The Best Things to Do in Okinawa with Kids (Toddler + Big Kid Approved)
Last Updated on September 29, 2025 by Kay
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Thinking of visiting Okinawa with your family and wondering what are the best things to do with kids, toddlers, and even babies?
I’ve visited Okinawa with my family since my daughter just turned three years old, and I was amazed by how kid-friendly the main island is. It’s truly the perfect place for a family vacation, so if you’re wondering what to do to keep your little ones entertained, I’ve got you covered.
In this article, I’ll share the best things to do in Okinawa with kids according to the area so that it’s easier to plan your trip.
Table of Contents
Northern Okinawa
Marvel at Whale Sharks at Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
One of the largest aquariums in the world, Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is a must-visit for families. We ended up going late in the day (around 5 PM), which turned out to be perfect. The crowds had thinned out, and we had plenty of time to explore without feeling rushed. (A friend of mine visited right when it opened and also experienced fewer crowds.)
The aquarium features massive tanks filled with sea life like whale sharks and manta rays, plus exhibits on deep-sea creatures unique to Okinawa.
There’s also a dolphin show if you go earlier, and the surrounding Ocean Expo Park has a beach and play areas that could easily fill an entire day if the weather’s good. My daughter especially loved the hands-on exhibits, and I appreciated how easy it was to buy tickets online ahead of time to skip the lines.
If you’re visiting with kids, this is one of those places that really delivers. It’s educational, impressive, and just the right amount of magical.
Recommended for children of all ages!
Go Underwater at Busena Underwater Observatory
This was one of our favorite experiences in Okinawa, especially for my daughter! At the Busena Marine Park Underwater Observatory, you can go down into the ocean and see tropical fish swimming in their natural habitat, but you get to stay completely dry.
You do have to take the stairs, so strollers need to be left at the top, but it’s not that long of a walk down, and it’s absolutely worth it. The view underwater is amazing! We saw so many colorful fish, and one even kept following my daughter from window to window, which totally made her day.
This observatory is perfect for kids (or adults) who don’t want to get wet but still want to experience Okinawa’s sea life up close. We stayed longer than expected just because it was that fun.
Recommended for all ages!
Take a Glass-Bottom Boat Ride
Another one of our favorite experiences in Okinawa was the glass-bottom boat ride in Busena Marine Park. Seriously, don’t skip this one!
The ride is short (just 15 minutes), but totally worth it. You get to see tons of colorful tropical fish through the bottom of the boat without getting wet, which is perfect for kids who can’t snorkel yet (like my daughter). The boat moves quickly, so make sure your hat doesn’t fly off, and definitely bring a waterproof phone case if you want to take photos. I forgot mine in the car and spent the whole ride worrying I’d drop my phone into the ocean!
You can buy fish food (from a vending machine, of course — this is Japan!) and toss it overboard while the boat pauses mid-ride. Watching the fish swarm is so much fun, and my daughter loved every second of it.
Recommended for all ages!
Swing and Zip at Forest Adventure
For adventurous kids who don’t feel like getting wet, consider visiting Forest Adventure. Originally from France, this park allows guests to do various outdoor climbing courses in a forest overlooking the ocean (great for elementary-aged kids to teens) or simply play on nets (toddlers and preschoolers).
Wear sneakers and bring gloves.
Recommended for children who are at least 90 centimeters tall.
Explore Okinawa’s Many Beaches
Unsurprisingly, there are lots of beaches on Okinawa’s main island. It can be hard to choose, so here are what my family considers the best beaches for little kids:
Anchi Beach (which I cover in more detail in this article)
Moon Beach (lots of coral here, though, so make sure you have water shoes)
Emerald Beach, which is where Churaumi Aquarium is located.
For older kids who are strong swimmers, visit Bisezaki Beach. (There are sea snakes here, though, and no life guards.)
Enjoy Nago Pineapple Park
At Nago Pineapple Park, you can explore the lush grounds in a Pineapple cart and try pineapple treats.
I visited back in 2010 and loved it, but one recent review states that the mascots are gone and the quality has gone downhill since then, so I’m hesitant to go back now. However, I’m still recommending it if you need something to do.
Wander Through Southeast Botanical Gardens
If your child enjoys gardens and illuminations like mine does, then they’ll have fun exploring the lush grounds of the Southeast Botanical Gardens. They can also see various animals such as monkeys, tropical birds, and capybaras.
Central Okinawa
Chill at American Village
American Village is a popular tourist spot with has a bit of everything—ocean views, shopping, cafes, quirky photo spots, and the perfect place to catch the sunset. It has a fun, resort-like vibe with an American twist, and it’s super easy to spend a relaxed afternoon or evening just wandering around.
