If you’re planning a trip to Okinawa, the first step is to make a reservation! When it comes to that, many people probably start by searching online. Rakuten Travel and Jalan are likely the first sites that come to mind. There are also travel booking sites operated by foreign companies, not just domestic ones. It can be hard to decide which one to use, right?
So in this article, we’ll introduce recommended booking sites from travel agencies for trips to Okinawa, as well as how to choose the right one. We hope you’ll find this information useful when making your reservations.
[toc]Recommended Websites for Booking Okinawa Package Tours
| Reservation Site | Links | Discount Methods | Exclusive Benefits | Airline | Number of Participating Lodgings | Support | Cancel | Reservation Services |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 JTB |
Sales, Coupons | ◯: Yes | JAL, ANA, LCCs, and others | More than 500 accommodations | Phone, Email, In-Store | Internet, Phone | 24-hour service | |
| Polar Bear Tour | Sales & Coupons | ◯: Yes | All airlines | More than 100 accommodations | Phone, Email | Internet, Phone | 24-hour service | |
| HIS |
Sales, Coupons | ◯: Yes | All airlines | More than 350 accommodations | Phone, Email, Video | Internet, Phone | 24-hour service | |
| Jalan |
Sales, Coupons | ×: None | JAL, ANA, and other LCCs | More than 1,000 accommodations | Phone, Email | Internet | 24-hour service | |
| Rakuten Travel | Sales, Coupons | ×: None | JAL, ANA, SFJ, APN | More than 1,000 accommodations | Phone, Chat | Internet | 24-hour service | |
| Travel in Japan |
Sales & Coupons |
◯: Yes | JAL, ANA, SNA | More than 70 accommodations | Phone, Email, In-Store | Internet, Phone | 24-hour service |
JTB
JTBYou can book either a package deal or just accommodations. The key is how you choose to spend your trip!
JTB offers a variety of travel options both in Japan and abroad. In addition to domestic and international tours, they also handle reservations for ryokan and hotels. They offer a special plan called “Travel Experience Plus,” which provides free admission to tourist attractions and activity fees at your destination.
| Number of Participating Accommodations in Okinawa | 500 or more |
| Exclusive Bonus Content | Some plans available (How to Spend Your Trip+) |
| Flights to and from Okinawa | ◯: JAL, ANA, Solaseed Air, Jetstar |
| Car Rental Package | Available: Can be combined |
| Discount Methods | Sales, Coupons |
| Unique Features | Yes (grants 11 TP and 3 TP or more) |
| Support | Phone, Email, In-Store |
| Cancel | Internet, Phone |
| Maximum Number of Guests | Up to 13 nights |
| Booking Period | Reservations can be made up to 364 days before the date of stay. |
Polar Bear Tour
Keep an eye out for the best value plans that pop up from time to time.
Sells domestic and international package tour plans. The “12 Major Perks” plan, worth a total of 10,000 yen and including free admission tickets to Okinawa tourist attractions, is a great deal. Past offers have included a 2-night city resort stay plus airfare for 9,800 yen, and a 2-night stay at a northern Okinawa hotel plus airfare, a rental car, and perks for 11,800 yen.
| Number of Participating Accommodations in Okinawa | 100 or more |
| Exclusive Bonus Content | Some plans available (12 major benefits worth a total of 10,000 yen) |
| Flights to and from Okinawa | ◎: All airlines |
| Car Rental Package | Available: Can be combined |
| Discount Methods | Sales, Coupons |
| Unique Features | Yes (grants 11 TP and 3 TP or more) |
| Support | Phone, Email, In-Store |
| Cancel | Internet, Phone |
| Maximum Number of Guests | Up to 13 nights |
| Booking Period | Reservations can be made up to 364 days before the date of stay. |
HIS
HISA wide range of customization options
HIS’s Okinawa travel packages include not only airfare and accommodations but also a wide range of optional add-ons such as rental cars and activities. There’s also a package called “Let’s Play in Okinawa” that comes with exclusive ticket-based perks. For trips to Okinawa Main Island, you can use a dedicated shuttle bus with unlimited rides during your stay, allowing you to enjoy your trip even if you’re staying in Naha without a rental car.
