Local Guide
8 hidden spots to experience the deep charm of Okinawa

Okinawa Prefecture is a place where you can enjoy a resort-like experience while traveling abroad. Guidebooks include a wide variety of glamorous shops and tourist spots, but there are probably many experienced Okinawa travelers who would like to visit hidden spots once in a while. Here are eight hidden spots recommended for such people.

An exhilarating drive through 4.75km of spectacular scenery!

Enjoy a pleasant drive as if you were plunging into the sky blue sky.
Enjoy a pleasant drive as if you were plunging into the sky blue sky.

This 4.75km long bridge stretches from the Yokatsu Peninsula to four remote islands. With the endless emerald blue ocean on either side, it's a great driving spot.
At the "Sea Station Ayahashikan" located in the middle of the bridge, you can take a break and enjoy the charms of the islands by buying local specialties from each remote island or buying Okinawan tempura and eating it while looking out at the sea. It is also well-known for the beauty of its sunsets. Be sure to take a look at the sunset sinking into the sea.

Comments Local Guide
Just watching the beautiful changes in the ocean makes you feel happy. When the tide is out, you can see a spectacular view that reminds you of Rikuzen Matsushima, one of the Three Most Scenic Spots of Japan.
Mid-sea Road

A municipal market where you can enjoy the deep, traditional Okinawa

The market is lined with fruit and vegetable shops and butcher shops. You'll be fascinated by the unique Okinawan ingredients.
The market is lined with fruit and vegetable shops and butcher shops. You'll be fascinated by the unique Okinawan ingredients.

Inside the bougainvillea-covered building is a traditional Okinawan market town. It's packed with a variety of shops, including stores selling locally grown fruits and vegetables and seafood landed at Nago Port, as well as restaurants serving hearty set meals.
It's a deep area that young people can enjoy as well, with shops selling cakes and smoothies, and coffee shops that carefully brew each cup after an order is placed.

Comments Local Guide
My favorite spot is the Nago Municipal Market, located about 45 minutes north by car from HOSHINOYA Okinawa. It's a place where you can enjoy the deep side of Okinawa.
Nago Municipal Market
  • URLhttp://nago-ichiba.com/
  • 住所1-4-11, Shiro, Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 60 minutes by car from Naha Airport
  • 営業時間Varies by store
  • 定休日Varies by store
  • TEL0980-43-0478（指定管理者：一般社団法人資源活用管理協会）
  • 駐車場Available (free)

A rare field of tens of thousands of sunflowers illuminated by 1,000 lights

Feel the healing power of the warm light and sunflowers
Feel the healing power of the warm light and sunflowers

Sunset Farm Okinawa is one of the top producers of illuminated chrysanthemums in Okinawa. They also operate a sunflower farm and regularly hold the Sunflower Carnival, a rare event in the world where sunflowers are illuminated by light.
The tourist farm has 1,000 LED light bulbs installed across an area of 1 hectare (about 1.5 soccer fields), and about 100,000 sunflowers are blooming beautifully. There is no admission fee, and you can Experience sunflower harvesting for a fee of your choosing. Why not enjoy the sunflower fields lit up with light, which is rare even in the world, to your heart's content?

Comments Local Guide
The very rare lighting of the sunflower fields is something you won't see anywhere else! We also recommend taking drone aerial photos (3,500 yen per flight per group), which is limited to 10 groups per day, to create some memorable memories.
Sunset Farm Okinawa
  • URLhttps://www.sunsetfarmokinawa.com/
  • 住所Okinawa Prefecture Nakagami District Yomitan Village Gima MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 60 minutes by car from Naha Airport
  • 営業時間9:00～21:00
  • 定休日Open only during the season. Check the official website
  • 入場料Free admission
  • TEL090-1342-2582
  • 駐車場Available (free)

A local roadside station with an appearance resembling an old-fashioned house

I was intrigued by the charming building and the unusual atmosphere of a roadside station.
I was intrigued by the charming building and the unusual atmosphere of a roadside station.

This roadside station is located on National Route 58 in Yomitan Village and has a tourist guide on-site. The current building was renovated in 2005 as a tourist information center, recreating the atmosphere of the building before it was burned down during the Battle of Okinawa (around 1945), and was certified as a "roadside station" in August 2006.
At first glance, the old-style building doesn't look like a roadside station, and there are no Restaurant or souvenir shops inside. Instead, guides who are knowledgeable about the area will introduce you to the history, culture, and crafts of Yomitan in a relaxed atmosphere. Inside the building, there are photo panels introducing tourist information and local specialties, so you can enjoy viewing the exhibits.

