This is NOMADOKA, currently on an extended stay in Okinawa.
After working as an office lady in Tokyo, I now live in Okinawa and work as a freelancer.

My decision to temporarily move to Okinawa was sparked by a trip to Thailand. I spent about two weeks by the warm sea, and I felt the healthiest I'd ever been in my life. Since then, I've decided that I want to live the rest of my life in a warm, seaside location, so I decided to try moving to Okinawa first.

In this article

"I want to move to Okinawa!"
"How much would it cost to find accommodation for a long-term stay?"

For those who feel this way,

Recommended areas for first-time long-term stays in Okinawa
Tips and costs for choosing accommodation
・Essentials and items I bought to add to my collection

I'd like to share my real-life experiences with you!

<Table of Contents>
1. Recommended for your first long-term stay in Okinawa: "Naha City, Asato"
1-1. What is the approximate budget?
1-2. Preparations before departure
1-3. Contents of the backpack
2. Three key points to consider when choosing accommodation in the Naha area!
2-1. "Mr. KINJO" is recommended for those making their first long-term stay.
2-2. Mr. KINJO has reliable and sturdy facilities.
2-3. Check the surrounding environment in advance using the MAP.
2-4. My impressions of actually staying at Mr.KINJO in Sakaemachi
3. Everyday events
3-1. Work: All you need is WiFi and a power source.
3-2. Meals: Incorporate home cooking
3-3. Sightseeing: Visiting cheap bars and restaurants is a hot topic.
4. The absolute necessities for relocating are a job and money.
5. Additional purchases: a deep frying pan and a single flower.
6. You can start your long-term stay in Okinawa with just a backpack!

Show all table of contents

1. Recommended for your first long-term stay in Okinawa: "Naha City, Asato"

For first-time visitors who want to stay in Okinawa for an extended period, the Okinawa/Naha area is highly recommended.
In Naha, you can live without a rental car, so you can keep costs down while trying out the area.

Also, accommodations right on Kokusai Street can be a bit pricey, so if you want to lower your accommodation costs while still living in a convenient location, we recommend "Asato," which is within walking distance of Kokusai Street.

It takes 18 minutes to get from Naha Airport to Asato by Yui Rail, and the one-way fare is 300 yen.
It's about a 5-minute walk to Kokusai Street, and the surrounding area is a mix of residential houses, restaurants, and shops.

1-1. What is the approximate budget?

My budget (for one month) when starting a long-term stay in Okinawa is:

Airfare: 17,000 yen
Accommodation fee: 80,000 yen
Food and beverage expenses: 45,000 yen

The total was 142,000 yen!

1-2. Preparations before departure

There were mainly five things I prepared before departure.

- Cancel the lease on the house
- Secure one job that allows full remote work.
- Open a new online bank account and credit card.
- Book a one-way flight and accommodation for the next two weeks.
- Go to the dentist or hospital and get treatment done.

Work is essential to ensure I can continue my stay.

1-3. Contents of the backpack

I'll show you what I packed in my backpack. The backpack is a 19-liter one from Muji, about the right size for commuting to work or school.

PC and charger
Wallet and cards
・Clothing and two swimsuits
- A pouch containing cosmetics, nail clippers, etc.

I generally prefer to travel light, but I also thoroughly researched the convenience of my accommodation and surrounding area, so I've managed to get by with just this.

2. Three key points to consider when choosing accommodation in the Naha area!

The three key points to consider when choosing accommodation are cost, facilities, and surrounding environment.

This section is for those who are planning to start a long-term stay in Okinawa, and includes a report on my actual experience staying there.

2-1. "Mr. KINJO" is recommended for those making their first long-term stay.

Mr.KINJO is a hotel chain with numerous locations in Okinawa.
It might be more accurate to describe it as a condominium-style apartment building.

The biggest reason to recommend it is that it's incredibly cheap and offers great value, but it's also convenient for those who want to "start their life in Okinawa first and then decide which area to move to," as it's located in most areas of Okinawa.

The hotel booking site ultimately saidagodaThis led me to the conclusion, "..."
The reason is also the low price. If you check Agoda every day, you'll find that the "discounted rates for the day" change, so there are days when you can book at a lower price.
When I stayed at Mr.KINJO, it cost 38,782 yen for two weeks. That's only 2,770 yen per night!
This is actually one of the cheaper options; it normally costs around 5,000 yen per night.

2-2. Mr. KINJO has reliable and sturdy facilities.

