Okinawa, Japan
Editor
March 12, 2023
Okinawa is an ideal destination for digital nomads looking for a unique and exciting place to work and explore. With its stunning beaches, lush forests, and vibrant culture, Okinawa offers a unique experience for digital nomads. Okinawa is the largest and most populous of the Japanese islands, and is home to a variety of attractions and activities. The cost of living in Okinawa is relatively low compared to other parts of Japan, making it an attractive destination for digital nomads. Additionally, the island is home to a number of coworking spaces, making it easy to find a place to work. Okinawa also offers a variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking, snorkeling, and kayaking, as well as cultural attractions, such as the Shuri Castle and the Okinawa World Heritage Site. With its warm climate and stunning scenery, Okinawa is an ideal destination for digital nomads looking for a unique and exciting place to work and explore.
Living in Okinawa, Japan: Overview
Overall score | Worksplorer index
-
72%
Quality of life -
40%
Cost of living -
71%
Connectivity -
81%
Weather
74
General
| Currency | JPY |
| Population (in millions) | 1.4 |
| Quality of life (world rank from 1 to 200) | 78 |
| Cost of living compared to Chicago, USA | 10% more expensive |
| Best neighborhood to stay | Naha, Okinawa City |
Culture
| Number of museums and galleries | 30 |
| Top selling local beer | Orion |
| Most popular local dish | Okinawa-soba |
Travel
| Most popular tourist attraction(s) | Shuri Castle, Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, Nakijin Castle |
| Discount airline | Peach |
| Major airline | Japan Airlines |
| Largest ride sharing company | Naha Taxi |
| Primary train stations | Naha, Urasoe, Ginowan |
| Primary airports | Naha Airport, Kadena Air Base, and Ishigaki Airport |
| Best rental car company | Nippon Rent-A-Car |
| Used car costs | 500000 JPY |
Connectivity
| Apple store addresses | Apple Store Okinawa, 2-1-1 Makishi, Naha, Okinawa 900-0013, Japan |
| Internet connection (in Mbps) | 100 Mbps |
| Power socket type | A, B |
| Supply voltage | 100V |
| Best electronics store | Yodobashi |
| Best internet carrier | NTT |
| Primary cellular carrier | NTT |
| Average monthly cost for internet | 4,000 JPY |
Shopping
| The best drug store | Matsumoto |
| Best restaurant chain | Ryukyu Dining |
| The best grocery store | Aeon |
| The most popular fashion brand | Uniqlo |
Regulatory
| GDP per capita | $37,945 / year |
| Average annual income | $33,000 |
| Sales tax rate | 8% |
| Income tax rate | 20.42% |
| Tourist visa valid (in days) | 90 days |
Financial
| Average mortgage rate | 2.5% |
| Suggested ATM take out | 10,000 JPY |
| Bank that has the most ATM machines | Okinawa Bank |
| Average tip in restaurant | 10-15% |
| Pay using credit or debit card | Not very common |
Health
| Emergency Phone Numbers | 119 (general), 110 (police), 119 (ambulance), 119 (firefighters) |
| Polution per square meter | 545 |
| Health quality rank (according to WHO) | 8 |
| Main religion | Buddhism |
Quality of life
72%
-
78%
Safety, freedom, rights -
96%
Traffic -
67%
Property to income -
22%
Crime -
88%
Healthcare -
81%
Weather
Salaries
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | ¥316,129 |
| Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate | 2% |
Childcare
| Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child | ¥42,250 |
| International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child | ¥756,667 |
Cost of living
40%
-
Purchasing Power
105%
-
Rent
14%
-
Food
65%
-
Restaurant
34%
-
Workspace
27%
-
Transport
18%
Rent
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre Per Month | ¥62,666.67 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre Per Month | ¥53,333.33 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre Per Month | ¥123,833.33 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre Per Month | ¥87,333.33 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend), Sports And Leisure | ¥833.33 |
Food
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | ¥221.4 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | ¥287.5 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | ¥240.67 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | ¥1,740 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | ¥129.67 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | ¥1,000 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | ¥314.75 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | ¥442.5 |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | ¥570 |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | ¥1,382.5 |
| Apples (1kg) | ¥557.5 |
| Oranges (1kg) | ¥427.5 |
| Potato (1kg) | ¥456.86 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | ¥199 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | ¥533 |
| Tomato (1kg) | ¥625.81 |
| Banana (1kg) | ¥350 |
| Onion (1kg) | ¥290 |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | ¥2,426.67 |
Restaurants
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | ¥800 |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | ¥4,000 |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | ¥800 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | ¥486.27 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | ¥493.13 |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | ¥210.89 |
| Water (0.33 liter bottle) | ¥151.69 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | ¥443.46 |
Connectivity
94%
Infrastructure
89/100
Internet speed
92/100
Internet cost
95/100
Pre-paid plan
98/100
Utilities (Monthly)
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment | ¥24,281.82 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) | ¥120 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | ¥4,940 |
Sports
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | ¥7,200 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | ¥833.33 |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | ¥1,500 |
Transportation
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | ¥240 |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | ¥5,000 |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | ¥164.25 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) | ¥1,600,000 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) | ¥2,266,666.67 |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | ¥550 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | ¥210 |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | ¥1,866 |