Izena Island — Private 2-Day Escape.
A private two-day escape to one of Okinawa's best-kept secrets — a remote island where foreign visitors are a rarity, the ocean is extraordinary, and the locals will feed you like family. Just the two of you.
Two days is all it takes to reach Izena — a small, remote island where foreign visitors are rare, the reef is untouched, and a local islander will sit you down for a multi-course feast that doesn't exist anywhere else. We handle the ferries, transfers, and the logistics. You just show up ready.
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Itinerary.
- Day 1
Izena Island — off-grid
Transfer to the ferry port and cross the open sea to Izena. Quiet roads, clear lagoons, and locals who are genuinely glad you made the trip. The day is spent on the water with a local captain — fishing rods, fresh bait, sashimi on board, snorkelling on untouched reef with a great chance of spotting sea turtles. Back on shore, a multi-course feast prepared by a local islander — fresh fish, island produce, flavours that don't exist anywhere else.
Traditional Okinawan house or Island Ryokan (this is a recommendation, not included in the tour)Tatami floors, wooden beams, island stars.Bento lunch on the way (included)Community-hosted island feast — multi-course local specialties (included) - Day 2
Izena to mainland — life of a local
Begin with a hike up to an ancient hilltop — a 360° panorama of the island and the surrounding sea, worth every step. Then into the fields to harvest sugarcane and press it on the spot. A guided walk through the umi budō (sea grape) farm — through the warehouse, learning the process, tasting as you go. Lunch is at a local soba house before the afternoon ferry carries the group back to the mainland. On the way south, a stop for fresh acerola — the Okinawan cherry — and one final lookout before saying goodbye.
Locally bought breakfastSugarcane juice & umi budō tastings (included)Soba lunch (included)Acerola refreshment in Motobu (included)1 optional extra
- Second half-day reef charter before the ferryWeather and availability dependent
Most travellers never get to Izena. The ferry takes about an hour, the island is small, and there isn't a single resort. That's exactly the point. The water is cleaner because no one is over-using it. The food is fresher because the islanders eat it themselves. The welcome is warmer because they're genuinely glad to see new faces.
Day one is a half-day boat charter with a local captain — fishing, snorkelling on untouched reef, sashimi on board while the island sits on the horizon. Then a loal who owns an izakaya hosts a feast for you, other locals show up and mingle, its the type of night that stays with you. Day two is a sunrise hike to a 360° hilltop, sugarcane pressed straight from the field, umi budō tasting at the farm where it's grown. A short trip that lands deep.
“From fishing with a local fisherman, to eating our fresh catch right there on the boat and then experiencing the hospitality of a dinner in their own home — I can't thank Aya enough for helping me not feel like a tourist but an actual part of their community.”
The practical bits.
- 1 night accommodation in a traditional Okinawan house on Izena
- All ground transport throughout the tour
- Bilingual local guide throughout
- Included meals — bento lunch en route, island feast dinner (Day 1), locally bought breakfast delivered, soba lunch and acerola stop (Day 2)
- All gear for fishing and snorkelling on the boat charter
- Flights to and from Okinawa
- Optional activities and add-ons (chosen and paid on the day)
- Drinks & snacks
- Personal travel insurance
- Transport outside the tour
- Meals not inc in above plan
- Ferry tickets to Izena, bought and paid for at the port by the guest - assistance on hand
- Accommodation not included - recommendations and assistance on hand
- Swimwear and a quick-dry towel
- Reef-safe sunscreen, hat, sunglasses
- Light layers for the boat
- Cash for drinks, snacks, and souvenirs
- Izena is a small community — being a respectful guest goes a long way. Your guide will brief you on local etiquette before arrival.
- The boat charter is weather-dependent. Calm-water alternatives are arranged if conditions don't permit.
- Private pickup is available from accommodations in Okinawa City, Onnason, Yomitan, and Uruma City. Please mention your location at the time of booking.
20% deposit at booking secures your spot. Remaining 80% due 30 days before the tour, when vendors and accommodation are fully locked in.
Full refund if you cancel 60+ days out. Deposit non-refundable for 30–59 day cancellations. No refund inside 29 days. Travel insurance recommended.
Izena doesn't get many visitors from outside Japan. The locals know that, and they show it — in how they welcome you, how they feed you, and how the night tends to go longer than planned. It's our favourite overnight on the programme..
— Aya & David
Price per person.
- 2 people
- ¥145,000
- 3 people
- ¥112,000
- 4 people
- ¥95,000
- 5 people
- ¥81,000
- 6 people
- ¥71,000
Have a question about this tour?
Send a note — dates, group size, dietary needs, anything. We usually reply the same day.
What guests said.
Read all reviews
Fizemos os passeios com a Yumi e ela foi ótima!! Uma querida, deu várias dicas e muito atenciosa!
We loved our tour with Yumi!! Seeing north Okinawa was beautiful and fun. Wonderful info and sightseeing!!
Aya and David were amazing! I’m from the same hometown as Aya and thanks to some great friends we were able to spend an amazing day together. This is a MUST DO when visiting Okinawa ! Highly recommend
