Okinawa, Japan’s southernmost prefecture, is a tropical paradise that promises an unforgettable adventure for the whole family. As a seasoned traveler and resident of Japan, we are thrilled to share our insider tips for making the most of your Okinawan vacation.
Quick jump to the Recommended hotels in Okinawa:
- Onna village area
- Nago city area
- Yomitan area
- Motobu area
5 Tips for Family Vacation in Okinawa
If you have the opportunity to visit Okinawa more than once, consider exploring the smaller islands of Ishigaki, Miyako, and Iriomote on subsequent trips for a more intimate, relaxed atmosphere.
- Choose the Perfect Home Base
For first-time visitors, we highly recommend staying on Okinawa Island, which offers the perfect balance of stunning beaches, natural beauty, and ample shopping opportunities. You’ll find a wide range of family-friendly accommodations to suit your needs. - Dive into Marine Magic
Visit the popular Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium to marvel at the majestic whale sharks and vibrant marine life. For a more immersive experience, head to one of the island’s many family-friendly beaches, such as Manza Beach or Nirai Beach. - Embrace Nature and Local Culture
Explore the lush landscapes of the Southeast Botanical Gardens where can interact with capybaras and squirrel monkeys or eat and see 120 varieties of pineapples at Nago Pineapple Park. Don’t miss the iconic Shuri Castle and a mesmerizing Eisa dance performance. - Shop Till You Drop
Indulge in some retail therapy at one of Okinawa Island’s large shopping centers, such as AEON Mall Okinawa Rycom, Ashibinaa Outlet Mall, and SAN-A rasoe West Coast PARCO CITY. AEON Mall Okinawa Rycom was built on an expansive site that was once a U.S. military golf course, this is the largest mall in Okinawa. With over 220 stores, including famous brands like GAP, Uniqlo, and H&M, as well as an indoor children’s play area and food court, it’s worth a visit for shopping enthusiasts. (However, please note that there is no ZARA store.) - Venture Beyond the Main Island
If you have the opportunity to visit Okinawa more than once, consider exploring the smaller islands of Ishigaki, Miyako, and Iriomote on subsequent trips for a more intimate, relaxed atmosphere.
Top 10 Kid-Friendly Hotels in Okinawa
To help you plan the perfect family-friendly stay in Okinawa, we’ve handpicked 10 exceptional hotels that cater to the needs of families with children. They are selected based on family friendly features such as Kids meal, Kids price policy, Family room, Laundry, and Microwaves.
As for tips on accomodation areas with children, the following areas are highly recommended:
- Onna Village
- This area is a popular resort destination known for its beautiful blue sea and white sandy beaches.
- Large resort hotels are abundant, with well-equipped facilities such as beaches and pools.
- Family-oriented attractions like the Ocean Expo Park and Okinawa Children’s World are located here.
- Nago City
- Home to popular tourist attractions like the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium and Kouri Island.
- Offers hands-on experiences for children at places like the Nago Pineapple Park.
- Has a wide selection of beach resorts, hotels, and family-friendly accommodations.
- Yomitan Town
- Known for its beautiful beaches, such as Maeda Beach and Zanpa Beach.
- Features a mix of beach resorts, hotels, and pensions suitable for families.
- Home to the Yomitan Village Traditional Craft Art Center, where visitors can learn about Okinawan crafts.
- Motobu Town
- Home to the popular Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium and the nearby Emerald Beach.
- Provides a unique cultural experience at the Ryukyu Mura, a theme park featuring traditional Okinawan village life.
- Offers a variety of accommodations, from resort hotels to affordable pensions, suitable for families.
For foreign tourists visiting Japan for the first time, these areas are highly recommended due to their accessibility from Naha Airport and the availability of many English-speaking hotels. Consider the characteristics of each area and choose according to your family’s preferences and travel style.
1. Renaissance Okinawa Resort
Area: Onna
Kids meal: Yes
Free for Kids: Yes (0-2: free)
Family Room: Yes (Triple, Fourth)
Laundry: Yes
Microwave: No (Warming service is available)
A 4-star hotel overlooking the East China Sea. The upscale resort has top-rated amusement features like 80+ outdoor activities, kid-friendly amenities including picture books and small pajamas/free diapers/carts, swimming pools, tropical-decorated guestrooms, and free meals at breakfast and dinner. Entertaining programs they offer will take you to an extraordinary amusement time such as treasure hunting against pirates. Luggage pre-shipment is accepted. Set in the middle of tropical greens, Maeda Cape is 2 km away, Moon Beach is 2.2 km away, Zakimi Castle is 8 km away, and Cape Zanpa is 10 km away from there, respectively.
