Inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2000, the ruins are a well-known destination for visitors.

As a sightseeing stop, you can walk the whole site in about 30 to 45 minutes.

There is free parking too, so it is an easy place to drop into.

Zakimi Castle Ruins ratings

*Ratings are the personal view of the Okinawa Bookmark editor, based on comparison with other castles and castle ruins in Okinawa

Zakimi Castle Ruins essentials

The Zakimi Castle Ruins are known for their beautiful stonework and gracefully curved walls

In 2000 they were inscribed as part of the World Heritage Site “Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu”.

Highlights of the Zakimi Castle Ruins

The beautiful stonework

The beautiful stonework at Zakimi draws the eye of everyone who visits.

Delicate yet powerful, it speaks to Okinawa’s history and craftsmanship.

Do take your time over it as you walk around.

The arched stone gate

The arched stone gate is one of the real highlights of the site.

Step through this distinctively shaped gateway and it feels rather like slipping back into another age.

The gracefully curved walls

The beauty of those curving walls is one of the great appeals of Zakimi.

With the grasses and trees swaying in the wind, the elegant curves greet every visitor.

The view from the top

The view from the top of the ruins is beautiful in a way that is hard to put into words.

The open sea, green hills and the townscape of Yomitan Village all lie before you.

Do go up and see it while you are here.

Inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2000

In 2000 the Zakimi Castle Ruins were inscribed as part of the World Heritage Site “Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu”.

Their value and historical importance come across clearly on the ground.

Allow about 30 to 45 minutes

As a sightseeing stop, you can walk the whole site in about 30 to 45 minutes.

Allow a little longer if you also want to visit the Yuntanza Museum at the Zakimi Castle Ruins.

It is a place where you can take in Okinawa’s history and culture in a short visit.

There are places to rest

If you tire partway round, there are plenty of spots to sit down.

You can take your time here with a real sense of the history around you.

Light-ups at the Zakimi Castle Ruins

The ruins are lit up on an irregular schedule.

Judging by past years, the light-ups most often fall around the Yomitan Festival — the weekend at the end of October.

Access and parking

The Zakimi Castle Ruins have free parking.

There are two car parks, and we recommend Car Park 1, which is closer to the ruins.

Please check the Google Maps below for parking details.

[Car Park 1]

[Car Park 2]

The history of the Zakimi Castle Ruins

Zakimi holds a special place in Okinawan history.

Built between 1416 and 1422, in the era of Shō Hashi — the first king of the Ryukyu Kingdom — it was raised by Gosamaru, a powerful local lord.

The castle is said to have been built with a strategic purpose: keeping watch on forces opposed to the king.

Zakimi is known for its beautifully curved walls, and that beauty earned it a place among the “Continued Top 100 Japanese Castles”.

Those curves resemble the structure of a modern arch dam, a testament to how advanced the castle-building techniques of the time were.

The distinctive arched stone gate, and the use of wedge stones found at no other gusuku, both speak to Gosamaru’s exceptional skill as a builder.

Tradition holds that the stone for Zakimi came from nearby Yamada Castle, and that workers were brought in from the Amami Islands.

The stones are said to have been passed from hand to hand and stacked into place.

The site was designated an Important Cultural Property in 1956 and a National Historic Site in 1972.

Then in 2000 it was inscribed as part of the World Heritage Site “Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu”.

With a history running from an age of war through to the present day, the Zakimi Castle Ruins have become an essential stop on any trip to Okinawa.

A visit here gives you a feel for Ryukyuan history, for Gosamaru’s building skill, and for how the site sits in harmony with Okinawa’s landscape.

What’s nearby

Yuntanza Museum at the World Heritage Zakimi Castle Ruins

The first-floor exhibition space at the Yuntanza Museum covers the World Heritage Zakimi Castle Ruins along with the nature and culture of Yomitan.

The second floor has displays on archaeology, folklore, nature and the Battle of Okinawa, with dioramas of gama caves and turtleback tombs to explain them in detail.

Cape Zanpa

Cape Zanpa is a headland in Yomitan Village, and a well-known attraction where roughly 30-metre cliffs run for about 2 kilometres.

It is also famous for its large lighthouse, and draws plenty of visitors and locals alike.

It is about 10 minutes by car from the Zakimi Castle Ruins, and is known for its spectacular views.

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Activities in Yomitan Village

Yomitan Village has plenty of activities on offer too — snorkeling, whale shark encounters and more, so you can make the most of the sea.

To finish: the Zakimi Castle Ruins are one of those places you really should not skip on a trip to Okinawa.

Why not spend an unhurried hour taking in the history and the landscape with all your senses?

Summary

In this article we introduced the Zakimi Castle Ruins.

These ruins draw large numbers of visitors every year.

They are a place of both historical value and real beauty, so do make time for the Zakimi Castle Ruins when you are travelling in Okinawa.

Thank you for reading to the end.

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This beach has a real resort feel, with naturally soft sand and blue water as its main draw.

The shallows teem with sea life and there is plenty of coral and Ryukyu limestone, so you can take in the kind of nature Okinawa is known for.

The swimming facilities are complete, with snorkeling and other activities as well as a pool, making it a popular spot that everyone from children to adults can enjoy.

Nirai Beach ratings

*Ratings are the personal view of the Okinawa Bookmark editor, based on comparison with other beaches in the prefecture

Nirai Beach essentials

Nirai Beach has lifeguards and a safety net, so everyone from children to adults can enjoy it with peace of mind.

There is a wide choice of marine activities, including snorkeling and much more.

Some of them appear to be cheaper if you are staying at Hotel Nikko Alivila.

[Swim gear rental]
・Parasol and chair set
・Aqua board
・Snorkeling set
・Mask
・Marine boots
・Swim ring
・Life jacket and more
*For prices, please check with Hotel Nikko Alivila

[Marine activities]
・Day sailing
・Snorkeling
・Sunset sailing
・Glass-bottom boat
・Wakeboarding
・Dragon boat
・Towing tube
・Marble
・Clear SUP
・Beach canoe
・Other marine activities are available as well
*For prices, please check with Hotel Nikko Alivila

The Highlights

Wonderfully clear water

This is a beach so beautiful it hardly needs explaining.

The wide beach runs for roughly 300 metres, and a 2018 water quality survey awarded it the top grade of AA.

The blue, crystal-clear water is a real draw.

Source: Okinawa Prefecture water quality survey

Snorkeling is possible

You can snorkel at Nirai Beach.

Yomitan Village offers snorkeling, diving and plenty of other activities, so take a look on Viator or GetYourGuide.

