Okinawa road trip planner: driving times, stops and tips

Most Okinawa road trips start near Naha Airport, where you take a free shuttle bus to your rental office. For the north of the main island, use the Okinawa Expressway: Naha IC to Kyoda IC is 57.3 km and about 43 minutes. The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is about 120 minutes from Naha Airport using the expressway. In Naha, keep out of the bus-only lanes on weekday mornings and evenings.

How long are the main drives in Okinawa?

Drive	Distance	Time	Toll (standard car)
Naha Airport → Ocean Expo Park (Churaumi Aquarium)	—	about 120 min using the expressway	—
Naha IC – Kyoda IC	57.3 km	about 43 min	¥1,040 with ETC (¥1,610 cash)
Naha IC – Ishikawa IC	31.4 km	about 24 min	¥650 with ETC (¥1,010 cash)
Naha IC – Okinawa-Kita IC	22.9 km	about 18 min	¥500 with ETC (¥780 cash)
Naha IC – Okinawa-Minami IC	17.8 km	about 14 min	¥420 with ETC (¥650 cash)

Source: Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau; Drive Plaza toll and route search; NEXCO West (checked on 26 October 2026). Expressway times are between interchanges only.

NEXCO West’s ETC discount on the Okinawa Expressway applies only to cars with ETC and is planned to run until 31 March 2027. Ask for an ETC card when you book.

What can I see in the north?

The Churaumi Aquarium and Kouri Island are in the north. NEXCO West says many rental cars heading for the aquarium leave the expressway at Kyoda IC.

Stop	Why stop	Practical notes
Michi-no-Eki Kyoda	Right after the Kyoda exit; Okinawa’s first Michi-no-Eki	8:30–19:00 (varies by shop)
Ocean Expo Park (Churaumi Aquarium)	The aquarium and a large national park	About 1,900 free parking spaces. Aquarium 8:30–18:30 (last entry 17:30)
Kouri Bridge and Kouri Island	A 1,960 m bridge with sea views	You can drive around the island in about 15 minutes
Cape Manzamo	Coral cliffs in Onna Village	315 free spaces. Entry ¥100 per person

Source: Michi-no-Eki Kyoda; Ocean Expo Park; Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau; Manzamo (checked on 26 October 2026)

What about the far north (Yanbaru)?

In the far north, these Michi-no-Eki make useful stops:

• Ogimi Yanbaru Forest Visitor Center in Ogimi Village
• Yuiyui Kunigami in Kunigami, before Cape Hedo (9:00–18:00)
• Sunrise Higashi, one of the few rest stops on the east coast (9:00–18:00)
• Yambaru Pineapple Hills Aha in Aha, Kunigami (10:00–17:00)

Source: Japan Michi-no-Eki Association; each station's official site (checked on 26 October 2026)

What can I see in central and southern Okinawa?

Area	Stops
Naha	Shurijo Castle Park: car park 8:30–19:30, bookable on the official site
Central	Michi-no-Eki Kadena (91 free spaces), Michi-no-Eki Kina Bansho in Yomitan, Michi-no-Eki Ginoza on the east coast
South	Michi-no-Eki Toyosaki, the closest to Naha Airport (toilets open 24 hours), and Michi-no-Eki Itoman with a fish market

Source: Shurijo Castle Park; Japan Michi-no-Eki Association; Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau (checked on 26 October 2026)

Shurijo Castle Park is closed all day on 22 November 2026. From 23 November, the main hall opens to the public and seeing inside needs a timed reservation.

How do I plan the first and last day?

1. First day: after you land, walk to the rental car shuttle stops outside the domestic terminal. The shuttle takes about 5 to 20 minutes, depending on the company. See How do I pick up a rental car at Naha Airport?
2. Avoid the bus lanes: if you drive through Naha on a weekday between 7:30 and 9:00 or 17:30 and 19:00, keep out of the bus-only lanes.
3. Last day: plan to return the car well before your flight. Times Car Rental asks for 1 hour 30 minutes before the flight, and Nippon Rent-A-Car at least 2 hours. Fill the tank near the office first.

Source: Times Car Rental; Nippon Rent-A-Car; Okinawa Prefectural Police (checked on 26 October 2026)

For bus lanes, congestion and typhoons, read Driving in Okinawa before you go.