Car Hire Okinawa Prefecture

Guide

None of Japan's 47 prefectures lie further south than Okinawa, a chain of 160 islands stretching over 620 miles along the Pacific Ocean from mainland Japan to Taiwan. Okinawa is most famous for its strong US military presence, year-long warm weather and its status as the birthplace of karate. As the former independent kingdom of Ryūkyū, Okinawa enjoys a proud history and culture that is unique from that of mainland Japan. The prefecture's capital, Naha, is situated on southern Okinawa Island.

Hiring a Vehicle

Naha Airport and its surrounding area are Okinawa Prefecture's best places to compare car hire. National is one of the few international car hire chains alongside Toyota, Nippon and other Japanese car rental companies on Okinawa. Most car hire companies near Naha Airport supply shuttle buses between their offices and the airport.

Transport Options

Naha Airport is the largest and cheapest Okinawa Prefecture gateway, with dozens of non-stop flights to places across Japan and the rest of Asia. Ferry services are available throughout the islands, but they are slow, frequently cancelled during typhoon season and generally no cheaper than air travel. Private and public tour buses are Okinawa's only land transportation apart from car hire in Okinawa Prefecture.

Car Hire Driving Tips in Okinawa Prefecture

Like elsewhere in Japan, driving is on the left in Okinawa. Navigating the narrow main roads and side streets can be a challenge. Although the GPS systems included in many car rental vehicles in Okinawa Prefecture can only operate in Japanese, the visual instructions are typically easy to understand. As pay lots can be expensive, motorists should park in public venues whenever they can.

Not to be Missed!

Sun, sea and year-round warm weather are Okinawa's main attractions. Okinawa's surrounding waters boast some of the world's finest offshore fishing and an amount of coral species comparable to Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Snorkellers and scuba divers can see as many as five sea turtle species, more than 400 coral types and numerous tropical fish. The well-preserved Yaeyama Islands village of Taketomi and Naha's painstakingly reconstructed Shuri Castle are among the few surviving landmarks from the Ryukyu Kingdom era.

Weather & Tourist Seasons

With the prefecture boasting an average annual temperature of over 20°C, visitors are guaranteed mild and pleasant weather at nearly all times of the year. Those wishing to avoid high prices and large crowds should avoid visiting Okinawa during Japan's Golden Week, a series of three May holidays when most Japanese visit the prefecture. Okinawa's rainy season lasts from mid-April to mid-June, while summers bring humid temperatures averaging over 30°C, followed by the typhoon season. October may be the best month to visit Okinawa, when visitors can still enjoy the warm weather without the high humidity and typhoon threats. The average January temperature of 13°C may be too cool for comfortable sunbathing, but remains mild enough for cherry blossoms to bloom.