Soft, wide-open sand

The sand is pure white and so fine that walking barefoot does not hurt at all.

It is also wide and beautifully kept.

The difference between low and high tide

At high tide it looks like the photo above, with plenty of room to swim.

At low tide, though, the water becomes shallow enough to walk out towards the open sea, a difference of roughly one to two metres.

So you can swim at high tide and look for small fish in the shallows at low tide.

Beautiful Ryukyu limestone

Photos do not really convey the scale of the Ryukyu limestone, but many of the rocks stand five to ten metres tall.

Seeing them in person is genuinely overwhelming.

The combination of the beautiful sand and the rocks is a lovely sight.

Clean, well-kept swimming facilities

There are parasols on the sand, and if you walk over towards the hotel you can rest in the shade of the trees.

Shower rooms, lockers, a shop and other facilities are all well provided for.

A lovely pool

There is also a pool, though it is reserved for hotel guests.

Parasols are set up and you can stretch out on a day bed.

With hammocks dotted around, the whole space has a proper resort feel.

Plenty of Marine Activities

Nirai Beach has an excellent range of activities, snorkeling among them.

Staying at Hotel Nikko Alivila seems to unlock slightly cheaper plans as well.

For activity prices and other details, please check the link below.

URL: https://www.alivila.co.jp/activity/

Sunsets and night views are superb too

The sunset from Nirai Beach is beautiful.

Watching it with the sound of the waves in the background feels like a real luxury.

Please note

There are a few rules for using Nirai Beach, so please follow them and enjoy your time here.

Nirai Beach YouTube Short

Here is a YouTube Short of Nirai Beach. Do take a look!

Access and parking

Nirai Beach has both a paid lot and a free lot.

The difference between the two can be a little hard to spot, so do take care.

The paid lot is shown on this map.

The free lot is shown on the map below.

Around Nirai Beach

Activities in Yomitan Village

You can also book diving, snorkeling, SUP and other activities in Yomitan Village.

If you would like to try diving or snorkeling, why not take a look at the activities available in Yomitan Village?

Kanai Beach

The Cristea Chapel stands along the shore at Kanai Beach, making it a wonderful spot for weddings and for watching the sunset.

With white sand and beautifully clear water, it is a popular choice for wedding and sunset photography.

Rather than a place for swimming, it suits visitors who want to relax on the sand and take their time.

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Hotel Nikko Alivila

Hotel Nikko Alivila is a resort hotel that looks straight out over Nirai Beach, and the rooms come with ocean views.

It also has activities and swim gear rental for time spent at Nirai Beach, making it a resort that works well for families.

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.

The places worth visiting are scattered across the island, from Shuri Castle in Naha to the beautiful beaches up north and American Village in Chatan, and with a car you can work through them at your own pace. Local buses are infrequent and rarely run to schedule, so having a rental car makes an enormous difference to how much you get out of the trip.

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.

Summary

In this article we introduced Nirai Beach.

Nirai Beach is one of the loveliest beaches on Okinawa’s main island.

For somewhere so beautiful, it is surprisingly little known.

When you are in Yomitan Village, do make time for Nirai Beach.

Thank you for reading to the end.

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With its white sand and blue water, it has the resort feel people picture when they think of Okinawa, and it draws large crowds of visitors every year.

The swimming facilities are excellent. Beyond simply going for a swim, you can try banana boats, snorkeling, wakeboarding and plenty of other activities, and there are well-equipped shower rooms and changing rooms too.

Nearby you will find these sights:

・Cape Zanpa
・Cape Zanpa Park
・Okashi Goten (souvenir shop)
・Grand Mercure Okinawa Cape Zanpa Resort

With so many attractions clustered around Zanpa Beach, there is plenty to keep everyone from kids to adults entertained.

Zanpa Beach ratings

*Ratings are the subjective assessment of the Okinawa Bookmark editor, compared with other beaches in Okinawa Prefecture.

Zanpa Beach essentials

Zanpa Beach has extensive swimming facilities, with a wide range of rental services and activities.

The swimming area is enclosed by a safety net and staffed by lifeguards, so everyone from small children to adults can relax and enjoy it.

[Swim gear rental]
・Canoe
・Clear canoe
・Aqua bike
・Stand-up paddleboard
・Beach volleyball
・Swim ring
・Float mat
・Deck chair and parasol
・Life jacket
*For prices and details, please check with Grand Mercure Okinawa Cape Zanpa Resort

[Marine activities]
・Snorkeling *reservation required
・Clownfish snorkeling tour *reservation required
・Dragon boat
・Super marble
・Marine jet
・Extreme
・Wakeboarding
*For prices and details, please check with Grand Mercure Okinawa Cape Zanpa Resort

The Highlights

A wide, beautiful stretch of sand

The sand at Zanpa Beach is remarkably wide and soft underfoot.

Walking barefoot barely hurts at all, so children and adults alike can play comfortably.

Wonderfully clear water

The water is exceptionally clear and genuinely beautiful.

The emerald-green water stretches out before you, and simply looking at it is enough to unwind.

You can snorkel at Zanpa Beach

Snorkeling is on offer at Zanpa Beach.

You can also book diving, snorkeling, SUP and other activities.

If you would like to try diving or snorkeling, why not take a look at the activities available in Yomitan Village?

Well-Equipped for Swimming

There is a well-stocked shop, restrooms, locker rooms and more.

There is even a spot to quickly rinse off your feet, which is very handy.

A wide choice of rental gear

Because you can rent swim gear on site, you can turn up empty-handed and still have a great time.
There is also a shop, so if you get peckish you can pick up ice cream and other snacks.

For details on rental items, please check the official website below.

Official site: https://grand-mercure-okinawacapezanpa-resort.jp/activities/

A rich lineup of activities

Zanpa Beach offers snorkeling, marine jet, wakeboarding and many other activities.

Some activities require advance booking, so please check the official website below for details.

Official site: https://grand-mercure-okinawacapezanpa-resort.jp/activities/

Plenty of places to rest

Benches are dotted around, so you can take your time and relax.

There is also a BBQ area, though it sits a little way from Zanpa Beach itself.

Access

Parking

Zanpa Beach has three parking lots, and all of them are free.

Please check the map below for the first entrance.

The second is the lot along the road.

The third is the lot on the Cape Zanpa Park side.

Around Zanpa Beach

Activities in Yomitan Village

Yomitan Village offers a whole range of activities, including diving, snorkeling and SUP.

You can browse plenty of options on Viator and GetYourGuide, so take a look if you are curious.

Cape Zanpa

Cape Zanpa is known for its roughly 30-metre cliffs running for about 2 kilometres, and the view from the top is spectacular.

