Okinawa, Japan's southernmost prefecture, is a tropical paradise known for its stunning beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and rich cultural heritage. The island offers a unique blend of traditional Ryukyu culture and modern Japanese influences, making it a fascinating destination for travelers.

From exploring historic sites and visiting world-class aquariums to enjoying water sports and indulging in Okinawan cuisine, there's something for everyone. The warm climate and friendly locals add to the island's charm.

As you explore Okinawa, you'll discover the unique attractions of its main areas: Chatan, Nago, Naha, Onna, and Yomitan, each offering its own distinct experiences and highlights.

Why rent a car in Okinawa
Renting a car is highly recommended when visiting Okinawa, especially since public transportation is limited outside of Naha. With a car, you can explore at your own pace, visit off-the-beaten-path locations, and easily access beautiful beaches, waterfalls, and historical sites that are hard to reach by public transport. It also saves you time and money compared to using taxis or shuttles.

Since Okinawa has a car-based culture, renting a car is a cost-effective way to explore multiple locations. Make sure to have an International Driver's Permit (IDP) along with your home country's driver's license, consider renting a car with an Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) device for easier highway travel, and familiarize yourself with Japanese traffic rules.

Located in Nakagami District, more than half of Chatan is occupied by the U.S. military base. This makes for a unique, intercultural atmosphere in the area where the famous Mihama American Village and Depot Island lie.

You’ll feel like you’re truly in a seaside town in the States without leaving Japan! There are also multiple beautiful beaches, such as Araha Beach and Sunset Beach. For history buffs, be sure to visit the Nakagusuku Castle Ruins.

Nago Bay is lined with beach resorts, and includes the Busena Marine Park where there is an astounding underwater observatory.

For pink lovers, Nago Castle Park is famous for winter cherry blossoms and Neo Park Okinawa houses flamingos and lemurs for the whole family to enjoy. There’s another park - called Nago Pineapple Park - which is a theme park offering tours of its pineapple fields.

The capital of Okinawa Prefecture, Naha is home to the famous Shurijo Castle, the restored royal palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom. (Note: The Shurijo Castle site can be entered, however the main hall is currently undergoing reconstruction after being destroyed by fire.)

The city’s Kokusai-dori Street also boasts bars, restaurants, and shops, as well as multiple museums and an urban beach - Naminoue Beach.

Does your family love the outdoors and a little thrill? Then Onna is recommended for you, with its Blue Cave, famous for snorkeling, and Cape Manzamo.

Ryukyu Mura and Zakimi Castle Ruins are also great places to learn about the history of the kingdom island and Okinawan traditions.

In between Naha and Onna lies Yomitan, where you can visit the Cape Zanpa Beach and Lighthouse to walk up the stairs. For craft lovers, visit Murasaki Mura Ryukyu Kingdom Theme Park to learn about the island’s traditional crafts, including pottery. For music lovers, there is a great spot to take a Sanshin Music Class to learn about the traditional performing arts and instruments of the region.

For convenience, to help you get to each of our recommended hotels in Okinawa, a MAP Code has been included for each facility. This can be entered into your rental car's navigation system.

Less than 3 hours by flight from Tokyo, Okinawa is an easy trip that makes you feel like you’re in a whole different country.

With a rich mixture of outdoor activities, relaxing beaches, unique history, crafts, music, and food, there’s literally something for every member of the family.

What’s best about the plethora of resort hotels in the area, is how adults can also find some time to themselves while kids of all ages are off doing activities that fit their interests, too!

The criteria for LIVE JAPAN to pick these 15 family-friendly hotels in Okinawa for our list came with a variety of factors listed below.

・Location and access: Chatan
In the heart of Chatan’s American Village, Hilton Okinawa Chatan Resort is easily accessible with their airport shuttle service or free parking available on-site.

