Okinawa questions from new traveller

Hi there.

I am planning on taking my first-ever holliday next spring and will be going to Japan. I will be going alone but taking an escorted tour on the mainland. However, I would also like to visit Okinawa for a few days. I am particularly interested in snorkeling and beach stuff, as well as the nature or fruit themed attractions.

I haven't been able to find any english escorted tours, day tours or otherwise, for the area. Do you guys know of any such thing? I have managed to find a day tour to some nice attractions around Nago, but it is in Japanese. I am also worried that I'll miss some important parts of beach/snorkel safety without an english speaking guide, as I have never been to the ocean. Can any of you reccommend any tours or other resources?

Also, are Okinawans friendly to foreigners? I am a little worried that without a tour or collection of other travellers I'll be lonely there, since I don't speak any Japanese yet and I understand the language barrier is significantly greater than on the mainland.

Thanks a lot,
-M

I don't speak any Japanese yet and I understand the language barrier is significantly greater than on the mainland.

I wouldn't worry about this. It is quite the opposite from what I understand, due to the strong US military presence in Okinawa.

I am also worried that I'll miss some important parts of beach/snorkel safety without an english speaking guide, as I have never been to the ocean. Can any of you reccommend any tours or other resources?

This webpage: http://www.virtualginza.com/okinawa.htm?japan3.htm lists many of the dangers you might find in the waters off Okinawa and also provides descriptions of some of the better dive/snorkeling spots. Just scroll down the links on the left side of the page.

This site: http://okinawadivingadventures.com/ has a bilingual staff and an excellent website in English.

Here's another local dive shop with a website in English: http://www.oac-japan.com/english/index.html

You may also want to Google "Okinawa diving" as there are approximately 178,000 hits.

Good luck. I'm going over in October for some diving.

Thanks so much for replying so quickly!

I just noticed that you were more interested in snorkeling than diving. The first link I posted lists many of the better snorkeling areas as they are generally the same as the dive spots.

My son and his wife are living on Okinawa know and my daughter just returned from a trip there. They snorkel at the Sunabe seawall (a great beginner spot) and Maeda Point. Aharen beach on Tokashiki in the Keramas (20 miles west of Okinawa) has a great enclosed bay/beach that is a great snorkeling/dive spot.

My daughter had a close encounter with a 4-foot banded sea snake in which it was surfacing and didn't see her until the last minute. It then headed back down again. For the most part, they do not bother you. Box jellies are the biggest danger, but they are not numerous until the hotter summer months. You should be ok during the spring. Again, all this is documented in the first link I presented.

Have fun!!

It should read "living on Okinawa now".

Also, are Okinawans friendly to foreigners?

People across Japan are generally very friendly to foreigners. Okinawa is no exception, although, on Okinawa Main Island I felt slightly stronger wariness of the locals towards foreigners than in other parts of the country, probably due to the US army presence. But nothing to worry about.

In any case, for snorkeling, the smaller islands of Okinawa are better anyway than the main island. Kerama, Miyako and Yaeyama seem to be particularly nice.

and I understand the language barrier is significantly greater than on the mainland.

I don't think so. I think it is just as high/low as in any other countryside region of Japan.

Thanks for all your great replies. Regarding snorkelling on the smaller islands, how easy is it to get between the islands? I'm a little freaked out by speedboats. Would it be worthwhile to just get accomodations on one of the smaller islands? I would hate to miss out on Fruits Land and all that stuff.

Also, I read that there are some english speaking taxi services available in Okinawa. Are these the best way to get around for a non-driver?

Regarding snorkelling on the smaller islands, how easy is it to get between the islands? I'm a little freaked out by speedboats.

I found it to be rather easy to get to Tokashiki from Naha. There is a high-speed ferry boat. It's not a small boat (123 tons, 200 passenger). Here's an English webpage for Tokashiki: http://www.vill.tokashiki.okinawa.jp/en/ship_inf/set.htm This page is for the high-speed ferry. Click on the side bar for more info on the island.

Would it be worthwhile to just get accomodations on one of the smaller islands?

This hotel (Hotel Sunflower) does speak English (I spoke to the owner or the manager on the phone- in English). The webpage is in Japanese, but if you have Google Toolbar, you can right click and translate the page into English. There is a taxi service or two on the island that will take you from the port to Aharen and back for 500 yen or so. The lady we rode with spoke some English and was very friendly. You might also be able to rent a scooter to get around. As far as transportation between the islands, I'm not sure about that.

Also, I read that there are some english speaking taxi services available in Okinawa. Are these the best way to get around for a non-driver?

Rental car is the best way to get around Okinawa proper. Having said that, I would go by bus rather than taxi, unless you're not planning on leaving the Naha area. Even then, I would still use the Naha bus system.

forgot the link for the hotel:

http://www.hotel-sunflower.com/