We have written about Cape Zanpa in a separate article, so please give it a read.

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The Zanpa Great Lion, the giant shisa at Cape Zanpa Park

The Zanpa Great Lion, very likely the largest shisa in Japan, stands in Cape Zanpa Park.

At 8.75 metres tall and 7.8 metres long, it is genuinely startling up close.

Grand Mercure Okinawa Cape Zanpa Resort

A resort where you can enjoy both the beautiful sands of Zanpa Beach and the sweeping views of Cape Zanpa.

Rooms come with ocean views, and the property has both a pool and a large public bath.

It is one of Yomitan Village’s leading resort hotels, so it is well worth considering if you are looking for somewhere to stay in the area.

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.

The places worth visiting are scattered across the island, from Shuri Castle in Naha to the beautiful beaches up north and American Village in Chatan, and with a car you can work through them at your own pace. Local buses are infrequent and rarely run to schedule, so having a rental car makes an enormous difference to how much you get out of the trip.

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.

Summary

Zanpa Beach is a hugely popular spot that draws crowds of visitors every year, known for its white sand and blue water.

The swimming facilities are complete, with shower rooms and locker rooms as well as an ample choice of rental gear and activities, making it a great pick for anyone who wants to make the most of the Okinawan sea.

If you find yourself in Yomitan Village, do stop by Zanpa Beach for a swim and some time in the water.

Thank you for reading to the end.

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It is also famous for its large lighthouse, and draws plenty of visitors and locals alike.

The scenery at Cape Zanpa is beautiful, and it is known as a filming location for the BTS music video “Let Go”.

Nearby are Zanpa Beach, Cape Zanpa Park, the Grand Mercure Okinawa Cape Zanpa Resort and Okashi Goten (a souvenir shop), among others, so there is plenty to keep everyone from kids to adults entertained.

Cape Zanpa ratings

Cape Zanpa essentials

The area around the Cape Zanpa lighthouse has well-kept walking paths, but head towards the shore and it turns into rugged rock, so take care on your feet.

Much of Cape Zanpa has no railings, so please be very careful when approaching the cliff edge.

The Cape Zanpa lighthouse stands about 31 metres tall.

There is a charge (300 yen), but you can climb to the top — well worth it for the view.

The lighthouse is open for visits during the following hours.

[Visiting hours]
March–September, weekdays: 9:30–16:30 / weekends: 9:30–17:30
October–February 9:30–16:30

Highlights

The View from the Cliffs

The view from the cliffs really is spectacular.

The ground underfoot is rugged rock, so please watch your step.

A well-known diving and snorkeling spot

Cape Zanpa is also known as a diving and snorkeling spot.

The water is often rough, though, so we strongly recommend going with a guide and taking safety seriously.

You can book through Viator or GetYourGuide, so do take a look!

The rough waves are a sight in themselves

The waves at Cape Zanpa are powerful and genuinely impressive.

There were people fishing along the shore and others taking photographs.

A lovely walking path

A walking path runs around Cape Zanpa, and locals use it for their daily strolls.

It is also known as a filming location for the BTS music video “Let Go”.

The statue of Taiki

Taiki was a figure from Yomitan Village who travelled to China as the first tribute envoy of the Ryukyu Kingdom, opening the era of great trade. He is remembered as a hero and known as the god of commerce.

The statue of Taiki was completed in November 2008 and erected at Cape Zanpa.

Cape Zanpa Park

Cape Zanpa Park surrounds the headland and includes the walking paths and the car park.

It has sports facilities, a barbecue area, a café and more.

The photo above shows play equipment modelled on a tribute ship.

CAPE ZANPA DRIVE IN — a café to unwind in

There is also a café where you can take your time.

Access and parking

Parking at Cape Zanpa is free.

There is space for around 100 cars, so finding a spot is rarely a problem.

For the parking, see the map below.

Around Cape Zanpa

Activities in Yomitan Village

You can also book diving, snorkeling, SUP and other activities in Yomitan Village.

Viator and GetYourGuide list a wide range of options, so do take a look if you are curious!

Zanpa Beach

Zanpa Beach is also one of Okinawa’s loveliest beaches, and draws large crowds of swimmers every year.

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The Zanpa Great Lion, the giant shisa

The Zanpa Great Lion, very likely the largest shisa in Japan, stands in Cape Zanpa Park.

At 8.75 metres tall and 7.8 metres long, it is genuinely startling up close.

Okashi Goten

Okashi Goten, famous for its purple sweet potato tarts, is also just nearby.

It is a good place to pick up Okinawan souvenirs.

Grand Mercure Okinawa Cape Zanpa Resort

A resort where you can enjoy both the beautiful sands of Zanpa Beach and the sweeping views of Cape Zanpa.

Rooms come with ocean views, and the property has both a pool and a large public bath.

It is one of Yomitan Village’s leading resort hotels, so it is well worth considering if you are looking for somewhere to stay in the area.

Summary

In this article we introduced Cape Zanpa.

Cape Zanpa is vast, and the views are magnificent.

When you are in Yomitan Village, do go and take in the scenery at Cape Zanpa.

Thank you for reading to the end.

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Yomitan Village has a great many beaches, from famous names that draw the crowds to quiet finds that feel like private beaches.

The ranking below reflects how well known the Okinawa Bookmark editor believes each beach to be.

• Zanpa Beach
• Nirai Beach
• Toguchi Beach
• Kanai Beach
• Uza Beach (Uza Coast)
• Melody Beach
• Sobe Beach
• Tokeshi Beach
• Momenbaru Beach
• Rindoubaru Kaizuka Beach
• Yubanta Beach
• Tinnohama
• Senaha Beach
• Nagahama Coast
• Namihira Coast (Namihira Beach)

*The ranking is the personal view of the Okinawa Bookmark editor

Every beach in Yomitan Village

Zanpa Beach

Zanpa Beach is known for its white sand and blue water, with the resort feel people picture when they think of Okinawa.

It draws large crowds every year and is hugely popular.

The swimming facilities are excellent, with banana boats, snorkeling, wakeboarding and plenty more on offer.

Shower rooms and changing rooms are well provided for too, making it a beach everyone from children to adults can enjoy.

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Nirai Beach

Nirai Beach sits in Yomitan Village, in the central part of Okinawa’s main island.

This beach has a real resort feel, with naturally soft sand and blue water as its main draw.

The shallows teem with sea life and there is plenty of coral and Ryukyu limestone, so you can take in the kind of nature Okinawa is known for.

