Okinawa can feel like there's nothing to do when the long summer is still a few months off but there's plenty to do to get you out of the house. Here's our round up of ideas when it's not yet time to hit the beach..

1. Go Diving
Okinawa is the ONLY place in Japan where you can dive all year round in a wetsuit. If you've been putting off diving until the summer then why not get out now!

2. Northern Okinawa
A visit to Northern Okinawa can make a great day out. There's the Orion beer factory (Click Here) as well as the Churaumi Aquarium which is open year round. Pick up an annual passport for savings if you plan to visit more than once. (Click Here).

3. Monorail Tour
Why not jump on Okinawa's only train for a tour around the Naha city area. Known as Yui Rail the line runs from the airport and finishes at Shuri Castle. There are stops close to Kokusai Dori as well as the Shin-toshin shopping district. Do some shopping along the way then finish up at Shuri castle for sightseeing (About 15 minute walk or 5 minute bus ride from the monorail station.

4. Underwater Observatory
The underwater observatory is located at the Busena Terrace Beach Resort past Onna and just South of Nago on Highway 58. Fee from 400 Yen for children to 1000 Yen for Adults (Click Here)

5. Museums
If you're a fan of museums and art and want to learn more about Okinawa, then a visit to the Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum makes a great day out. Recently constructed they have many Okinawan exhibits and art. Located in the Omoromachi area of Naha. Entrance starts from a reasonable 300 Yen for adults. (Click Here)

Ashibinaa is located in the Tomigusuku area of Okinawa, a few minutes drive from Naha airport. There's a reasonable mix of high end designer shops as well as more every day stores. If you're looking for a present or to treat yourself then take your pick from stores like Gucci, Armani, Ralph Lauren, Salvatore Ferragamo, Vivienne Westwood, Zegna and many more. All of them with discounts from 30-80%.

For more modest tastes then they have a large Addidas outlet store as well as ABC Mart, great for discounted sneakers and shoes, Levi's, Brooks Brothers and more.
In all, there are about 70 shops and whether you want to splash out or find a bargain there's something to suit all tastes. There's also a few restaurants available as well so you can always stop to recharge your batteries before hitting the shops again.

Close by there is also a big Yamada denki electrical goods store, a sports shop and a few other outlets. It makes a good break from the usual Okinawa stores as well as an opportunity to shop in places you wouldn't normally find here.

Directions:
You can find Ashibinaa by taking highway 58 down to Naha then following signs for the airport. Go past the airport exit following the signs for "Itoman" on highway 331. After you go past the airport you will soon see signs in English for the outlet mall.
They are open from 10am to 8pm and parking is free.

When you drive down the main street of Omoromachi in Naha City, there is a stand out white building which reminds you of "Gusuku" (the remains of castles in Okinawa).
That is the Okinawa Prefectural Museum and Art Museum.

Okinawans built close relations with Asia and the Pacific region in the past, these connections went on to provide a wealth of cultural influences. Okinawa has had so many experience of changing cultures especially between China and Japan. Even though Okinawa has undergone a lot of change, Okinawans have also remained close to nature.

The Museum has permanent exhibitions as well as visiting exhibitions. They have plenty of exhibits, so you can learn about Okinawan history, archaeology, arts and crafts, nature, and ethnology. You can tour the museum in chronological order, giving a feeling of passing through Okinawa's history.

In the general exhibition area, you will see how people lived from the prehistoric age to present day Okinawa. The exhibition of the Ryukyu Kingdom was the most memorable part for me.

You can borrow an iPod for guidance in various foreign languages and in the touch and experience room, there are activities where you can pick up items to observe and learn. It's a great way for kids to learn about Okinawa. It's a great place to visit early on during your stay as it will provide you with a depth of knowledge when you visit other areas of Okinawa.

Directions:
3-1-1 Omoromachi, Naha City, Okinawa
900-0006 Tel:098-941-8200
Hours 9:00am ~ 6:00pm (Admission until 5:30)
Closed Every Monday
Fees: ¥250 (High School/College) ¥400 (Adults)
(Elementary & Junior high school free)

It might sound strange, but in Kin Town you can find a cafe, bonsai garden and caves. The caves and bonsai garden are laid out as a numbered tour with 13 sections in all. Passing through the cafe, you go down the stairs passing numerous artefacts and Okinawan ornaments collected by the father of taco rice and his family Mr. Shozo Gibo over 40 years.

Passing down the stairs you soon arrive at the limestone cave. One minute you're in a cafe and the next in a cave! You pass through the cave with stalactites hanging from the ceiling then out into the gardens. The gardens have been carefully laid out with waterfalls and statues and in some places views out to the ocean.

The last stop is the bonsai garden. The bonsai are arranged in three greenhouses. All kinds of trees are displayed in miniature showing the care and attention necessary to grow these delicate, beautiful plants.

After a walk through the cave and gardens, then you have to eat in the cafe.
Gold Hall is famous for their taco rice. In fact it's a good reason to visit anyway even if you don't want to see the gardens and cave. It's all reasonably priced as well with prices ranging from ¥500 - ¥900. If you're not a fan of taco rice then they also serve sandwiches and desserts.

Gold Hall is located in Kin Town close to Camp Hansen.

Directions:
4272-1 Kin Kin-town Okinawa
Tel: 098-968-3546
Hours: 9:00am-8:00pm (365 Days)
Admission fee for Cave & Bonsai Garden:
Adult ¥800, Child ¥500
(Free for the Preschool children)
NO Credit cards Dollars OK