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About Okinawa

Basic Information

Formal Name Okinawa Prefecture
Capital Naha City
Naha City Approximately 2,300 sq. km
Approximately 1,200 sq. km (Main Island only)
Population Approximately 1.34 million
Language Japanese *Okinawa dialect is also spoken.
Currency Japanese Yen
*U.S. dollar is also accepted in some stores due to the presence of U.S. military bases.
Paper Money 1,000 yen, 2,000 yen, 5,000 yen, 10,000 yen denominations
Coins 1 yen, 5 yen, 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen, 500 yen denominations
Currency Exchange The U.S. dollar can be exchanged at The Bank of Okinawa, Bank of The Ryukyus and The Okinawa Kaiho Bank. For other currencies, please contact the bank directly.
Credit card(1) VISA, MASTER, JCB, etc. Hotels generally accept credit cards, however, shops and restaurants may not accept credit cards. *Cash Advances by Credit Card
Time Zone Japan Standard Time (GMT+9 hours)
Electricity 100V & 60Hz
Internet Except for part of the Northern Main Island and some outlying islands, high speed Internet is available for use in most regions.
National Holidays Same as Japan Click Here for Details
Telephone Country Code 81 /
Area Code 098, 0980 (Northern Main Island, Miyako, Yaeyama) , 09892(Minami Daito Island, Kita Daito Island)
Mail Click Here for Details
Police 110
Emergency/Fire 119

(1) Most ATMs do not handle cash advances by credit cards or bank cards issued overseas. In Okinawa, only ATMs belonging to the Japan Post Bank handle cash advances by credit cards issued overseas. An “International ATM Service” sticker indicates the installation location of ATMs that handle cash advances by credit card.