Gorgeous beaches. Amazing weird cuisine. Fascinating culture.
Okinawa is one of the best travel destinations in Japan. The only problem – there aren’t a ton of hostels!
Which is exactly why I wrote this guide to the best hostels in Okinawa Japan, so you can book your hostel like a boss and travel this amazing collection of Japanese islands.
I’ve organized this list into different travel-categories, so you can book your personal best hostel in Okinawa. What are you looking for? A cheap bed? A good party hostel? Somewhere to sleep with your SO? Or maybe just a cool Japanese style sleep capsule?
Whatever your style, our guide to the 5 best hostels in Okinawa will ensure you can book your hostel in Okinawa quickly, and stress free.
Photo: @audyscala
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Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in Okinawa
- Best Overall Hostel in Okinawa – Seawall
- Best Hostel in Okinawa for Solo Travelers – MyPlace Guesthouse
- Best Cheap Hostel in Okinawa – Santiago Guesthouse Naha
- Best Party Hostel in Okinawa – Base
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Okinawa – Abest Cube
The 5 Best Hostels in Okinawa
Backpacking in Japan and need some Okinawa digs? Then check out the best hostels in town!
1. Seawall – Best Overall Hostel in Okinawa
- Dorm (mixed): From $18
- Private Room: From $48
- Address: 1-24-1F Miyagi Chatan-cho Nakagamigun Okinawa, Okinawa, Japan
Seawall is the best hostel in Okinawa, and one of the newest too. Light, bright and of course, incredibly clean, Seawall is a joy to stay in.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- It’s SO colourful!
- Restaurants, cafes and bars within walking distance
- Blackout curtains on dorm beds
As a top place to stay in Okinawa Seawall gives all guest free shampoo, conditioner, body wash and soap too! All your linen is included and the beds are ultra comfy. Seawall hostel is just a 2-minute walk from the Miyagi seawall and a 15-minute stroll from the super touristy American Village. Taro-san is a great host and the common room is chilled out and friendly. The Seawall staff are always happy to help.
They have an assortment of private rooms, mixed dorms, and female-only dorms on offer, all for solid prices since you’re away from mainland Japan. The great location is only 10 minutes from the nearest bus stop, which makes getting around the island on a budget easy!
2. MyPlace Guesthouse – Best Hostel in Okinawa for Solo Travellers
- Dorm (mixed): From $12
- Private Room: From $48
- Address: Tomari 3-1-8, Naha City, Okinawa, Japan
The best hostel for solo travellers in Okinawa is MyPlace Guesthouse. Cosy and charming MyPlace is laid back, welcoming and perfect if you’re looking for a bargain. They offer hefty discounts on scuba diving, parasailing and all the other cool activities there are to do in this beachside Japanese town.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Perfect location near the port
- Private car park
- INSANE common area
You’ll find a completely chilled-out common area complete with hammocks big enough for two…if you squish yourselves in! If you fancy a romantic date day, hire bicycles from the MyPlace team and get exploring. The dorm bed prices are uber cheap, and the private room rates aren’t bad given you’re in Japan.
You can book a large selection of bus tours at the front desk and the staff are super friendly and helpful. Arrive solo – leave with a bunch of new travel buddies!
3. Santiago Guesthouse Naha – Best Cheap Hostel in Okinawa
- Dorm (mixed): From $10
- Address: 900-0021 Okinawa Naha Izumizaki 1-18-3 Japan, Okinawa, Japan
You can’t talk about Okinawa hostels without mentioning Santiago Guesthouse Naha! As far as cheap hostels go, the price rarely gets better than this. But this is far from a barebones place to base – fully renovated with some stunning Japanese art murals, it’s got an ideal blend of everything that makes for a really great addition to your Okinawa itinerary.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Amazing wall art
- Good location
- Lockers & Laundry
The dorm beds are some of the nicest in Naha City, and you’ll find other helpful amenities like multiple new washing machines to use, individual lockers and clean, well-stocked showers.
Plus – free drip-blend coffee all day long! I also loved the fact that so many restaurants and shops were in walking distance. The bus stop isn’t far away either, which is always a win for us budget travelers. The dorm rooms are huge but are comfier than much smaller options!
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View on Osprey View on REI4. Base – Best Party Hostel in Okinawa
- Dorm (Male/Female): From $12
- Private Room: From $22
- Address: Wakasa 1-17-5, Naha City, Okinawa, Japan
Base is the best party hostel in Okinawa. Set in the heart of Naha this is the ideal place to ‘base’ yourself if you plan on exploring Okinawa’s many bars and clubs.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- One minute to Naminoue Beach, one of the best beaches in Okinawa
- Within walking distance from the train station
- Very cheap dorms!
