This article covers every beach and stretch of coast in Chatan.
Chatan sits on the west coast of Okinawa’s main island and is packed with attractions, American Village among them.
Chatan has several beaches and coastal spots, ranging from busy, well-known favorites to quiet places the locals keep to themselves.
The five beaches and coastal spots covered here are:
- Araha Beach
- Chatan Park Sunset Beach
- Sunabe Beach
- Miyagi Coast
- Mihama Coast
Let’s take a look.
Araha Beach
Araha Beach is defined by roughly 600 metres of sand and remarkably clear water.
Crowds of visitors come every year, but it is loved by locals too: people walk the promenade along the shore, and Araha Park is always full of children.
The swimming facilities are well set up and there are activities as well as ordinary bathing, so it is a good pick if you want to make the most of Okinawa’s sea.
| Access | About 45 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | 2-21 Chatan, Chatan, Nakagami District, Okinawa |
| Activities | Yes |
| Parking | Yes (free, about 120 spaces) |
| Restroom | Yes |
Chatan Park Sunset Beach
Chatan Park Sunset Beach is defined by its neatly kept sand and clear water.
It is a man-made beach, but it is well maintained and there is no shortage of photogenic corners.
American Village, a cinema and other popular attractions are all close by.
You will need to book, but barbecues are allowed on the beach, which makes it a good spot for a beach party.
| Access | About 45 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | 2 Mihama, Chatan, Nakagami District, Okinawa |
| Activities | Yes |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restroom | Yes |
Sunabe Beach
Sunabe Beach is defined by its white sand and clear water.
The area around Sunabe Beach sits close to Kadena Air Base and is home to many foreign residents; you will often see them walking along the shore or taking their children to nearby Sunabe Baba Park.
It feels less like a tourist site and more like somewhere the local community comes to unwind.
| Access | About 45 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | 247-5 Sunabe, Chatan, Nakagami District, Okinawa |
| Activities | None |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restroom | Yes |
Miyagi Coast
Miyagi Coast has exceptionally clear water and beautiful coral, which has made it a well-known snorkeling spot.
The surrounding area is full of foreign-style houses, and you will see plenty of residents and foreign visitors strolling along the shore.
Besides snorkeling, many people come here to dive, surf, fish and swim.
| Access | About 45 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Miyagi, Sunabe, Chatan, Nakagami District, Okinawa |
| Activities | Yes |
| Parking | Yes (free, time-limited: 5:00-22:00) |
| Restroom | None |
Mihama Coast
Mihama Coast is defined by its colorful tetrapods and beautiful blue water.
American Village is right there, and settling into a café to watch the shoreline is about as relaxing as it gets.
The sunset from Mihama Coast is beautiful, so it suits anyone who wants to sit in a café and look out over the sea.
| Access | About 45 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | 34-2 Mihama, Chatan, Nakagami District, Okinawa |
| Activities | None |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restroom | Yes |
Around Chatan
Activities in Chatan
Chatan offers a wide range of water sports.
You can book diving, snorkeling, SUP and more.
If you are interested in diving or snorkeling, why not take a look at what is on offer in Chatan?
American Village
American Village is exactly what the name suggests: rows of American-themed buildings housing fashion brands, homeware shops and restaurants aimed at a younger crowd.
It is especially popular with young visitors and is a great place for photos.
DoubleTree by Hilton Okinawa Chatan Resort
DoubleTree by Hilton Okinawa Chatan Resort is a resort hotel.
It is a smart, recently opened resort, and guests can use two outdoor pools as well as the indoor pool at the adjoining Hilton.
American Village is within walking distance, and Mihama Coast is right next door.
It is a good choice if you want to slow down and enjoy a resort stay in Okinawa.
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.
The places worth seeing are scattered across the island, from Shuri Castle in Naha to the beautiful beaches of the north and American Village in Chatan, and with a car you can take them at your own pace. Buses are infrequent and do not always run on time, so having a car or not 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.
In summary
This article introduced the beaches and coastal spots in Chatan.
Chatan has everything from busy, well-known beaches to quiet places the locals keep to themselves.
If swimming is the goal, Araha Beach is the most popular, followed by Chatan Park Sunset Beach.
This is only a personal view, but here is a quick summary of each beach and coastal spot.
- Araha Beach – well equipped for swimming and water sports
- Chatan Park Sunset Beach – swimming, shopping and barbecues all in one place
- Sunabe Beach – a quiet spot that only locals seem to use
- Miyagi Coast – well known as a snorkeling spot
- Mihama Coast – the place to relax in American Village and watch the sunset
Each one has its own character, but all of them are beautiful.
If you are heading to Chatan, do stop by.
We hope this article was of some help.
Thank you for reading to the end.
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