The swimming facilities are complete, with snorkeling and other activities as well as a pool, making it a popular spot that everyone from children to adults can enjoy.

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Toguchi Beach

Toguchi Beach is less a magnet for tourists than a beach the locals love.

You can barbecue here and snorkel here, and the swimming facilities are well provided for.

It is known for its soft white sand and blue water, with large rocks scattered across the shore that let you feel Okinawa’s natural side at the same time.

There are restaurants and a park close by, making it a good spot for a day out with children — do stop by Toguchi Beach.

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Kanai Beach

The Cristea Chapel stands near Kanai Beach, making this a wonderful spot for weddings and for watching the sunset.

With white sand and beautifully clear water, it is a popular choice for wedding and sunset photography.

Only a handful of people go in the water here. Rather than a place for swimming, it suits visitors who want to relax on the sand and take their time.

There are plenty of other lovely beaches nearby too, including Nirai Beach and Tokeshi Beach.

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Uza Beach (Uza Coast)

Uza Beach is known for its clear water and white sand.

The Aqua Grace Chapel stands along the shore and is sometimes used for weddings.
There is also a promenade and several thatched shelters, so you can take your time in the shade.

It is not a place that draws big crowds, which makes it a good choice if you want to relax quietly by the sea.

Zanpa Beach is close by, so head there if swimming is what you are after.

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Melody Beach

Melody Beach is known for its clear water, white sand and countless beautiful rocks.

Nearby are well-known attractions such as Murasakimura, Gala Aoi Umi and Nirai Beach.

It is not a place that draws big crowds, but the beach is beautiful and the sheer scale of the Ryukyu limestone is genuinely overwhelming.

It is a quiet find for anyone who wants to feel Okinawa’s natural side, or to spend time on a beach with hardly anyone around.

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Sobe Beach

Sobe Beach is known for its soft white sand and beautiful water.

There is a park nearby, and it is very much a place where local families come to spend time.

It is a small beach, tucked quietly into a residential area.

There are almost no tourists here — it is mainly local families with young children.

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Tokeshi Beach

Tokeshi Beach is known for its clear water, white sand and beautiful Ryukyu limestone.

It works almost as the private beach of Hoshinoya in Yomitan Village, with the resort built around the shore.

Kanai Beach, which we covered above, is right next door, so the pair make a good combination if you want to take your time by the sea.

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Momenbaru Beach

Momenbaru Beach lies in Yomitan Village.

Known for its clear water and white sand, and with gentle waves, it is the kind of beach that feels almost private.

There are hardly any tourists — just a handful of locals and people working at the US base — so it really does have that private-beach atmosphere.

It is a great pick if you want to spend some unhurried time in Okinawa.

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Rindoubaru Kaizuka Beach

Rindoubaru Kaizuka Beach is small, but the soft sand and crystal-clear water make it a lovely place.

Swim out a little and the water deepens, with plenty of fish and coral, making this a good spot for snorkeling.

There is hardly ever anyone here, so it feels almost like a private beach.

There are, of course, no lifeguards and no safety net, so please take real care if you go in the water.

Rindoubaru Kaizuka Beach | A Near-Private Beach You Can Snorkel At

A guide to Rindoubaru Kaizuka Beach in Yomitan Village, central Okinawa. A small beach with soft sand and clear water, g...

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Yubanta Beach

Yubanta Beach has soft sand and beautifully clear water as its main draw.

Yubanta Park and Sobe Beach are both nearby, and there were families and children out playing happily when we visited.

There are almost no tourists here — it is mainly local families with young children.

Yubanta Beach | A Beach in a Quiet Residential Corner of Yomitan Village

A guide to Yubanta Beach in Yomitan Village, central Okinawa. Soft sand, clear water and a park next door make this a ga...

okinawa-bookmark.com

Tinnohama

Tinnohama is a natural beach known for its roughly one kilometre of sand and its wonderfully clear water.

There are few visitors — usually just a handful of guests from the hotel next to the beach.

It is the sort of quiet find that does not appear in guidebooks, and it suits anyone who wants to take their time on the sand.

Tinnohama | A Beautiful Beach with Nearly a Kilometre of Sand

A guide to Tinnohama in Yomitan Village, central Okinawa. A natural beach with roughly a kilometre of sand and beautiful...

okinawa-bookmark.com

Senaha Beach

Senaha Beach is a small spot with hardly any visitors, but the setting is rich in nature and genuinely beautiful, with a natural spring that gives the place a real sense of energy.

There is also a well known as Senaha Gaa, and until mains water arrived, people apparently lived off its spring water.

*”Gaa” means “well” in the Okinawan dialect

Senaha Beach | A Local Secret with Snorkeling and a Natural Spring

A guide to Senaha Beach in Yomitan Village, central Okinawa. A small, beautiful beach with almost no visitors, plus the ...

okinawa-bookmark.com

Nagahama Coast

Nagahama Coast lies in Yomitan Village.

The shallows here are designated as an aasa (sea lettuce) harvesting area, so it is not really suited to swimming — but the water is full of life and you get a real sense of the natural world.

We saw people watching the sea with friends and partners, and others flying drones to film it.

It is not a place for swimming, but there are other ways to enjoy it.

Nagahama Coast | A Beautiful Shoreline in Yomitan Village

A guide to Nagahama Coast in Yomitan Village, central Okinawa. The shallows are designated for sea lettuce harvesting so...

okinawa-bookmark.com

Namihira Coast (Namihira Beach)

Namihira Coast (Namihira Beach) lies in Yomitan Village.

What sets this beach apart is how untouched it is, and how few people — tourists or locals — you will find here.

The land nearby is mostly farmland and there is hardly anyone about. Now and then you might see a couple of people free diving or out on a SUP.

It is a quiet find for anyone who wants to feel Okinawa’s natural side, or to spend time on a beach with nobody around.

Namihira Coast (Namihira Beach) | Beautiful and Completely Untouched

A guide to Namihira Coast in Yomitan Village, central Okinawa. An untouched stretch of shore with large rocks and beauti...

okinawa-bookmark.com

Around Yomitan Village

Activities in Yomitan Village

Yomitan Village offers a variety of marine activities.

You can book diving, snorkeling, SUP and more.

If you would like to try diving or snorkeling, why not take a look at the activities available in Yomitan Village?

Cape Zanpa

Cape Zanpa is a headland in Yomitan Village, in the central part of Okinawa’s main island, and a well-known attraction where roughly 30-metre cliffs run for about 2 kilometres.

It is also famous for its large lighthouse, and draws plenty of visitors and locals alike.