| Number of Participating Accommodations in Okinawa | 350 or more |
| Exclusive Bonus Content | ・Some plans available (Spring/Summer: Let's Have Fun in Okinawa) ・Unlimited shuttle bus rides on the main island |
| Flights to and from Okinawa | ◯: All airlines |
| Car Rental Package | Available: Can be combined |
| Discount Methods | Sales, Coupons |
| Unique Features | None |
| Support | Phone, Email, Video |
| Cancel | Internet, Phone |
| Maximum Number of Guests | Stays at the hotel are limited to a maximum of 14 nights. |
| Booking Period | Reservations can be made starting about one year before your stay. |
Jalan
JalanCheck out coupons for up to 80,000 yen off package tours
As an online travel booking site, it’s just as popular as Rakuten. It doesn’t offer any exclusive perks. While the points rewards are less generous than Rakuten’s, it excels in discounts and coupons. During “Jalan Special Week” (held five times a year), coupons offering 80,000 yen off package deals are sometimes available.
| Number of Participating Accommodations in Okinawa | 1,000 or more |
| Exclusive Bonus Content | ×: None |
| Flights to and from Okinawa | ◯: JAL, ANA, Skymark, StarFlyer, Peach |
| Car Rental Package | Available: Can be combined |
| Discount Methods | Sales, Coupons |
| Unique Features | Yes (grants 11 TP and 3 TP or more) |
| Support | Phone, Email |
| Cancel | Internet |
| Maximum Number of Guests | Package tours are for up to 13 nights |
| Booking Period | Up to 330 days before your stay |
Rakuten Travel
Let's compare based on sales, discounts, and reward points
As an online travel booking site, it’s just as popular as Jalan. However, since it doesn’t offer any exclusive perks, be sure to compare it with other companies based on the actual cost—including discounts and point accrual rates. You’re most likely to find the best deals on the first day of the Super Sale (held four times a year)—especially within the first hour—or on specific days when there are Okinawa-exclusive sales. However, deals during the rest of the Super Sale period or other sales aren’t particularly attractive, so be sure to compare prices carefully.
| Number of Participating Accommodations in Okinawa | 1,000 or more |
| Exclusive Bonus Content | ×: None |
| Flights to and from Okinawa | ◯: JAL, ANA, StarFlyer, Peach |
| Car Rental Package | Available: Can be combined |
| Discount Methods | Sales, Coupons |
| Unique Features | Yes (grants 11 TP and 3 TP or more) |
| Support | Phone, Chat |
| Cancel | Internet |
| Maximum Number of Guests | Up to 29 nights |
| Booking Period | Up to 330 days before your stay |
Travel in Japan
Travel in JapanThe Okinawa plan is neither good nor bad.
The number of participating accommodations is smaller than other sites. It offers the Utui Muchi Coupon (Akatabi Coupon) (in Okinawa, 3,000 yen per person for reservations made 55 days in advance). A key feature is the large number of eligible facilities and hotels. When comparing with other companies, we recommend including the value of this electronic coupon in your comparison.
| Number of Participating Accommodations in Okinawa | 70 or older |
| Exclusive Bonus Content | Available on select plans (Summer: Utui Muchi Coupon) |
| Flights to and from Okinawa | ◯: JAL, ANA, Solaseed Air |
| Car Rental Package | Available: Can be combined |
| Discount Methods | Sales, Coupons |
| Unique Features | None |
| Support | Phone, Email, In-Store |
| Cancel | Internet, Phone |
| Maximum Number of Guests | Up to 7 nights |
| Booking Period | Reservations can be made starting about one year before your stay. |
How to Find the Best Times to Book with Each Travel Agency
"Shirokuma Tour": Irregularly Offered Super-Cheap Plans
"Shirakuma Tour" offers great value for money on stays at resort hotels in Okinawa. By combining low-cost carriers (LCCs) with lower-tier rooms, they consistently provide great deals (though there are also options with nicer rooms!). A few times a year, on an irregular basis, prices drop to levels that make you wonder, "Is this even possible?"
August 2024: 2 Nights in Naha + Round-Trip Airfare Starting at 9,800 yen per person
August 2024. A mysterious deal appeared out of nowhere. A limited-time offer was available for a two-night stay (room only) at a city resort in Naha, plus round-trip airfare, for 9,800 yen per person when sharing a room with three others. “Isn’t that a huge loss?” some of my followers on Okibura were worried (lol). Of course, it sold out immediately.
