Top 5 Summer Spots in Okinawa, Japan

When it comes to summery beach destinations, it's hard to look past Okinawa. Japan's own slice of tropical paradise has plenty to see and do, and it's been a favorite vacation spot for my family and even to get away with my girlfriends during my time in Japan.

Here are my five favorite additions to a summer trip to Okinawa - if you visit, I hope you'll enjoy them as much as I have!

Okuma Beach

Okuma Beach isn't as well known as some other beaches in Okinawa, but that's a big part of the appeal. It's situated on the northern portion of the island, so renting a car is the easiest way to get up there - bus services are available too, but they're often hours apart. Plus, the convenience of driving yourself makes it easier to stop off at destinations along the way.

The water at Okuma Beach is a shade of turquoise that has to be seen to be believed, and there are also some very pleasant hikes around the area where you can enjoy the views from above. If you do like snorkeling, it's a great spot for that too.

Blue Seal Ice Cream

Summer vacations and ice cream go together like peanut butter and jelly, so to speak - and if you're after something truly Okinawan then Blue Seal is your spot. The company was founded back in 1963 if that gives you some indication of their longevity, and there are loads of delicious ice cream flavors to choose from. If you want traditional options they've got those (their San Francisco Mint Chocolate Chip is always a must for me) but if you want to add some Okinawan flair there are options like chinsuko (Okinawan salt cookie) or purple sweet potato.

There are a host of Blue Seal locations across Okinawa, and a full list of their stores can be found on their website here.

Side note: Even if you can't get to Okinawa this summer, there are a number of Blue Seal locations in other parts of Japan!

Churaumi Aquarium

Churaumi Aquarium is one of Okinawa's biggest tourist attractions, and it's not hard to see why. It was the world's largest aquarium for a period of time and houses a massive array of marine life. There are sections dedicated to deep-sea creatures, coral reefs and freshwater fish just to name a few. The dolphin shows are particularly popular, but the biggest hit when we took our daughter there were the interactive tanks where children could touch certain marine creatures. Hands-on activities are always a winner for the little ones, and Churaumi Aquarium has those in spades.

Admission

Adult admission to the Churaumi Aquarium is 1850 yen, high school-aged admission is 1230 yen, and elementary school/junior high aged admission is 610 yen. Children under 6 years old are admitted for free.

The scale of the exhibits at Churaumi Aquarium is really impressive

Nago Pineapple Park

There are certain fruits that always have that summery connotation for me, and pineapple is one of them. The Nago Pineapple Park is an interesting spot to visit - you can learn about the history of pineapples being grown in Okinawa, ride around the park on a pineapple train (particularly fun if you're traveling with kids!), and for the grown-ups, there's even a pineapple winery on site.

Visiting here is a nice addition to exploring Churaumi Aquarium - they're about a 25-minute drive from each other, so it's the perfect way to diversify a day out on the northern coast.

Admission

Admission to the Nago Pineapple Park is 850 yen for adults and 450 yen for high school or elementary-aged children. Those under elementary school age are admitted for free.

A little kitsch, but lots of fun - the Pineapple "train" at Nago Pineapple Park

Shuri Castle

The culture and traditions of Okinawa are distinctly different from the rest of Japan, and no matter the time of year you visit the prefecture it's a good idea to explore some of these. Shuri Castle is a registered UNESCO World Heritage Site and has a distinctive design style that merges both Japanese and Chinese elements.

Admission

Adult admission to Shuri Castle is 820 yen, 620 yen for high schoolers, and 310 yen for elementary/junior high aged children. Children aged 6 years and under are admitted for free.