Okinawa 9 Days in January
 

I am travelling with a friend to Okinawa for 9 days in January. It is our first trip to Japan for both of us. We know next to nothing about Okinawa except it is fairly warm in January and supposed to be beautiful. We are not interested in sunbathing or snorkeling, but we would love to do some whale watching and visit some relaxing beaches. We are mostly interested in relaxation, cultural experiences (festivals, museums, historic places), and beautiful scenery. We will also be there over Lunar New Year. At this point we don't plan to rent a car due to expense, and hope to use public transportation and taxi. We don't mind travelling a few hours to experience an awesome day trip.

Tips on where we should stay, should we travel around, is public transportation realistic, tips on Japanese culture, and the most relaxing and unique places in Okinawa are MUCH appreciated!! Also, we are on a budget, yet we want to be comfortable, so we don't plan to backpack it or move around a lot. I'm thinking stay in the same place and make day trips, or 5 days here, and 4 days here kind of thing. This is a relaxation trip, but we also want to experience Okinawa, since we likely won't go back anytime soon. Thanks in advance!

Best stay option in Okinawa:-

1) Rizzan Sea-Park Hotel Tancha-Bay
2) Okinawa Zanpamisaki Royal Hotel
3) Okinawa Kariyusi Beach Resort Ocean Spa
4) JAL Private Resort Okuma
5) Sheraton Okinawa Sunmarina Resort
6) Kise Beach Palace
7) Hotel Monterey Okinawa Spa and Resort

Cultural tips of Japan:-
1) Addresing someone respect
2) No Tipping
3) Use Chopsticks
4) Take off your shoes at the enterance to all homes, most hotels and business.
5) Masks

Are you only going to stay in Naha on the main island?
Or do you want to do some island hopping to some other islands like Ishigaki?
http://bit.ly/2iiSP87
or Miyakojima?
http://bit.ly/2iNrIhN

You can get around cheaply on JAL's Okinawa Island Pass.
http://www.churashima.net/jta/compan...ndpass_en.html

And to/from Okinawa is dirt cheap on low cost carriers like Jet Star, Peach or Vanilla Air.
http://www.jetstar.com/jp/en/home
http://www.flypeach.com/pc/en
http://www.vanilla-air.com/en/

For what to see and do, try:
http://en.okinawastory.jp
http://www.japan-guide.com/list/e1247.html