Hyakuna Beach is a beach in Nanjo City, in the southern part of Okinawa’s main island.
It is a natural beach known for its very clear water and, together with Mibaru Beach, a two-kilometre stretch of sand.
Hyakuna Beach has no safety net and no lifeguards, which gives it something of the feel of a private beach.
It is also famous as a power spot, and it is a place of Ryukyu Kingdom myth.
Tradition holds that this is the sacred spot where the goddess Amamikiyo first set foot on land after crossing from beyond the sea.
Ratings for Hyakuna Beach
*Ratings are the subjective assessment of the Okinawa Bookmark editor, compared with other beaches in Okinawa Prefecture.
Hyakuna Beach at a glance
| Swimming season | None in particular |
| Opening hours | None in particular |
| Swimming fee | Free |
| Safety net | None |
| Lifeguards | None |
| Showers | None |
| Lockers | None |
| Equipment rental | None |
| Activities | None |
| Shop | None |
| Restrooms | None |
| Official website | None |
Hyakuna Beach has no lifeguards and no safety net, so take care if you go in the water.
The sea and the sand are both beautiful, so simply sitting and taking in the view is a fine option too.
What to look out for
Power spots all around
There are several power spots at Hyakuna Beach.
It is said to be the place where Amamikiyo, famous from the Ryukyuan creation myth, first came ashore after crossing from beyond the sea.
*Reference: Nanjo City Tourism and Commerce Division
Beautifully clear water
Hyakuna Beach is a natural beach and the water is very clear.
It is not a busy beach, but you will still find people swimming or out on SUP boards and other marine activities.
Two kilometres of beautiful sand
The white sand runs for about two kilometres – a lovely stretch of coast.
As a natural beach, there is a fair amount of coral and stone on the sand, so shoes or sandals are recommended.
You can go horse riding
When we visited Hyakuna Beach, there were people out riding horses.
You can apparently book through Umikaze Horse Farm, so it is worth a look.
Yaharazukasa
Yaharazukasa is famous as the place where Amamikiyo, the creator deity of Ryukyu, first set foot on Okinawa’s main island after coming from Nirai Kanai.
Today it serves as a prayer site.
Hamagawa Utaki
Hamagawa Utaki is said to be where Amamikiyo stayed for a time after coming ashore at Yaharazukasa from Nirai Kanai.
It is also well known as a prayer site on the Agari-umaai.
See the image above for details.
Please note
There are rules for using Hyakuna Beach.
Please follow the rules set out in the image above and enjoy your visit safely.
Getting there and parking
| Access | About 40 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | 707 Tamagusuku Hyakuna, Nanjo City, Okinawa |
| Parking | None |
| Restrooms | None |
Hyakuna Beach has no car park, though we did see several cars parked along the roadside.
Alternatively, you could park at Mibaru Beach and walk over.
What’s nearby Hyakuna Beach
Mibaru Beach
Mibaru Beach is right next door, joined to Hyakuna Beach by a long stretch of sand – you cannot really tell where one ends and the other begins.
It is a natural beach known for its very clear water and, together with Hyakuna Beach, a two-kilometre stretch of sand.
In summer a safety net is put up and lifeguards are on duty, making it a beach that adults and children alike can enjoy.
Recommended activities in Nanjo City
Nanjo City offers a wide range of marine activities.
You can book diving, snorkelling, SUP and more.
If you would like to try diving or snorkelling, take a look at what is available on GetYourGuide or Viator.
Hyakuna Garan
Hyakuna Garan is a luxury resort hotel known for its cuisine made with seasonal Okinawan ingredients and its ocean views.
Set right on the coast, it looks out over the Okinawan sea from atop a cliff.
Room rates are a little above average, but the service and hospitality more than make up for it.
A rental car is the way to go in Okinawa
For sightseeing on Okinawa’s main island, a rental car is by far the best option.
Shuri Castle in Naha, the beautiful beaches up north, American Village in Chatan – the places worth seeing are scattered across the island, and having a car lets you explore at your own pace. Buses are infrequent and rarely run on time, so having a car makes a real difference to the trip.
Cars book up quickly in peak season, so reserve as soon as your dates are set.
Summary
In this article we introduced Hyakuna Beach.
Hyakuna Beach sees few visitors, but it is a genuinely beautiful beach.
There is almost nothing in the way of swimming facilities, so please take real care if you go into the water.
If you are heading to Nanjo City, do make time for Hyakuna Beach.
Thank you for reading to the end.
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