August 2024: 2 Nights in Nago + Airfare + Car Rental + Perks—Starting at 11,800 yen per person
August 2024. A baffling deal suddenly appeared. It was a package deal featuring a two-night stay in a premium room at a rebranded hotel in Nago City (room only), round-trip airfare, a rental car with collision damage waiver, and 12 major perks worth a total of 10,000 yen (one set per person). For three people sharing a room, the price came out to 11,800 yen per person. “Essentially, it’s a trip to Okinawa for about the same price as seeing a movie!”—it caused a bit of a stir, lol.
May 2023: Onna Village Resort—Packed with Perks! Starting at 41,000 yen per person
May 2023. A premium resort hotel in Onna Village, a hugely popular resort destination in Okinawa—featuring top-tier rooms / A package was offered that included a 2-night stay with breakfast, round-trip airfare, a rental car with collision damage waiver, 12 major perks worth a total of 10,000 yen (one set per person), 5,000 yen in hotel gift certificates, and one bottle of awamori per group—all for 41,000 yen per person when four people shared a room. At that time, the same package on Rakuten Travel cost approximately 50,000 yen per person (of course, without the perks).
If you're looking to take advantage of regular sales, check out "Jalan and Rakuten"
During the "Jalan Special Week" (held five times a year) and the "Rakuten Travel Super Sale" (held four times a year), package tours are likely to be at their lowest prices. Both events offer discounts and coupons that can be used"Low Prices"Let's keep this in mind.
When using Rakuten Travel, be sure to check your points earning rate and compare prices based on the effective cost.
For exclusive bonuses, check out “JTB, Shirokuma, HIS, and Nippon Travel.”
Package tours sold by travel agencies include,Each company's own exclusive perksThere are plans that include this feature. This is not available on Rakuten Travel or Jalan.
When it comes to travel, the vast majority of people visit tourist attractions. In Okinawa Prefecture, too, admission fees for tourist attractions are rising due to high living costs. Various companies offer their own exclusive perks that allow you to enjoy these attractions for free.
I'll list the perks in order of value.
1st Place: JTB “How to Spend Your Trip Plus”
Enjoy free access to various tourist attractions on Okinawa Main Island, Ishigaki Island, and Miyako Island, as well as unlimited discounted hands-on activities. Participating locations may vary depending on the season, so please check the dedicated page for details.
2nd Place: Shirokuma Tour “12 Great Perks Worth a Total of 10,000 Yen”
Several tourist attractions on Okinawa Main Island are offering free admission, and Okashi Goten is giving away souvenirs. Please check the dedicated page for details.
3rd Place: HIS “Let’s Have Fun in Okinawa”
This is the Okinawa edition of the “Let’s Play in Spring and Summer” campaign (so I guess there isn’t an autumn and winter version…?). They issue coupons that are similar to gift certificates redeemable locally. There’s a plan that includes 6 “LeaLea Coupons,” which let you choose from a variety of options such as experiences, dining, and sightseeing. Per person: 6 coupons (each worth 500–1,000 yen). Additional coupons can be purchased in advance. They’re also valid at the Churaumi Aquarium. It’s great that they can be used at participating restaurants as well. Please check the dedicated page for details.
4th Place: Nippon Travel “Utuimuchi Coupon”
This is the least expensive of the four options. For Okinawa package tours booked at least 55 days in advance, we’ll issue a 3,000-yen electronic coupon for each person. These coupons can be used at restaurants and tourist attractions. Please check the dedicated page for details.
Why Flight + Hotel Packages Are Inexpensive
So-called package tours, which combine round-trip airfare and hotel accommodations, are generally cheaper than booking these separately. The reason for this is that,
・Great value due to price competition with rivals
・Low cancellation rate and low risk
・There are exclusive perks offered by travel agencies
・Special prices may be available
These are some of the reasons. There are also plenty of benefits for us users. I’ve summarized them in an article, so please take a look.
Summary
For trips to the mainland, since people can travel by car, they tend to make individual reservations rather than book package tours.
However, since Okinawa is a remote island, flying there is a must, and the vast majority of people book a rental car.
If you book your hotel, flight, and rental car separately—just as you would for a trip within the mainland—the total cost may end up being higher than if you booked a package deal. However,When you book a package tour, not only do you get lower prices, but you also enjoy exclusive perks from each company that make your Okinawa vacation even more affordable.Don't forget that...
With prices so high, this exclusive bonus is super easy on your wallet!
Well then, everyone, I'll be waiting for you in Okinawa!
