American Village

The tour guide was very nice, and everyone was punctual. There are two easy-go tours, one for central Japan and one for northern Japan, so make sure to ask for the meeting point. The tour guide will also check the passenger list before boarding. Arrive early to avoid getting on the wrong bus. Seating is assigned, so please don't sit randomly. It rained heavily on January 1st, which unfortunately prevented us from taking many good photos of the outdoor scenery. Cape Manzamo was especially beautiful, but the heavy rain made it difficult. The aquarium was nice, but it was very crowded and uncomfortable during the Japanese New Year. If you're interested in American fashion, the last stop, American Village, has many authentic and high-quality clothing items, including fan-made American comic book costumes – you'll have plenty to choose from. Therefore, one hour isn't enough time to explore American Village. If you want to explore properly, you can leave the group and take a bus back to Naha city. I recommend choosing a weekday with good weather for the entire trip; it will be perfect. Otherwise, carrying an umbrella all the time can be quite inconvenient.

The driver was very nice, the trip had plenty of time so I wasn't worried about just rushing through, and the price was very cheap. The seats were comfortable and the space was large. I chose to get off at American Village, and afterwards I could take a bus back on my own.

Transportation to attractions in the north is inconvenient, so joining a day tour solved many problems. Our guide, Qian, was professional, providing interesting and clear explanations of the attractions, and the timing was perfect. Even when we got separated from the group at American Village, the guide explained how to get back on our own, which was very thoughtful.

Because of the distance and long travel time, I was able to catch up on sleep on the bus since I woke up early. The tour leader was Japanese, mainly speaking Japanese, but we could also communicate in English. The weather was great, so the itinerary went smoothly. The tour leader clearly explained the meeting time at each stop, so be sure to be on time. After the guided tour at the Tropical Dream Center, those who had ordered Okinawa noodle sets would be provided with lunch before the tour ended. I recommend paying extra for the meal included; the portions were generous, and I personally thought it was quite delicious. After lunch, you can take the shuttle bus to the Churaumi Aquarium. If you don't want to wait for the shuttle bus, it's not too far to walk. Since I had been to the aquarium twice before, I had a general idea of the layout. For those who haven't been before, I suggest looking at a map beforehand, as the park is very large. Make sure you know where the parking lot is and allow time to walk to it so you don't rush.

The staff on site were friendly, and the ride was convenient and quick, taking about 45 minutes. It saved a lot of money and time compared to taking a taxi or bus. Staying on Kokusai-dori and having a good timetable made it very convenient. There were plenty of empty seats on the bus, and the coastal scenery on the way there was stunning.