Top Spots for Workation in Okinawa Main Island! 3 Recommended Areas and Their Best Work Spaces

Recommended Area 1. Chatan

Features of Chatan

1. Beautiful beaches are just steps away - enjoy the full resort experience!

The highlight of Chatan is its beach & resort atmosphere!

The area features the popular American Village and Araha Beach, which are major tourist attractions.

It's the perfect workation spot for those who want to experience that true "resort" feeling while working.

2. Lots of Stylish Cafes!

Being a resort area, Chatan is home to many stylish cafes.

You can find oceanview cafes in American Village, perfect for Instagram-worthy workation shots!

However, during peak seasons like summer, these seaside cafes get quite crowded, making it difficult to stay and work for long periods.

3. No Train/Monorail Service - Transportation is Difficult Without a Car

One important thing to note about Okinawa is transportation.

The only rail service on the main island is the monorail that connects to Naha Airport. For areas not served by the monorail, you'll need to rely on cars or buses.

Since Chatan has no monorail service, you'll need to use rental cars or buses to get around.

However, if you don't plan to venture far, Chatan is ideal as many amenities are within walking distance.

4. Limited Coworking Space Options

There aren't many coworking spaces in the Chatan area.

If you need to work, you'll mainly be limited to hotels or cafes with power outlets. This might not be ideal for those who specifically want to work from coworking spaces.

Tourist Attractions

American Village

This is THE must-visit spot in Chatan - American Village!

The area features buildings and shops that capture an authentic American atmosphere.

Along the waterfront, you'll find numerous restaurants where you can enjoy meals while taking in beautiful ocean views.

At night, the entire area lights up, creating an exciting theme park-like atmosphere!

Araha Beach

A beach popular with both tourists and locals, especially known for its large American military community!

Beyond its beautiful shoreline, Araha Beach is notable for its expansive lawn areas.

You can enjoy various activities here:

• Swimming in the ocean

• Practicing yoga

• Playing beach volleyball

• Relaxing on the grass

• Taking leisurely walks

It's also famous as a sunset spot, so be sure to visit during the evening to catch the beautiful sunset views!

Work Spaces

ZHYVAGO COFFEE ROASTERY

ZHYVAGO COFFEE ROASTERY is a laptop-friendly cafe located in American Village, Chatan, Okinawa.

Power outlets are available at almost every counter and table seat on the second floor, with over 30 seats available.

The Wi-Fi speed is extremely fast at 182.5Mbps download speed (as of August 2023), making it perfect for remote work.

Located in the popular tourist spot of American Village, it's ideal for workation. Multiple free parking spaces are available within American Village for those coming by car.

The space is divided into two floors:

• 1st floor: Dining area

• 2nd floor: "CREATORS TABLE" dedicated workspace

The second floor is usually filled with freelancers and remote workers, making it a true digital nomad hub!

This is a must-visit cafe for anyone doing a workation in Okinawa!

29cafe Pine Tree Bless

29cafe Pine Tree Bless is a laptop-friendly cafe in Chatan, Okinawa.

Seating with power outlets:

• 8 counter seats on 2nd floor

• 4 tables along the wall

Wi-Fi speed: 24.08Mbps download (as of August 2023)

Located just 5 minutes walk from Araha Beach, perfect for enjoying sunset after work, making it ideal for workation.

Parking is available right in front of the store.

The cafe features stylish interior and exterior design that instantly lifts your mood. They offer a wide range of food and drinks, with their "cold-pressed juice" being a must-try!

Since it's slightly away from American Village, it's usually less crowded. Perfect for those who need to work for longer hours!

Recommended Area 2. Naha

Features of Naha

1. Easy to Get Around Without a Car Thanks to the Monorail

The biggest advantage of Naha is definitely its monorail system.

The monorail connects to all major locations, making it very convenient to get around.

If you want to visit tourist spots, cafes, and coworking spaces without renting a car, Naha is your best choice!