As a top budget hostel, they also offer travellers free snorkel and bicycle hire, saving you a pretty penny for sure. There’s a great kitchen for those looking to save some cash on meals, and there’s also a cool common room and laundry facilities on site.
By no means the biggest party hostel in the world, Base is a brilliant Okinawa backpackers hostel for travellers who want to chill out with a beer or two of an evening. It’s not uncommon for someone to appear with a guitar for an impromptu sing-a-long, brace yourself!
5. Abest Cube – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Okinawa
- Private Room: From $30
- Address: okinawa,Naha Makishi 3-13-17, okinawa, Japan
Abest Cube is one of Okinawa’s newest hostels and is fast becoming a popular choice for digital nomads seeking a taste of quiet and luxury in Japan.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Fantastic spaces to work
- Flat screen TVs in each room!
- On site bar
Although simple Abest Cube is beautifully kept, light and airy. The beds are super comfortable and the dorms give travellers the space they need to spread out. The dorm beds aren’t bunk style rather segmented into the wall, creating an open capsule style arrangement. In a bid to become a top hostel in Okinawa, the Abest Cube team offers a free breakfast, not to be missed!
The reason why it tops my list as the best digital nomad hostel is the vibe just exudes remote work. The wifi is strong, the vibe is chill so you don’t have to worry about excessive noise. It’s also in a superb location right on the main street of town!
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It looks exactly like a normal belt except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)
Hide Yo’ Money!More Epic Okinawa Hostels
We’re not done quite yet! Here are a few more epic Okinawa hostels to consider for your stay.
Aien Coffee & Hostel
- Dorm (mixed): From $21
- Private Room: From $38
- Address: 6-9 Minato,Chatan,Okinawa, Okinawa, Japan
Aside from WiFi connection and a laptop, here is a third essential item needed by all successful digital nomads and that’s coffee! Aien Coffee & Hostel is an ideal Okinawa backpackers hostel for digital nomads. They have their own coffee shop onsite with spacious desks and great internet connection. The late check-out is great if you’re catching an evening flight or if you’ve been up all night trying to hit those deadlines; digital nomads you feel me, right?!
Guesthouse Umikaji
- Dorm (mixed): From $12
- Private Room: From $24
- Address: 1-8-1 kumoji, Naha-Shi, Okinawa, Okinawa, Japan
Guesthouse Umikaji is a top hostel in Okinawa for budget travellers looking to stay near the Yui Rail station, connecting you directly to the airport. Guesthouse Umikaji is a simple but friendly youth hostel in Okinawa, it’s fairly quiet and not much of a rowdy hostel crowd gathers here; that’s not to say there’s no hostel vibe though, far from it. The beds are super comfy and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a fluffier duvet in any hostel anywhere in the world!
Ishigaki Hive
- Private Room: From $18
- Address: 907-0012 Okinawa, Ishigaki Island, Misakicho 12-7 prosperity ishigaki 3F, Japan
Located on Ishigaki, one of the smaller islands, this is a truly pristine hostel that has all the vibes of a boutique hotel. The dorms are all like little caves, giving you tons of privacy with a cool wood aesthetic. The entire property is super clean, and there’s a cool common room to hang out in. I loved that it was right next to both the bus terminal and the port, which makes getting around on a budget easy. For an even more interactive experience, rent one of their bicycles to get to know the isle. Do bring earplugs though – sound travels well in the space!
The Kitchen Hostel Ao
- Dorm (mixed): From $22
- Address: 1-4-1 Kumoji, Naha, Okinawa, Japan
Another expertly designed hostel in Okinawa, with wooden and brick accents along with a healthy smattering of house plants, should definitely be on your shortlist. There are a few different types of dorm rooms, which aren’t the cheapest in town but the aesthetic is so great it’s worth it. The hostel is about 15 minutes from Naha Airport, and you’ll also be able to enjoy an American breakfast before you start exploring. They have scooters to rent to make getting around easy.
Yanbaru Hostel
- Dorm (mixed): From $30
- Private Room: From $62
- Address: Kunigamison Kunigamigun, 1429 Azahentona, Okinawa, Japan
This hostel has a trendy warehouse vibe that’s just about unmatched by anything else in Okinawa. It’s within walking distance of the beach and plenty of fab local restaurants and cafes. Aside from their dorm rooms, they also have private rooms with either ensuite or shared bathrooms. The common space is perfect for laptop work and making new friends, and overall the hipster, artsy concept is absolutely worth booking for!
