See here for my Okinawa with kids article – as this article only covers time in Nago (on the mainland) with kids.
A little caveat from me:
**While Okinawa is so beautiful and we have had an incredible time here – please also note that some families are surprised that Okinawa accommodation options for families aren’t always very well-kept or very modern. This means that it can feel like you are paying for luxury accommodation while the actual facilities aren’t always as fancy as the price tag might have you imagine.
There are also a lot of pool rules at many resorts in Japan (even when it comes to swimming timings at the beach) which can make it hard if you have kids who enjoy rough play in the pool (children’s pools and waterslide areas are, of course, fine though). If you have bigger kids who like jumping, splashing, rough play or diving – a private villa may be a better option.
The main reason for many of these rules is because a large number of Japanese children and adults aren’t such confident swimmers and, as a result, pool lifeguards are quite nervous when it comes to keeping everyone safe. This can be a bit of a culture shock for those who are visiting from overseas. This hasn’t impacted our time in Okinawa at all but I did watch other families look confused and a bit frustrated so I think I wouldn’t be including the whole picture if I didn’t take the time to include this information here for families to take on board before making family vacation plans.
The weather in Okinawa is significantly warmer in the summer months – which is fabulous – but it is not unusual for pools and outdoor activities to be closed or flights to be delayed due to bad weather / typhoons in June – Oct. We were so so lucky that we didn’t see a single drop of rain in late-Jun through early July but I do encourage you to have travel insurance sorted ahead of time and to pack a few indoor activities for kids.
If you are worried about any of the things I have mentioned above – you may want to compare options (and prices) for taking a week in Bali, Vietnam or Thailand after all of your mainland Japan adventures instead**
Renting a car from outside Naha Airport
We stayed at Busena Terrace in Okinawa and drove from the airport in Naha for an hour to the hotel. This also gave us flexibility for exploring and sightseeing. This is the exact car I booked in Okinawa. Please note that the car rental places aren’t right at the airport so you’ll need to take a free shuttle to the pick up location – the shuttles finish at 8pm.
I have written in detail about our stay at Busena Terrace here.
PLEASE NOTE: This article contains some affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Where to stay in Okinawa with kids?
Busena Terrace
We stayed at Busena Terrace and I have written in detail about our stay at Busena Terrace here.
ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort by IHG
I haven’t stayed at this hotel yet (although I have phsyically visited this property and eaten at one of the restaurants)- however I had a reader give me a generous and honest review.
This hotel is right on the water and they have a big inflatable climbing course on the water for their guests.
It’s a very family centric hotel with lots of activities and crafts and the restaurants have high chairs and kids plates. Unfortunately rooms are only for 2 adults – although you can fit in more kids if they are small enough to bed share. For the bigger rooms (suites and some corner rooms) you can request a trundle bed.
The hotel is lovely and clean and has everything you need. However, like most hotels in Okinawa, it is a bit dated.
We love the pizza restaurant just outside the hotel (you can dine here even if you’re staying at another hotel, of course.)
This hotel is approximately 1 hour from Naha Airport. You can take the Okinawa Airport Shuttle, a taxi or rent a car.
Super Hotel Nago
I’ve stayed with this brand a few times. It’s a great option if you are on a budget. They have everything you could need. Small, clean rooms. The Nago branch has a public bath (a male and female separate bath.) This is definitely not a resort though so it’s a good option if you are only doing tours or just spending time on the beach. Rooms are for 1-3 people (depending on the room type.) The room rate includes a simple breakfast buffet.
PLEASE NOTE: This article contains some affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Sightseeing in the Nago area with kids
Churaumi Aquarium
This aquarium is in the Nago area. We went to this aquarium many years ago (before we had kids) and were very excited to take our children.
I must be honest – I was so disappointed with this aquarium. I’m not saying don’t go (especially if your kids love aquariums) but I ams saying that, if you are short for time, I wouldn’t say it is a “must.” It is just quite run down and the enclosures are all quite similar. There is also not a lot of focus on keeping the animals / sealife super comfortable. I think this is such a shame as there are SO many visitors everyday – they must have lots of cash to make it a truly spectacular place. I implore them to charge way more for the tickets and make this aquarium world class quality.