Features
・Buffet meals
・3 swimming pools (indoor and outdoor)
・Spa and wellness center
・24-hour Fitness center
・Concierge service
・Kids’ programs for younger children
・Diving and Fishing experiences
・On-site restaurants including Japanese and Italian cuisine
・On-site bar
・Excellent English support

Sightseeing nearby
・Sunset beach 7-minute walk away
・Movie theater 6-minute walk away
・Ample shopping and restaurants nearby at American Village

Child policies
Children of all ages are welcome; those 6 and above are considered adults. Cribs are available on request, without additional charge.

Multilingual support
・English, Japanese

MAP Code: 33 525 683*48

・Location and access: Chatan
Located a 40-minute drive from Naha Airport, there is a direct airport limousine bus hire available. Bokunen Art Museum and Carnival Park Mihama are both less than a 5-minute walk away.

Features
・Superb beachfront location
・Continental, English/Irish breakfast, and buffet available, including Okinawan specialties and freshly baked bread
・Complimentary drinks in the lobby
・Children’s amenities
・English news channels on the room TVs
・Dry cleaning service
・In-room massages
・Bicycle rentals
・Swimming pool
・Family rooms available
・Spa and wellness center
・Hot spring onsen on-site
・Free parking on-site
・9.3 rating on Booking.com (June 2022)

Child policies
Children of all ages are welcome; those 18 and above are considered adults. No cribs are offered.

Multilingual support
・English, Chinese, Korean, Japanese

MAP Code: 33 525 321*72

・Location and access: Chatan
Located 40-minutes from the airport by car, this hotel also offers direct limousine bus services from the airport for ease.

Features
・3 swimming pools (outdoor and indoor)
・BBQ facilities
・Private rooms with hot tub
・Seaview rooms
・Family rooms
・Breakfast buffet
・Bar on-site
・Terrace and balcony dining
・Poolside dining
・Currency exchange on-site
・Airport shuttle service
・Free parking on-site

Sightseeing nearby
・Sunset Beach 6-minute walk away

Child policies
Children of all ages are welcome; those 6 and above are considered adults. Cribs are available by request for 0-2 years old (free).

Multilingual support
・English, Japanese

MAP Code: 33 525 589*11

・Location and access: Nago
Nestled in the woods of Northern Okinawa, The Ritz-Carlton Okinawa is an hour-long drive from Naha airport, and the Airport Liner shuttle bus service is available as well.

Features
・Complimentary Ritz Kids® programs for ages 4-12 that introduce kids to the four important pillars of Ritz Kids discovery: Water, Land, Environmental Responsibility and Culture
・2 swimming pools (indoor and outdoor)
・Sea views
・Outdoor garden
・BBQ facilities
・Italian meals featuring local ingredients, Teppanyaki meals at Kise restaurant, and light poolside meals and refreshments available
・Facial and massage treatments by Ritz-Carlton Spa by ESPA
・Located next to Kise Country Club
・Minibar and seaview bathtubs in each room
・On-site boutique
・Fitness center and fitness classes

Sightseeing nearby
・5-minute drive to Kise Beach
・Nearest beach 13-minute walk away
・50-minute drive to Churaumi Aquarium

Child policies
Children of all ages are welcome; those 18 and above are considered adults. Cribs are available by request for 0-2 years old (free); extra beds are available by request (additional fee).

Multilingual support
・English, Chinese, Japanese

MAP Code: 206 383 810*67

・Location and access: Nago
80-minute drive from Naha Airport and 50-minute drive from Churaumi Aquarium, Kanucha Bay Hotel & Villas is a true Okinawa resort experience. With so many activities and restaurants on-site, including a private beach, you’ll never have to step out of the resort to still get a true Okinawan experience.

Features
・Private beach and golf courses
・2 swimming pools
・Some rooms feature spa bath on the balcony
・Diving, fishing, and golfing available including diving and golf shops on-site
・4 massage salons
・8 restaurants on-site including Japanese, Okinawan, Chinese, Italian, and BBQ cuisines
・Family rooms

Child policies
Children of all ages are welcome; those 5 and above are considered adults. Cribs are available by request for 0-2 years old (free).

Multilingual support
・English, Japanese

MAP Code: 485 159 341*55

・Location and access: Naha
A mere 20-minute drive from Naha Airport, Hyatt Regency Naha, Okinawa is located in the heart of the capital city. Airport pickup is available for an extra charge.

