Local Guide
You may discover something new! 　A tour of Okinawa by bus

When planning a trip to Okinawa, it is standard practice to arrange a rental car along with a plane, and it is often thought that it is inconvenient to have a car as a means of transportation in Okinawa. Recently, however, more and more people feel uncomfortable and uneasy about driving while traveling, and there is a growing demand for a variety of transportation options other than just a car.
　In fact, although it is not well known, Okinawa has many bus routes running east, west, south, north, and south, and they are convenient if you know how to use them and know how to use them.
　Here are some tips on how to use Okinawa's local buses.

<Things to keep in mind before getting on the bus

Have some coins ready. Only cash and OKICA (Okinawa's transportation IC card) can be used for payment. 5,000 yen and 10,000 yen bills are not accepted.
Use the restroom before you leave the bus.

＜How to get on and off the bus


The first door is the front door.
Wait for someone else to get off, and get on when no one else is getting off.
When you get on, you take a numbered ticket near the driver's seat.
You pay the fare when you get off the bus.
Do not get up from your seat or move around while riding.
Before getting off, check the number displayed at the front of the car and the fare.

When you get off the bus, press the "get off" button when the bus announces "Next stop: 00 (name of the stop)".
When getting off, leave your seat when the bus stops. It is easy to get impatient when it takes a long time to get off the bus, but both the driver and passengers know the rules, and no one will criticize you, so please act calmly.
When you get off the bus, put the fare and the numbered ticket in the fare box next to the driver's seat. No change will be given, so be sure to bring the correct amount.
If you do not have change, exchange it when you get off the bus. The exchange machine accepts only coins and 1,000 yen bills.

<How to identify the bus you want to take

Four major bus companies operate the main bus routes in Okinawa: Okinawa Bus, Ryukyu Bus, Naha Bus, and Toyo Bus. The numbers are numbered from one to three digits on the upper front of the bus (these numbers are called "system numbers"), and when looking at a route map, check the bus stops on the bus route with that number.

<How to use your smartphone to search for the place you want to go or the bus stop you want to go to

Google Maps

1. Open the Google Maps application.
2-1. Enter the location you wish to visit in the search window. (For example, Shuri Castle Park, Mihama American Village, etc.)
2-2. Click on "Route
2-3. Enter your starting point (where you are now) and the place you want to go.
2-4. Click on the bus route among the various routes displayed.
Confirm the bus route number displayed next to the bus stop.

Transfer search site
Enter "No. 0 (bus route number) bus timetable" in the search window.
Open "NAVITIME" or "JORDAN" website.
Select the direction you want to go (the last stop is indicated) and the tag of weekday, Saturday, or holiday.
Click the time you want to board. The time of each stop will be displayed.

<Avoid busy times on the roads

Buses in Okinawa are often delayed in the morning and evening when the roads are congested.
If possible, we recommend avoiding the following times
　(Morning) 7:00 - 8:30 a.m.
　(Evening) 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Even if you wait at a bus stop, it may be difficult to find a bus. In this case, try searching Google Maps by entering your current location and the stop where you want to go, and it will show you which bus will be coming in a few minutes.

Enjoying the scenery from the bus window, stopping along the way to take a leisurely stroll, and being surrounded by the beautiful ocean, a bus trip in Okinawa will lead you to discoveries that you would not notice if you were driving a car. Enjoy your trip in Okinawa to the fullest by taking a local bus.

The information in this article is current as of the date of the update. Please check before visiting as they are subject to change.