Comeback Japan: Okinawa

Ready to go! Departure from Europe to Tokyo on an overnight flight, so get ready for the adventure waiting ahead of you! 

You'll arrive in Tokyo and transfer from the airport to your hotel. Tokyo combines Japan's deep traditions and strong culture with the latest in innovative design, niche stores and Michelin-starred restaurants. 
 
Visit Shibuya and wander the fashion trendsetting Harajuku area. Continue through to the vibrant nearby Yoyogi Park, just a stone's throw away Shinto shrine Meiji-Jingu. 

On your first full day in Tokyo, we suggest you visit the historical Asakusa area with the impressive Senso-ji temple, the oldest in Tokyo, and the nearby Nakamise street with its small stalls with food specialities and souvenir stores. 
 
In the afternoon, maybe take a boat ride on the Sumida River to see Tokyo from a different angle. Nearby is Tokyo Skytree, the perfect place to watch the sunset over the city. 

Get up early and visit the outer fish market in Tsukiji! Try sushi from one of the nice small restaurants in the area. Afterwards, visit the Eastern Garden of the Imperial Palace and continue shopping at Ginza district. Once the night falls, try finger food, beers and sake in the narrow alleys in any one of the city's neighbourhoods. 

Time to leave Tokyo by shinkansen (bullet train) and head to Kyoto, the country's ancient capital. Our suggestion for your first day in Kyoto is to visit the samurai castle Nijo, a UNESCO-protected building. The palace served as the residence and office of the Shogun during his visits to Kyoto in the old days. From here, walk to the Imperial Palace and visit the site's inner and outer garden. Spend your first night in Kyoto by watching traditional Kabuki theatre or other Gion's geisha neighbourhood shows. 

Your first full day of leisure in Kyoto. You see the 1001 golden statues of the Goddess of Mercy Kannon at the Sanjusangendo temple and get a great view of the city from Kiyomizu-dera. 
 
Continuing further north, you will reach the famous Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavillion), home to one of Japan's most fascinating landscape gardens. This is also the starting point of the Philosopher's Path, a trail along a small stream leading you to the beautiful Nanzen-ji shrine. 

Today, take a day trip to Japan's first-ever capital, Nara. Start off by visiting Todai-ji temple to see the world's largest bronze Buddha in the giant Todai-ji temple. Charming, friendly deer populate the outskirts of the temple and the nearby park. 
 
You can spend the afternoon wandering around in Kyoto, in the Nishiki Market, which is very interesting and offers plenty of local specialities of food and other products. 
 
On your final night in Kyoto, have a traditional dinner at one of the classical restaurants in Pontocho Dori street. 

Today you'll travel from Kyoto station to Osaka Kansai airport by airport limousine bus and fly to Okinawa and the capital city of Naha. If you have chosen the Rent a Car option, you will pick up your car and drive to your hotel (which has an attractive central location and private beach!) in 45 minutes. Otherwise, you can take a local bus or taxi.

Before heading to your hotel, you could also stay in Naha for a few hours. Take a walk on the colourful shopping street Kokusai Dori filled with local crafts and specialities. For lunch, sample regional Okinawa cuisine is a fascinating mix between southern-Japanese, Taiwanese, and Chinese cooking styles. 

In the morning, take it easy and enjoy the beach near your hotel. If you are in for an afternoon activity, take the car and drive 50 kilometres further northwest to the Motobu area to visit Churaumi Aquarium, one of the best in Japan.

Would you like to try a one-of-a-kind experience adventure in Okinawa? Try scuba diving at one of many diving schools in Onna and Motobu areas.

Today we suggest making the most of your time here with a visit to Southeast Botanical Gardens, a 25-minute drive from your hotel. Alternatively, drive along the coast and visit Manza Bay in Onna district (the centre-west part of Okinawa's mainland), offering one of the best coastal views on the whole island. After lunch, drive back to your hotel to enjoy one final afternoon of sunshine, swimming and beach relaxation, and treat yourself to a lovely farewell dinner at one of the hotel's excellent restaurants.

After a morning at leisure, with a final sea view breakfast and maybe an enjoyable walk along the beach, you will go back to Naha and (if you travel by car) visit Shuri castle. Shuri is the name of the former capital of the Ryukyu Kingdom and the castle was originally built in the fourteenth century. It served as the residence of the Ryukyu kings for several centuries until Okinawa became a Japanese prefecture in 1879. Wars and fires destroyed the castle multiple times over the centuries, most recently in the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. Very sadly, the castle was again destroyed in a fire in 2019 … There are plans to rebuild the castle by 2026. In the meantime, you can visit the remains of the castle, observe the reconstruction works and give a financial donation.

In the late afternoon, you head to Okinawa/Naha airport and take a domestic flight to Tokyo/Haneda airport. Here you will spend the final night of your Japan trip at an airport hotel.

In the morning you will leave Japan and fly back to Europe. Reflect on your metropolis adventure in Tokyo, the imperial delights of Kyoto, and the magnificent nature, vast sea views and sunny white beaches of Okinawa.