Features
・Fitness center
・Room service
・Wheel-chair accessible
・Buffet-style breakfast and lunch
・Café and bar on-site
・Beautiful city view
・Outdoor swimming pool

Sightseeing nearby
・Lively Kokusai Dori 3-minute walk away (pedestrian street on Sundays)
・Food market (Makishi Kosetsu Ichiba) 4-minute walk away
・Closest train station (Makishi Station) 8-minute walk away
・Shurijo Castle 17-minute drive
・DFS Galleria shopping 9-minute drive

Child policies
Children of all ages are welcome; those 13 and above are considered adults. Cribs are available by request for those under 1 year old (free).

Multilingual support
・English, Chinese, Korean, Japanese

MAP Code: 33 158 210*10

・Location and access: Naha
Naha Airport is only 5km away from the hotel, with the hotel being very centrally located within the capital city.

Features
・5-star hotel
・Private parking available
・Family rooms available
・Bar on-site
・Outdoor swimming pool on-site
・Free breakfast

Sightseeing nearby
・Tamaudun Mausoleum, DFS Galleria Okinawa and Yachimun Street nearby

Child policies
Children of all ages are welcome. Cribs and extra beds are not available.

Multilingual support
・English, Chinese, Japanese

MAP Code: 33 158 651*58

・Location and access: Onna
Hotel Moon Beach offers direct airport limousine services, as well as parking facilities. This hotel with a private beach has restaurants on-site as well as a convenience store only a 3-minute walk away.

Features
・Beachfront with a private beach (2-minute walk away)
・Tennis courts
・2 swimming pools (indoor and outdoor)
・Water activities including jet ski and water sports lessons
・Mini golf course on-site
・Onsen hot spring and sauna on-site
・Western and Japanese style rooms available
・Open kitchen with international cuisine
・Bar on-site with live piano music and singers
・BBQ at the terrace dining with open-air panoramic ocean views
・Family rooms available

Sightseeing nearby
・Ryukyu Mura 10-minute drive away
・Cape Maeda 15-minute drive away
・Cape Manza 20-minute drive away

Child policies
Children of all ages are welcome; those 6 and above are considered adults. Cribs and extra beds are not available.

Multilingual support
・English, Chinese, Japanese

MAP Code: 206 096 558*53

・Location and access: Onna
Sheraton Okinawa Sunmarina Resort’s outdoor pool overlooks the beautiful beach, just a 3-minute walk away. An hour's drive from Naha Airport, the hotel also provides direct airport limousine buses for an extra fee.

Features
・Waraba Manta Kid’s Club featuring outdoor and indoor activities
・Babysitting services through Kid’s Club
・Panza Okinawa Zipline available at the resort
・Snorkeling, windsurfing, canoeing, and other water activities available at the beach
・Balcony in each room
・Massage and beauty treatments on-site at Churaku Spa
・Fitness center and tennis courts on-site
・Golf course just 1km away
・Pool tables and ping pong available on-site
・Open kitchen featuring Okinawan and Japanese dishes
・BBQ meals and sunset views at on-site restaurant The Grill

Child policies
Children of all ages are welcome; those 6 and above are considered adults. Cribs and extra beds are not available.

Multilingual support
・English, Japanese

MAP Code: 206 127 799*66

・Location and access: Onna
An 80-minute drive from Naha Airport, there are also convenient public transportation options from the airport.

Features
・Beachfront - Rizzan Beach
・2 swimming pools
・Marine activities
・Tennis courts
・9 food and beverage locations on-site
・Spa and open-air bath with ocean views
・Mini golf on-site
・Kids’ room on-site

Sightseeing nearby
・Ryukyu Mura 15-minute drive away
・Nago Pineapple Park 50-minute drive away

Child policies
Children of all ages are welcome; those 6 and above are considered adults. Cribs available for those under 1 (free); extra beds are available by request (additional charge).

