokusaidori Street is a hub for must-try Okinawan food and shopping. Near the bustling Kokusaidori, there’s a quieter area preserving traditional culture—Tsuboya. You can stroll through Tsuboya’s streets, admire and purchase Okinawan pottery shisa (lion-dog statues), and even try hands-on pottery making at Tsuboya Pottery Studio.
Starting with a lump of clay, follow the instructor step-by-step to create your own piece. Not only will you enjoy the fun of crafting by hand, but you’ll also gain a deeper understanding of the unique appearance of Okinawan shisa. In the end, you can paint your shisa in your favorite colors to create a one-of-a-kind Okinawan souvenir.
Top Okinawan Hands-On Experience #4 | Glass Etching
For those who prefer glass products over pottery, Okinawa also offers Ryukyu glass etching experiences. Choose your favorite glass cup color, desired pattern stickers, or meaningful dates and words to layer on the cup. The result is a highly valuable glass handicraft souvenir that is also fully functional.
Top Okinawan Activities – Outdoor Adventures
Top Okinawan Outdoor Activity #1 | Parasailing in Okinawa
Top Okinawan Outdoor Activity #2 |Onna Forest Adventure
Popular in Europe and America, forest adventure courses are also beloved in Okinawa. Located on a hillside, Onna Forest Adventure features wooden and rope obstacles. The course includes rope ladders, steel bridges, aerial logs, and even a thrilling 120-meter zip line. It’s full of adventure and excitement, and what makes it special is that you can enjoy the breathtaking blue waters of Okinawa while completing the challenges.
*Official Website:Onna Forest Adventure
Top Okinawan Outdoor Activity #3 |Mangrove Kayaking Experience
On Okinawa’s main island lies the broad Biyay River, flanked by rich mangrove ecosystems, making it a great spot for family outings. Besides getting close to nature and enjoying outdoor kayaking, it’s also an educational experience for kids to learn about local ecology.
The best part? You can choose your preferred time—paddle under blue skies and white clouds to immerse yourself in nature, or enjoy the beautiful sunset. From April to November, night sessions are also available, where you can kayak in the dark and spot fireflies—it’s incredibly romantic.
Top Okinawan Outdoor Activity #4 |Blue Cave Snorkeling
Known as one of the sea’s hidden gems in Okinawa, the Blue Cave (Ao no Dokutsu) is one of only two blue holes in the world alongside Italy’s Capri Island. Inside this coral-formed cove, the crystal-clear waters interact with sunlight to create subtle color changes, resulting in an exceptionally beautiful and dreamlike scene. Snorkeling in the Blue Cave allows you to become one with nature and encounter a variety of marine life—this is truly an unforgettable must-do activity in Okinawa.
Top Okinawan Outdoor Activity #5 |Harvesting Sea Grapes
When traveling to Okinawa, you must try some sea grape delicacies. Sea grapes look and feel similar to seaweed in shape and color, but they taste sweet like grapes and have the umami of seafood. Visitors who want to learn more about sea grapes and enjoy them fresh from the harvest can visit the Okinawa Sea Grape Farm.
*Official Website:Sea Grape Farm
Must-do Outdoor Activities in Okinawa #6｜Ride a Water Buffalo Cart on Yubu Island
Yubu Island is a crescent-shaped sandbar, and the only way to visit is by riding a water buffalo cart. The water buffaloes were once used by local residents for farming, but now serve as a means of transportation for visitors and are also an important source of tourism income for the island. The tiled roofs on the carts reflect Ryukyu-Okinawan culture. When visiting Okinawa, don’t miss the subtropical scenery and flora of Iriomote Island, and take a water buffalo cart ride across the river to explore Yubu Island.