Thanks for that added perspective and what you've described is entirely possible. My impressions of Okinawa, from what little I have seen and read about, were similar in feel to the Hawaiian islands, but without the dramatic landscapes and coastlines. I could be entirely mistaken of course, but that was the "flavor" that I seemed to take away from it.

The biggest attractions for me, are the beaches and snorkeling opportunities, which unfortunately don't seem to be at their most rewarding during our travel window (off-season).

The hotels, as mentioned previously, appeared to be rather generic and resort-y, which we generally tend to avoid. At least those situated in prime areas with ocean views.

I just get the sense that there wouldn't be much to do in the evenings, and that our daytime options would mostly be confined to a lot of nature hiking, since beach and water activities would be limited during the time of year. I just feel that if that's the sort of trip we're aiming for, we could find it more rewarding in other places.

I have to admit that based on your comments, you've rekindled my interest and I'll be doing some more extensive research. If there are specific destinations in Okinawa, islands or areas that you'd recommend to focus on, I'd appreciate your input.

I've actually been quite impressed with many of the rural mountain areas of Japan that we visited on our grand journey across Honshu a few years ago. Our time in Hakone, Gunma, Nagano, Gifu, Kyoto, Nara, and Miyajima have all been highlights. I don't feel as though we need to return to all of those places again anytime soon, but I would absolutely revisit Kyoto and Nara again in future. I'd also eagerly plan short weekend excursions to ryokans in nearby prefectures like Kanagawa or Gunma on every single trip, time and cost permitting. I think they offer a welcomed contrast to the teeming multitudes, neon lights, fast pace and decadence of Tokyo. I suppose it really depends on where you chose to stay and what expectations you have set for yourself, which is true of any destination.

It's true that certain regions, enjoyable as they were, would not be my first choice to return to when choosing a certain type of travel - the nat'l parks in America for instance, would be a higher priority than any of the similar landscapes we were introduced to in Japan. As breathtaking as the alpine region of Nagano was to drive through, I'd sooner visit the rocky mountain ranges here at home, or chose Europe as a ski destination. For "destination ryokans" offering traditional onsen, rich with history and steeped in authentic culture, I can't say that there is anything quite similar elsewhere in the world. I would return to these unique places at any opportunity, to experience the wonderful food and unparalleled service and luxuries.

I'll also add that as far as urban centers go, I've really enjoyed our time in Osaka and Ishikawa as well. With so many new countries and cities to explore, I don't necessarily have a burning desire to return to either anytime soon, but if the opportunity were ever to present itself, I'd absolutely spend a few days in Osaka or Kanazawa and I might even go out of my way to work a layover into an itinerary when traveling on to other parts of SE Asia.

Anyhow, Okinawa sounds extremely interesting on paper but I've yet to see anything that really excites or inspires me to want to book a side-trip from Tokyo. If you'd like to send more info about your experiences and where you stayed, sites you visited, and trip highlights, I'd again appreciate that very much.

Cheers