The scenery at Cape Zanpa is beautiful, and it is known as a filming location for the BTS music video “Let Go”.

Nearby are Zanpa Beach, Cape Zanpa Park, the Grand Mercure Okinawa Cape Zanpa Resort and Okashi Goten (a souvenir shop), among others, so there is plenty to keep everyone from kids to adults entertained.

Cape Zanpa | Sweeping Views from Sheer Cliffs, Parking and What’s Nearby

A guide to Cape Zanpa in Yomitan Village, central Okinawa. Roughly 30-metre cliffs run for about 2 kilometres, with a 31...

okinawa-bookmark.com

Hotels in Yomitan Village

Yomitan Village has everything from resort hotels to condominium-style stays, and many of them are within easy reach of the beach.

There is plenty of choice, whether you want a resort stay right on the water or somewhere quiet to take things slowly.

Hotels in Yomitan Village are listed on Booking.com and Expedia, so please check availability and rates there.

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.

The places worth visiting are scattered across the island, from Shuri Castle in Naha to the beautiful beaches up north and American Village in Chatan, and with a car you can work through them at your own pace. Local buses are infrequent and rarely run to schedule, so having a rental car makes an enormous difference to how much you get out of the trip.

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.

Summary

In this article we introduced all 15 beaches in Yomitan Village.

This is only a personal view, but first-placed Zanpa Beach and second-placed Nirai Beach are overwhelmingly the most popular, and they draw large numbers of visitors.

Third-placed Toguchi Beach sees fewer tourists, but plenty of locals come here, often just for a walk.

Everything from fourth place down feels very much like one of Yomitan’s quiet finds.

We have also put together articles on the most popular beaches in Yomitan Village and the quieter beaches of Yomitan Village, so we would be glad if you read those too.

Thank you for reading to the end.

Yomitan Village | The 3 Most Popular and Best-Known Beaches

Three of the most popular beaches in Yomitan Village, central Okinawa — Zanpa Beach, Nirai Beach and Toguchi Beach — wit...

okinawa-bookmark.com

12 Quiet Beaches in Yomitan Village You Probably Haven’t Heard Of

Twelve lesser-known beaches in Yomitan Village, central Okinawa, with ratings, facilities and parking details for each —...

okinawa-bookmark.com

The post Yomitan Village | All 15 Beaches Ranked, from Famous Names to Quiet Finds first appeared on Okinawa Bookmark.

Yomitan Village has a great many beaches, from popular names that draw the crowds to quiet finds that feel like private beaches.

Here are the 12 quiet beaches we will be covering.

• Kanai Beach
• Uza Beach (Uza Coast)
• Melody Beach
• Sobe Beach
• Tokeshi Beach
• Momenbaru Beach
• Rindoubaru Kaizuka Beach
• Yubanta Beach
• Tinnohama
• Senaha Gaa (Senaha Beach)
• Nagahama Coast
• Namihira Coast (Namihira Beach)

*By quiet beaches we mean beaches with relatively few visitors.

We have also written about the most popular and best-known beaches in Yomitan Village, so do give it a read if you are curious.

Kanai Beach

The Cristea Chapel stands near Kanai Beach, making this a wonderful spot for weddings and for watching the sunset.

With white sand and beautifully clear water, it is a popular choice for wedding and sunset photography.

Only a handful of people go in the water here. Rather than a place for swimming, it suits visitors who want to relax on the sand and take their time.

There are plenty of other lovely beaches nearby too, including Nirai Beach and Tokeshi Beach.

Kanai Beach | A Quiet Find Next to Nirai Beach — Parking and How to Get There

A guide to Kanai Beach in Yomitan Village, central Okinawa. White sand, clear water and the Cristea Chapel make it a fav...

okinawa-bookmark.com

Uza Beach (Uza Coast)

Uza Beach is known for its clear water and white sand.

The Aqua Grace Chapel stands along the shore and is sometimes used for weddings.
There is also a promenade and several thatched shelters, so you can take your time in the shade.

It is not a place that draws big crowds, which makes it a good choice if you want to relax quietly by the sea.

Zanpa Beach is close by, so head there if swimming is what you are after.

Uza Beach (Uza Coast) | Parking and What’s Nearby

A guide to Uza Beach in Yomitan Village, central Okinawa. Clear water, white sand, a chapel on the shore and shaded rest...

okinawa-bookmark.com

Melody Beach

Melody Beach is known for its clear water, white sand and countless beautiful rocks.

Nearby are well-known attractions such as Murasakimura, Gala Aoi Umi and Nirai Beach.

It is not a place that draws big crowds, but the beach is beautiful and the sheer scale of the Ryukyu limestone is genuinely overwhelming.

It is a quiet find for anyone who wants to feel Okinawa’s natural side, or to spend time on a beach with hardly anyone around.

Melody Beach (Nakkouri Beach) | A Beautiful Natural Beach — Parking and What’s Nearby

A guide to Melody Beach (Nakkouri Beach) in Yomitan Village, central Okinawa. Clear water, white sand and striking Ryuky...

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Sobe Beach

Sobe Beach is known for its soft white sand and beautiful water.

There is a park nearby, and it is very much a place where local families come to spend time.

It is a small beach, tucked quietly into a residential area.

There are almost no tourists here — it is mainly local families with young children.

Sobe Beach | A Quiet Local Find in Yomitan Village — Parking and What’s Nearby

A guide to Sobe Beach in Yomitan Village, central Okinawa. Soft white sand, clear water and a park next door make it a f...

okinawa-bookmark.com

Tokeshi Beach

Tokeshi Beach is known for its clear water, white sand and beautiful Ryukyu limestone.

It works almost as the private beach of Hoshinoya in Yomitan Village, with the resort built around the shore.

Kanai Beach, which we covered above, is right next door, so the pair make a good combination if you want to take your time by the sea.

Tokeshi Beach (Tokeshi Coast) | The Beautiful Beach Beside Hoshinoya Okinawa

A guide to Tokeshi Beach (Tokeshi Coast) in Yomitan Village, central Okinawa. Soft sand, clear water and dramatic Ryukyu...

okinawa-bookmark.com

Momenbaru Beach

Momenbaru Beach lies in Yomitan Village.

Known for its clear water and white sand, and with gentle waves, it is the kind of beach that feels almost private.

There are hardly any tourists — just a handful of locals and people working at the US base — so it really does have that private-beach atmosphere.

It is a great pick if you want to spend some unhurried time in Okinawa.

