Kayauchi Banta is a cape in Kunigami Village, in the north of Okinawa’s main island.
The name is read “Kayauchi,” and banta means cliff in the Okinawan dialect.
The views from Kayauchi Banta are beautiful: looking down from the cliff, the forests and sea of Kunigami Village combine with the Ginama fishing port to make a scene that is hard to put into words.
The cliff stands roughly 80 meters high, taking in the whole sweep of the view.
It is not a place tourists usually make a point of visiting, but it is well worth it if you want to see Okinawa’s scenery at its best.
Ratings for Kayauchi Banta
*Ratings reflect the personal impressions of the Okinawa Bookmark editor compared with other capes in Okinawa Prefecture
Kayauchi Banta at a Glance
| Opening hours | None in particular |
| Admission | Free |
| Parking | Available (free) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
| Shop | No |
| Official website | Kunigami Village Planning, Commerce and Tourism Division |
What to See
The View
The view looking down from roughly 80 meters up at Kayauchi Banta is genuinely beautiful.
Seeing it in person, it is beautiful enough to leave you lost for words.
Where the Name Comes From
There is a sign on site explaining where the name Kayauchi Banta comes from.
It reads: “The name comes from the way a bundle of cogon grass, dropped from a cliff of about 100 meters, comes apart partway down and scatters.”
Surrounded by Forest
Kayauchi Banta is surrounded by the forests of Yanbaru.
On Google Maps it looks like the image above.
Somewhere to Sit
There is a pavilion, so you can sit and take in the view at your own pace.
Restrooms On Site
Restrooms are in place.
The Information Sign
There is a sign on site with details about Kayauchi Banta.
See the image above for the full text.
Access and Parking
| Access | About 130 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Ginama, Kunigami Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa |
| Parking | Available (free) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
Kayauchi Banta has a free parking lot.
With room for about 15 cars, finding a space is rarely a problem.
See the image and map below for details on parking.
Around Kayauchi Banta
Cape Hedo
Cape Hedo is well known as the northernmost cape on Okinawa’s main island.
High cliffs and exceptionally clear water define it, and on some days the waves run rough.
The views are genuinely beautiful, and on a clear day you can see Yoron Island and Izena Island.
Large numbers of visitors and locals come here every year, which makes it a good choice if you want to take in Okinawa’s wilder side.
ASMUI Spiritual Hikes
| Opening hours | 9:30–17:30 (last entry 16:00) |
| Closed | Open year-round |
| Admission (individual) | Adults: 2,500 yen *Age 15 and over Children: 1,000 yen *Ages 6–14 |
| Time needed | About 60–120 minutes |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
| Address | 1241 Ginama, Kunigami Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa |
| Official website | https://asmui.com/ |
ASMUI Spiritual Hikes reopened in December 2024 under a new name, having previously been Daisekirinzan.
It sits on Asumui, the sacred ground where the Ryukyuan deity Amamikiyo is said to have first descended. Across grounds roughly the size of 11 Tokyo Domes, karst formations of strange rocks and boulders shaped over 200 million years stand among subtropical forest.
There are routes you can walk at your own pace with an audio guide, and a barrier-free course as well, so families with small children and older visitors can take it in comfortably.
Admission tickets can also be reserved and bought online, which means no queueing at the ticket window when you arrive.
Activities in Kunigami Village
Kunigami Village offers plenty of activities for enjoying the nature of Yanbaru.
Adults and children alike can take in Okinawa’s wilder side, so they are well worth trying.
Okuma Private Beach & Resort
Okuma Private Beach & Resort is likely the northernmost resort hotel in Okinawa.
With a pool and a beautiful beach, it has everything you need to unwind, and the marine activities are excellent too.
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 book up quickly in peak season, so reserve as soon as your dates are set.
In Closing
This guide has covered Kayauchi Banta.
Kayauchi Banta is a cliff of roughly 80 meters where the whole sweep of the view opens up in front of you.
When you visit Kunigami Village, be sure to make time for Kayauchi Banta.
Thank you for reading to the end.
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