Transportation
- Top Regional Airline
- Peach Aviation or Jetstar Japan (Operating from Naha LCC Terminal)
- Top International Airline
- China Airlines, EVA Air, or All Nippon Airways (ANA)
- Highway Access
- Okinawa Expressway (Runs from Naha to Nago/Kyoda exit)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Yui Rail (Monorail) Naha Airport Station to Shuri
- Public Transport Passes
- OKICA IC Card (Rechargeable) or monorail 1-day pass (¥800)
- Regional Travel
- High-speed limited express buses or Yanbaru Express to Northern Okinawa
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- GO App or DiDi; Uber is available but primarily for licensed taxis
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- OKICA bike sharing or 'Rental 819' for scooters (~¥4,000/day)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Naminoue Beach (Naha) for quick city dipping or Araha Beach (Chatan) for nomad sunset vibes
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Adventist Medical Center (Nishihara) - excellent English-speaking staff
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga Tree Okinawa (Chatan) with classes for ¥2,500
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Anytime Fitness (Multiple locations, ~¥7,500/month) or Naha City Gymnasium
- Laundry Services
- Coin Laundry 'Wash & Fold' outlets common across Naha and Chatan (¥800/load)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- UberEats and Wolt (Widely active in Naha and Chatan)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Goya Champuru (Bitter melon stir-fry) at Mikado (¥800) or Okinawa Soba
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Tamie's Kitchen (Chatan) or Ukishima Garden (Naha)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Blue Seal Ice Cream (Urasoe flagship) or Beni-imo (purple yam) tarts from Okashigoten
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- San-A Main Place (Naha) or AEON Mall Okinawa Rycom
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon Japan and Rakuten (Delivery usually takes 2-3 days from mainland)
- Grocery Delivery
- Aeon Net Super or Coop Okinawa
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Matsuyama (Naha) for clubs or American Village (Chatan) for craft beer
- Local Brewery
- Helios Distillery or Chatan Harbor Brewery
- Wine Bars
- Wine Shop & Bar Tsuchiya (Naha)
- Street Food Stalls
- Sakaemachi Market (Naha) - atmospheric izakayas and stalls in an old market
- Popular International Cuisine
- Gordie’s Hamburgers (Chatan) or Transit Cafe (Mediterranean)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Shuri Castle (Shuri-jo) Park (Reconstruction site) and Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
- Museums & Art Venues
- Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum (OPMAM) in Omoromachi
- Historical Sites
- Himeyuri Peace Museum and the Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters
- Religious Sites
- Naminoue Shrine (Perched on a cliff) and Futenma Shrine
- Annual Events
- Naha Giant Tug-of-War (October) and Shuri Castle Festival (November)
- Cultural Districts
- Tsuboya Pottery District (Yachimun Street) in Naha
- Theater Venues
- National Theatre Okinawa (Traditional Kumiodori performances)
- Local Markets
- Makishi Public Market (The 'Kitchen of Okinawa') in Naha
- Music Scene
- Live houses on Kokusai Dori featuring Sanshin music (e.g., Minyo Stage)
- Street Art
- Koza (Okinawa City) - vibrant murals reflecting the US-Japan cultural mix
- Cooking Classes
- Taste of Okinawa (Naha) - market tour and cooking class (¥6,500)
- Art Galleries
- G-Shelter or various independent pottery galleries in Yomitan
- Historic Buildings
- Nakamura House (Traditional 18th-century Okinawan residence)
- Local Heritage
- Shisa Lions (Protective statues found on every roof)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Kerama Islands (1-hour ferry from Naha) for world-class snorkeling
- National Parks Nearby
- Yanbaru National Park (Northern forests and trekking)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Mihama Sunset Walkway (Chatan) or Seawall paths in Yomitan
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Cape Manzamo (Onna Village) and Chinen Misaki Park
- Birdwatching Locations
- Manko Wetland (Urban RAMSAR site) in Naha
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Designated BBQ pits at Ginowan Tropical Beach (Permit required)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Yamato Transport (Kuroneko) or Sagawa Express
- Tech Repair Services
- Bic Camera (Naha) or PC Depot in Oroku
- Table Tennis Spots
- Naha City Health Center (Public tables) or Round1 Ginowan
- Language Classes
- ICLC Okinawa Japanese Language School (Naha)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Okinawa Prefectural Library (Asahibashi) - State-of-the-art with great desks
- Community Centers
- Naha City Community Center (Mebuki)
- Gaming Lounges
- Esports Challenger's Park in Naha
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Pachinko parlors like Jumbo or Maruhan (No legal casinos)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. ¥850,000 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = ¥25,500,000 / $170k)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. ¥550,000 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = ¥16,500,000 / $110k)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. ¥800,000 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = ¥40,000,000 / $265k)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. ¥500,000 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = ¥25,000,000 / $165k)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. ¥750,000 per m² (e.g., 75 m² = ¥56,250,000 / $375k)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. ¥450,000 per m² (e.g., 75 m² = ¥33,750,000 / $225k)
- Corporate Tax
- Standard rate is approx. 30.6% (Combined national and local taxes)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 20.42% for non-residents, often reduced by tax treaties
- Tax System
- Global income for 'Permanent Residents'; non-permanent residents taxed on local income
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 45% (National) + 10% (Local Resident Tax) = 55%
- VAT
- 10% (Consumption tax for most goods), 8% for food/takeaway
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, Japan has robust Anti-Tax Haven (CFC) rules
- Property Tax
- Yes, Fixed Asset Tax at approx. 1.4% of assessed value annually
- Property Transaction Tax
- Real Estate Acquisition Tax (approx. 3-4%) and Registration/License Tax
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Japan Digital Nomad Visa (6 months) currently requires ¥10M annual income; no 0% tax benefit
Essentials
- City
- Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan
- Population
- Approximately 320,000 (Naha City), 1.46 million (Prefecture)
- Internet Speed
- High-speed fiber and 5G widely available; average 120 Mbps
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 150 JPY, 1 EUR ≈ 162 JPY; local banks include Bank of Okinawa and Ryukyu Bank
- Tap Water
- Safe to drink, though many locals prefer filtered water due to high mineral content (hard water)
- Power
- 100V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (2-flat pins)
- SIM Card
- Ubigi (eSIM), Sakura Mobile (long-term), or Mobal; physical cards at Naha Airport for ~¥4,500/month
- Banking for Expats
- Sony Bank (English app), Revolut (standard), or JP Post Bank for long-term residents
- Accommodation
- Monthly mansions like Ryukyu Rental or hotels like Hyatt Regency Naha
- Cashless Friendly
- Improving; Paypay, Rakuten Pay, and Credit Cards accepted in Naha, but small izakayas require cash
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb (avg. ¥8,000/night) and Agoda Homes
- Budget Accommodation
- The Kitchen Hostel AO (¥3,500/night) or Little Asia Guest House (¥2,000/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Kokusai Dori (Naha) for shopping/food or American Village (Chatan) for beach vibes
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Chatan (Sunabe/Mihama) for walking to cafes or Omoromachi (Naha) for urban amenities
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Lagoon Koza in Okinawa City (Free usage periods) or Howlive in Naha (¥2,200/day)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Zhyvago Coffee Works (Chatan) - fast Wi-Fi and ocean views (¥600 latte)
- Networking Events
- Startup Lab Lagoon meetups or the 'Okinawa Digital Nomads' Facebook group events
- Social Events for Expats
- Language exchange meetups at 'Okinawa Eigo' sessions in Naha or Chatan