This guide covers every beach and stretch of coast in Nago.
Nago sits in the northern part of Okinawa’s main island and has no shortage of beautiful beaches.
The area around Nago also has plenty of major sights, the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium among them.
Here we introduce 15 beaches and coastal spots in Nago.
- Busena Beach
- Kariyushi Beach
- Kanucha Beach
- Kise Beach
- Yagaji Beach
- 21st Century Forest Beach
- Kouki Beach
- Nago Citizen Beach
- Ohdouhara (Kouri Bridge South Observatory)
- Agarie Beach (Agarie Coast)
- Sedake Beach
- Sea Glass Beach (Kunjita-hama)
- Kayo Beach (Kayo Coast)
- Abu Beach (Abu-hama)
- Sumuide Beach
- Around Nago
- Summary
Busena Beach
Busena Beach is a resort beach with a genuine air of luxury.
Exceptionally clear water and white sand are what set it apart.
The Western-style hotel buildings nearby only add to the resort atmosphere.
Rentals, activities and shops are all well provided for, so there is plenty here for adults and children alike.
| Access | About 80 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | 1808 Kise, Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture |
| Activities | Yes |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restroom | Yes |
Kariyushi Beach
Kariyushi Beach has the feel of a private beach.
Busena Beach and a line of luxury resort hotels sit close by.
Rentals, activities and shops are all well provided for, so there is plenty here for adults and children alike.
| Access | About 65 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | 1996 Kise, Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture |
| Day-visitor facility fee | Adults: 2,000 yen Children: 1,000 yen (ages 4–12) |
| Activities | Yes |
| Parking | Yes You may use the car park at Okinawa Kariyushi Beach Resort Ocean Spa. (Free shuttle bus between hotel and beach) |
| Restroom | Yes |
Kanucha Beach
Kanucha Beach is a beach in Nago.
It functions rather like the private beach of the Kanucha Resort hotel.
The natural landscape here is largely untouched — our pick for anyone after a true Okinawan resort experience.
Activities and rentals are plentiful, and the adjoining beachside pool is available to use as well.
| Access | About 110 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Abu, Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture |
| Facility fee | ■Guests of Kanucha Resort Free ■Non-guests Adults: 1,650 yen, Children: 550 yen |
| Activities | Yes |
| Parking | Yes (paid) |
| Restroom | Yes |
Kise Beach
Kise Beach is known for exceptionally clear water and roughly 1,500 m of sand.
In summer, Kise Beach sets up an inflatable aqua park on the water — a seasonal attraction that children in particular tend to love.
It is well equipped for swimming, with showers, changing rooms and restrooms, along with a good range of rentals such as swim rings, and plenty of activities.
A jellyfish net and lifeguards are both in place, so adults and children alike can enjoy the water with confidence.
| Access | About 90 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | 115 Kise, Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restroom | Yes |
Yagaji Beach
Yagaji Beach is on Yagaji Island, a small island off Nago.
It may be an offshore island, but a bridge links it to the main island, so you can drive straight there.
The draw here is clear water and about 300 m of beautiful sand.
It is also well known as a beach for camping and barbecues, both of which can be booked in advance.
| Access | About 80 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | 143 Yaga, Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture |
| Activities | Yes |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restroom | Yes |
21st Century Forest Beach
21st Century Forest Beach is known for its clear water and clean sand.
It is well equipped for swimming and open to barbecues, which has made it a favourite with locals and visitors alike.
21st Century Forest Park and an athletics stadium sit nearby, giving adults and children alike plenty to do.
| Access | About 90 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Miyazato, Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restroom | Yes |
Kouki Beach
Kouki Beach is known for exceptionally clear water and roughly 1,500 m of sand.
It is well equipped for a day at the beach, with restrooms, showers and coin lockers, and barbecues are permitted too.
There is no jellyfish net and no lifeguard on duty, but plenty of families were enjoying the shallows when we visited.
| Access | About 90 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Kouki, Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restroom | Yes |
Nago Citizen Beach
Nago Citizen Beach is known for its exceptionally clear water.
Kise Beach, Kouki Beach and Nago Citizen Beach all run into one another, and we could not make out any clear boundary between them.
There are no rentals or activities at Nago Citizen Beach itself.
Neighbouring Kise Beach and Kouki Beach do have facilities, so if you want to swim you can simply walk over.
| Access | About 90 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Kouki, Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restroom | None (restrooms at neighbouring Kouki Beach) |
Ohdouhara (Kouri Bridge South Observatory)
Ohdouhara (Kouri Bridge South Observatory) looks out over Kouri Island.
