Local Guide
You might discover something new! Travel around Okinawa by local bus

When planning a trip to Okinawa, it is common to arrange a rental car along with your flight, and people tend to think that it is inconvenient to travel in Okinawa without a car. However, recently, there has been an increase in people who feel uncomfortable or anxious about driving while traveling, and there is a growing demand for a variety of transportation methods other than just cars.
Although it is not widely known, Okinawa has numerous bus routes running north-south, east-west, and with route maps covering every corner of the country, and if you know about them and get the hang of them, they are very convenient means of transportation.
Here we will introduce how to use Okinawa's local buses and some key points.

<Things to keep in mind before boarding>

・Bring some coins. Only cash and OKICA (Okinawa's transportation IC card) can be used for payment. 5,000 yen and 10,000 yen notes cannot be used.
・Make sure you use the toilet.

<How to get on and off>


・Boarding and disembarking is via the front door.
- Wait for people to get off, and then get on when there is no one else getting off.
・When boarding, take a numbered ticket near the driver's seat.
・You pay the fare when you get off.
・You must not get up or move from your seat while riding the bus.
・Before getting off, check the number and fare displayed on the front of the vehicle.

・When you want to get off, when you hear the announcement over the bus saying "Next stop is XX (name of stop)," press the nearby stop button.
・When you want to get off the bus, stand up when the bus stops. It's tempting to get impatient if it takes a long time to get off, but the driver and passengers know the rules and no one will scold you, so please stay calm.
・When you get off, put the fare and your ticket into the fare box next to the driver's seat. No change will be given, so make sure you have the exact amount ready.
If you don't have coins, you can exchange them when you get off. The exchange machine only takes coins and 1000 yen notes.

<How to tell which bus you want to take>

Okinawa's main bus routes are operated by four companies: Okinawa Bus, Ryukyu Bus, Naha Bus, and Toyo Bus. A one- to three-digit number is written on the front upper part of the bus (the number is called the "route number"). When looking at the route map, check the bus stop for that number.

<When searching for a desired location or bus stop using your smartphone>

"Google Maps"

1. Open the Google Maps app
2-1. Enter the place you want to go to in the search box. (For example, Shuri Castle Park, Mihama American Village, etc.)
2-2. Click "Route"
2-3. Enter your departure point (where you are now) and where you want to go
2-4. Click on a bus route from the various routes displayed.
3. Check the bus route number displayed next to the bus stop.
　　　
"Transfer search site"
・Enter "Number XX (bus route number) bus timetable" in the search box.
・Open the "NAVITIME" or "JORDAN" website
・Select the direction you want to go (the final stop is indicated) and the tag for weekdays, Saturdays, or holidays.
・Click the time you want to board. The times for each stop will be displayed.

<Avoid times when roads are congested>

Buses in Okinawa tend to be delayed during morning and evening traffic congestion.
If possible, we recommend avoiding the following times:
(Morning) 7:00-8:30
(Evening) 16:00-19:00
Even if you wait at the bus stop, sometimes the bus doesn't come for a while. In that case, try searching on Google Maps by entering your current location and the bus stop of the place you want to go to. It will show you which bus will arrive and in how many minutes.
　

Enjoy the scenery from the bus window, get off along the way to take a leisurely stroll, and enjoy discovering things you wouldn't notice if you were driving a car on a bus trip in Okinawa, surrounded by beautiful ocean. Make the most of your trip to Okinawa by using local buses.

*The contents listed are current as of the date of article update. They may be subject to change, so please check before using.