Okinawa: Rental cars

[NDRB]

We are thinking about renting a car from National or Budget and touring the island's sights on our own. Has anyone done this? I realize the driving is on the left hand side, but is the traffic very difficult to deal with in Naha? Any other challenges or difficulties or safety issues to contend with?

 

Thanks!

Nina

[paul929207]

I don't know if any road signs are in English letters.

[Eamonn]

Car rental would be the best option maybe take for 2 days so can enjoy without being in a hurry

[someotherguy]

I've rented a car in Okinawa, but I arrived by plane, not ship. I wouldn't drive in Naha, as it's a busy city--but there's no need to as the monorail goes to all the tourist sites in town.

 

A car is useful if you want to visit the war sites to the south, or the Ryuku castle ruins to the east and north. Where exactly do you want to go?

 

The directional road signs are in Romaji (phonetic Japanese in English letters) as well as kanji and you can specify that you want a car with GPS. There are instructions on using a Japanese GPS at the following link: http://www2.tocoo.jp/?file=rentcar_inbound/navi/navi_top

 

You need an international driving license to rent a car in Japan.