2. Hotel Monterey Okinawa Spa & Resort
Area: Onna
Kids meal: Yes
Free for Kids: Yes (0-2: free)
Family Room: Yes (Triple, Fourth)
Laundry: Yes
Microwave: No (Warming service is available)
A 4-star hotel fronting Tiger Beach in Onna. A 40-minute drive from Naha City takes you there, and Onna-son Museum is 3 km away from the hotel. A limousine bus between the Naha Airport and the hotel is available at your cost. Parking is available, as well. They offer you comfort with luxurious and picturesque rooms in European style commanding a fine view of the East China Sea. Also, wave pools, indoor pools, and a craft experience program are available. Kid-friendly amenities like small pajamas, toothbrushes, baby carts/beds, and auxiliary toilet seats are ready for you. Eatery at their on-site restaurant serves exclusive meals from a selection of local fresh ingredients. Luggage pre-shipment is accepted.
Tips on Kids price policy ☺ In many Japanese hotels, children who sleep in the same bed as adults are free of charge. The eligible age is usually 6 years old or younger, or 12 years old or younger. Be mindful that meal for kids requires an additional cost in that case and there is a charge if children sleep in a different bed from the adult.
3. Sheraton Okinawa Sunmarina Resort
Area: Onna
Kids meal: Yes
Free for Kids: Yes (0-5: free)
Family Room: Yes (Triple, Fourth, Fifth)
Laundry: Yes
Microwave: No (Warming service is available)
A stylish upmarket resort featuring marine activities, lounge, and eatery options. All guestrooms have decorations in lively colors with wooden modern furnishings including their balconies. Alongside their various amenities including a refrigerator or tea/coffee maker, a wellness program, and kid-friendly features like a garden pool, amenities like baby beds/baths/guards, baby carts, and small pajamas help families on travel. Their on-site restaurants provide you with numerous cuisines made from a selection of fine local ingredients with scenic views. Don’t forget to take part in their marine activities. Luggage pre-shipment is accepted.
4. Hoshino Resorts BEB5 Okinawa Serakaki
Area: Onna
Kids meal: No
Free for Kids: Yes (0-6: free)
Family Room: Yes (Triple, Fourth, Fifth)
Laundry: Yes
Microwave: Yes
An unpretentious apartment-type resort. Set alongside the coastline overlooking the East China Sea, you can get there in 26 minutes by car from Nago. A 14-minute walk takes you to Manza Beach from the accommodation. Alongside their casual studios with simple and modern furnishings, you will stay there worry-free including a warm swimming pool, wide dining space, and kid-friendly features like diaper bins, baby beds, and auxiliary toilet seats. Surrounded by eateries nearby, you can have fancy meals made from a selection of fresh ingredients. Marine activities and cultural experiences await you. Luggage pre-shipment is accepted.
5. Kafuu Resort Fuchaku Condo Hotel
Area: Onna
Kids meal: No
Free for Kids: Yes (0-5: free)
Family Room: Yes (Fourth)
Laundry: Yes
Microwave: Yes
A refined hotel overlooking the stunning views of the East China Sea. Set in the southern part of Onna, you can get there in 50 minutes by driving. The ruin of Zakimi Castle and Ryukyu-Mura is just a 20-minute drive. Alongside their polished services such as professional concierges, ticketing services, or fitness and wellness programs, their top priority aims to families on travel as well. Kid-friendly amenities like bath chairs, diaper bins, bed guards, and Jenga are available and pre-booking is possible for some items. Moreover, their original baby meals, clean apartment-type rooms, and activities are amusing for kids. Dining options at their restaurants and a take-out café serve Japanese/Italian/Western style dishes from local fine ingredients, which invite guests to the best culinary journey. Luggage pre-shipment is accepted.
6. The Busena Terrace
Area: Nago
Kids meal: Yes (Only baby meal)
Free for Kids: Yes (0-5: free)
Family Room: Yes (Triple, Fourth)
Laundry: Yes
Microwave: No (Warming service is available)
A high-end 5-star hotel next to the Busena Marine Park. Only a 15-minute drive by car takes you to this magnificent resort, and Mission Beach is just 5 km away. Their luxurious guestrooms with top-level hospitality will never disappoint you. A year-round indoor pool along with 2 other pools, marine activities, and a wellness program at their spa are available. Alongside their fantastic and rich atmosphere, kid-friendly amenities like baby beds, carts, and bed guards are for rent after you pre-book them. Meal options, which are made from a selection of fresh ingredients, are an amusement feature as well. Luggage pre-shipment is accepted.
