Ryugujo Butterfly Garden

Nice hotel - but tricky to find

Great view and restaurants.

We stayed at Okinawa Kariyushi Resort Exes Naha and overall had a very good experience. The hotel can be a bit tricky to find at first, as the entrance is somewhat hidden and it’s commonly referred to simply as “Exes,” while “Kariyushi” is actually the name of the area. Once you locate it, though, the location is quite convenient—about 20 minutes from the airport by monorail or taxi, and roughly a five-minute walk to the central activity area of Naha. The hotel features a nice open-air swimming pool on the second floor and a gym on an upper floor. We stayed in a two-bedroom unit with three queen beds, which were on the firmer side but comfortable. The room was clean, spacious, and well maintained. The bathroom was also large and came with a good selection of amenities. One small drawback was that the TV only offered local Japanese channels—but honestly, we didn’t come to Okinawa to watch TV. There was a minor issue with a stained chair in the room, but aside from that, everything was in good condition and clean. Being located in downtown Naha means you’re close to shops, restaurants, and nightlife. However, most of Okinawa’s major attractions—like Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium or American Village—are quite far (about 2 hours) from the city. You’ll need either public transportation or a rental car to reach them. Overall, I would recommend this hotel, especially if you want to stay in the heart of Naha while exploring Okinawa.