Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip

Mangroves, Lagoons & Coral Reefs
Island Hopping Japan’s Okinawa Archipelago

Naha (Okinawa) - Miyako-jima - Iriomote - Taketomi-jima - Ishigaki

Starting from between £3,835 to £5,735 per person for 12 days depending on the time of year, type of accomodation and activities

Itinerary Highlights

  • Discover the archipelago’s breathtaking natural landscapes
  • Lounge beside your private swimming pool in Miyako-jima
  • Take a guided hike to a waterfall in Iriomote
  • Visit the preserved village of Taketomi Island
  • Relax on white sand beaches on every island
Between the southern tip of Kyushu and Taiwan stands the Okinawa archipelago, full of lush greenery, translucent waters and coral beds teeming with life. Because these islands were independent of Japan for several centuries, they are today their own little slices of paradise. Days in this special place mean paddling in the lagoon, meditating in front of waterfalls and walking through the jungle to the echo of birdsong, while evenings bring spectacular sunsets and an air of serenity. Your trip will begin on the island of Okinawa, the gateway to the archipelago. While this is one of the more popular islands with tourists, it’s still home to unspoiled nature and endemic species, along with plenty of city culture. You’ll then move on to Miyako-jima, part of a string of islands covered in sugarcane fields and connected by narrow bridges. The seabed here is truly remarkable, giving you the opportunity to meet with humpback whales in winter and manta rays in summer. You’ll find colourful tropical fish all year round. A short flight will then bring you to Iriotome, the largest of the Yaeyama Islands. Waterfalls, mangroves and isolated villages are yours to discover here, and we’ll arrange for you to take a guided trip to one of the most beautiful waterfalls. A ferry will then take you back in time to Taketomi-jima, a small island whose ox carts and traditional houses invite you to disconnect and switch off. Your trip ends on the island of Ishigaki, where you can enjoy the clear water and soft sand for one last time, along with some juicy local pineapples. We’ve included transport between each island on this trip, so you can spend less time thinking about practicalities and more time adjusting to sweet island life.
Ishigaki - Okinawa - Japon © Romain Laprade
Ishigaki - Okinawa - Japon © Romain Laprade
Ishigaki - Okinawa - Japon © Romain Laprade
Ishigaki - Okinawa - Japon © Romain Laprade
Miyako - Okinawa - Japon © Romain Laprade
Miyako - Okinawa - Japon © Romain Laprade
Miyako - Okinawa - Japon © Romain Laprade
Miyako - Okinawa - Japon © Romain Laprade
Ile de Taketomi - Okinawa - Japon © Pauline Chardin
Ile de Taketomi - Okinawa - Japon © Pauline Chardin
Miyako - Okinawa - Japon © Romain Laprade
Miyako - Okinawa - Japon © Romain Laprade
Iriomote - Okinawa - Japon © Romain Laprade
Iriomote - Okinawa - Japon © Romain Laprade
Iriomote - Okinawa - Japon © Romain Laprade
Iriomote - Okinawa - Japon © Romain Laprade
Iriomote - Okinawa - Japon © Romain Laprade
Iriomote - Okinawa - Japon © Romain Laprade
Iriomote - Okinawa - Japon © Romain Laprade
Iriomote - Okinawa - Japon © Romain Laprade
Iriomote - Okinawa - Japon © Romain Laprade
Iriomote - Okinawa - Japon © Romain Laprade
Iriomote - Okinawa - Japon © Romain Laprade
Iriomote - Okinawa - Japon © Romain Laprade
Iriomote - Okinawa - Japon © Romain Laprade
Iriomote - Okinawa - Japon © Romain Laprade
Iriomote - Okinawa - Japon © Romain Laprade
Iriomote - Okinawa - Japon © Romain Laprade
Taketomi - Okinawa - Japon © Romain Laprade
Taketomi - Okinawa - Japon © Romain Laprade
Taketomi - Okinawa - Japon © Romain Laprade
Taketomi - Okinawa - Japon © Romain Laprade
Taketomi - Okinawa - Japon © Romain Laprade
Taketomi - Okinawa - Japon © Romain Laprade
Okinawa - Japon © Pauline Chardin
Okinawa - Japon © Pauline Chardin
Taketomi - Okinawa - Japon © Romain Laprade
Taketomi - Okinawa - Japon © Romain Laprade
Ishigaki - Okinawa - Japon © Romain Laprade
Ishigaki - Okinawa - Japon © Romain Laprade

Itinerary

100% customisable for you

DAY 1 FLIGHT TO NAHA (OKINAWA)

Your 13-day trip through the Okinawa Archipelago begins with a flight to Naha via Tokyo. You’ll fly overnight and arrive in Japan the following morning.

When you arrive in Naha, we’ll whisk you away by private transfer to your accommodation for the next two nights. Your modern and comfortable hotel is the perfect place to unwind after your long flight. Relax this afternoon with a dip in the outdoor swimming pool, a soak in the jacuzzi or even a trip to the gym if you’re feeling up to it. This evening, toast to the beginning of your adventure in one of the two bars before a delicious meal in one of your hotel’s restaurants.

