This time we are covering every beach and coast in Yaese Town.
Yaese Town lies in the south of Okinawa’s main island, about 40 minutes by car from Naha Airport.
The beaches here are not the resort beaches where tourists gather, but quiet, little-known spots where local people come to relax.
Here we introduce two beaches and coasts in Yaese Town.
- Hanashiro Beach
- Gushichan Beach
That makes two beaches and coasts in all.
Hanashiro Beach
Hanashiro Beach is a little-known beach where you can snorkel, camp, and have a barbecue.
The waves here are relatively calm, and you can see plenty of fish in the shallows.
There is no equipment rental, so you will need to bring your own gear if you want to snorkel.
※The beach’s Japanese name is read “Hanashiro”.
| Access | About 40 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Hanashiro, Yaese Town, Shimajiri District, Okinawa Prefecture |
| Water sports | None |
| Parking | Yes (two free parking areas) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
Gushichan Beach
Gushichan Beach is known for its clear water, the fish in its shallows, and its large rocks.
The waves here are relatively calm, and at low tide you can see plenty of fish in the shallows.
The rocky shore, lined with oddly shaped rocks about 5 meters tall, is another highlight, and woodland surrounds the beach.
This is also the beach where the music video for Perfume’s “Relax In The City” was filmed.
| Access | About 40 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Yaese Town, Shimajiri District, Okinawa Prefecture |
| Water sports | None |
| Parking | Yes (free, about 15 spaces) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
Also Worth a Look
Giza Banta
Giza Banta is a dramatic clifftop viewpoint in Yaese Town.
The cliff is about 40 meters high, with a beautiful waterfall spilling down below it.
It is a hidden spot that rarely appears in guidebooks, but the footing is poor, so take real care if you go down to the bottom.
Gushikami Castle Ruins
Gushikami Castle Ruins is a castle site in Yaese Town, said to have been built in the mid-14th century by the Gushikami Aji.
Covering roughly 25,700 square meters, it is one of the largest gusuku in the south of Okinawa’s main island.
Today the site is maintained as Gushikami Castle Ruins Park, and from the top of the cliff you can look out over the Pacific Ocean.
Admission is free and a visit takes about 30 minutes. It is close to Gushichan Beach, so it is easy to stop at both.
Activities in southern Okinawa
Southern Okinawa offers plenty of activities such as diving and snorkeling.
You can book through GetYourGuide or Viator, so do take a look at what is on offer.
The Southern Links Resort Hotel
The Southern Links Resort Hotel is a resort hotel where every room has an ocean view.
The hotel sits on the grounds of a golf course, so you can take in the green fairways and the blue sea of Okinawa at the same time.
It is a good choice if you want to relax and enjoy a resort atmosphere in Okinawa.
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 time we covered the beaches and coasts of Yaese Town.
They are quiet, little-known beaches that tourists rarely visit, and both are good places to spend time slowly.
If you want to snorkel, camp, or have a barbecue, we recommend Hanashiro Beach,
and if you want to see the rocky shore and the fish in the shallows, Gushichan Beach is the one.
Each beach has its own character, and both are beautiful.
When you are in Yaese Town, do make time to visit its beaches and coasts.
I hope this article has been of some help.
Thank you for reading to the end.
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