Odo Beach (John Mung Beach) is a beach in Itoman, in the south of Okinawa’s main island.
It is a natural beach and a well-known snorkeling spot, and sea turtles come ashore here to lay their eggs.
The Japanese name is read Oodo-kaigan.
It also goes by the nickname John Mung Beach, said to come from John Manjiro landing at Odo Beach on his return from the United States.
*Source: Itoman City
Ratings for Odo Beach (John Mung Beach)
Odo Beach (John Mung Beach) at a glance
| Swimming season | No set hours |
| Opening hours | No set hours |
| Jellyfish net | None |
| Lifeguard | None |
| Showers | Yes |
| Lockers | None |
| Rentals | None |
| Activities | Yes (you need to bring your own gear) |
| Shop | None |
| Restrooms | Yes |
| Official site | None |
Odo Beach (John Mung Beach) has no jellyfish net and no lifeguards on duty.
Take care with your own safety when you go into the water.
Highlights
Clean sand
This is a natural beach, and the sand is very clean.
In summer it is also known as a beach where sea turtles come ashore to nest.
A popular snorkeling spot
The water at Odo Beach (John Mung Beach) is relatively calm, with coral spread across the shallows and high clarity.
Swim out a little and you can see large coral and colorful fish.
Activities can be booked through Viator or GetYourGuide, so take a look if you are interested.
The view changes with the tide
When I visited Odo Beach (John Mung Beach) the tide was out and the shallows stretched wide.
The site where John Manjiro came ashore
A monument marks the spot where John Manjiro came ashore.
*Source: Itoman City
Facilities
Restrooms and showers are in place.
Showers cost 300 yen per person.
There is also a rest area that doubles as a bus stop, and people sit on the benches looking out at the beach.
The sea turtle statue
There is a sea turtle statue here, along with a notice about protecting the local wildlife.
Sea turtles are a protected species, so if you are lucky enough to spot one, follow the rules while you watch.
Getting there and parking
| Access | About 35 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Odo, Itoman City, Okinawa |
| Parking | Yes (both paid and free lots) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
Odo Beach (John Mung Beach) has a paid lot (300 yen) and a free lot.
See the image and map below for parking details.
Around Odo Beach (John Mung Beach)
Activities in Itoman
Itoman offers a 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.
Peace Memorial Park (Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Park)
Peace Memorial Park is in Mabuni, Itoman City, in the south of Okinawa’s main island, where the Battle of Okinawa came to an end.
The park holds the Cornerstone of Peace, the Peace Hall and the Peace Memorial Museum, and draws visitors from Japan and abroad along with memorial groups and school trips, making it a hub for tourism as well.
*Source: https://heiwa-irei-okinawa.jp/
Kyan Cape
Kyan Cape is a cape in Itoman, in the south of Okinawa’s main island, known as the southernmost cape on the main island (the actual southern tip is Arasaki, about 1.4 km to the east).
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
It is about 15 minutes by car from Odo Beach (John Mung Beach) to Kyan Cape.
Ryukyu Hotel & Resort Nashiro Beach
Ryukyu Hotel & Resort Nashiro Beach is one of the leading beach resorts in Okinawa.
Built around the concept of understated luxury, it has indoor and outdoor pools, banquet halls and a chapel, and it suits anyone who wants a resort stay.
The hotel connects directly to Nashiro Beach, so a beautiful stretch of sand sits right in front of 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
This article introduced Odo Beach (John Mung Beach).
Odo Beach (John Mung Beach) is a particularly good pick if you want to snorkel.
The beach is largely untouched, so you get nature as it is.
When you visit Itoman, make time for Odo Beach (John Mung Beach).
Thank you for reading to the end.
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