OK, so I am also planning a trip to Okinawa later in the year. Probably have a week to ferry from island to island with backpacks, maybe tents too, although minshukus might be another option.

Who has been? Is it worth going to the mainland or is it just a mini-Tokyo? I hear the Ishigaki area is nice but Miyako etc. is good too.

Snorkelling, diving, swimming, relaxing and touring some of the cultural sites is our plan for the moment.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Here are some pics of north part of Okinawa.
I visit Sesoko island every year. It's business trip and don't have free time but I'm pretty happy to work there, very beautiful beach, undeveloped nature and friendly local people.

Sesoko Beach


Sesoko Island

Nakijin Gusuku

Thats one of the last few remaining places Im dying to go to in Japan too NPM. A friend and I are considering a trip next year so look forward to your and everybody else info. Sure you'll have some nice pics too eh!

Going to Ishigaki for the company trip this September. I found this site when I was looking for info.

make sure you hit the A&W!

Naha is seriously like a happy days movie set. It really has a '1950's America' feel.

Sounds cool from all accounts. I've got to get to Okinawa sometime soon. Might be able to make it happen this year.

I've been to Honto, Ishigaki+Taketojima, and Miyakojima.

Ishigaki was my favourite. Unlike the megavan the bloke in the other thread wants, you can rent a kei or a mama car (vitz, march, etc.) for a few thousand a day. You can get anywhere on the island in an hour or so. Some of the beaches are up there with Thailand/Malaysia.

Like skitrips to Hokkaido, the high price of internal flights mean that its often cheaper to go on a package than to book everything separately yourself.