Katsuren Henna Coast is a stretch of natural shoreline in Katsuren Henna, Uruma City, in the central part of Okinawa’s main island.
It sits roughly halfway along the Katsuren Peninsula, right beside a village, and has never been laid out as a tourist destination.
As a result very few people come, which makes it a welcome find if you want to look out at the sea in peace.
The wider area has plenty to see as well, including the Katsuren Castle Ruins, the Kaichu-doro sea road and Heshikiya Port, where the ferry to Tsuken Island departs.
Ratings for Katsuren Henna Coast
*Ratings are the subjective view of the Okinawa Bookmark editor, compared with other beaches in the prefecture
Katsuren Henna Coast at a glance
| Swimming season | Year-round (no designated swimming area) |
| Hours | None in particular |
| Swimming fee | Free |
| Jellyfish net | None |
| Lifeguard | None |
| Showers | None |
| Lockers | None |
| Swim gear rental | None |
| Activities | None |
| Shop | None |
| Restroom | None |
| Official website | None |
Katsuren Henna Coast is not a managed swimming beach but a natural shoreline.
There are no showers, restrooms or shops, so bring your own drinks and towel.
Highlights
A quiet shore that tourism has passed by
Katsuren Henna Coast may be named on the map, but there is no signboard and no car park laid out for visitors.
Tourists therefore never descend on the place, and the mood is calm, with locals fishing at their leisure or out for a walk.
It suits anyone who prefers a quiet sea to a busy beach.
Natural sand and rock
With almost no human intervention, the shoreline runs on as a natural mix of sand and rock.
At low tide, rock pools form among the rocks and you can watch the small creatures in them.
Coral fragments and shells often wash up here as well, so simply walking the shore is a pleasure in itself.
Easy to drop in on, right by the village
The Uruma City Katsuren District Community Centre, Katsuren Library and a post office are all close to the shore, which sits right beside the village.
It is not somewhere remote, so it is easy to call in while driving around the Katsuren Peninsula.
Please note
- There is no lifeguard and no jellyfish net. If you swim, you do so at your own risk, so do not push your luck
- Dangerous creatures such as box jellyfish may be present, so keeping skin covered is advisable
- The rocks are slippery, so water shoes or similar footwear that protects your feet are recommended
- There is no parking and no restroom, so use facilities nearby before you set off
- The shore sits right beside a residential area, so please take real care over parking and noise
- Please take all rubbish home with you
Access & Parking
| Access | About 60 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Katsuren Henna, Uruma City, Okinawa |
| Parking | None |
| Restroom | None |
It is about 60 minutes by car from Naha Airport via the Okinawa Expressway.
Leave at Okinawa-kita IC, follow Prefectural Route 75 towards the tip of the Katsuren Peninsula, then turn seawards at the village of Henna.
There is no dedicated car park, so it is safer to use public facilities nearby and walk from there.
See the Google map below for the location of Katsuren Henna Coast.
What’s nearby Katsuren Henna Coast
Activities in Uruma City
Uruma City offers all kinds of marine activities.
You can book diving, snorkeling, SUP and more.
If you would like to enjoy diving or snorkeling, why not see what is available on Viator or GetYourGuide?
Katsuren Castle Ruins
A World Heritage castle ruin at the base of the Katsuren Peninsula.
The beautiful stone walls and the view from the heights are the draw, and it is unmissable if you are exploring the Katsuren area.
A rental car is the way to go in Okinawa
A rental car is by far the best way to get around the main island of Okinawa.
Shuri Castle in Naha, the beautiful beaches up north, American Village in Chatan and the rest are scattered all over the island, so having a car lets you explore at your own pace. Buses are infrequent and rarely run to time, so whether or not you have a car makes a real difference to the trip.
Popular seasons book up quickly, so reserve early once your dates are set.
In summary
This article introduced Katsuren Henna Coast.
It is not a swimming beach laid out for visitors, but that is why so few people come and why you can take the natural shoreline in slowly.
There is plenty to see nearby, from the Katsuren Castle Ruins to White Beach and the Kaichu-doro sea road, so do call in while you are exploring the Katsuren Peninsula.
Thank you for reading to the end.
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