Virtually all commercial flights arrive at Naha Airport (OKA). Most foreign travelers will enter Japan through Tokyo Narita or Osaka Kansai airports and take a domestic connecting flight to Naha. Immigration and Customs processing is done at point of entry to Japan.
After going through immigration and customs at Narita or Kansai, I usually exchange several hundred dollars to yen at the foreign exchange booths directly outside the customs exit area. The exchange rate is competitive and is about 10% better than exchanging money at San Francisco. –editor
Travelers arriving at Narita will usually have to transfer to the domestic terminal at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport. The transfer bus takes a little over an hour and costs 3000 yen. The bus ticket counter is directly outside of the customs exit.
Arriving at Naha Airport, it’s advisable to visit the Naha Airport Tourist Information booth at the terminal and pick up an Okinawa map for English speakers. The information booth will have English speaking guides.
Arrivals lobby, 1st Floor Domestic Airport
Arrivals lobby, 1st Floor International Airport
The booth may be closed for late evening arrivals.
The monorail will take visitors into Naha City (yen 250) or taxi will cost about yen 1000 – yen 1500 to most hotels in Naha. Tipping is not expected. Having your destination printed in Japanese (or at least in printed English) beforehand will be very helpful.
Once in Naha, the Naha City Tourist Information office (tel 098 868-4887) is located on Okiei Street around the corner from the Starbuck’s near Mitsukoshi Department Store on Kokusai Street.