In this article, we introduce the capes and banta (cliffs) of Okinawa’s main island.
Okinawa’s main island may bring to mind beautiful seas and clean sandy beaches, but its capes and banta are every bit as stunning.
“Banta” is Okinawan dialect for “cliff” or “cape”.
Okinawa’s capes and banta have three defining traits: many sheer cliffs, rough waves on some days, and a chance to enjoy wild nature.
Here are the 10 capes on Okinawa’s main island we introduce this time.
- Cape Zanpa
- Cape Manzamo
- Kyan Cape
- Cape Hedo
- Cape Maeda
- Chinen Cape Park
- Kafuu Banta
- Kayauchi Banta
- Giza Banta
- Shinugudo Banta
Now let’s take a look at these 10 capes and banta!
Cape Zanpa
Cape Zanpa is a cape in Yomitan Village in central Okinawa.
Cape Zanpa is known for its sheer cliffs about 30 m high that run for about 2 km, and its large lighthouse.
The scenery is beautiful, and it is also famous as a filming location for the music video of BTS’s “Let Go”.
Nearby are Zanpa Beach, Cape Zanpa Park, the Grand Mercure Okinawa Cape Zanpa Resort and Okashi Goten (a souvenir shop), among others, so there is plenty to keep everyone from kids to adults entertained.
| Hours | None in particular |
| Admission | Free |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restroom | Yes |
| Shop | Yes |
| Lighthouse admission | 300 yen (junior high school age and above) |
| Official website | https://www.yomitan-kankou.jp/tourist/watch/1611315137/ |
Cape Manzamo
Manzamo is a cape in Onna Village in the northern part of Okinawa’s main island.
It draws large numbers of visitors and locals every year.
At Manzamo, the vast sea spreads out from Ryukyu limestone cliffs, and the rock that looks like an elephant’s trunk is especially famous.
The name Manzamo comes from a field large enough for ten thousand people to sit on; mo means a grassy plain.
*Source: Onna Village official site
The site is well set up for visitors, and about 30 minutes is enough to see it properly.
| Hours | None in particular |
| Admission | 100 yen (same for adults and children) *Free for children under elementary school age |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restroom | Yes |
| Shop | Yes |
| Official website | Onna Village official site |
Kyan Cape
Cape Kyan is a cape in Itoman City in the southern part of Okinawa’s main island.
It is famous as the southernmost cape on Okinawa’s main island.
A cliff about 30 meters high is its defining feature, and the view of the Arasaki coast from Kyan Cape is spectacular.
The southern area that includes Kyan Cape is designated as Okinawa Senseki Quasi-National Park, and the Tower of Peace, a memorial, stands at the tip of the cape.
*Source: Itoman City
| Hours | None in particular |
| Admission | Free |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restroom | Yes |
| Shop | None |
| Official website | Itoman City: Kyan Cape |
Cape Hedo
Cape Hedo is a cape in Kunigami Village in the northern part of Okinawa’s main island.
It is also famous as the northernmost cape on the main island; locals come here for a drive, and while it is not crowded, it does draw tourists too.
The area around Cape Hedo is part of Okinawa Kaigan Quasi-National Park, so you can fully enjoy Okinawa’s nature and beautiful views.
There is a parking lot, an observation deck and a snack stand.
| Hours | None in particular |
| Admission | Free |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restroom | Yes |
| Shop | None |
| Official website | Kunigami Village Planning, Commerce and Tourism Division |
Cape Maeda
Cape Maeda is a cape in Onna Village in the northern part of Okinawa’s main island.
The Blue Cave, a diving and snorkeling spot, is also nearby, and many visitors come every year.
The view from the observation deck is remarkable: jagged rock against blue water, with something mysterious about it, and the view alone is worth the trip.
It is a fixture on any Okinawa itinerary, and there are beautiful beaches close by, Zane Beach among them.
| Hours | Management office: 8:30-17:30 Parking: 7:00-19:00 Showers and lockers: 7:00-18:30 |
| Admission | Free |
| Parking | Yes (paid) 100 yen per hour |
| Restroom | Yes |
| Shop | Yes |
| Official website | https://maedamisaki.jp/ |
Rental cars in Okinawa
Chinen Cape Park
Chinen Cape Park is a cape in Nanjo City in the southern part of Okinawa’s main island.
Below the cape, reef and clear blue water stretch out in a genuinely beautiful view.
On a clear day you can even make out Kudaka Island, known in Okinawa as the island of the gods.
With a car park, a lookout and gazebos on site, it is an easy place to sit for a while and take in the scenery.
| Hours | None in particular |
| Admission | Free |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restroom | Yes |
| Shop | None |
| Official website | Nanjo City official website |
Kafuu Banta
Kafuu Banta is a cape on Miyagi Island, an outlying island of Uruma City in the central part of Okinawa’s main island.
It is an island, but a bridge connects it to the mainland, so you can drive there straight from the main island.
Kafuu Banta means “cape of happiness” in the Okinawan dialect: kafuu is “happiness” and banta is “cliff” or “cape”.
Kafuu Banta is well known for its views, and lately plenty of visitors make the trip just to see them.
The surrounding area also has unspoiled spots such as Ikei Island and Hamahiga Island, with plenty of beautiful places to enjoy Okinawa’s nature.
| Hours | None in particular |
| Admission | Free |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restroom | Yes |
| Shop | Yes |
| Official website | None |
Kayauchi Banta
Kayauchi Banta is a cape in Kunigami Village in the northern part of Okinawa’s main island.
The name is read “Kayauchi,” and banta means cliff in the Okinawan dialect.
The views from Kayauchi Banta are beautiful: looking down from the cliff, the forests and sea of Kunigami Village combine with the Ginama fishing port to make a scene that is hard to put into words.
The cliff stands roughly 80 meters high, taking in the whole sweep of the view.
It is not a place tourists usually make a point of visiting, but it is well worth it if you want to see Okinawa’s scenery at its best.
| Hours | None in particular |
| Admission | Free |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restroom | Yes |
| Shop | None |
| Official website | Kunigami Village Planning, Commerce and Tourism Division |
Giza Banta
Giza Banta is a cape in Yaese Town, on Okinawa’s main island.
This scenic spot is known for its sheer cliffs and a beautiful waterfall.
You will not find it in most guidebooks, but it is a hidden gem with beautiful views.
The cliffs are about 40 m high and the footing is poor, so take great care if you go down.
| Hours | None in particular |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restroom | None |
| Shop | None |
| Official website | None |
Shinugudo Banta
Shinugudo Banta, also known as the Shinugudo Site, is a clifftop cape on Miyagi Island, one of the small islands of Uruma City in the central part of Okinawa’s main island.
It is an island, but a bridge connects it to the mainland, so you can drive there straight from the main island.
Shinugudo Banta is a viewpoint about 100 metres up, looking out over Miyagi Island and Ikei Island.
The surrounding area has largely undeveloped spots such as Ikei Island and Hamahiga Island, with no shortage of beautiful places to take in Okinawa’s natural side.
| Hours | None in particular |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restroom | None |
| Shop | None |
| Official website | None |
In summary
In this article, we introduced the following 10 capes and banta on Okinawa’s main island.
- Cape Zanpa
- Cape Manzamo
- Kyan Cape
- Cape Hedo
- Cape Maeda
- Chinen Cape Park
- Kafuu Banta
- Kayauchi Banta
- Giza Banta
- Shinugudo Banta
Each cape and banta has its own character, and all of them offer beautiful views.
Be sure to visit when you are on Okinawa’s main island.
Thank you for reading to the end.
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