Hawaii is a strange place for me. On one hand, it holds extreme importance to my mother, with whom I’ve traveled there twice. On the other hand, I’ve never really felt it lives up to the hype that Americans have built up around it.
Americans or Japanese, for whom it is maybe the top overseas destination. Japanese, who (in my opinion) have a better tropical beach destination located within the borders of their own country. I’m speaking, of course, about the Okinawa archipelago.
I wanted to give this disclaimer before I get into the meat of my Okinawa vs Hawaii comparison, which like every other article on this site is at least somewhat subjective. Your mileage, as usual, may vary!
Why I Prefer Okinawa to Hawaii
The discussion of Okinawa or Hawaii might seem strange if you haven’t been to both. But I’ll never forget visiting Hawaii for the first time, Japanese tourists everywhere, and being immediately struck by how much I wished it was more like Okinawa. Yes, I am one of the rare Americans who visited Okinawa before he ever set foot in Hawaii. Strange, but true!
As I explored the Hawaiian islands, starting in Honolulu but not ending there, I compared everywhere to Okinawa. Whether that was the atmosphere of Naha city’s Kokusai-dori (which was lively but not sketchy, like Honolulu’s Waikiki), or an adventure on a cruise over Kabira Bay, a beach in Ishigaki that’s probably one of the best in the world, Okinawa seemed to beat Hawaii (at least in my mind) at every point of comparison.





Ways to Compare Hawaii and Okinawa
Beaches
Hawaii has some gorgeous beaches, particular along the North Shore of Oahu. However, nowhere in Hawaii compares to the incredible beaches I’ve seen at various places in Okinawa, whether that’s Kabira Bay in Ishigaki, GI Beach on Ie Island or Tokashiku Beach on Tokashiki Island. Hawaii’s beaches bring the drama, while Okinawa is a better choice if you’re looking for clear water and white sand.
Culture
One thing that both Okinawa and Hawaii have in common? They were each their own kingdoms—Ryukyu and Hawaiian, respectively—prior to being absorbed into Japan and the US. This culture is on full display in both places, whether you take a day trip to bucolic Taketomi Island from Ishigaki while in Okinawa, or visit Iolani Palace in Honolulu during your trip to Hawaii.
Cuisine
Foodies will love both of these destinations, whether you eat classics like hearty mojo bowls and healthy poke bowls in Hawaii, or slurp down Okinawa ramen before inhaling taco rice in Okinawa. Interestingly, on a recent trip to Okinawa’s Miyakojima island, I found that the “shrimp trucks” famous on the North Shore of Oahu have now migrated to Okinawa!
Cost
To me, this is where the debate between Hawaii vs Okinawa comes into sharp focus. Hawaii is one of the most expensive destinations in the US, and maybe in the world. Even if you stay in humble hotels and get by using public transport, it’s difficult to get by for less than 200-300 USD per person per day. By contrast, even before the yen devaluation of recent years, Okinawa has been much more affordable, by at least a factor of two.
Ease of island hopping
Much is made of island hopping in Hawaii, but the reality is that it can be a huge pain. Once you land on another island, even if you’ve managed to score a relatively cheap flight, you’ll have to hop in an expensive rental car en route to an overpriced and likely aging hotel. All these things—flights, cars, hotels—are obviously also necessary in Okinawa, but are both cheaper (to the point above) and generally easier to obtain and of better quality.





Why Isn’t Okinawa More Popular?
Okinawa is a three-hour flight from Tokyo, and while it’s slightly less far from other cities in Japan, it’s way less convenient than anywhere else in the country. Moreover, while the Ryukyuan culture and history are at least as compelling as the gorgeous beaches and nature, most tourists (especially first- and second-time ones) simply choose to prioritize destinations and experiences on Japan’s four main islands.
Now, even though Okinawa requires at least twice as much travel time from the US mainland as Hawaii, I think more beach-bound travelers should consider it. For one, there’s the cost point I made about Hawaii or Okinawa. Even if you spend more on the flight, your per-day costs in Okinawa will be so much less. Okinawa isn’t as popular as Hawaii, for now, but there’s no reason it can’t eventually become so.
Other FAQ About Okinawa and Hawaii
Why is Okinawa called the Hawaii of Japan?
Okinawa is called the Hawaii of Japan because of its beautiful beaches, for a culture that’s separate and unique from the rest of Japan (much as Hawaii is from the US) and because of its geographical distance from the main four islands of the Japanese archipelago. As an added bonus, there are also plenty of hibiscus flowers in both places!
Is Okinawa weather similar to Hawaii?
Okinawa, overall, is hotter than Hawaii in the summer, colder in the winter, and much more prone to typhoons overall. Weather—which is to say, the constantly good year-round weather in Hawaii—is that place’s main selling point over Okinawa, where the experience is much more heavily dependent upon more variable temperatures and precipitation.
What Japanese city is like Hawaii?
Naha, the capital of Okinawa prefecture and the largest city on the main island of Okinawa, will definitely remind you of Honolulu. Well, except for the lack of homelessness and degeneracy, and the fact that you can find lots of affordable dining and accommodation!
The Bottom Line
The topic of Okinawa vs Hawaii is somewhat loaded—and not just for reasons of national pride. After all, Japanese tourists arguably love islands like Oahu and Maui at least as much as Americans do! While I love both of these island chains, I simply find the beaches, culture and cuisine of Okinawa (aka the former Ryukyu Kingdom) to be more compelling than those of Hawaii. Practically speaking, there’s also the reality that Okinawa presents a much better value for travelers. Regardless of where your travel plans end up taking you, I do hope you will consider hiring me to plan your trip.