There are a total of 160 islands in Japan’s Okinawa prefecture, all offering natural beauty and cultural gems, ranging from historical monuments to uninhabited areas that boast unique ecosystems.
There are five main ports in the prefecture, all with their own nearby attractions and potential excursions. Naha Port, in the capital city of Naha, Okinawa, is a prime destination for cruises as a gateway to the rest of the islands and offers a wide range of experiences for visitors. For example, tourists can learn about the history of Okinawa by touring nearby Unesco World Heritage sites such as the ruins of the Shurijo Castle and the Shikinaen Royal Garden. Furthermore, there are opportunities to visit uninhabited islands around Okinawa by ferry, such as Nagannu Island, which boasts clear water perfect for snorkelling.
The ports of Motobu and Nakagusukuwan are also located on the main island of Okinawa. At Motobu Port, guests can explore nearby Yanbaru National Park, play with dolphins at Motobu Genki Village, or learn about the local industry at Matayoshi Coffee Farm. From Nakagusukuwan Port, you can visit the World Heritage-listed ruins of Zakimi Castle, the Okinawa Zoo and Museum, and Niisato Sake Brewery, the oldest sake brewery in Okinawa.
Miyako Island offers a diversity of land and sea attractions, and glass boat tours, swim with sea turtles, and explore the island’s culinary and artisan culture that takes advantage of what the sea has to offer, all the way to Hirara Harbor.
Finally, from Ishigaki Island’s port, visitors can experience Ishigaki, the southernmost city in Japan, by taking part in Ishigaki-yaki pottery classes. They can also visit Iriomote Island, which has been registered as a World Natural Heritage Site.
Cruise lines are continuing to discover the beauty of Okinawa by bringing expedition cruising to the region and designing itineraries that explore the islands.
For example, luxury cruise line Ponant held its first Okinawa expedition cruise in March 2023. The cruise line will return to Okinawa in 2024 with six cruises and new islands added to the itinerary. The eight-day ‘Japanese Subtropical Islands’ expedition cruise will depart from Naha and call at the islands of Iheyajima, Zamami, Kumejima, Ishigaki, Taketomijima, Iriomotejima and Yonagunijima, before disembarking at Keelung, Taiwan.
Okinawa is not only available for port calls, cruise ships also call at the islands. The island will serve as the homeport for MSC Bellissima shipments from MSC Cruises from January to March 2024, and the cruise line will offer a diversity of three-, four- and five-day itineraries, adding round-trip cruises from Naha that call at Miyako Island and Ishigaki.
Also in 2024, the islands will be visited through cruise lines such as Resorts World Cruises, Costa Cruises and Holland America Line.
For more information on Okinawa’s ports and attractions, cruise. okinawa. jp/en/
This article was first published in the 2024 issue of Cruise & Ferry Itinerary Planning. All information was correct at the time of printing, but may since have changed. Subscribe to Cruise & Ferry Itinerary Planning for FREE to get the next issue delivered directly to your inbox.
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