I recently spent a month living and working remotely in Okinawa, and I’d like to share a summary of my experience here.
Accommodation and Daily Life
I stayed at a place called Lanai Hotel & Dormitory. Most of my work was done at the shared table in the common area. The majority of the other guests were from France, followed by visitors from Taiwan—which makes sense, as Okinawa is quite close to Taiwan and is a popular destination for Taiwanese travelers.
There was a discount supermarket nearby called Lopia, which only accepts cash but offers incredible value. I frequently bought pasta and other ingredients there and cooked in the hostel’s shared kitchen.
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For the first two weeks, I was almost entirely focused on work. The only sightseeing I did was visiting Shuri Castle. I had been there about a year and a half ago, but this time I was moved by how much progress had been made in restoring the roof. It’s scheduled to be fully restored by fall 2026, and I’d love to visit again then.
Senbero Yokocho – The Best Nightlife Spot
In the evenings, I often headed to Senbero Yokocho near Kokusai Street. For just 1,000 yen, you get three drinks and one food item—an incredible deal!
My top recommendation there is Adachiya, a retro-style Japanese pub serving deep-fried skewers. They offer unique drinks like mango beer, shikuwasa sours, Denki Bran, and Hoppy—bringing together Okinawan flair and nostalgic Showa vibes. I loved it so much, I went twice a week!
Food Highlights – Two Must-Try Spots
Mazemen Mahoroba
This is a one-of-a-kind dry noodle spot. I always get the large size with cheese and finish it off by mixing in a free bowl of rice at the end. Absolutely satisfying from the first bite to the last.
Toridama – Chicken & Egg Specialty Restaurant
Their chicken nanban set meal is divine. Crispy fried chicken with a generous serving of tartar sauce—and it’s high in protein too. Both delicious and nutritious!
Week 3 – Refreshing Getaway to Chatan & Rycom
During my third week, I took a little break and headed to Chatan. On the way, I stopped by Aeon Mall Rycom, one of Okinawa’s largest shopping malls—super convenient for shopping.
Chatan always lifts my spirits. I highly recommend visiting in the evening. Watching the sunset while sipping a beer on the Sunset Walk is pure bliss. There’s something magical about everyone quietly enjoying the same view—it creates a shared emotional moment that’s hard to describe.
Of course, I also indulged in burgers from A&W and ice cream from Blue Seal!
Productive Mornings by the Sea
The next morning, I kicked off the day with a morning session at a café along the Sunset Walk, which opens at 8 AM. I grabbed a pork tamago sandwich and coffee to go, then relaxed by the shore.
Looking out over the sea, I found myself reflecting—“It’s already been two years since I started this nomadic lifestyle…”
Naminoue Beach & Shrine
I visited Naminoue Beach several times during my stay. It’s easily accessible from the city and perfect for a quick refresh.
Strangely, I hadn’t visited Naminoue Shrine until this trip, even though it’s right next to the beach. It’s a prestigious Shinto shrine overlooking the ocean. Despite the chilly weather that day, I saw a few tourists. Standing there, gazing down at the sea, I felt my mind clear. It’s the kind of place that helps you escape the city's hustle and reset your mood.
Week 4 – Remote Island Life on Zamami
I originally wanted to visit Ishigaki Island, but the flight was too expensive. Instead, I took a ferry to Zamami Island!
You can reserve tickets online without logging in—about 3,000 yen one way. I chose the high-speed ferry, which gets you there over an hour faster than the regular one—definitely worth it if you're short on time.
Once on the island, I enjoyed relaxing walks by the beach and visited local izakayas. The crystal-clear Kerama Blue waters were absolutely stunning!
Dinner at Sanraku (SANTA) was memorable—I was surprised by the size of the rafute (Okinawan-style braised pork belly) and ended up tipsy after just one serving of awamori. I also tried the pork cutlet, which was another hit.
Zamami is also well-known for diving and snorkeling. I didn’t have time to try them this time, but if you're planning to do marine activities, I’d recommend staying at least one extra night.
Final Week – Savoring the Last Moments
After returning to Naha by ferry, my visits to Senbero Yokocho ramped up (lol). On the final day, I wrapped things up with some gloriously guilty comfort food at Ramen Izakaya Rakuma.
Final Thoughts – Okinawa is Pure Happiness for Digital Nomads
And just like that, my one-month nomad life in Okinawa came to an end. This brings my total time spent living in Okinawa to about three months—and honestly, life here brings a special kind of happiness.
It’s the kind of place that makes you want to come back on a whim.