Momenbaru Beach | Calm, Quiet and Beautifully Empty — Parking and What’s Nearby

A guide to Momenbaru Beach in Yomitan Village, central Okinawa. Clear water, white sand and gentle waves on a stretch of...

okinawa-bookmark.com

Rindoubaru Kaizuka Beach

Rindoubaru Kaizuka Beach is small, but the soft sand and crystal-clear water make it a lovely place.

Swim out a little and the water deepens, with plenty of fish and coral, making this a good spot for snorkeling.

There is hardly ever anyone here, so it feels almost like a private beach.

There are, of course, no lifeguards and no safety net, so please take real care if you go in the water.

Rindoubaru Kaizuka Beach | A Near-Private Beach You Can Snorkel At

A guide to Rindoubaru Kaizuka Beach in Yomitan Village, central Okinawa. A small beach with soft sand and clear water, g...

okinawa-bookmark.com

Yubanta Beach

Yubanta Beach has soft sand and beautifully clear water as its main draw.

Yubanta Park and Sobe Beach are both nearby, and there were families and children out playing happily when we visited.

There are almost no tourists here — it is mainly local families with young children.

Yubanta Beach | A Beach in a Quiet Residential Corner of Yomitan Village

A guide to Yubanta Beach in Yomitan Village, central Okinawa. Soft sand, clear water and a park next door make this a ga...

okinawa-bookmark.com

Tinnohama

Tinnohama is a natural beach known for its roughly one kilometre of sand and its wonderfully clear water.

There are few visitors — usually just a handful of guests from the hotel next to the beach.

It is the sort of quiet find that does not appear in guidebooks, and it suits anyone who wants to take their time on the sand.

Tinnohama | A Beautiful Beach with Nearly a Kilometre of Sand

A guide to Tinnohama in Yomitan Village, central Okinawa. A natural beach with roughly a kilometre of sand and beautiful...

okinawa-bookmark.com

Senaha Gaa (Senaha Beach)

Senaha Gaa is a well, and until mains water arrived, people apparently lived off its spring water.

*”Gaa” means “well” in the Okinawan dialect

It is a small spot with hardly any visitors, but the setting is rich in nature and genuinely beautiful, with a natural spring that gives the place a real sense of energy.

Senaha Beach | A Local Secret with Snorkeling and a Natural Spring

A guide to Senaha Beach in Yomitan Village, central Okinawa. A small, beautiful beach with almost no visitors, plus the ...

okinawa-bookmark.com

Nagahama Coast

Nagahama Coast lies in Yomitan Village.

The shallows here are designated as an aasa (sea lettuce) harvesting area, so it is not really suited to swimming — but the water is full of life and you get a real sense of the natural world.

We saw people watching the sea with friends and partners, and others flying drones to film it.

It is not a place for swimming, but there are other ways to enjoy it.

Nagahama Coast | A Beautiful Shoreline in Yomitan Village

A guide to Nagahama Coast in Yomitan Village, central Okinawa. The shallows are designated for sea lettuce harvesting so...

okinawa-bookmark.com

Namihira Coast (Namihira Beach)

Namihira Coast (Namihira Beach) lies in Yomitan Village, in the central part of Okinawa’s main island.

What sets this beach apart is how untouched it is, and how few people — tourists or locals — you will find here.

The land nearby is mostly farmland and there is hardly anyone about. Now and then you might see a couple of people free diving or out on a SUP.

It is a quiet find for anyone who wants to feel Okinawa’s natural side, or to spend time on a beach with nobody around.

Namihira Coast (Namihira Beach) | Beautiful and Completely Untouched

A guide to Namihira Coast in Yomitan Village, central Okinawa. An untouched stretch of shore with large rocks and beauti...

okinawa-bookmark.com

Activities in Yomitan Village

Yomitan Village offers a variety of marine activities.

You can book diving, snorkeling, SUP and more.

If you would like to try diving or snorkeling, why not take a look at the activities available in Yomitan Village?

Summary

In this article we introduced the following 12 quiet beaches in Yomitan Village.

• Kanai Beach
• Uza Beach (Uza Coast)
• Melody Beach
• Sobe Beach
• Tokeshi Beach
• Momenbaru Beach
• Rindoubaru Kaizuka Beach
• Yubanta Beach
• Tinnohama
• Senaha Gaa (Senaha Beach)
• Nagahama Coast
• Namihira Coast (Namihira Beach)

Yomitan Village has everything from popular beaches that draw the crowds to quiet, little-known finds.

The beaches covered here see relatively few visitors, so they are good places to soak up the Okinawan atmosphere at your own pace.

If that sounds like your kind of beach, do go and see them for yourself.

We have also written a separate article on the best-known beaches in Yomitan Village, so do read that one too.

Thank you for reading to the end.

Yomitan Village | The 3 Most Popular and Best-Known Beaches

Three of the most popular beaches in Yomitan Village, central Okinawa — Zanpa Beach, Nirai Beach and Toguchi Beach — wit...

okinawa-bookmark.com

The post 12 Quiet Beaches in Yomitan Village You Probably Haven’t Heard Of first appeared on Okinawa Bookmark.

Yomitan Village has a great many beaches, from famous, well-loved names to quiet finds that feel like private beaches.

Here we pick out three that draw large crowds of visitors every year.

• Zanpa Beach
• Nirai Beach
• Toguchi Beach

Let’s take a look at each of them.

Zanpa Beach

Zanpa Beach is known for its white sand and blue water, with the resort feel people picture when they think of Okinawa.

It draws large crowds every year and is hugely popular.

The swimming facilities are excellent, with banana boats, snorkeling, wakeboarding and plenty more on offer.

Shower rooms and changing rooms are well provided for too, making it a beach everyone from children to adults can enjoy.

Zanpa Beach | Activities, Hours, Parking and What’s Nearby

A complete guide to Zanpa Beach in Yomitan Village, central Okinawa. White sand, blue water, full swimming facilities an...

okinawa-bookmark.com

Nirai Beach

Nirai Beach sits in Yomitan Village, in the central part of Okinawa’s main island.

This beach has a real resort feel, with naturally soft sand and blue water as its main draw.

The shallows teem with sea life and there is plenty of coral and Ryukyu limestone, so you can take in the kind of nature Okinawa is known for.

The swimming facilities are complete, with snorkeling and other activities as well as a pool, making it a popular spot that everyone from children to adults can enjoy.

Nirai Beach | Hours, Snorkeling, Parking and What’s Nearby

A complete guide to Nirai Beach in Yomitan Village, central Okinawa. Naturally soft sand, water rated AA for quality, sn...

okinawa-bookmark.com

Toguchi Beach

Toguchi Beach is less a magnet for tourists than a beach the locals love.