Naha is the most populous city on the island of Okinawa and the gateway to the archipelago. Like many Japanese cities, it’s a combination of rich cultural heritage and undeniable modernity. While you’re here, soak up some history and culture at the 14th-century Shuri Castle, or visit the Karate Kaikan museum to learn about the martial art that originated in Okinawa. Around Kokusai-dori Street, get lost in the shops, arcades and the Makishi Market. If you want to get out of the city, you can spend the day on the paradise island of Zamami, where you’ll dive between coral reefs and alongside turtles. Whatever you do, don’t miss trying the island’s famous ice cream sprinkled with salt.

Today, you’ll be privately transferred to Okinawa airport for your 45-minute flight to Miyako-jima. On arrival, pick up your rental car and drive to the island’s east coast. You’ll find your hotel in a heavenly setting nestled between fine sand and mountains. This is your home for the next three nights, which gives you plenty of time to enjoy breakfast overlooking the water, try some morning yoga on the beach, or simply lounge beside your own private swimming pool.

Miyako-jima is the main island of the five Miyako Islands, one of which is only accessible by boat, and all of which boast turquoise waters and magnificent white sands. With your rental car on hand, you can explore the island at your own pace as you travel from beach to beach or even island to island across the impressive bridges. These islands are a paradise for kayaking and snorkelling, so expect to come face to face with sea turtles and tropical fish. When you’re not at the beach, cruise through orchards, sugarcane fields and mangroves to see a different side of island life.

Today you’ll return your rental car and fly to Ishigaki. When you land, you’ll be privately transferred to the port before taking a ferry to Iriomote Island. You’ll spend two nights here in an small hotel close to several beaches. Relax this afternoon with a dip in the quiet swimming pool.

After breakfast in your hotel’s shady garden this morning, you’ll set out to explore the island in the company of a private guide. You’ll head towards the stunning Pinaisara falls, the tallest waterfall in Okinawa at 180ft. To get there, you’ll cross the mangroves in a canoe before walking for 30 minutes through the dense jungle. When you arrive, all that’s left to do is take a refreshing dip in the water.

Today you’ll take the ferry to Ishigaki Island and then Taketomi Island, where you’ll spend the next two nights. Your accommodation here will be a peaceful guest house with a relaxing garden full of colourful flowers. It’s located more or less in the centre of the island, so is perfect for exploring the shops and your surroundings on foot.

A tiny island of just two square miles, Taketomi-jima is tranquil and timeless. With just a handful of traditional houses with red tiled roofs, immaculate sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters and ox carts as the only means of transport, this is the Japan of another era, a place where you can truly switch off.

Today you’ll take the ferry back to Ishigaki and pick up another rental car, ready to explore the final island of your trip. While Ishigaki is more populous than some of its neighbours, it has nevertheless retained that paradisical quality, surrounded by emerald water and white sand beaches. We recommend spending some time on Sukuii beach, a long stretch of white sand with plenty of shady spots. You can also visit the Miyara Donchi, a samurai house, and the Buddhist temple of the Rinzai school. The Yaeyama Museum is a great place to learn more about the history and traditions of Ishigaki and the other Yaeyama islands. Finally, sampling some local pineapple should be top of your list – they are absolutely delicious.

You’ll spend your final night in Japan in a small pavilion beside a large, lush garden. Here, you’ll find a swimming pool, a spa and several restaurants, all a stone’s throw from the beautiful beach.

Today you’ll return your rental car to the airport and board your flight back to the UK via Tokyo. You’ll spend the night on board and arrive home the following day.

Suggestions

Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included

WITH A FEW MORE DAYS... VISIT TOKYO



This vibrant city needs no introduction. While you could easily spend weeks getting to grips with this dynamic capital, a few days is enough to get a good overview of Tokyo by visiting the Senso-ji temple of Asakusa, admiring the street style in bustling Shinjuku, or sifting through customised creations in Nakameguro’s indie shops. Early risers should head to the Tsukiji fish market to watch skilled workers as they cut up gigantic tuna, while history buffs will enjoy the Edo-Tokyo Museum, which traces the history of the capital through its architecture. There are plenty of art galleries to choose from here, whether the Mori Art Museum or the Hara Contemporary Art Museum. And if you’re not afraid of heights, don’t miss the view of the city from one of the city’s many observation decks.

Why visit Japan with Original Travel ?

Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.

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A few of the benefits of travelling with us to Japan

  • Our local Concierges
  • The Original Travel app
  • Airport lounge access
  • Wi-Fi router and e-Sim
  • Destination Dossier
  • 24-hour helpline
  • Expert guides
  • 100% carbon absorption

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A rough idea of the price

Depending on the time of year, type of accommodation and activities

The estimated cost for this trip starts from £3,835 to £5,735 per person. The final cost of the trip depends on the way we tailor it especially for you. The final cost varies according to several factors, which include the level of service, length of trip and advance booking time. The exact price will be provided on your personalised quote. The average starting price for this trip is £4,955 per person.

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