OKINAWA

Travel

Photo Of A street in Vietnam, several motorcycles parked.

Sponsored content

Get published in Stars and Stripes Destination Paradise magazine 2026-27

It’s time to book your flights and pack your bags to go on your next adventure! We know you love to travel as much as we do and being stationed in the Pacific provides great access to all the beautiful countries you never imagined you’d get to see.

Photo Of Bird’s eye-view of Okinawa Peace Memorial Park.

Sponsored content

12 family-friendly Battle of Okinawa sites to visit

All throughout Okinawa you’ll find remnants of the Battle of Okinawa, a major World War II campaign fought over the course of three months in 1945.

Photo Of Shoji on a kayak poses for a photo.

Sponsored content

VIDEO: Kayaking on Hija River in Okinawa

Though Okinawa is home to beautiful beaches to enjoy the crystal waters surrounding the island, you can also enjoy an adventure while kayaking in some of the area’s rivers.

Photo Of Illustration of Shoji Kudaka and Takahiro Takiguchi

Sponsored content

Video: Speakin’ Japanese: I want to buy this

While you’re enjoying shopping at a shop in Japan, you may wonder what you can say in Japanese when you want to buy a souvenir.

Photo Of The Panuska family poses for a photo on the beach.

Sponsored content

Kids’ take on Pacific Travel: Vacation in Hawaii

I visited a cool island called Hawaii with my family. We went to an amazing pineapple farm. There was pineapple ice cream.

Photo Of The statue of Commodore Perry.

Sponsored content

Retracing Commodore Perry’s footprint in Yokosuka, Japan

But both are where American Commodore Perry and his “Black Ships” landed in 1853, which marked the beginning of diplomacy and trade agreements between the U.S. and Japan.

Photo Of

Sponsored content

Did you know?: Rainy season in Japan

The rainy season in Japan is cheerily referred to as “tsuyu,” or plum rain, as it coincides with the seasonal ripening of this luscious fruit.

Photo Of

Sponsored content

Exploring Okinawa: Uncovering Nanjo City’s hidden spots

Because I didn’t know what my options were until I arrived, I set aside the afternoon of my anime sightseeing day trip to Nanjo City for whatever locally spoke to me.

Photo Of National Diet exterior

Sponsored content

VIDEO: Take a glimpse of heart of Japanese politics at National Diet Building in Tokyo

Japan’s National Diet Building, known in Japanese as Kokkaigijido, is the center of the country’s politics

Photo Of

Sponsored content

Ssssssneaky Sssssnakes! Watch out for Okinawa’s venomous habu

You may not believe this, but I once saw a habu beat a mongoose in a cross-species duel when I was a kid.

Photo Of

Sponsored content

VIDEO: Okuma Beach offers great lodging, activities in Okinawa

On Okinawa there are many beaches perfect for a fun day, but Okuma Beach managed by Kadena FSS is one you won’t want to miss.

Photo Of One of the beaches in Okinawa.

Sponsored content

VIDEO: Exploring Okinawa: Relaxing time in Nakijin and Yagaji

Nakijin Village in the northern part of Motobu Peninsula and Yagaji Island on the other side of an inland sea offer great destinations for your chill-out day.

Photo Of two divers can be seen.

Sponsored content

Diving in Okinawa: Explore mysterious underwater ruins in Yonaguni

Are you an adventure-seeker with a passion for history and diving? Then get ready to explore one of the world’s most mysterious underwater sites—Yonaguni!

Photo Of A road and the beach on Hamahiga Island.

Sponsored content

VIDEO: Quick trip to ‘God’s Island’ in Okinawa

Hamahiga Island, located to the east of Katsuren Peninsula, is known as “Kami no Shima,” or “God’s Island.”

The best stories from the Pacific, in your inbox

Sign up for our weekly newsletter of articles from Japan, Korea, Guam, and Okinawa with travel tips, restaurant reviews, recipes, community and event news, and more.

Sign Up Now