2. Various Hotels, Coworking Spaces, and Laptop-Friendly Cafes Available

Being the largest city on Okinawa's main island, Naha's biggest advantage is its abundance of facilities.

You have plenty of options to choose from:

• Multiple hotels for workation

• Various coworking spaces

• Different working environments

Many hotels even come with their own coworking spaces, making it perfect for long-term stays!

3. Less of a Resort Feel Due to Being a Business District

A common reaction from visitors to Naha is "It's more urban than I expected!"

Being a business district, Naha might not be ideal for those seeking a resort-style workation experience.

For long-term workations, the recommended approach is to:

• Base yourself in Naha

• Take occasional trips to resort areas by bus or rental car

Tourist Attractions

Kokusai Street

If there's one place that represents Naha, it's Kokusai Street.

This bustling street is lined with numerous Okinawan restaurants and souvenir shops.

To fully experience Okinawa's culture, try visiting a folk music bar in the evening, where you can enjoy your meal while listening to the sounds of the traditional sanshin (Okinawan three-stringed instrument).

Tomari Port Passenger Terminal Building "Tomarin"

While not exactly a tourist spot itself, Naha has "Tomarin" port, which serves as a gateway to nearby islands.

From here, you can take boats to:

• Kerama Islands

• Kumejima Island

If you enjoy snorkeling or diving, it's highly recommended to visit these islands from Tomarin! The water clarity is significantly better than the main island.

Some islands can be visited as day trips, making it convenient for short excursions.

Work Spaces

HOTEL ANTEROOM NAHA Bar Lounge

HOTEL ANTEROOM NAHA Bar Lounge is a laptop-friendly cafe located inside Hotel Anteroom Naha.

Seating with power outlets:

• Counter seats (about 8 seats)

• Box seats (4 units)

Wi-Fi speed: 115.6Mbps download (as of July 2023), providing excellent connectivity for work.

Access:

• 12-minute walk from Miebashi Station on the Okinawa Urban Monorail

• 10 minutes by car from Naha Airport

Free hotel parking available for visitors arriving by car.

The lounge features art exhibitions, making it particularly appealing for art enthusiasts!

You can enjoy ocean views from the counter seats, making it an excellent choice for workation, especially when combined with a hotel stay.

Blue Port CAFE

Blue Port CAFE is a laptop-friendly cafe located inside Hotel Androoms Naha Port.

Power outlets available:

• About 5 tables, mainly along the walls

Wi-Fi speed: 168Mbps download (as of July 2023), providing excellent connectivity.

Location and access:

• 8 minutes by car from Naha Airport

• 10 minutes walk from Asahibashi Station on the Okinawa Urban Monorail

Free hotel parking available for visitors.

When I visited around 3 PM on a Sunday, there were only about 4 groups of customers, and the spacious interior allowed for a very relaxed atmosphere.

This is a hidden gem for working, perfect for those looking for a quiet workspace in Naha.

Cafe ONE OR EIGHT

Cafe ONE OR EIGHT is a laptop-friendly cafe in Omoromachi, Naha.

Power outlet availability:

• Multiple outlets along walls and windows

• Counter seats with power outlets on 2nd floor

Wi-Fi speed: 11.84Mbps download (as of August 2023)

Access:

• 15 minutes walk from Furujima Station on the Okinawa Urban Monorail

Parking:

• 34 parking spaces right in front of the store

Often called "the digital nomad's sanctuary in Naha," the cafe is frequently filled with people working on laptops or studying. The atmosphere is perfect for extended work sessions.

With plenty of power outlets available, you rarely have to worry about finding a seat with access to power, making it a reliable spot for remote work.

Recommended Area 3. Nago (Northern Okinawa)

Features of Nago (Northern Okinawa)

1. Work remotely surrounded by nature - ocean and forests

If you want to experience pristine nature on Okinawa's main island, the northern area is by far the best choice!

