Sightseeing in Okinawa by Rental Car

While it is common to use a rental car when traveling in Okinawa, it is important to note that there are traffic restrictions in Okinawa Prefecture, such as bus lanes and median shifts. It is important to understand these traffic restrictions in advance, as you may get confused or commit traffic violations there.
It is also recommended that you enter a map code (a 6- to 12-digit number indicating a specific location) when registering your destination in the rental car's navigation system. This is very convenient because you do not need to enter the address of the destination, just the number.

About Bus Lanes

Bus lanes are traffic regulations designed to ease congestion during the morning and evening rush hours (except Saturdays, Sundays, and year-end and New Year holidays) and to ensure the normal operation of public transportation.
There are two types of bus lane restrictions: bus lane restrictions are enforced on multi-lane roads with only the first lane on the sidewalk side, and bus lane restrictions are enforced on roads with one lane on each side. Buses, cabs, motorcycles, designated vehicles, and permitted vehicles are allowed to pass through the bus lanes during those hours, but it is important to note that many rental cars and other general vehicles pass through the road without realizing that they are prohibited.
In addition to bus lanes, there are also traffic regulations that prohibit general traffic, such as "median shift" (the median shifts depending on the time of day) and "Transit Mall" (a pedestrian paradise held every Sunday from 12:00 to 18:00 on International Street in Naha City), so it is a good idea to check these traffic regulations in advance. It is a good idea to check these regulations in advance.

List of mapcode for foreign tourist information centers and tourist attractions

Tourist information centers accredited by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) provide pamphlets and discount coupons written in foreign languages, as well as all the information necessary for sightseeing. If you have any questions, please stop by the nearest tourist information center.