| Popular in | January | High demand for flights, 15% potential price rise |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest in | June | Best time to find cheap flights, 3% potential price drop |
| Average price | $1,043 | Average for return flights in May 2022 |
Flights to Okinawa Naha Airport (OKA), Okinawa,, from Auckland International Airport require flight times of approximately 27h 30min in duration and is the most convenient service along this route. Departures from Christchurch Airport (CHC) take about 33h 20min flight time, while those from Wellington Airport (WLG) need a minimum of 34h 35min to reach their destination.
Unfortunately, non-stop flights from New Zealand to Okinawa, Japan, are not currently available. You can get flights with a minimum of two connections from Auckland (Singapore and Narita) with total flight times of about 27h 30min. Christchurch Airport also has flights with two connections at Singapore and Fukuoka, lasting approximately 34h 40min. Okinawa flight deals are available with departures from Wellington and take the same amount of flight time (about 35h 35min), but require three stopovers at Auckland, Christchurch and Narita en route to the Japanese city.
The Okinawa Urban Monorail connects Naha Airport with Shuri Station from where you can get a number of buses running to the city centre. There are a few bus companies providing service to downtown Okinawa. Toyo Bus operates Lines 31 and 33 with hourly departures while Okinawa Bus provides transport via Lines 27, 77, 80, 127 and 777 every 30min. You should expect the journey by bus to last approximately 1h 15min. Jayride operates airport shuttle service with downtown connections in about 25min. There is no car hire centre at Okinawa Airport nor are there any provisions for Uber or Lyft services. The ride by taxi to the Okinawa city centre last between 25-35min.
Okinawa, Japan, is located in the southern region of Okinawa Island, not far from Naha, the capital, which lies further south. One of the great battles of the Pacific campaign during World War II was fought here and there has been an American military presence on the island ever since. One of its main attractions is the Southeast Botanical Gardens where you can explore over 1,300 varieties of tropical and subtropical plant species. Walking tours are popular ways to discover the city and there are professional guides to introduce you to some of its more charming places, complete with informative facts and interesting legends. Shopping is a popular pastime here, from Chubunouren Market with its street vendors to the official Okinawa City Tourism and Products Association visitors’ centre. The Okinawa Post-War Cultural Material Museum offers a sobering but insightful digest of the island’s recent years, and you can purchase items as memorabilia or gifts. Okinawa Comprehensive Athletic Park provides sports facilities for biking, gymnastics, Kenso and tennis, but also offers a water park and playground, along with several lakes. Steak, sushi and seafood are staples in the Okinawan diet and are served at most restaurants. Daruma Saba, Sam’s by the Sea and Hom Chai are three highly rated restaurants where you can enjoy a splendid lunch or dinner.
New Zealand citizens flying to Okinawa can stay up to 90 days visa-free as long as they hold a valid passport. Other foreign residents should make enquiries regarding individual visa requirements for travel to Japan.
Most people fly into Okinawa Naha (OKA) if they book a flight to Okinawa. Naha is conveniently located just 24.0 km from Okinawa’s city centre.