Okinawa, south of Japan’s mainland, is known as a popular getaway location thanks to its subtropical climate, beach resorts and expansive nature, but it is also considered one of the world’s “Blue Zones.”
Along with Sardinia (Italy), Nicoya (Costa Rica), Ikaria (Greece), and Loma Linda (California), the blue zone of Okinawa is known for its population with significantly higher average life expectancy and greater number of centenarians.
The term was originally coined by researcher Michel Poulain and popularised by National Geographic journalist Dan Buettner, also adapting his work into a hit 2023 Netflix series. Buettner put the spotlight onto how things like lifestyle, diet and community potentially play a vital role in helping us lead longer, healthier lives.
With Japan’s life expectancy known as some of the highest globally, let’s look at how to explore Okinawa with a wellness mindset while learning about some of the region’s secrets that led to originally identifying the area as a blue zone.
Okinawa’s bountiful nature
Okinawa is defined by its rich subtropical nature, from the clear waters and white-sand beaches of island groups such as Tokashiki and Zamami to expansive mangrove forests along its coasts. In the north, Yambaru National Park protects dense forests and rare wildlife, highlighting a wilder side of Okinawa beyond its well-known beaches.
In blue zones like Okinawa, the importance of and connection to nature cannot be understated as a reason for improved longevity. Our surrounding nature has a vital impact on our mental well-being, the nutrition in the food we grow, and the environment that shapes our ability and purpose to keep active.
For this exploration of Okinawa, let’s first head north towards the Yanbaru region on Okinawa’s main island, home to the Yambaru National Park. Located in Higashi-Son (Higashi Village), you can find Yanbaru Adventure Field and Matayoshi Coffee Farm.
The Yanbaru Zipline experience here offers a fun way to get a quick perspective of the region, with 5 different “rides” offering exhilarating views over the forest canopy and ocean on the horizon. It’s a great activity for groups looking to physically unwind, with one of the courses offering two lines for people to ride parallel. The short walks between each course take you through the forest flora and also the coffee farm grounds, allowing you to see up close what goes into a local cup of brew. With Okinawa one of the few regions in Japan able to even grow coffee beans, it’s a unique experience to connect with the local agriculture here and it is recommended not to miss the cafe beside the entrance car park.
If you’re staying in Higashi Village, Yambaru Experience Hotel Nunganiku on the edge of Yambaru National Park is a useful option. It offers the thrill of Yanbaru’s nature on your doorstep and a pseudo-camping experience while still providing hotel room comfort and convenience at the end of the day. It also unlocks the ability to further connect with Yanbaru’s nature through nighttime tours, like the Akisamiyo Night Tour which offers a chance to explore a part of Yambaru National Park at night together with a tour guide while learning and experiencing local conservation efforts. Each experience offers something slightly unique, taking the group to a different spot to help minimise the environmental impact. But every tour offers an experience of a biodiverse forest teeming with life, while teaching you insights underneath the starry sky into how conservation and monitoring efforts help protect the region itself.
Find your Okinawa tribe
On the other side of the blue zone coin, the impact of community and social support systems have also been widely documented by Dan Buettner. Japan is already known for multi-generational living but, in Okinawa, you’ll also find the blueprint for other social support systems like “Moai”. These are groups that keep together, for almost any reason—financial, health and socialising—and no doubt link to another blue zone concept, having a purpose in life (known as the philosophy of “ikigai” in Japanese).
Our next stop is in Yomitan Village, about 1 hour north of Naha, where thanks to the support of the non-profit Yomitan Blue Zone Research Council, we arranged to connect with local elders, learning about how they live their lives, as well as the role of the sanshin instrument and traditional kachāshī folk dance.
They explained how Ryukyu’s traditionally open and welcoming culture shaped its evolution. Trade links with China helped shape its cuisine and architecture. Take karate, which originates in Okinawa but can trace its roots back to Chinese martial arts. Karate is considered non-violent and primarily used in defence, and serves as another example of how Okinawa was traditionally accepting of outside cultures and made efforts for communities to get along with each other.
As they shared homemade Sātā andagī (Okinawan doughnuts) to enjoy, I learned about the kinds of foods they ate—from aburamiso to sweet potatoes (including purple beni-imo yam)—as well as if they still grow vegetables. It turned out one member was a local champion at growing yamaimo (Japanese mountain yams)!
They then beckoned me to try traditional kachāshī dance—often performed at celebrations—as well as the sanshin, which is the smaller predecessor of the shamisen. The sanshin produces a classic warm sound that immediately evokes island life and, in the midst of my awkward dance moves, it felt like I had “arrived” in the real Okinawa. Beyond the notes of the sanshin, it also struck a chord with me how this kind of social activity is not just a perfect workout for the mind, body and soul, but also the kind of gathering worth waking up for.
As someone looking for more of a slow travel and wellness experience, this one hit all the right notes.