From here you can look out over Kouri Island, and the combination of clear water and the Kouri Bridge makes for a genuinely spectacular view.
Most people stay around 15 minutes, stopping off on the way to Kouri Island to take a few photographs before driving on.
| Access | About 100 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Sumuide, Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restroom | None |
Agarie Beach (Agarie Coast)
Agarie Beach (Agarie Coast) offers about 500 m of sand.
It is a lovely beach set in a residential neighbourhood — less a stop for tourists than somewhere locals come for a walk.
Agarie Beach is our pick for anyone who simply wants to take it easy along the shore.
| Access | About 75 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | 5-20-5 Agarie, Nago City, Okinawa 905-0021 |
| Parking | Yes (free) *Space for about 15 cars |
| Restroom | None |
Sedake Beach
Sedake Beach is known for its great natural boulders.
The natural landscape here is largely untouched, and you can take in Okinawa’s wilder side.
Almost no visitors make it out here, so it is our pick for anyone who wants clear water and a taste of Okinawa’s wilder side.
| Access | About 90 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | 35 Sedake, Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restroom | Yes |
Sea Glass Beach (Kunjita-hama)
Sea Glass Beach (Kunjita-hama) is known for its beautifully clear water.
This is a place where you can feel Okinawa’s natural landscape almost entirely as it was.
The beach draws a good number of overseas visitors, and when we came by there were people collecting sea glass.
It is not a beach that attracts crowds, so it suits anyone who wants to make jewellery from sea glass, or simply spend an unhurried stretch of time by the shore.
| Access | About 75 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Toyohara, Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture |
| Parking | Yes (about 10 spaces) |
| Restroom | None |
Kayo Beach (Kayo Coast)
Kayo Beach (Kayo Coast) has roughly 2 km of clean sand.
The natural landscape here is largely untouched, and the combination of great boulders, the Yanbaru forest and the sea makes for a wonderful setting.
There are almost no swimming facilities, though public restrooms are provided.
| Access | About 100 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | 41 Kayo, Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture |
| Parking | None |
| Restroom | None |
Abu Beach (Abu-hama)
Abu Beach (Abu-hama) has about 1 km of clean sand and wonderfully clear water.
The landscape here is largely untouched and almost no visitors come this way, which makes it a fine choice for anyone wanting to spend unhurried time by the sea.
There are almost no swimming facilities — a quiet spot that few beyond the locals tend to visit.
| Access | About 100 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | 22 Abu, Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture |
| Parking | None |
| Restroom | None |
Sumuide Beach
Sumuide Beach, on Yagaji Island in northern Nago, is a hidden gem that only those in the know tend to find.
Set a little away from the tourist trail, it opens out into glittering emerald water and white sand that seems to gently envelop everyone who comes.
The shallows run out gently and the water stays calm — a restorative spot we would recommend to families and couples alike.
Time seems to slow here. It is a beach where you can feel Okinawa’s natural character and its quiet.
| Access | About 2 hours by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Sumuide, Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture |
| Parking | No dedicated car park Parking possible on the open ground |
| Restroom | None |
Around Nago
Activities in Nago
Nago offers a wide range of marine activities.
You can book diving, snorkeling, SUP and more.
If you would like to enjoy diving or snorkeling, why not check out the available activities online?
Recommended hotel: The Busena Terrace
The Busena Terrace is a luxury hotel with ocean-view rooms and a pool.
It also has facilities for weddings and receptions, along with plans for wedding and family photo shoots by the poolside or on Busena Beach.
It is our pick for anyone looking to unwind in Okinawa.
A rental car is the way to see Okinawa
For getting around Okinawa’s main island, a rental car is by far the best option.
Shuri Castle in Naha, the beautiful beaches of the north, American Village in Chatan — the sights are scattered across the island, and with a car you can take them in at your own pace. Local buses are infrequent and rarely run to time, so having a car makes a real difference to the trip.
Cars fill up quickly in the peak season, so we recommend booking early once your travel dates are set. One important note for overseas visitors: to drive in Japan you must obtain an International Driving Permit (Geneva Convention) in your home country before you depart, and remember that traffic in Japan drives on the left.
Summary
This article introduced the beaches of Nago.
Nago has everything from resort beaches that draw the crowds to popular snorkeling spots and quiet corners few visitors find.
If swimming and activities are what you are after, we would suggest
- Busena Beach
- Kariyushi Beach
- Kise Beach
as your starting points.
Each beach has its own character, and every one of them is a lovely place.
If you are heading to Nago, do make time for its beaches.
We hope this article proves useful.
Thank you for reading to the end.
Comments