Access

How to get to OIST - Okinawa Institute of Science an Technology Graduate University

From Naha Airport and Southern Okinawa

General access from Naha Airport to OIST:

• Taxi (60-70min)
• Okinawa Airport Shuttle or Airport Limousine Bus to nearby hotel (70-80min) + taxi (another 5-10min)
• Express way bus (60-70min) + taxi (another 10-15min)
• Local bus line [120] (90-100min）

By Local Bus Line [120]

• Time Table
  http://www.kotsu-okinawa.org/en/time/20_120/down1.html
  Bus Stop “Moon beach-mae” is in a walking distance to Onna Marineview Palace and Hotel Moon Beach.
• Bus Stop at Naha Airport Domestic Terminal
  http://www.kotsu-okinawa.org/en/index_info3.html#airport
• How to ride local buses
  http://www.kotsu-okinawa.org/en/index_info2.html

By Bus

• Using the Expressway Bus#111,#117 and OIST Shuttle Bus to get to OIST Main Campus
• Using the Airport Limousine Bus to get to Onna Village Hotels

By Car

• Written directions or google maps

Travel time from Naha Airport to OIST

• By car - approx. 50 minutes

From Northern Okinawa

• Directions by Bus
• Directions by Car

Passport

Please check before departure that there is sufficient time remaining until the expiration date of your passport. During your trip, have your passport with you at all times. You may be asked to present it for identification.

Visa

Check whether you need a visa or not in order to travel from your country to Japan (Okinawa). Please check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan website for more information.

Travel Insurance

We recommend taking out travel insurance before your trip, in case you come across troubles during your time here. Hospital visits and other emergency services can be very costly, so insurance is a wise precaution. For the specifics on insurance coverage and conditions for subscription, please contact an insurance company.

Currency

The currency in Japan is Japanese yen. You will need to make a declaration in order to bring in cash worth more than 1 million Japanese yen. It is important to understand that small shops might not accept credit cards, so please prepare an adequate amount of cash at the airport, or use currency exchange booths at different locations in the prefecture.

Public Transport

Public transportations such as monorail, buses, and taxis are the main transportation in the main island of Okinawa.

For more information click here.

Taxi

Taxis that will take you to your destination smoothly. Okinawa taxis are cheaper compared to ones in mainland Japan and you can ride in groups to make it even cheaper, which is one of the mostly used way of transportation in Okinawa.

For more information click here.

Climate & Weather

Okinawa’s climate is subtropical. The average temperature in July is 31°C (83°F). It is hot and humid, and occasionally squalls occur. The sun is strong enough to easily burn, so wearing sunglasses and a thin long-sleeved jacket is recommended.