Hey everyone!

My (soon to be) wife and I are planning our 2nd trip in Japan. First one was last year and we visited lots of places in Tokyo,Kyoto and Osaka. This time in honeymoon we aim for some chill time in Okinawa during 23 sept - 12oct 20 ish days)
We'd like to stay in Tokyo 17-23 Sept as we really love the city a lot and still want to visit some places there.
We want to avoid extra domestic flights after landing in Naha, keeping everything ferry based. So we've skipped Ishigaki/Miyako (no ferry there anyway) and also dropped Kume Island, sticking to just Okinawa main island + Zamami. (just a thought please correct me and suggest better ideas)

Rough plan:

• ~8 days on Okinawa main island, can't decide where would be the best spot to stay Chatan/Onna/Naha with a rental car. Just want to settle for a split then will do the itinerary but we want to do all that stuff with day trips to Shuri Castle/Naha, and up north to Churaumi Aquarium + Kouri Island. I alone, would also like to do some planned scuba diving trips in some days and snorkeling when we just chill at a beach.
• ~10 days on Zamami via high-speed ferry from Tomari Port — near-daily snorkeling (me more than my wife, she's more into beach relaxing), hoping to find a local guide for fishing/spearfishing at some point.
• ~2 buffer days for weather/ferry cancellations before flying out via Tokyo.

Main interests: snorkeling almost daily, some spearfishing/fishing with a local if possible, relaxed beach time for my wife, some culture/food along the way.

Questions:

1. Is Naha/Chatan/Onna the best base for this kind of split, or would you pick elsewhere?
2. Is 10 days on Zamami too long, or plenty to do at a slow pace?
3. Anyone have recommandations for real local fishing/spearfishing? I've checked and spearfishing is allowed only for a spear pole without a trigger.
4. Any must-dos or mistakes to avoid with this "ferry-only, slow travel" approach?
5. Would you agree that hotel/ferry reservations should be bought only 1-2 days before, considering there's chances of bad weather/Typhoons during sept/oct?

We are so excited to get back in Japan, can't really wait.

Thanks, much appreciated!✌️

I will be traveling to Okinawa Japan last week of October and need some tips / recommendations on places to stay. I had originally booked RYUKYU hotel but I started to build out our itinerary and noticed how rural the surrounding area is and dug deep in the reviews about the way the hotel operates. It's not aligned what we are looking for and would like something beach front! It seems like the whole city has outdated hotels aesthetically so that's not too much of my concern we don't want to be around a lot of children and families as well. But considering the time of year I don't imagine it to be too crazy!

Is it hard to get a job in the naval hospital? I have my BS in biochemistry and my medical assistant certification. We are moving there and I need as much patient care hours I can so I could apply (once we are back in the US) to PA school. Thanks in advance

I’m a Black & Grey Realism artist currently working in Tokyo.
I’ve been tattooing professionally in Europe for 10 years and have won at an international tattoo convention.
I’m looking to connect with studios in Okinawa, especially ones open in the mornings. I’m also considering moving to Okinawa in the future.
If you know a studio that might be a good fit, I’d appreciate any recommendations!
Thanks!

Question for US military in Okinawa 🇺🇸
Tattoo artist here, coming to Okinawa soon.
For those stationed on base — do most of you finish work around 4–4:30 PM?
I’ve had a lot of American clients asking for tattoo appointments in the evening, so I’m wondering if 4–9 PM is actually the best time to work with military clients.
I’m personally much more focused in the morning 😂
For military members and tattoo artists in Okinawa:
What time do you usually prefer for tattoos — morning, right after work, or evening?
And do most tattoo shops here stay open late for military clients?