This article introduces every beach in Tomigusuku.
Tomigusuku sits in the south of Okinawa’s main island, about 15 minutes by car from Naha Airport.
From a well-equipped man-made beach to the natural beaches of Senagajima, the beaches here have real variety despite being so close to the airport.
We cover three beaches in Tomigusuku, along with a few sights beyond the sand.
- Churasun Beach
- Senaga Beach
- Senaga Nishi Beach
That makes three beaches in all.
Churasun Beach
Churasun Beach is a beach in Tomigusuku, in the south of Okinawa’s main island.
It is a man-made beach with about 700 meters of sand, and that long stretch is its defining feature.
The facilities are well set up, so you can swim and try water activities. Around the beach there are barbecue areas, cafes and a basketball court.
It is about 15 minutes by car from Naha Airport, and it draws large crowds every year.
| Access | About 15 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | 5-1 Toyosaki, Tomigusuku City, Okinawa |
| Activities | Yes |
| Parking | Yes (paid) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
Senaga Beach
Senaga Beach is on Senagajima in Tomigusuku, in the south of Okinawa’s main island.
Senagajima is a small island, but a bridge connects it to the main island, so you can drive right over.
About 200 meters of sand and a shallow, gently sloping sea are the draw here. There is no jellyfish net or other swimming infrastructure, but restrooms and showers are in place.
Cafes and restaurants sit near the beach, so it is easy to linger.
| Access | About 15 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Senaga, Tomigusuku City, Okinawa |
| Activities | None |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
Senaga Nishi Beach
Senaga Nishi Beach is a natural beach on the same island as Senaga Beach.
About 300 meters of sand and clear shallows define it, and the beach runs longer than Senaga Beach.
There is no jellyfish net here either, but restrooms and showers are available.
Umikaji Terrace on Senagajima is right next door, which makes this a good pick if you want to sit and watch the sea.
| Access | About 15 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Senaga, Tomigusuku City, Okinawa |
| Activities | None |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
Other sights in Tomigusuku
Yashinoki Road
Yashinoki Road is a sightseeing spot in Toyosaki, Tomigusuku.
Palm trees line the road with clear blue sea behind them, and it is known as a photogenic stop.
It is right next to Churasun Beach and about 15 minutes by car from Naha Airport, so it pairs easily with a beach visit.
It is not a tourist facility, but couples and families with children come here to take photos.
| Access | About 15 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | 3-46 Toyosaki, Tomigusuku City, Okinawa |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restrooms | None |
Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters
This is the underground shelter that housed the Japanese Navy’s headquarters during the Battle of Okinawa.
About 3,000 men of a naval construction unit dug it by hand in 1944, and roughly 300 meters are open today, with the commander’s room, the operations room and other spaces left as they were.
On June 13, 1945, Rear Admiral Minoru Ota, commander of the Okinawa Naval Base Force, took his own life inside this shelter along with his officers and men.
The closing line of the telegram Ota sent to the Navy Vice Minister just before his death, asking that the people of Okinawa be given special consideration by future generations for how they had fought, is still quoted today.
The adjoining museum displays personal effects and photographs found inside the shelter. The memorial tower on the hill above is built in the shape of a warship.
It is in the same city as the beaches, but this is not a place to drop by casually on a day of swimming. Leave yourself time, and visit quietly.
| Access | About 20 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | 236 Aza Tomigusuku, Tomigusuku City, Okinawa |
| Hours | 9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30) |
| Closed | None (open year-round) |
| Admission (individual) | Adults (high school and above): 600 yen Children: 300 yen Preschoolers: free |
| Admission (groups of 20 or more) | Adults: 400 yen Children: 200 yen |
| Parking | Yes (free, 100 spaces) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
| Official site | Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters |
See the Google Map below for the location of the Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters.
Around Tomigusuku
Activities in Tomigusuku
Tomigusuku offers plenty of activities, from snorkeling to SUP.
You can book through Viator or GetYourGuide, so it is worth a look.
Ryukyu Onsen Senagajima Hotel
About 15 minutes by car from Naha Airport, this is the closest resort hotel to the airport, set on Senagajima, an island that is a resort from end to end.
At Ryujin no Yu, the large open-air bath fed by natural hot spring water drawn from 1,000 meters underground, you can soak while looking out over the west coast and the sunset behind the Kerama Islands.
Rooms come in two types, airport view for watching planes take off and land, and ocean view facing the blue sea, and it is a one-minute walk to Umikaji Terrace, the popular white-washed shopping street.
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 the beaches of Tomigusuku.
Churasun Beach has the facilities to suit anyone, while Senaga Beach and Senaga Nishi Beach are where you go to slow down on Senagajima. Each has its own appeal.
If you want to swim and try water activities, choose Churasun Beach; if you would rather take it easy and pair the day with Umikaji Terrace, the two beaches on Senagajima are the better fit.
Beyond the beaches there is photogenic Yashinoki Road and the Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters, which carries the history of the Battle of Okinawa.
It is close to Naha Airport, which makes it a good stop on your first or last day.
When you visit Tomigusuku, make time for the beaches too.
I hope this article was of some help to you.
Thank you for reading to the end.
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