7. Oritental Hotel Okinawa Resort & Spa
Area: Nago
Kids meal: No (but buffer is available for dinner/breakfast)
Free for Kids: Yes (0-6: free)
Family Room: Yes (Fourth)
Laundry: Yes
Microwave: Yes
Oriental Okinawa Resort & Spa is the ultimate family getaway in Nago area. Unwind in spacious rooms with breathtaking ocean views, and delight in Okinawa’s largest pool complex, complete with waterslides and kids’ play areas. Savor delicious cuisine, from breakfast buffets to convenient Breakfast Boxes. Engage in fun activities like craft workshops and stargazing events. With thoughtful amenities such as a 24-hour convenience store, special dietary accommodations, and a complimentary beach shuttle, this resort ensures a memorable, stress-free vacation for your entire family.
8. The Uza Terrace Beach Club Villas
Area: Yomitan
Kids meal: Yes (Only baby meal, pre-booking needed)
Free for Kids: Yes (0-5: free)
Family Room: Yes (Triple, Fourth)
Laundry: No (Its service is available)
Microwave: Yes
A high-end Resort hotel in Okinawa. Set in Yomitan, Zampa beach is 400m away from the accommodation. They provide a relaxing atmosphere with a wellness program, fitness center, and fancy bar. Alongside their hospitality, kid-friendly features like baby beds, carts, chairs, baby bottle disinfection, or diaper bins are for rent, which help any families on travel stay worry-free. Also, baby-care service is available. Luxurious and delicious meals are provided at their on-site restaurant alongside their bars and in-room dining options. Look no further and stay there for the extraordinary moment at the clear sea of Okinawa. Luggage pre-shipment is accepted.
Tips on Okinawa with kids ☺ ・Many hotel pools are open from March to November. ・Some hotels such as Renaissance Resort and Monterey Okinawa have many kids program that kids will surely love. ・Best season is July to August. Rainy season is end of May to end of June. ・In case of rain, kids will love places like Churaumi Aquarium, biggest one in Okinawa and Pineapple Park, where pineapple train is fun to ride.
9. Hotel Nikko Alivila
Area: Yomitan
Kids meal: Yes
Free for Kids: Yes (0-5: free)
Family Room: Yes (Triple, Fourth)
Laundry: Yes
Microwave: No (Warming service is available)
An upscale resort in southern European style near Yomitan and Kadena. Set on a beach on the East China Sea, you can get there in 70 minutes by car from Naha Airport. Parking is available. Featuring bright guestrooms with balconies, their exclusive services and hospitality with relaxation programs, wellness sessions, golf yards/tennis courts, and activities on the clear blue sea will make you feel an extraordinary moment of richness. A breastfeeding room and rental bicycles are a part of their family-friendly features. They have several on-site restaurants that serve guests magnificent cuisines made from a selection of the finest ingredients. Luggage pre-shipment is accepted.
10. Ala Mahaina Condo Hotel
Area: Motobu
Kids meal: Yes
Free for Kids: Yes (0-5: free)
Family Room: Yes (Triple, Fourth)
Laundry: Yes
Microwave: Yes (Pre-booking needed)
An elegant resort hotel commanding Okinawa’s scenic seashore. Located in Motobu, you can get to Ufutabaru Beach within 5 minutes, and to Sesoko Beach in 15 minutes by car. Featuring luxurious facilities having Mediterranean vibes with their terrace, spa, and gym, their top priority aims to serve guests for a worry-free stay. Also, baby-friendly features like carts, bed guards, baby beds/chairs, kids’ pajamas, kid’s cutlery, and dishes are available for free. Eatery at their on-site restaurant serves an exclusive breakfast buffet and dinner, whose cuisines are from a selection of local fresh ingredients.
11. Hotel Orion Motobu Resort & Spa
Area: Motobu
Kids meal: Yes
Free for Kids: No
Family Room: Yes (Triple, Fourth)
Laundry: Yes
Microwave: No (Warming service is available)
A sophisticated hotel at Emerald Beach. Set in Motobu, you can get there in 30 minutes by car from Nago City, and to Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in 8 minutes from the place. They offer spacious guestrooms full of consideration to realize a splendid stay with tropical vibes. Also, family-friendly features like baby beds, carts, bed guards, kids’ pajamas, and diaper bins are available for free after you pre-book them. Parking is available. Their on-site restaurants serve high-end dishes from a selection of fresh ingredients. They provide marine activities, cultural experience programs, and discounts for neighboring facilities.
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