How to travel between Okinawa Honto and Tokyo
By air
JAL, ANA, Skymark, Jetstar Japan and Air Asia Japan operate many flights per day between Tokyo and Naha Airport. Most flights use Tokyo's Haneda Airport, but some flights also use Narita Airport. Flight duration is 2.5 hours.
The regular one way fare by JAL and ANA is around 43,000 yen, while discount tickets are typically available for between 19,000 and 31,000 yen, and air passes can be even cheaper. One way fares by the discount airlines Skymark, Jetstar Japan and Air Asia Japan are typically between 5,500 and 25,000 yen.
By ferry
Tokyo (Ariake Ferry Pier on Odaiba) and Naha (Naha New Port) are connected by long distance ferries operated by A Line Ferry. There are about six departures per month and the trip takes about 44 hours. The one way fares start at 25,500 yen for second class tickets. First class tickets cost 49,000 yen.
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. For the current yen exchange rate, click here.
Orientation
Due to poor public transportation, a rental car is the recommended means of getting around Okinawa Honto, especially when accessing sights outside of central Naha. Rental car outlets can be found at Naha Airport and in major cities. Note that traffic can be heavy in Naha and central Okinawa, especially during the morning and evening rush hours on weekdays. To get from Naha to northern Okinawa, take the Okinawa Expressway, which extends from Naha to the northern city of Nago (1000 yen one way).
Public transportation on Okinawa Honto is limited to buses, with the exception of the Okinawa Monorail in central Naha. The bus network is quite dense, but finding the right connections can be complicated. Furthermore, service can be infrequent on some lines. The main hub of the bus network is the Naha Bus Terminal, but some of the lines can also be boarded at the airport.
One of the most important bus lines is the number 111, which connects Naha Airport and Naha Bus Terminal via the Okinawa Expressway with Nago Bus Terminal in northern Okinawa. Nago Bus Terminal is the hub for accessing the sights of northern Okinawa Honto, such as the Ocean Expo Park's Churaumi Aquarium and the Hiji Waterfall.
In addition to regular buses, there are a few airport limousine buses which connect Naha Airport and Naha Bus Terminal with some of the leading resort hotels across the island, including Manza Beach, Moon Beach and Zampa Beach.
Note also that the daily ferry between Naha and Kagoshima stops at Motobu Port on the Motobu Peninsula along the way, and can be used to travel between Naha and the Motobu Peninsula. The one way ferry ride takes two hours and costs 2220 yen. The ferries depart from Naha Port near the Naha Bus Terminal and Asahibashi Station on the Okinawa Monorail.
|