Recommended for all ages!
Southern Okinawa
Experience Ryukyu Culture at Okinawa World
Okinawa World is a theme park that has a variety of things to do, such as venturing inside a real limestone cave, visiting a snake museum, learning about Ryukyu culture and doing crafts, and more. I definitely want to bring my daughter here next time.
How to Get There
Immerse Yourself at teamLab Future Park Okinawa
teamLab is an immersive art museum that has several locations throughout Japan, including Okinawa.
Okinawa’s teamLab FuturePark is a great place for kids to enjoy various colorful sights while playing and creating as well. To me, it’s a great mix of Tokyo’s teamLab exhibits with the best of both worlds, although a little smaller.
I recommend purchasing tickets in advance to beat the lines.
Shop and Snack at Kokusai Street (Kokusai Dori)
Kokusai Dori is one of Okinawa’s most famous shopping streets and is packed with souvenir shops, cafes, restaurants, and fun finds for the whole family. We visited in the morning (though it’s even more exciting at night) and loved just wandering around.
I write in detail about what we did at Kokusai Dori in this article so make sure to check it out if you want a more in-depth look at what to expect before you go!
Enjoy the View of and from Shuri Castle
If you’re interested in Okinawa’s unique history, Shuri Castle is a must-see. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and unlike any other castle in Japan as it’s bright red, full of Southeast Asian influences, and just stunning to look at.
That said, you should know that much of the castle was destroyed in a fire in 2019, and it’s currently being rebuilt (set to be completed in autumn 2026).
Since I’ve visited before, I was curious to see the restoration process, and I actually found it really interesting. You can watch the rebuilding in progress and learn about the architecture through exhibits and photos on-site.
My husband wasn’t impressed, but I enjoyed it, especially the view of the city from the castle grounds. My daughter’s favorite part? The projection mapping in the visitor center, where she could chase a glowing sun-like object across the floor. She was totally mesmerized.
If it’s your first time in Okinawa, you might want to wait until the repairs are done, but if you’re already nearby and into history, it’s still worth a visit —just be prepared for some scaffolding.
Kay’s Tip:
You might want to consider purchasing the Klook Pass Okinawa, which will allow you to visit the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (Standard Pass) as well as some of the other aforementioned attractions for a discounted price.
It’s a pretty good deal when considering the price and how convenient it is!
Okinawa Travel Tips For Families
Here are some travel tips I think all families visiting Okinawa with kids should know.
When is the best time to visit Okinawa?
The most popular season for families to visit Okinawa is undeniably the summer (July). The weather is fantastic, many beaches are supervised by lifeguards, and pools are open.
However, this means it can be crowded and expensive. Also, keep in mind that since Okinawa is in a tropical region, it can rain occasionally. But we found the rain to be refreshing and were usually in the ocean or pool anyway, so it didn’t matter.
We visited during the second week of July but didn’t find it that crowded, especially compared to Japan’s main island. However, we did find there were many international tourists without kids, the most I have ever seen over my many years of visiting Okinawa.
If you don’t care about marine activities or don’t mind colder water (around 24 °C (75 °F)) or air temperature (16–22 °C), December would be a great time to visit since it’s not peak season. However, many beach facilities and pools are not open during this time. And if you visit from late January to February, you can see Japan’s earliest blooming cherry blossoms, including a unique variety called Kanhizakura.
The times you should want to avoid Okinawa include typhoon season, which is from August to September, as well as May to June, which is the rainy season.
Keep in mind that with climate change, the weather can be unpredictable, so be prepared for rain no matter which season you visit.
Do you need a car for Okinawa?
A car certainly makes it much easier to travel in Okinawa, especially if you have young children, but I don’t think it’s a must. I’ve visited Okinawa several times with no car, including on my first trip with my daughter.
There is a monorail in Okinawa as well as plenty of buses and taxis that will help you get around to popular tourist destinations on the island.
Where is the best place to stay in Okinawa?
When it comes to where to stay, this entirely depends on what you’re looking for and planning to do. I’ve stayed at several hotels and resorts in Okinawa, so I suggest reading this post to find out what’s best for your family.
How much time should I spend in Okinawa?
At a minimum, I recommend staying at least two nights in Okinawa.
When we told my husband’s mother that we were going for a week, she asked what on earth we would do for that long. It ended up being a very packed trip, which I’ve shared in my article about our family’s visit to Okinawa.
Wrap-up: Okinawa with Kids
I hope this look at what to do in Okinawa with children has been helpful for you. As you can see in this article, there is plenty to do for families, and we can’t wait to go back!
If you’re wondering how exactly to spend your time in Okinawa, read my Okinawa with kids itinerary, which covers what we did on a recent trip there.