Guesthouse Okinawa Monogatari
Monogatari Guest House Okinawa is the best hostel in Okinawa for digital nomads; their free, unlimited WiFi is just the start. The Monogatari team lay on a free breakfast every morning, the ideal way for digital nomads to fuel up and get focused. The self-catering kitchen and laundry facilities are perfect for digital nomads who still have to do ‘life admin’ on the road. Monogatari Guest House Okinawa is a bit of a novelty, although the cosy lounge room would throw you off the scent, there is a prison theme to the dorms!
MaxiALPA
Not only is MaxiALPA one of the best hostels in Okinawa but one of the best located too, next to Kokusai-street. Although simple MaxiALPA is incredibly clean, friendly and reasonably priced. In keeping with the classic Japanese minimalist style, MaxiALPA offers backpackers their own capsule for the night. Those with claustrophobia may want to look elsewhere to be fair! There are tonnes of food courts and diners within a 5-minute walk of this great Okinawa backpackers hostel. MaxiALPA is a highly recommended hostel in Okinawa, be sure to book your bed ASAP!
Guesthouse CamCam
Guesthouse CamCam is an ideal budget hostel in Okinawa. Basic but bang on would be the way to describe CamCam. With a chilled out lounge room complete with a great DVD collection if you don’t fancy exploring every minute of the day at CamCam you can kick back and relax for a while. When you do want to venture out be sure to visit Kokusai Dori, a great local market just a 5-minute walk away. Getting to and from the airport is super easy from CamCam, they are just 1-minute from Monorail Miebashi Station
Okinawa Sora House
Okinawa Sora House is a super clean and super cosy hostel in the centre of Naha city. Offering everything the modern backpacker could need Sora House is one of the best budget hostels in Okinawa. The self-catering kitchen is always immaculately clean, as are the bathrooms. Sora House is a highly recommended hostel in Okinawa for they offer great customer service and all the home comforts you could wish for. Free tea or coffee anyone?
Okinawa Guest House Kerama
Guest House Kerama is a great budget hostel in Okinawa. With dorm rooms staying at consistently low rates throughout the year travellers heading to Japan on a tight budget should add Kerama to their hostel wishlist. With free hot showers 24-hours a day in sparkling clean bathrooms. Kerama is just a 15-minute walk from Naminoue Beach, the reception staff are super friendly and can give you directions, no worries there. The lounge room is chilled out and where you’ll find your hostel mates of an early evening. Make the most of their free DVD collection for sure.
Getting Insured BEFORE Visiting Okinawa
Don’t forget to add some Japan travel insurance to your packing list!
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
FAQ about Hostels in Okinawa
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Okinawa.
What to Pack for your Okinawa Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Check out my definitive Hostel Packing list for even more top hostel packing tips!
How much does a hostel cost in Okinawa?
Depending on the room type and location, the average cost of hostel rooms in Okinawa starts at $15 for a dorm, and private rooms start at $18+.
What are the best hostels in Okinawa for couples?
MyPlace Guesthouse is a charming hostel for couples in Okinawa. It’s cozy, affordable, and in a convenient location.
What are the best hostels in Okinawa near the airport?
Guesthouse Umikaji is 4 km from Naha Airport. It is close to the Yui Rail station, connecting you directly to the airport.
Final Thoughts on Okinawa’s Hostels
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Okinawa has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure!
It’s such an amazing part of Japan and I can assure you you’ll be happy you visited. Now all that’s left to do is lock in an iconic hostel and you’re good to go. If you’re still not sure which one to choose, you can’t go wrong with Seawall.
Happy travels and maybe I’ll catch you on the islands 🙂
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Japan for a wealth of info!
- Check out the best places to stay in Okinawa before you arrive.
- Remember to grab yourself an international sim card for Japan to avoid any issues.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
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A couple of you lovely readers suggested we set up a tip jar for direct support as an alternative to booking through our links. So we created one!
You can now buy The Broke Backpacker a coffee. If you like and use our content to plan your trips, it’s a much appreciated way to show appreciation 🙂
I’ve been in Tokyo for nearly thirty years, but have never been to Okinawa! You’ve put together a good list of places and I should get down there to check it out, one day. It might even be a good time to go there during this coronavirus pandemic as tourism is way down in Japan. Nothing worse than crowds. Good article and thanks for it!