Okinawa Travel: Choosing the Best Transportation Directly to Naha Airport (Return Trip)

When our group happily finished our multi-day trip in Okinawa, Japan, strolled through Kokusai Street, and shopped for all the souvenirs, on the night before returning home while staying at the hotel, a few of us friends had some discussion in the hotel about how to get to Naha Airport.

Below is a note made from our discussion, for friends who may need it in the future as a reference (and it is indeed only because it gave us a good experience that we tell everyone).

Three Ways to Get from the City to Naha Airport

Generally, there are three ways for a person to get from the city to Naha Airport:

Method 1: OTS “Toyosaki Office” Airport Shuttle

The OTS “Toyosaki Office” (also the only OTS branch that provides airport shuttle service) is a twenty-minute drive from Naha Airport.

Method 2: Return the Car at the Tsubogawa Office, Transfer to the Monorail

Return the car at the Tsubogawa office, and take the monorail directly from Tsubogawa Station next to the office to the airport in just 9 minutes, and the monorail departs every 6 to 9 minutes.

Method 3: Drive Yourself to the Airport

If you drive yourself to the airport, it is best to allow more than half an hour of driving time.

Mizuc’s Actual Riding Experience

My return flight was at 11:55, and my car return time was 09:30. When I arrived, I happened to see a shuttle departing, and after waiting about 10-15 minutes (around 09:45), another one departed. I forgot how long I rode, probably around 20-30 minutes (maybe arriving at the airport at 10:15).

Based on this experience, the OTS Toyosaki Office airport shuttle is the most worry-free choice—after returning the car, you get right on the shuttle, without having to drag your luggage through transfers. The only thing to note is that the shuttle has intervals, and if you just miss one, you have to wait another 10-15 minutes.

Complete Information on the Okinawa Urban Monorail “Yui-Rail”

Since August 2003, a metro has been running within Naha City. The 12.9km-long Okinawa Urban Monorail “Yui-Rail” runs from the first station, Naha Airport (board on the 2nd floor of the domestic terminal), to the last station, Shuri Castle, taking about 27 minutes in total, passing through major areas such as Kokusai Street, Shintoshin, and Shuri along the way.

Operating Hours

• First train: The departure time of the first train from either Naha Airport Station or Shuri Station is 5:48 AM.
• Last train: Whether the up train or the down train, both depart at 23:30 and arrive at the terminal station (Naha Airport Station, Shuri Station) at 23:55.
• Departure interval: 5 to 9 trains per hour.

Fare Information

Ticket Type	Price
First station to terminal station (full fare)	290 yen
One-day pass	800 yen
Two-day pass	1,200 yen
Three-day pass	1,500 yen
Child ticket	Half price

Accessibility and Car Design

To accommodate people with disabilities, all stations adopt thoughtful barrier-free design, with moving walkways in all connecting passages and escalators and elevators at every station, making it convenient for passengers to move around.

The monorail consists of two cars and can carry 165 people.

Quick Comparison of the Three Transportation Methods

Method	Advantages	Notes
OTS Toyosaki Office shuttle	Get on right after returning the car, most worry-free	The shuttle has intervals; if you miss it, you wait another 10-15 minutes
Return car at Tsubogawa Office + monorail	Ride is only 9 minutes, frequent departures	You need to drag your luggage to Tsubogawa Station yourself
Drive yourself	Flexible timing	Recommend allowing more than half an hour of driving time

Mizuc’s Choice Recommendation

If your itinerary includes renting a car, prioritize the OTS Toyosaki Office, because it is the only branch that provides airport shuttle service, and after returning the car you take the shuttle directly to the airport, which is the friendliest for travelers with large luggage.

If you stay along the monorail line, or want to save the shuttle waiting time, returning the car at the Tsubogawa Office + monorail is the most efficient combination—9 minutes directly to the airport, with frequent departures.

Whichever you choose, on the day of returning home it is recommended to depart 3 hours early to allow buffer time for returning the car, the shuttle, or transfers, so you won’t miss your flight due to unexpected situations.

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Reader FAQ Q&A

1. Does the OTS Toyosaki Office airport shuttle require a reservation? (Reader Xiao Jie, couple)

Mizuc’s pitfall-avoidance reminder: Although the shuttle is a free service, the number of trips is limited, and during peak season, if you don’t time it well, you may have to wait another round at the office.

Mizuc’s sharp analysis: It is recommended to directly confirm the departure time of the next shuttle with the counter when returning the car, and allow a 10-15 minute waiting buffer. If you are really pressed for time, switching to “return car at Tsubogawa + monorail” is safer.

2. Is the monorail one-day pass worth buying? (Readers Xiao Mei, A-Hong)

Mizuc’s pitfall-avoidance reminder: The one-day pass is 800 yen. If you only ride once or twice that day, it may not necessarily be worth it; you have to first calculate the sum of the one-way fares.

Mizuc’s sharp analysis: The maximum one-way full fare is 290 yen, which means you need to ride 3 times or more in a day for the one-day pass to start being worth it. If you are simply going from the city to the airport, just buy a one-way ticket; but if you plan to visit multiple spots like Kokusai Street, Shintoshin, and Shuri that day, the one-day pass is very worthwhile.