Multilingual support
・English, Chinese, Japanese

MAP Code: 206 158 096*06

・Location and access: Onna
Nestled in its own cape an hour’s drive from the airport, Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island Okinawa boasts oceanfront views. A direct airport limousine bus is available.

Features
・Seaview rooms
・Family rooms
・3 swimming pools (outdoor and indoor)
・Fitness center
・Spa and wellness center
・Buffet and American-style breakfast options
・Currency exchange on-site

Sightseeing nearby
・Nabee Beach and Manza Beach 4-minute drive away

Child policies
Children of all ages are welcome; those 6 and above are considered adults. Cribs and extra beds are not available.

Multilingual support
・English, Japanese

MAP Code: 206 314 884*71

・Location and access: Onna
A 55-minute drive North from Naha Airport, Renaissance Okinawa Resort is located near Cape Maeda and the Blue Cave. The direct airport limousine bus takes about 70-minutes and goes directly to the hotel

Features
・Beachfront - Private beach
・Nearby waterpark
・Fitness center
・Spa and wellness center
・Water sports including snorkeling, kayaking, jet skiing, parasailing, sailing, and sunset cruise among other activities
・Dolphin programs
・Kids lifeguarding class
・Tour desk on-site
・Free parking on-site

Child policies
Children of all ages are welcome; those 13 and above are considered adults. Cribs and extra beds are not available.

Multilingual support
・English, Chinese, Japanese

MAP Code: 206 034 713*88

・Location and access: Onna
Kafuu Resort Fuchaku Condo Hotel is a 50-minute drive from Naha Airport.

Features
・Family rooms available - Children under 5-years-old stay with no extra bed for free
・Outdoor swimming pool
・24-hour fitness center
・Spa and library on-site
・Snorkeling, diving, fishing, paddle boarding, kayaking, parasailing, buggy riding, and horseback riding among many other activities
・Workshops including Okinawan crafts and food
・3 restaurants on-site
・Japanese-Western fusion cuisine and Italian cuisine
・Café and bar on-site
・Concierge and ticketing services
・Currency exchange and gift shop on-site
・Free parking on-site
・Health and safety check including free hand sanitizer for guests, temperature checks and protective wear

Sightseeing nearby
・Closest beach 9-minute walk away
・Ryuku Mura 20-minute drive away
・Golf course 3km away

Child policies
Children of all ages are welcome; those 6 and above are considered adults. Cribs and extra beds are not available.

Multilingual support
・English, Chinese, Japanese

MAP Code: 206 127 227*50

・Location and access: Yomitan
Located a 1-hour drive from Naha Airport, Hotel Nikko Alivila is near Zampa Beach and Cape. A direct limousine bus is available for hire from the airport to the hotel.

Features
・Nirai Beach beach front and private beach
・Indoor swimming pool
・Spa and wellness center
・Snorkeling, diving, and horseback riding
・Japanese, Okinawan, and teppanyaki cuisine, and an international buffet

Sightseeing nearby
・Zampa Beach 10-minute drive away
・Zamp Golf Club 10-minute drive away

Child policies
Children of all ages are welcome; those 6 and above are considered adults. Cribs and extra beds are not available.

Multilingual support
・English, Japanese

MAP Code: 33 881 273*31

・Location and access: Yomitan
A 70-minute drive from Naha Airport, Grand Mercure Okinawa Cape Zanpa Resort also offers direct limousine buses to and from the airport. It is located right near Cape Zanpa Lighthouse.

Features
・Outdoor swimming pool
・On-site restaurant serves Japanese and European cuisine
・Open-air onsen hot spring bath with sauna
・Massage spa on-site
・Family rooms available
・Parking on-site available

Sightseeing nearby
・Zanpa Beach 3-minute walk away
・Cape Zanpa 3-minute drive away

Child policies
Children of all ages are welcome; those 7 and above are considered adults. Cribs and extra beds are not available.

Multilingual support
・English, Chinese, Korean, Japanese

MAP Code: 1005 656 704*15

*Source for this article: Booking.com.
*This article was originally published in June 2022. See official websites for the latest information.