Comments Local Guide
It is located where the old Yomitan Village Hall was. The toilet bowls are made of cute yachimun pottery, so be sure to check them out! In fact, there is a row of cherry trees here, so it is also a great spot to enjoy cherry blossom viewing in January.
Kinabanjo Roadside Station

A photo spot to enjoy alongside Cape Maeda

An area packed with diving and snorkeling spots, such as Cape Maeda and the Blue Cave (©Onna Village Tourism Association)
An area packed with diving and snorkeling spots, such as Cape Maeda and the Blue Cave (©Onna Village Tourism Association)

This scenic spot is located about a 5-minute walk from Parking (100 yen per hour) at Maeda Misaki, a famous diving spot. On a clear day, you can enjoy the clear waters where you can see fish and starfish even in shallow waters, and the beautiful, unobstructed sky.
One of the most recommended spots is the view from the cliff beyond the bushes. It is also a popular photo spot. Take your time to enjoy the beauty of the vast ocean and sky seen from the high ground.

Comments Local Guide
It is located about 15 minutes by car from HOSHINOYA Okinawa. This is a precious beach that is also registered as a cultural property as a war relic.
Zaneh Beach
  • 住所Okinawa Prefecture Kunigami District Onna Village Maeda MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 50 minutes by car from Naha Airport
  • TEL098-966-2893（恩納村観光協会）
  • 駐車場Available (paid) *Please use Maeda Misaki paid parking

A hidden beach where you can immerse yourself in tranquility.

The pure white sand and crystal clear water make it fun to walk barefoot.
The pure white sand and crystal clear water make it fun to walk barefoot.

It's in a hard-to-find location and not often mentioned in guidebooks, making it a hidden beach only known by those in the know. This is why it's a spectacular spot with untouched nature and beautiful, blue ocean.
The pure white, fine, smooth sand, the endless blue sky and sea, and the silence of only the sound of the waves will instantly purify you of the fatigue accumulated from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The comfortable silence is soothing, and it is also a recommended place for yoga and meditation.

Comments Local Guide
This is a hidden beach that is not well known even among Okinawans. The locals treasure it so much that they don't really want to tell anyone about it.
Yubanta Beach
  • 住所Okinawa Prefecture Nakagami District Yomitan Village MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 50 minutes by car from Naha Airport
  • 入場料No swimming fee
  • 駐車場none

Enjoy the American atmosphere! Streets filled with exotic charm

Feel the sea breeze on the Depot Island Boardwalk, a seaside promenade in Mihama American Village
Feel the sea breeze on the Depot Island Boardwalk, a seaside promenade in Mihama American Village

This town resort was built when the US military base was returned to Japan. It is a spot where you can enjoy a real American atmosphere, unique to Okinawa, which developed alongside American culture. Inside the grounds, you will find vivid colored exterior walls, exotic objects, and a store selling imported goods from America, making you wonder if you are really in Japan.
In winter, the entire grounds are adorned with lavish illuminations, creating a colorful sight that you can enjoy.

Comments Local Guide
Of course you can shop, but there is stylish wallpaper and objects everywhere, so it's also a great place to enjoy taking photos.
Mihama Town Resort American Village
  • URLhttps://www.okinawa-americanvillage.com/
  • 住所Okinawa Prefecture Nakagami District Chatan Town Mihama MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 30 minutes by car from Naha Airport
  • バスアクセスNaha Airport → Kuwae bus stop approx. 1 hour 10 minutes
  • 営業時間Varies by store
  • 定休日Varies by store
  • 入場料Free admission
  • TEL098-926-4455（北谷町観光情報センター）
  • 駐車場Available (free)

A favorite among Okinawans! Okinawa's first long-established drive-in Restaurant

At night, the signboard is lit up in neon colors, lighting up Onna Village in a cool way.
At night, the signboard is lit up in neon colors, lighting up Onna Village in a cool way.

Founded in 1967, this is Okinawa's first drive-in Restaurant. The founder, who worked as a refrigerator manufacturer and frequented the U.S. military base, saw Restaurant on the base, liked their style, and decided to open one in his hometown of Onna Village.
Many people use it as a resting place during their drives, and from inside Restaurant you can see the ocean right behind it. From the time it first opened until now, it has been loved by the people of the prefecture as a drive-in Restaurant all dishes can be taken out or eaten in.

Comments Local Guide
This is a historic Restaurant that has been serving American soldiers since the postwar period. The clam chowder soup, which has long been a favorite among Okinawans, is a must-try.
Seaside Drive-In
  • URLhttp://www.seaside-drivein.com/
  • 住所885 Nakadomari, Onna Village, Okinawa Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 5 minutes by car from Ishikawa IC on the Okinawa Expressway, approximately 8 minutes by car from Yaka IC
  • 営業時間8:00～21:00（L.O.20:00）
  • 定休日Wednesdays *May be closed on other days
  • TEL098-964-2272
  • 駐車場Available (free)
  • メモThe take-out counter is open 24 hours a day.
    No shuttle service

MAP

Nearby Hoshino Resorts Property
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