You can barbecue here and snorkel here, and the swimming facilities are well provided for.

It is known for its soft white sand and blue water, with large rocks scattered across the shore that let you feel Okinawa’s natural side at the same time.

There are restaurants and a park close by, making it a good spot for a day out with children — do stop by Toguchi Beach.

Toguchi Beach | Snorkeling and Barbecues by the Sea — Parking and What’s Nearby

A guide to Toguchi Beach in Yomitan Village, central Okinawa. Soft white sand, clear water and Ryukyu limestone, with sn...

okinawa-bookmark.com

Summary

In this article we introduced three of the most popular and best-known beaches in Yomitan Village.

・Zanpa Beach
・Nirai Beach
・Toguchi Beach

As mentioned at the start, Yomitan Village has many other wonderful beaches besides these three.

We have also put together a guide to Yomitan Village’s quieter beaches, so do give it a read if you would like to know more.

Thank you for reading to the end.

12 Quiet Beaches in Yomitan Village You Probably Haven’t Heard Of

Twelve lesser-known beaches in Yomitan Village, central Okinawa, with ratings, facilities and parking details for each —...

okinawa-bookmark.com

The post Yomitan Village | The 3 Most Popular and Best-Known Beaches first appeared on Okinawa Bookmark.

Known for its soft white sand and clear water, it is a beautiful beach with Ryukyu limestone scattered right across it.

Rather than a magnet for tourists, this is a beach the locals love. You can barbecue here and snorkel here, and the swimming facilities are well provided for.

Personally, I would put it on a par with Zanpa Beach and Nirai Beach for both beauty and facilities.

Toguchi Beach ratings

*Ratings are the subjective assessment of the Okinawa Bookmark editor, compared with other beaches in Okinawa Prefecture.

Toguchi Beach essentials

Toguchi Beach has a wide range of marine activities such as snorkeling and SUP, plus a shop, barbecue equipment hire and swim gear rental, so the facilities here are thoroughly covered.

The swim gear rental and marine activity lineups are listed below.

[Swim gear rental]
・Mask & snorkel
・Goggles
・Life jacket
・Parasol
・Beach bed
・Swim ring
・Children's pool
・Beach set
・Marine set rental
*For prices and details, please see this page

[Marine activities]
・Intro SUP
・SUP & snorkeling tour
・SUP rental
・Kayak rental
*For prices and details, please see this page

[Barbecue]
Full details on barbecuing are available here, so please take a look.
*Barbecues require a reservation

The Highlights

Beautiful sand

The sand at Toguchi Beach is lovely.

There are shells here and there, but it is comfortable enough to walk barefoot.

Wonderfully clear water

Photos do not quite capture it, but the water really is remarkably clear in person.

At low tide you can wade a little further out.

You can snorkel here

Snorkeling is on offer at Toguchi Beach.

Yomitan Village has snorkeling, diving and plenty of other activities, so take a look on Viator or GetYourGuide.

Beautiful natural rock

The natural rock formations here are beautiful and full of character.

Photos make it hard to tell, but up close they are large and wonderfully rugged.

Well-equipped facilities

There is a tile-roofed building housing restrooms, shower rooms and more.

The shower rooms come at a small charge.

If you only need to rinse your feet, there are taps you can use.

The image above gives you a rough map of the site.

I am not sure it is always there, but there was a hair salon set up inside a bus.

There were even customers having their hair cut.

SUP boards and paddles are laid out neatly, and you can rent them at the desk.

You can barbecue here

You can barbecue at the shelters shown in the photo above.
For details, please check the link below.

URL: https://www.okinawa-pork-village.com/?page_id=2888

Easy to walk around

The footpaths are paved with concrete, making the whole area easy to get around on foot.

Some people were out walking, others were playing on the beach — a nice mix.

A strong lineup of marine activities

Swim gear rental and marine activities are both well covered, and it seems you can book them through Okinawa Pork Village.

Please note

There are a few rules for visitors, so please follow them during your visit.

Toguchi Beach YouTube Short

Access and parking

Toguchi Beach has a free car park.

It is very large, with space for roughly 100 cars.

Around Toguchi Beach

Activities in Yomitan Village

Yomitan Village offers a variety of marine activities.

You can book diving, snorkeling, SUP and more.

If you would like to try diving or snorkeling, why not take a look at the activities available in Yomitan Village?

Lazor Sea Resort

Yomitan Village has everything from resort hotels to condominium-style stays, and many of them are within easy reach of the beach.

There is plenty of choice, whether you want a resort stay right on the water or somewhere quiet to take things slowly.

Hotels in Yomitan Village are listed on Booking.com and Expedia, so please check availability and rates there.

Tomarijo Park

Tomarijo Park sits right next to Toguchi Beach.

It has a well-kept walking path and thatched shelters where you can rest.

The view of Toguchi Beach from the shelters is lovely too.

There are slides, play equipment and benches as well.

Tumaigushiku

A fence currently blocks the way in, so we could not go inside, but even from a distance it felt wonderfully mysterious.
There was also a sign warning of falling rocks, which was a little unnerving.

Okinawa Pork Village

Okinawa Pork Village is also a restaurant, with a varied menu.

There is indoor seating as well as a terrace, and the whole place has a stylish feel.

Marine activity rentals and barbecues also appear to be run by Okinawa Pork Village, so please check the link below for details.

URL: https://www.okinawa-pork-village.com/

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.

The places worth visiting are scattered across the island, from Shuri Castle in Naha to the beautiful beaches up north and American Village in Chatan, and with a car you can work through them at your own pace. Local buses are infrequent and rarely run to schedule, so having a rental car makes an enormous difference to how much you get out of the trip.

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.

Summary

In this article we introduced Toguchi Beach.

Toguchi Beach gives the strong impression of a local beach, visited more by residents and families with children than by tourists.

Given how good the facilities are and how much parking there is, it would not be surprising to see more visitors, but it still feels quieter than Yomitan’s better-known Zanpa Beach and Nirai Beach.

When you are in Yomitan Village, do make time for Toguchi Beach as well.

Thank you for reading to the end.

Yomitan Village | All 15 Beaches Ranked, from Famous Names to Quiet Finds

Every beach in Yomitan Village, central Okinawa, ranked by how well known it is — with ratings, facilities and parking d...

okinawa-bookmark.com

The post Toguchi Beach | Snorkeling and Barbecues by the Sea — Parking and What’s Nearby first appeared on Okinawa Bookmark.

It is known for its soft white sand and beautiful water.

There is a park nearby, and a few families were out playing when we visited.

It is a small beach, tucked quietly into a residential area.

