Has anyone been on holiday to Okinawa?

[NotdeadyetBOING]

Really keen to go with the family. Anyone done it/have any tips?

No but we're considering it so bumping for you

I live on Okinawa.

Let me know what I can help you with.

The resorts are lovely. There are some very nice hikes (depending on the weather). The aquarium is FANTASTIC!!!

If you have kids, there are some incredible playgrounds.

There are some great patisseries. Which is sort of odd to think about but I've had some great croissants (don't get me started on my obsession with Japanese donuts).

You will most likely need a rental car.

Point is, ask away and I'll try to help.

Wow hopeful puffin!! I lucked out finding you….

Have kids - 9 and 12. I know Japan pretty well, but have never made it to Okinawa and always thought it looked amazing - almost like a totally different country.

What I am after is something really chilled and unspoilt (i.e. not a big tourist resort). Would probably want to do a couple of days in a ryokan and the rest of the time somewhere more relaxed.

LOVE Japanese food and happy to chow down fugu/hebi whatever.

Any tips gratefully received. Quite tricky to research from here I'm finding (unless you want big hotel/package holiday type thing).

Many thanks for your kind offer of help!

Agreed, fabulous! If it's not too cheeky I'd like to hear about the playgrounds as my DD is 2. We've been to Japan with her before and she adored it, especially the food, so we're looking at a new itinerary for a trip next Spring.

I haven't forgot about you but this is a hectic week!

I'm not sure if you can get this on Amazon.uk. It's pretty much THE guidebook to Okinawa. The author has been to all of the Ryukyu islands.
http://www.amazon.com/Okinawa-Ryukyu-Islands-Comprehensive-Entire/dp/4805312335/ref=sr11_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1444198065&sr=8-1&keywords=Okinawa

If you want a more rural, tranquil setting, you'll want to be on the northern part of the island. I'll post more info later.

There is one useful site in English that you may have come across. It's geared to US military families stationed here but has some good overall tourist info
http://okinawahai.com

I'll be back! Need to pick up DS from the bus stop.

No rush at all - just really grateful for your input!