Okinawa Resort Hotels and Awamori: Luxury Beach Resorts with Ryukyuan Spirits

An emerald-green sea that continues endlessly, infinity pools that become one with the ocean, and the mellow awamori nurtured by island tradition: the area around Onnason in the central part of Okinawa's main island is one of Japan's foremost beach resort areas, facing the East China Sea. World-class luxury hotels line the coastline, making it a coveted place to stay where you can fully enjoy a superb resort stay and Okinawa's distinctive food culture.

The Resort Area of Onnason

Onnason is roughly one hour by car from Naha Airport. Blessed with scenic spots such as Manzamo and the Blue Cave, and lined with beautiful beaches, it is Okinawa's foremost resort. Luxury resort hotels are dotted along the coastline, and with refined facilities and services such as guest rooms overlooking the deep-blue sea, infinity pools, spas, and marine activities, they heighten the vacation mood.

Marine Activities

In the highly transparent sea, you can enjoy a variety of marine activities such as snorkeling, diving, sea kayaking, and SUP (stand-up paddle). The underwater world, where colorful tropical fish and coral reefs spread out, is breathtakingly beautiful. The mysterious snorkeling experience at the "Blue Cave" is also a popular activity in the Onnason area. Many tours include equipment rental and transport plans, making them easy to join even for beginners and families.

Awamori and Okinawa's Food Culture

When you visit Okinawa, one thing you will definitely want to taste is the traditional distilled liquor "awamori." Made from Thai rice and black koji, awamori becomes more mellow and smooth the longer it is aged as "kusu" (aged liquor). Together with island dishes such as goya champuru, rafute, sea grapes, and Okinawa soba, savoring it slowly on the rocks or with water is exceptional. There are many awamori distilleries in the prefecture, and some offer tours and tastings.

Access and Basic Information

For access, a rental car from Naha Airport takes roughly one hour, and using the Okinawa Expressway makes the trip smooth. Some hotels offer a shuttle service from the airport. The best season for swimming and marine sports is early summer to autumn. Even in winter it is mild and a resort stay can be enjoyed year-round, but from summer to autumn typhoons can have an effect, and activities may be canceled depending on sea conditions.

Practical Travel Notes

• Transport: There are also route buses, but services are limited, so a rental car is convenient for efficiently touring the nearby scenic spots and beaches. Book early in peak season.
• Enjoying the liquor: Much awamori has a relatively high alcohol content, and it can be enjoyed in various ways such as with water, with soda, or on the rocks. On days you drive, avoid drinking and use a designated driver service or taxi.
• Using the beach: In addition to hotel private beaches there are also public beaches, and the swimming season, presence of lifeguards, and jellyfish nets differ by facility. Check in advance.
• UV protection: Okinawa's sunlight is stronger than the mainland, so be thorough with sunscreen, a hat, a rash guard, and frequent hydration.

A Word of Advice

The typhoon season (roughly July to September) can affect flights, ferries, and marine activities. Prepare for sudden weather changes and leave a little room in your itinerary to be safe. If you want to enjoy a distillery tour or tasting, check business days and make reservations in advance. In Onnason, which offers the sea, food, and traditional liquor, try spending a relaxed holiday unique to Okinawa.

📚 Sources

This article draws on tourism guidance from Onna Village, published information on scenic spots such as Manzamo and the Blue Cave, guidance from resort hotels and marine-activity operators around Onna, and guidance from awamori distilleries. Descriptions of snorkeling at the Blue Cave and of awamori and aged kusu follow local and operator guidance. Beach swimming periods, activity cancellations, and distillery visiting days may change, so please confirm details on each facility and operator official sources before visiting.

Visitor Checklist

• Getting around: Local buses exist but are infrequent, so a rental car is convenient for touring the scenic spots and beaches efficiently; book early in peak season.
• Enjoying the drink: Awamori is often high in alcohol with various serving styles; avoid drinking on days you drive, and use a designated-driver service or taxi.
• Beach use: Besides hotel private beaches there are public beaches, and swimming periods, lifeguards, and jellyfish nets vary by facility, so check in advance.
• UV protection: Okinawa sun is stronger than the mainland, so be thorough with sunscreen, a hat, a rash guard, and frequent hydration.
• Operations and weather: During the typhoon season (roughly July to September), flights, ferries, and marine activities can be affected, so allow some slack in your itinerary.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Definition of awamori (Okinawa Prefecture Sake Brewers Association): It must be made from rice (mainly indica, or long-grain, rice), use black koji mold, and be distilled in a single (pot) still.
• Labeling rules for kusu (aged awamori): Only awamori of which the entire volume has been stored for three years or more may be labeled kusu. This has applied since August 1, 2015 (Heisei 27), under a revision of the fair competition code on the labeling of awamori. Before the revision, awamori could be labeled kusu if more than 50% of the total volume had been aged for three years or more.
• Number of distilleries: The Okinawa Prefecture Sake Brewers Association has 47 member businesses (as published by the association, which was established in 2012).
• Yui Rail (from Naha Airport Station; adult one-way fare / journey time): Kencho-mae 290 yen, about 13 minutes; Makishi 320 yen, about 16 minutes; Omoromachi 320 yen, about 19 minutes; Shuri 360 yen, about 27 minutes; Tedako-Uranishi 390 yen, about 37 minutes.
• Airport limousine bus (Okinawa Bus): One-way fares from Naha Airport toward Onna Village (zones C, CD and D) start at 1,700 yen for adults and 850 yen for children (revised on April 1, 2026). Children under 3 travel free of charge if they do not occupy a seat.
• Limousine bus stop: From Friday, January 9, 2026, services leave from the new stop No. 1 at Naha Airport. For inquiries, contact the Okinawa Bus Airport Limousine Center (098-869-3301, 7:30-18:30).
• Guide to connection times (published by Okinawa Bus): For services from the airport to hotels, allow about 1 hour from the scheduled arrival time of your flight; for services from hotels to the airport, allow about 2 hours before the scheduled departure time of your flight.

Note: Whether distilleries can be visited, how to apply and any tour fee are not published collectively by the Okinawa Prefecture Sake Brewers Association (whether tours are offered differs from distillery to distillery). Note: The specific requirements for the geographical indication (GI) of Ryukyu Awamori were not published in detail on the association's relevant page. (Sources: Okinawa Prefecture Sake Brewers Association, Okinawa Urban Monorail (Yui Rail), Okinawa Bus)