Vehicles

1. ゆいレール

   Yu-i-ree-ru

   Yui Rail monorail

   Usage

   The monorail from Naha airport to Urasoe — the only rail line in Okinawa. "Yui" is Okinawan for mutual help

2. バス

   Ba-su

   Bus

   Usage

   The bus. With almost no railways on the main island, buses carry most public transport — check timetables, as some routes are infrequent

3. こーそくバス

   Koo-so-ku-ba-su

   Expressway bus

   Usage

   The bus that runs the expressway from Naha up to Nago and the north — faster than the local service

4. タクシー

   Ta-ku-shii

   Taxi

   Usage

   Okinawan taxis start cheaper than on the mainland, and hiring one by the hour for sightseeing is common

5. くるま

   Ku-ru-ma

   Car

   Usage

   The car. Okinawa runs on cars, and most sightseeing means driving

6. レンタカー

   Ren-ta-kaa

   Rental car

   Usage

   The standard way to travel Okinawa, with the depots clustered near Naha airport. Book ahead in peak season

7. バイク

   Ba-i-ku

   Motorcycle

   Usage

   The motorbike. Rentals are handy on the outer islands — but the sun is fierce, so cover up

8. じてんしゃ

   Ji-ten-sha

   Bicycle

   Usage

   The bicycle. On flat islands like Taketomi and Kohama, rental bikes are the main way to get around

9. ふに

   Fu-ni

   Boat

   Usage

   Okinawan turns "fune" into "funi" — note that "bone" is also "funi", so context matters

10. さばに

    Sa-ba-ni

    Sabani (traditional Okinawan boat)

    Usage

    The long, narrow wooden fishing boat of Okinawa. Today you meet it in sail-and-paddle races and visitor experiences

11. フェーリー

    Fee-rii

    Ferry

    Usage

    The ferry to the outer islands. Okinawan has the "fe" sound natively, so it matches the Japanese form. Sailings are cancelled in typhoons — check the day before

12. こーそくせん

    Koo-so-ku-sen

    High-speed boat

    Usage

    The fast boats from Ishigaki to Taketomi, Iriomote and Hateruma — quicker than the ferry, but more affected by swell

13. ひこーき

    Hi-koo-ki

    Airplane

    Usage

    Flying is the quick way between islands — Miyako, Ishigaki, Kume and Yonaguni all have airports

14. きゅーきゅーしゃ

    Kyuu-kyuu-sha

    Ambulance

    Usage

    Fire and ambulance is 119. Medical facilities on the small islands are limited, and serious cases may be flown to the main island by helicopter

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