You can enjoy:

• Beautiful beaches

• National parks featuring Okinawa's unique forests with:

• Banyan trees

• Mangroves

It's recommended to base yourself in Nago city (the main urban area in the north) and make trips to natural attractions and national parks.

2. Very Difficult to Get Around Without a Car

As you head north, the area becomes increasingly rural with limited public transportation.

Tourist spots are spread out, so if you're planning a workation in northern Okinawa, it's strongly recommended to rent a car!

3. Limited Number of Coworking Spaces and Cafes

Work spaces are quite limited in this area.

If you can't work from your hotel, finding a workspace can be challenging, so it's important to research options in advance.

Nago City has several workspaces available, so it's recommended to:

• Base yourself in Nago

• Book a hotel in Nago city area

Tourist Attractions

Churaumi Aquarium

The world-famous Churaumi Aquarium is located in northern Okinawa, about 30 minutes by car from Nago City.

Located right by the ocean, it offers spectacular views both inside and out.

The aquarium is divided into paid and free areas:

• Free areas include:

▪ Dolphin shows

▪ Sea turtles

▪ Manatees

This is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Okinawa!

Daisekirinzan

Daisekirinzan is located in Yanbaru National Park at the northernmost tip of Okinawa's main island.

This rocky mountain formation offers spectacular views and features:

• Breathtaking viewpoints overlooking the ocean

• Japan's largest banyan tree

• A chance to experience Okinawa's beautiful natural environment

Don't worry if you're not an experienced hiker! The trails are:

• Available in different lengths (20 minutes to 1 hour)

• Not too challenging

• Easy to walk

Perfect for casual hiking and sightseeing!

Work Spaces

Coworking Lounge Hanauru

Coworking Lounge Hanauru is a free coworking space in Nago City.

Power outlet availability:

• About 12 seats at tables (excluding sofa seats)

• Additional 3 counter seats in a separate area

Wi-Fi speed: 87.90Mbps download (as of August 2023)

Access:

• 5 minutes walk from Nago Bus Terminal

• Hotel parking available for visitors

Located in a hotel lobby, this coworking space offers nomad-friendly amenities:

• Comfortable desk chairs

• Standing desk options

• Well-equipped workspace

Best of all - it's completely FREE! If you're doing a workation in northern Okinawa, this is an ideal daily workspace.

cafe & coworking HENTONA LOUNGE

cafe & coworking HENTONA LOUNGE is a coworking space located in Kunigami Village.

Power outlets available:

• 7 counter seats

• 6 tables (excluding sofas)

Wi-Fi speed: 30.6Mbps download (as of August 2023)

Access:

• About 45 minutes by car from Nago City

• Parking available on-site

This is a valuable coworking space for digital nomads, as there are limited well-equipped facilities in the areas north of Nago.

The pricing is very reasonable at 600 yen for up to 4 hours of use.

This is a workspace that will be very handy for those doing a workation in northern Okinawa.

YAMBARU PINEAPPLE HILLS AHA

YAMBARU PINEAPPLE HILLS AHA is a coworking space located in Kunigami Village.

Power outlets available:

• 6 counter seats

• 6 table seats (excluding sofas)

Wi-Fi speed: 32.3Mbps download (as of August 2023)

Access:

• About 1 hour 10 minutes by car from Nago City

• Located at a roadside station, with ample parking

This coworking space is situated on the eastern coast of northern Okinawa, an area that doesn't see many visitors. The roadside station also has a restaurant, camping facilities, and showers.

The counter seats offer a beautiful forest view, making it ideal for those who want to work amidst nature.

However, as it's quite far from Nago City, it may be better to stay overnight in the surrounding area when visiting.

I hope you were able to find the ideal workation areas on Okinawa's main island from the information provided.

For further reference, you can also check out the cafes and coworking spaces with good Wi-Fi and power outlets in Okinawa that are compiled on the Nomad Navi website. That should give you even more options to consider for your workation in Okinawa.