There are almost no tourists here — it is mainly local families with young children.

Sobe Beach ratings

*Ratings are the subjective assessment of the Okinawa Bookmark editor, compared with other beaches in Okinawa Prefecture.

Sobe Beach essentials

Rather than a place to swim, Sobe Beach suits families with children and anyone who wants to take their time on the sand.

There is a park nearby and space to park the car, which makes it an ideal spot for families.

What Makes It Worth Visiting

Wonderfully clear water

Water this clear really is a draw.

There is another stretch of sand on the far side of the rocks, and it is just as lovely, with water every bit as clear.

You can snorkel here

Snorkeling is on offer at Sobe Beach.

Yomitan Village has snorkeling, diving and plenty of other activities, so take a look on Viator or GetYourGuide.

Soft white sand

The sand here is fine, soft and beautifully clean.

On the far side of the rocks — perhaps because that beach is so small — there were no footprints at all, which gave it a strangely mysterious beauty.

The rocks are a highlight

The man-made rock formations are a real feature, and they are well maintained.

Shells and stones too

It varies from spot to spot, but some areas had plenty of stones and shells.

The park nearby

The park has play equipment, benches, a slide and space for children to run around.

There is a thatched shelter for resting, and the restrooms looked newly built.

There were several spaces to park, and parking is free.

Please note

There are a few rules for using the beach, so please follow them during your visit.

Access and parking

There are only a few spaces, but you can park if one is free.

Around Sobe Beach

Activities in Yomitan Village

Yomitan Village offers a variety of marine activities.

You can book diving, snorkeling, SUP and more.

If you would like to try diving or snorkeling, why not take a look at the activities available in Yomitan Village?

Toya Fishing Port

Toya Fishing Port has a direct-sales shop run by the Yomitan Village fishing cooperative, selling fresh fish.

At Uminchu Shokudo you can also tuck into seafood rice bowls, set meals and tempura.

Umi no Terrace Yomitan Toya

Umi no Terrace Yomitan Toya is a hotel with ocean views.

Sobe Beach and Toya Fishing Port are both close by.

The rooms are generously sized, and the whole place has a stylish feel.

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.

The places worth visiting are scattered across the island, from Shuri Castle in Naha to the beautiful beaches up north and American Village in Chatan, and with a car you can work through them at your own pace. Local buses are infrequent and rarely run to schedule, so having a rental car makes an enormous difference to how much you get out of the trip.

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.

Summary

In this article we introduced Sobe Beach.

Sobe Beach sits quietly in a peaceful residential area, and it is mostly local families playing on the sand or in the park next door.

The clear water and soft white sand are a genuine draw.

When you are in Yomitan Village, do stop by Sobe Beach.

Thank you for reading to the end.

Yomitan Village | All 15 Beaches Ranked, from Famous Names to Quiet Finds

Every beach in Yomitan Village, central Okinawa, ranked by how well known it is — with ratings, facilities and parking d...

okinawa-bookmark.com

The post Sobe Beach | A Quiet Local Find in Yomitan Village — Parking and What’s Nearby first appeared on Okinawa Bookmark.

The name is read “Momenbaru”.

Known for its clear water and white sand, and with gentle waves, it is the kind of beach that feels almost private.

There are hardly any tourists — just a handful of locals and people working at the US base — so it really does have that private-beach atmosphere.

It is a great pick if you want to spend some unhurried time in Okinawa.

Momenbaru Beach ratings

*Ratings are the personal view of the Okinawa Bookmark editor, based on comparison with other beaches in the prefecture

Momenbaru Beach essentials

Momenbaru Beach has no safety net and no lifeguards on duty.

If you want to swim or try marine activities, we recommend Toguchi Beach, which is properly equipped.

What Makes It Worth Visiting

Wonderfully clear water

The water is exceptionally clear and genuinely beautiful.

Ryukyu limestone breaks through the surface here and there, and it makes for a beautiful sight.

You can snorkel here

Snorkeling is on offer at Momenbaru Beach.

Yomitan Village has snorkeling, diving and plenty of other activities, so take a look on Viator or GetYourGuide.

About 500 metres of beautiful sand

The roughly 500-metre beach is lovely, white and wonderfully soft.

There are shells on the sand, but walking barefoot does not hurt at all.

There was even a tree shaped like a chair — formed naturally, perhaps?

You will see people out on SUPs

There were people paddling on SUPs, and my impression was that most of them were from overseas.

With hardly any tourists around, it feels much like a private beach.

Surrounded by greenery

Greenery wraps around the area, and once you pass through the trees Momenbaru Beach appears quietly in front of you.

The entrance is easy to miss, but you can park nearby and walk in.

Hamabe no Kitchen Momenbaru

It has the feel of a stylish café, with terrace seating as well.

Looking out at Momenbaru Beach from Hamabe no Kitchen Momenbaru is a fine way to spend some time.

Please note

Presumably because of the US base nearby, flying drones is prohibited.
Please follow the rules during your visit.

Access and parking

Momenbaru Beach has no dedicated car park, but there is space where you can pull in.

Please see the photo and map below for details.

Around Momenbaru Beach

Activities in Yomitan Village

Yomitan Village offers a variety of marine activities.

You can book diving, snorkeling, SUP and more.

If you would like to try diving or snorkeling, why not take a look at the activities available in Yomitan Village?

Toguchi Beach

Toguchi Beach is a popular beach in Yomitan Village, and it sits very close to Momenbaru Beach.

At low tide you can even walk from Momenbaru Beach all the way to Toguchi Beach.

Toguchi Beach has full swimming facilities, barbecue areas and a range of marine activities.

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The Momenbaru Site

The Momenbaru Site, a nationally designated historic site, is where box-shaped stone coffin burials thought to date from the middle of Okinawa’s Shell Mound period were first discovered in the prefecture.

Source: https://bunka.nii.ac.jp/heritages/detail/140087

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.

The places worth visiting are scattered across the island, from Shuri Castle in Naha to the beautiful beaches up north and American Village in Chatan, and with a car you can work through them at your own pace. Local buses are infrequent and rarely run to schedule, so having a rental car makes an enormous difference to how much you get out of the trip.

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.

Summary

In this article we introduced Momenbaru Beach.

With hardly any tourists — just a handful of locals and people working at the US base — it is a beach with a genuinely private feel.

It is a particularly good pick if you want to spend a quiet, unhurried stretch of time on an Okinawan beach.

Thank you for reading to the end.

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The post Momenbaru Beach | Calm, Quiet and Beautifully Empty — Parking and What’s Nearby first appeared on Okinawa Bookmark.