Ports and clearance in Okinawa

What Okinawa Prefecture says about Yonabaru Marina and Naha Port, and the clearance rules for foreign yachts.

Picture made with AI. It shows the place but is not a photograph.

Ports

Ports that take international ships

Okinawa Prefecture says Naha Port and Yonabaru Marina are the only ports in the prefecture that can take international ships.

Place	Facilities	Run by
Yonabaru Marina	196 boats, 68 afloat and 128 ashore. Fuel facility, parking for 229 cars, 60 t and 20 t cranes. Depth below the crane averages 5 m and is 7 to 8 m on the water to its left. Open port with customs, immigration and quarantine checks	Designated manager for April 2024 to March 2029, for Okinawa Prefecture

Okinawa Prefecture Port Division, 24 January 2025, and Okinawa Prefectural Assembly committee report, 22 August 2025. Almost all Yonabaru berths are in use and there is a waiting list.

Superyachts

Superyachts at Yonabaru Marina

Okinawa Prefecture Port Division defines a superyacht as a vessel of 30 m or more.

Past visitsRyukyu Shimpo said on 12 January 2022 that superyachts had called at Yonabaru Marina in the past. It said small yachts and cruisers, and the crane, left no quay space for them.

SizeOn 22 August 2025 a prefectural assembly committee report said vessels about 30 m long are berthed at the marina.

Not yet suppliedOn 22 August 2025 the prefecture said the marina cannot yet supply the 440 V power, high-volume water and fuel that large yachts need.

PlansThe prefecture said it is considering a development plan that includes taking superyachts. In January 2022 Ryukyu Shimpo reported a plan for a quay and a floating pier for superyachts, and a breakwater that was still under consideration.

Clearance

Notice, permits and customs

Coast Guard notice

For a foreign ship at Yonabaru Marina, report to the Japan Coast Guard 24 hours before arrival and get permission. Customs, immigration and quarantine checks take place at the marina. (Okinawa Prefectural Assembly committee, 22 August 2025.)

Closed ports

A foreign pleasure boat that calls at a closed port in Japan needs special permission from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in advance. Its English page asks for the application at least one week before the call. (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, undated.) Check the rules for your passport.

Customs

Japan Customs defines a superyacht as a pleasure vessel of 80 feet (24 m) or longer. Its page covers changing between special vessel status for international voyages and coastal vessel status for domestic voyages. The procedures took effect on 16 December 2021. (Japan Customs, December 2021.) Check the rules for your passport.

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