Okinawa: What to Book Before You Go (2026)
Most of Okinawa needs no booking. The one big change is Shuri Castle: the rebuilt main hall (Seiden) opens to the public on 23 November 2026, and going inside needs a timed reservation, sold about two months ahead.
The other decision is how to reach the north of the island, where the Churaumi Aquarium is. From Naha Airport it is about 2 hours by car or about 3 hours by express bus, and day tours go there too. We read the official pages for the prices below on 7 November 2026.
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What do you need to book before you go to Okinawa?
How do you book Shuri Castle's main hall?
The main hall burned down in 2019. The rebuilt hall opens to the public on 23 November 2026, and from that day adult admission to the paid area goes from ¥400 to ¥1,000. To go inside the Seiden you pick a 30-minute slot when you buy. The slot costs nothing extra.
- Find your sale date From visits on 1 January 2027, tickets go on sale at 13:00 Japan time on the 1st of the month, two months before. For example, March visits open on 1 January. Dates up to 31 December 2026 were sold on 1 September and 1 October.
- Buy on the official Webket page Choose the entry ticket with a Seiden viewing reservation (入場券（正殿内観覧予約あり）). Up to 9 tickets per purchase.
- Pick a slot you can reach The park suggests arriving at the gate 40–50 minutes after your monorail reaches Shuri Station. Allow about 90–120 minutes for the whole visit. You join the Seiden queue during your 30-minute slot; on the last slots of the day you must pass the Hoshinmon gate before the slot ends.
- Sold out? Same-day slots, if any are left, are sold online until 15 minutes before the slot or at the Kofukumon ticket window.Dates can be changed until the day before; refunds until two days before (Webket purchases only).
The park is closed all day on 22 November 2026 and on the morning of 23 November for the opening.
Should you buy Churaumi Aquarium tickets in advance?
You don't need to. There is no timed entry, and the gate price is ¥2,180 for adults. An e-ticket only saves you the queue at the ticket desk. The aquarium's own web ticket is sold through asoview, linked from the official site.
Gate or asoview web ticket
Adult ¥2,180, high school ¥1,440, children ¥710, under 6 free. Off-season hours 8:30–18:30, last entry 17:30.
Klook or KKday e-ticket
QR entry. Compare the price with the ¥2,180 gate price before you pay. KKday's listing is non-refundable.
Affiliate linksDo you need a car in Okinawa?
For Naha alone, no. For the north (Churaumi, Kouri Island, Cape Manzamo), a car or a tour makes the day much easier. The official access page gives about 2 hours by car and about 3 hours by express bus from Naha Airport.
Rental car
Ocean Expo Park parking is free; P7 (north gate) is closest. Mapcode 553 075 797 for the car's navigation.
Day tour from Naha
Bus tours from Naha to the aquarium and other sights in the north. Check the listing for the stops and whether aquarium entry is included.
Express bus
Yanbaru Express Bus and others from Naha Airport, about 3 h. Fares are in the operator's fare table.
Affiliate links on the car and tour cards.
Driving needs your home licence plus a 1949 Geneva International Driving Permit (Korea, Hong Kong, the US, the UK and others) or, for licences from Taiwan, Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium and Monaco, an official Japanese translation. Cars drive on the left.
How do you get around Naha?
The Yui Rail monorail starts at Naha Airport station and runs through the city to Shuri and beyond. Suica, ICOCA, PASMO and other national IC cards work.
What does a day in the north look like?
A sample self-drive day from Naha, in order. Set your own times around the aquarium's show schedule.
- Early morningLeave Naha by the Okinawa Expressway.
- MorningChuraumi Aquarium (opens 8:30). The dolphin show is at Okichan Theater in Ocean Expo Park; show times are on the park's site, and there are no shows from 4 to 9 January 2027.
- MiddayLunch in Motobu, then drive to Kouri Island over the bridge.
- AfternoonCape Manzamo on the way back south.
- EveningBack in Naha. Return the car or keep it for the next day.
What the official pages said on Nov 7, 2026
Shuri Castle Park announced the Seiden opening for 23 November 2026 and new fees from that day: adult ¥1,000, high school ¥760, elementary and junior high ¥370.
Its ticket guide said Seiden entry is by 30-minute slot, sold on Webket from 13:00 on the 1st, two months ahead (from January 2027 visits), with same-day slots only if any remain.
The Churaumi Aquarium listed adult admission at ¥2,180, off-season hours 8:30–18:30 and no closures scheduled until 31 March 2027 except for typhoons.
Yui Rail listed ¥290 to Kencho-mae and a 1-day pass at ¥1,000 (24 hours).
The National Police Agency listed the licence rules for foreign visitors. We did not find express bus fares on an official page, so we point you to the operator's fare table.
Ocean Expo Park: dolphin shows at Okichan Theater, with no shows from 4 to 9 January 2027. The Shuri Castle ticket guide says the Seiden slot adds no charge.
What if…?
…Shuri Castle slots are sold out for my date?
Check Webket on the day: unsold slots are released for same-day sale until 15 minutes before. You can still visit the rest of the castle grounds without a reservation.
…a typhoon hits during my trip?
The aquarium, ferries and tours can close at short notice. Keep a flexible day and pick refundable tours where you can.
…I don't have an International Driving Permit?
You can't rent a car without the right document. Book a day tour instead, or take the express bus.
…I'm flying in late?
The Yui Rail takes you into Naha. Pick up a rental car the next morning rather than driving at night.
Bookable things worth doing
North Okinawa day tour
A bus tour from Naha to the Churaumi Aquarium. Check the listing for the other stops, the pickup point and whether aquarium entry is included.
Affiliate linkChuraumi e-ticket
Compare the price with the ¥2,180 gate price. Buy only if you want to skip the desk.
Before you fly
Put the Shuri Castle sale date in your calendar if your visit is from 2027, sort out your driving permit at home, and leave the beaches unplanned.
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