Habyaan, also known as Cape Kabeeru, is a headland on Kudaka Island in Nanjo City, southern Okinawa, and it can easily be seen on a day trip.
Habyaan is held to be the sacred place where Amamikiyo, the creator deity of Ryukyu, descended to earth.
Habyaan is also well known as a power spot, and swimming is not permitted here – please bear that in mind.
Let’s take a look.
Ratings for Habyaan
*Ratings are the personal impressions of the Okinawa Bookmark editor, compared with other beaches in Okinawa Prefecture
Habyaan at a glance
| Opening hours | No set hours |
| Admission | Free |
| Parking | None |
| Restrooms | None |
| Shop | None |
| Official website | None |
Swimming is not permitted in the water at Habyaan, so please be aware of that in advance.
What to look out for
The sacred place where Amamikiyo descended
As mentioned above, Habyaan is held to be the sacred place where Amamikiyo, the creator deity of Ryukyu, descended to earth.
A beautiful headland
Habyaan is a genuinely beautiful cape in its own right.
The natural cliffs are striking, and we heard plenty of visitors remarking on how lovely it all was.
The water is remarkably clear
The clarity of the water here is something else.
Photographs do not do it justice – in person it is beautiful enough to leave you speechless.
There is bicycle parking
There is a spot at the edge of the road where you can leave a bicycle.
Allow about 15 minutes
A visit to Habyaan takes around 15 minutes.
There is nowhere to sit and rest, so simply take in the spiritual atmosphere.
Getting there
| Access | About 20 minutes by bicycle from Tokujin Port |
| Address | Chinen Kudaka, Nanjo City, Okinawa |
| Parking | None |
| Restrooms | None |
Habyaan is about 20 minutes by bicycle from Tokujin Port, the harbour on Kudaka Island.
For how to get to Kudaka Island from Okinawa’s main island, see our article “Kudaka Island | Ferry Times, Getting There and Accommodation“.
What’s nearby Habyaan
About Kudaka Island
Kudaka Island plays an important role in Okinawan mythology. Known as the place where Amamikiyo, the creator deity of the Ryukyuan creation myth, first came ashore, it is also called the island of the gods.
Those myths still run deep on the island, and islanders and Okinawans alike continue to pass on its history and rites, holding ceremonies year after year.
We cover the best of Kudaka Island in the article below – do take a look.
The Romance Road gazebo
The area around Romance Road is laid out as a walking path, with gazebos and a few other places to rest along the way.
Personally, I thought the view from the Romance Road gazebo was the best on Kudaka Island.
Dramatic cliffs and clear emerald-green water – it could not have been better.
Kubou Utaki
Kubou Utaki is a sacred site and is closed to the general public.
It appears in the Ryukyuan creation myth and is counted as one of the seven utaki.
Recommended activities in Nanjo City
Nanjo City offers a wide 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.
Yuinchi Hotel Nanjo
Yuinchi Hotel Nanjo offers reasonable rates and a natural hot spring – a rarity in Okinawa.
On clear days you can also enjoy fine views of the sea from its hilltop setting.
Summary
In this article we introduced Habyaan (Cape Kabeeru).
Habyaan is the sacred place where Amamikiyo, the creator deity of Ryukyu, is said to have descended, and it has been an important site since the days of the Ryukyu Kingdom.
If you are going to Kudaka Island, do make time for Habyaan.
Thank you for reading to the end.
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