Lonely Planet's local travel experts reveal all you need to know to plan the trip of a lifetime in this latest edition of our guide to Okinawa & the Southwest Islands.

Discover Okinawa & the Southwest Islands's most popular experiences and best kept secrets from heading to Kame Kame, an old-school neighbourhood noodle shop, for a bowl of hearty ramen; to pausing for a moment of reflection in Okinawa Peace Memorial Park; and learning about the island's role in the birth of Karate.

 Build a trip to remember with Lonely Planet's Okinawa & the Southwest Islands travel guide:

• Our classic guidebook format contains the most comprehensive level of information for planning multi-week trips

• All-new structure and design that's easy to use so you can navigate Okinawa & the Southwest Islands effortlessly

• Exciting itineraries help you create your perfect adventure with suggestions for extended journeys, day trips, walking tours and activity-led excursions

• Expert local recommendations on eating, drinking, nightlife, shopping, accommodation, festivals, when to go and more

• Vibrant photography and maps

• Get fresh takes on must-visit sights

• Essential information toolkit containing tips on arriving, transport, local etiquette, using money, LGBTIQ+ travel advice, useful words and phrases, accessibility and responsible travel

• Connect with Okinawa culture through stories that delve deep into local life, history and traditions

Create a trip that's uniquely yours and get to the heart of this extraordinary part of the world with Lonely Planet's Okinawa & the Southwest Islands.

About the Author

Craig McLachlan

A 'freelance anything' with an MBA from the University of Hawai'i, Craig has done a lot of adventuring, especially in Japan! He has:

- walked the length of Japan (3200kms in 99 days!).

- hiked the 88 Sacred Temples of Shikoku Pilgrimage.

- set a 78-day record for climbing the Hyakumeizan, Japan's 100 Famous Mountains.

- journeyed around the Saigoku 33 Temples of Kannon Pilgrimage.

- trekked from the Sea of Japan to the Pacific Ocean climbing all Japan's 3,000-meter peaks along the way.

Books on all these adventures are available on Amazon in English and four have been published in Japan in Japanese.

Craig has also been researching and writing for Lonely Planet for 20 years. He has contributed to multiple editions of 'Japan', 'Hiking in Japan', 'South Pacific', 'Rarotonga, Tonga & Samoa', 'Vanuatu & New Caledonia', 'Hawaii', 'Waikiki, Honolulu & Oahu', 'Pocket Honolulu', and covered the Greek Islands for 5 editions of 'Western Europe' and 'Europe on a Shoestring'. This titles are all available on Amazon.

Craig's first novel, 'Kiwi Republic' is also on Amazon.

Based in Queenstown, New Zealand, where he runs outdoor tours for Japanese, Craig also takes tours of Japanese hikers all over the world. He is also a pilot, karate instructor, Japanese interpreter and hiking guide.