This guide covers every beach on Kouri Island in Nakijin Village.
Nakijin Village and Kouri Island lie on the northern part of Okinawa’s main island.
Kouri Island is an outlying island, but a bridge connects it to the main island, so you can drive there.
Kouri Island is well known as a place to visit and draws large numbers of people every year.
The five beaches covered here are as follows.
- Kouri Beach
- Tinu Beach
- Tokei Beach
- Peace Beach
- Chigunu Beach
Let us take a look at each of them.
Kouri Beach
Kouri Beach is a genuinely lovely beach with clear water, white sand, and a view of Kouri Ohashi Bridge.
It is a popular beach that draws large numbers of visitors every year.
In summer you can swim and try marine activities, or simply spend unhurried time on the sand.
| Access | About 100 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Kouri, Nakijin Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa |
| Activities | Yes |
| Parking | Available (free) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
Tinu Beach
Tinu Beach is well known for Heart Rock, a heart-shaped rock formation, and it draws a steady stream of visitors.
Heart Rock is a well-known photo spot, and couples and families alike post pictures of it on Instagram and elsewhere.
Some people do go in the water here, but there is no shower room, so it is better thought of as a place to take in the view than to swim.
| Access | About 100 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Kouri, Nakijin Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa |
| Marine activities | No |
| Parking | Yes (both paid and free) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
Tokei Beach
Tokei Beach is a natural beach defined by clear water, beautiful sand, and large natural limestone formations.
Relatively few tourists come, which makes it somewhere you can relax on the sand.
Numbers are small, but you will sometimes find a few people swimming or snorkeling.
| Access | About 100 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Kouri, Nakijin Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa |
| Marine activities | No |
| Parking | Yes (both paid and free) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
Peace Beach
Peace Beach is a natural beach whose great appeal is its exceptionally clear water.
Few tourists come here, so it is somewhere you can spend unhurried time on the sand.
There are no swimming facilities, so take real care if you go into the water.
| Access | About 100 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Kouri, Nakijin Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa |
| Marine activities | No |
| Parking | Yes (both paid and free) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
Chigunu Beach
Chigunu Beach is a small, unspoiled natural beach.
It is home to the Cave of Beginnings, a sacred site from Ryukyuan mythology, and some people come specifically for that.
The beach itself is very small, so go with photographs at the Cave of Beginnings in mind rather than swimming.
| Access | About 100 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Kouri, Nakijin Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa |
| Marine activities | No |
| Parking | No (there is free parking near Kouri Beach) |
| Restrooms | No |
Around Kouri Island
Snorkeling, SUP, and Other Marine Activities Are Available
Kouri Island has plenty in the way of marine activities.
Snorkeling tours, trips around Kouri Island, SUP, jet skiing, and more.
If you would like to try something on Kouri Island, take a look at what is available on Viator or GetYourGuide.
One Suite THE TERRACE
One Suite THE TERRACE is a luxury resort hotel where every room has an ocean view.
The rooms are spacious and stylish, with a real sense of cleanliness.
Kouri Beach is about a ten-minute walk away, so if you are looking to stay on Kouri Island, One Suite THE TERRACE is worth considering.
JUNGLIA OKINAWA
JUNGLIA OKINAWA is a theme park in Nakijin Village that opened on July 25, 2025.
The site covers roughly 60 hectares, with attractions built around the wild nature of Yanbaru and a spa looking out over a remarkable view.
It is about an hour and a half by car from Naha Airport, which makes it easy to work into a day of beach-hopping on Kouri Island.
If you want more than just the sea on your trip, it is well worth a visit.
A Rental Car Is the Way to Go in Okinawa
A rental car is by far the best way to get around Okinawa’s main island.
Shuri Castle in Naha, the beautiful beaches of the north, American Village in Chatan — the places worth seeing are spread across the island, so having a car lets you explore at your own pace. Buses are infrequent and do not always run to time, so a car makes a real difference to how much you can fit in.
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 Closing
This guide has covered the beaches of Kouri Island.
Kouri Island has everything from well-known, popular beaches to quiet local finds.
If swimming is what you are after, Kouri Beach is the popular choice, with plenty of activities on offer.
The following is my own view, but here is a summary of each beach and stretch of coast.
- Kouri Beach — a popular beach with everything from swimming to activities
- Tinu Beach — home to Heart Rock, and a good choice for couples and families
- Tokei Beach — a quiet find with few tourists
- Peace Beach — a quiet find with few tourists
- Chigunu Beach — home to the Cave of Beginnings, a sacred site on Kouri Island
Each beach on Kouri Island has its own character, and every one of them is beautiful.
When you visit Kouri Island, be sure to make time for them.
I hope this guide has been of some use.
Thank you for reading to the end.
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