This Island Chain Is Known as the 'Caribbean of Asia'-With Coral Reefs, Crystal-clear Water, and Year-round Sunshine

"Of course, the bright lights and culture of Tokyo and Osaka, the temples and gardens in Kyoto, and the ski resorts in Hokkaido provide plenty of reasons to plan a trip, but Japan also delivers on another front: its beaches. There's even a region that's been given the moniker the "Caribbean of Asia." Gorgeous beaches and some of the world's best scuba diving and snorkeling sites await in Okinawa."

"The southernmost prefecture of Japan, Okinawa is made up of about 160 islands-roughly 40 of them are inhabited-surrounded by clear, turquoise waters. This island chain is part of the larger Ryukyu Archipelago, and its main island, also called Okinawa, is about a 2.5-hour flight from Tokyo. Like in the Caribbean, the main tourist attractions throughout Okinawa revolve around the water, namely, the incredible scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities."

Japan experienced a record-breaking 2024 with nearly 37 million international visitors, including 2.7 million Americans. Major attractions include Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Hokkaido, while Okinawa stands out for beaches and marine activities. Okinawa consists of about 160 islands, roughly 40 inhabited, within the Ryukyu Archipelago; the main island is about a 2.5-hour flight from Tokyo. Coral reefs surround the islands and support biodiversity such as sea turtles, hammerhead sharks, and manta rays. Underwater terrain offers arches, tunnels, caves, and crevasses. Popular dive and snorkel spots include outlying islands like the Kerama Islands, reachable by high-speed ferry from Naha.

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