The next reason I recommend Mr.KINJO is that it has everything you need for daily life.
In addition to shampoo and body wash, the fact that there's a kitchen, washing machine, and even a workspace where you can get some work done is a great bonus.

What sets it apart from a typical business hotel is that it generally doesn't have a restaurant and doesn't offer daily free cleaning.
Cleaning and sheet changes are optional services with an additional charge. You can get replenished or rented amenities from the front desk as needed.

2-3. Check the surrounding environment in advance using the MAP.

If you're starting a long-term stay without a car, the key to booking accommodation is to check the surrounding environment beforehand, so that you can get around on foot.

I recommend carefully checking Google Maps to see if there are any convenience stores or supermarkets nearby, or if there are any cafes or bars in the vicinity.

I had two desires: to visit many local bars and to cook my own meals. So I decided on Mr.KINJO in Sakaemachi, which is within walking distance of Kokusai Street and right next to Asato Station, close to a market and supermarket.
 

2-4. My impressions of actually staying at Mr.KINJO in Sakaemachi

The hotel I stayed at, Mr.KINJO in SAKAEMACHI, is located just a 3-minute walk from Asato Station.

There are several Mr.KINJO hotels around Asato Station, but this one is relatively new, so the rooms are clean and comfortable.

The room's layout is almost exactly like living in a studio apartment in Tokyo.

Since I was working from home, I'm glad I paid attention to the equipment and environment.

3. Everyday events

I'll describe what my life was actually like when I lived near Asato Station in Naha City.
I've picked out some of the most distinctive aspects, divided into work, food, and sightseeing, so please take a look.

3-1. Work: All you need is WiFi and a power source.

My job can be done with just a PC and an internet connection.
My requirements are three things: good Wi-Fi speed, a convenient power outlet location, and a workspace.
Since Mr.KINJO is a chain of hotels, most of the above conditions are met at every location.

3-2. Meals: Incorporate home cooking

Asato has plenty of affordable restaurants. However, breakfast can be a bit of a problem.
There aren't as many shops open early in the morning as there are in Tokyo. You might think, "It's okay because there's breakfast service if I'm staying in a hotel!", but Mr.KINJO doesn't offer breakfast service, so you have to prepare your own breakfast.

Also, supermarkets are often closer than convenience stores, and sometimes supermarkets aren't open during breakfast hours.

Ultimately, I eat out for lunch or dinner, and cook the rest of the meals myself. Therefore, cooking breakfast at home is my only option.
I would make goya champuru (bitter melon stir-fry) with island tofu and vegetables I bought at the market, or I would buy luncheon meat and eggs at the supermarket and make pork and egg dishes.

Because groceries were inexpensive and utilities were included in the accommodation fee, I was able to keep food and drink expenses down by enjoying eating out while also cooking for myself.

3-3. Sightseeing: Visiting cheap bars and restaurants is a hot topic.

Since it was within walking distance of Kokusai Street, I often strolled around there while shopping, and in the evenings I would go bar-hopping at Sakaemachi Market in Asato.

At Sakaemachi Market, most shops had signs advertising "senbero," where you could enjoy a meal in a local atmosphere for a reasonable price of around 1000 yen, which included about three drinks and two or three appetizers.

4. Essential items are work tools and money.

In Naha and Asato, you can generally buy everything you need for daily life—clothing, food, and shelter—within walking distance or the Yui Rail line.
The essential items you should prepare are the tools you need for work and money.
My personal opinion is that, aside from the tools and money needed for work, you probably don't need to buy a lot of other things before you leave.

5. Additional purchases: a deep frying pan and a single flower.

I started my move to Okinawa with just a backpack and the bare minimum of belongings, but I ended up buying two additional items.
The first item was a frying pan. I chose a slightly deep one for about 500 yen at Don Quijote; I can use it to make everything from stir-fries to soups. Everything else was provided by my accommodation.

The second is flowers. Just having cute creatures in the room instantly makes me happy!

6. You can start your long-term stay in Okinawa with just a backpack!

You can start your long-term stay in Okinawa by packing money, a laptop, and a few changes of clothes in a backpack.
After actually staying there, I fell in love with the Naha/Asato area. However, my body is craving the ocean...
So, I decided to depart from Naha and head north! Stay tuned for the next installment!

NOMADOKA's mini-relocation series
★Naha/Asato Edition → Ginowan Edition → Koza Chapter
Related articles about Naha and Asato
Exploring Okinawa's budget-friendly drinking scene! 8 must-try budget-friendly spots in Sakaemachi Market!