We bought tickets at the aquarium on the day but you can also buy tickets ahead of time on Klook OR you can buy them at convenience stores near the aquarium for a slightly discounted price.
Just a warning – the dolphin show is quite slow and a bit icky. Animal welfare concerns aside for a short moment – for how much money they must be making (the place was PACKED!) they should be charging more in order to just make it all a bit more slick, more entertaining and much more beautiful enclosures for their “performers.”
Like most zoos and aquariums around the world, they make you walk through the gift shop at the exit. But it was a delightful surprise that there were all these lovely food trucks right outside the exit too! Such a cool idea!
If it’s not too hot outside, the playground outside the aquarium is really impressive ( no aquarium tickets required to play here either.) It’s called Kids Adventureland and you can see lost of pictures on the official site here.
There is a Starbucks just a few mins shy of the Churaumi Aquarium with a drive-thru. In case you don’t see it – put Starbucks Okinawa Hanasaki Marche into google maps.
And 2 mins drive or 7 mins walk is a family-friendly local Okinawa cafe roadside restaurant called Kairo.
They serve up taco rice (taco meat on rice), curry rice, taco omurice (taco meat served on rice wrapped in an omelette and Okinawan soba noodles. Please note that this restaurant is cash only and is not the kind of restaurant you can ask for a customised menu. This place is so rustic, charming and just beachside cafe type vibes.
KAIRO
国頭郡本部町字山川1056-1
OPEN WED-MON 11:30AM-9PM (CLOSES AT 5:30PM ON FRIDAYS)
CLOSED TUESDAYS
On the way back from the aquarium you can also stop at Nago Pineapple Park.
Or you could be a weirdo like me and stop to get out of the car to take a photo of the orange shaped public toilet (just near Imizu Parlor cafe.)
Where to eat in Nago with kids?
Pizza in the Sky (Kajinho)
My husband and I first came here even before kids. It’s the BEST! These days, however, it is REALLY popular. For this reason I recommend arriving 10-15 mins ahead of opening time to avoid having to wait – especially when it’s hot and especially with kids. Please note that they are closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
If you sit indoors while eating they have toddler chairs – please note that everyone will need to remove their shoes. Sit outside if you can though as the view is spectacular. See the full Pizza in the Sky menu here.
KAJINHO (aka PIZZA IN THE SKY)
Haleaina Hoa
Haleaina Hoa is casual Hawaiian / Japanese fusion . Make a reservation on their website (they don’t accept any reservations over the phone) or just turn up in person. Budget approx 2000 yen per adult for lunch here and more like 4500 yen for dinner. They have a kids menu and they also have space for strollers. They accept most major credit cards. The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
There is a convenience store, crepe store and an ice-cream store right across the road so you can get dessert right afterwards. The Lawson across the road also sells nappies/diapers.
Hale Aina Hoa, Hawaiian restaurant in Nago, Okinawa. The salmon and the fried chicken.
HALEAINA HOA
沖縄県国頭郡恩納村字名嘉真2159-1
2159-1 NAKAMA, ONNA-SON, KUNIGAMI-GUN, OKINAWA
OPEN 10AM-3PM & 5PM-10PM
Where to buy nappies/diapers in Nago, Okinawa?
I don’t find buying nappies as difficult as in some other parts of Japan.
In Nago, the Lawson at Onna Imbu Beach sells a few options.
Read more about the different types of diapers sold in Japan here.
I also recommend shopping for diapers at the big drugstores in Nago called “Drugstore Mori” – they also sell groceries, make up and alcohol. It has a big apple character on their signs.
The Domestic Terminal at Naha Airport with kids
We flew from Naha to Tokyo. We were pleasantly surprised with the food options in the airport for snacks before we took off.
The Royal Bakery Shop within the domestic terminal, before security, at Naha Airport also have curry pan (bread with Japanese curry inside.) It is open from 6:30am.
Get internet sorted before you go
I like using pocket wifi in Japan as the kids can also connect to me.
But for this visit, I couldn’t collect it at the airport or have it sent to the hotel as a typhoon had been through the area the week before. So we had to wait until a few days and we did find wifi in the Okinawa hotels to be really touch and go. So I recommend organising a pocket wifi or an esim for while you are here.
