Okinawa
沖縄県
At a Glance
Higher cost area, driven by tourism & us military bases, large international community, English widely understood.
Estimated Monthly Cost of Living
¥305,570
≈ $2,037 USD / month
Budget
¥213,899
Minimal spending, shared housing, cooking at home
Moderate
¥305,570
Average lifestyle, own apartment, occasional dining
Comfortable
¥427,798
Spacious flat, dining out often, leisure activities
Monthly Spending Breakdown
Price Details
Individual item prices in Okinawa, sourced from e-Stat government data. Prices are in JPY.
Other(3 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Total Consumption Expenditure | ¥272,412 |
| Other Consumption Expenditure | ¥33,680 |
| Furniture & Household Utensils | ¥12,726 |
Food & Groceries(3 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Food | ¥92,549 |
| Rice (Koshihikari) | ¥5,416 |
| Food (average) | ¥5,343 |
Housing & Rent(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Housing | ¥30,061 |
Transportation(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Transportation & Communication | ¥29,466 |
Entertainment(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Culture & Recreation | ¥23,362 |
Utilities(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Fuel, Light & Water Charges | ¥21,671 |
Healthcare(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Medical Care | ¥13,951 |
Clothing(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Clothing & Footwear | ¥8,431 |
Education(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Education | ¥6,514 |
Foreign Community in Okinawa
Top Nationalities
Source: Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁) end-of-2023 statistics. A larger foreign community often means more multilingual services, international shops, and established support networks for newcomers.
Lifestyle Profile
Top Industries
Local Specialties
Lifestyle
Events & Festivals
Naha Tug-of-War
World's largest tug-of-war with a 40-ton rope and 15,000 participants
Eisa Dance Festival
Obon drum dances performed across Okinawa during the summer
Digital Nomad Score
Based on coworking availability, internet speed, and cafe culture.
Entrepreneur Score
Based on startup ecosystem, business support, and market access.
Outdoor & Activities
Climate
Subtropical. Warm year-round (15-30C). Rainy season May-June. Typhoon season July-October.
Foreign Community
Future Events & Business Opportunities
Investment Highlight
Okinawa offers unique opportunities: generous IT subsidies, free trade zones, and the massive long-term potential of military base returns for civilian development (previous returns generated billions in value).
Okinawa IT Innovation Hub Growth
BusinessMedium ImpactOkinawa is positioning itself as a nearshore IT development hub, leveraging its timezone advantage for bridging Asian and Japanese markets. The prefectural government offers generous subsidies for IT companies relocating to Okinawa.
Business Opportunity
IT offshoring/nearshoring services, data centers, and remote work infrastructure. Lower costs than mainland Japan with subtropical lifestyle appeal for recruiting talent.
US Military Base Returns — Civilian Development Zones
BusinessHigh ImpactThe planned return of Futenma Air Station (expected after Henoko facility completion, possibly ~2036) would free 480 hectares in central Ginowan for civilian development. Smaller base consolidations are proceeding on earlier timelines.
Business Opportunity
Long-term real estate development opportunity. Previous base returns (e.g., Shintoshin area in Naha) generated massive commercial development. Planning and speculation begins years before actual return.
Infrastructure Projects
- Futenma base return and civilian redevelopment (long-term)
- Naha Airport second runway expansion
- Okinawa IT Innovation Hub development
- Resort and hotel development along west coast
Special Economic Zones & Hubs
- Okinawa IT Innovation Special Zone
- Okinawa Special Free Trade Zone
Economic & Investment Profile
Tourism-driven growth; IT/call center industry expanding; unique demographics with US military presence; rising land values.
Economic Overview
GDP
¥4.7T
+1.5% YoY
GDP per Capita
¥3.2M
Avg. Income
260万円
≈ ¥2,600,000/yr
Unemployment
3.5%
Above national avg
Startup Rate
4.0%
Moderate
Real Estate Market
Avg. Rent (1K)
¥38,000
/month
Avg. Rent (2LDK)
¥60,000
/month
Land Price Trend
+3.5%
YoY change
Vacant House Rate
11.5%
Below national avg (13.6%)
Demographics
Population Trend
↑ Growing
+0.2% YoY
Foreign Residents
22,000
+14.0% growth
Top Nationalities
Key Metrics at a Glance
| GDP | ¥4.7T |
| GDP Growth | +1.5% |
| Average Income | 260\u4E07\u5186 |
| Land Price Change | +3.5% |
| Vacant Houses | 11.5% |
| Foreign Residents | 22,000 |
| Startup Rate | 4.0% |
Sources: Cabinet Office (GDP), Ministry of Internal Affairs (population), Immigration Services Agency (foreign residents), MLIT (land prices, housing survey), National Tax Agency (income). Data from 2022-2024 publications.
International Schools in Okinawa
2Annual tuition fees for international schools in Okinawa, sorted from most affordable to highest. Fees are approximate and may vary by grade level; check each school's website for current rates.
¥600,000 - ¥1,000,000
per year
Christian school near US military bases. Very affordable. ACSI accredited.
¥800,000 - ¥1,200,000
per year
Bilingual programme. Naha city location. Serves both expat and local families.
Find an Apartment in Okinawa
Search English-friendly property sites with listings in Okinawa.
Real Estate Japan
Comprehensive English-language property listings with prefecture-level filtering. Search rentals, share houses, and furnished apartments.
GaijinPot Apartments
Japan's largest foreigner-friendly apartment search. All listed properties welcome foreign tenants, with bilingual agent support.
Akiya Japan (Vacant Houses)
Browse affordable akiya (vacant/abandoned houses) across Japan. Prices start from under 1 million yen in rural areas.
External links — these sites are operated independently. JapanCost is not responsible for their content or listings.
Cities & Municipalities (0)
No city data available for this prefecture yet. Data coming soon.
Also Explore
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to live in Okinawa?
The estimated monthly cost of living in Okinawa for a single person is approximately ¥305,570 (≈ $2,037 USD). This includes rent, food, utilities, transportation, and other daily expenses based on government survey data.
What are specific item prices in Okinawa?
The Price Details section below shows individual item prices in Okinawa, grouped by category (food, housing, utilities, etc.). You can see exactly how much everyday items like rice, eggs, milk, and transit passes cost, sourced directly from Japan's e-Stat government data.
Is Okinawa expensive compared to other prefectures?
Okinawa is approximately 21% cheaper than the national average, making it one of the more affordable prefectures in Japan.