Nature Spots in Okinawa Area
Area
-
-
Okinawa
-
-
Okinawa
Category
-
- Ishigaki Island Limestone Cave
-
![rating-image]()
3.5667 Reviews - Travel / Tourism
- Okinawa Pref. Ishigakishi Ishigaki 1666
- Ishigaki Island Limestone Cave is a large limestone cave which developed naturally over a period of about 200,000 years. It has a total length of 3.2 kilometers, out of which approximately 660 meters is open to the public. The limestone cave which was created from coral reef has many highlights such as the “Suikinkutsu” (water harp cave) where you can enjoy the sound of water dripping and the “Totoro Stalactite” which is similar to Totoro. The inside of the cave has been illuminated creating a fantastic atmosphere. The tour of the caves takes about 30 minutes.
-
![]()
This cave shows nature at its most fascinating. However, some of the human additions need work. I liked the various colors to subtly highlight the stalactites, but the Christmas-style lights detract...
-
- Valley of Gangala
-
![rating-image]()
4.0174 Reviews - Travel / Tourism
- Okinawa Pref. Nanjoushi Tamagusuku Maekawa 202
- Valley of Gangala is a subtropical forest that originated when a limestone cave collapsed hundreds of thousands of years ago. The valley occupies an area of about 47,995 square meters, and the distance to walk through the valley is about one kilometers. You can experience an ancient natural environment in the valley where there are large trees called “Giant (Ufushu) Gajumaru trees” known as the wise men of the forest as well as the Inagu Cave and the Ikiga Cave. A full-time guide accompanies tours through the valley in order to protect the abundant nature which is highly valuable to both archaeology and folklore science. The time required to take the tour is about one hour 20 minutes.
-
![]()
The most unique thing about this cafe is the setting. Beware of the drippings from the stalactites! The cafe serves coffee and drinks only.
-
- Nagannu Island
-
![rating-image]()
4.0120 Reviews - Travel / Tourism
- Okinawa Pref. Shimajiriguntokashikison Maejima
- This small island is about 20 minutes from Naha by boat. You can enjoy snorkeling, diving, and other marine activities. The white sands of the beach, formed from coral fragments, stand in beautiful contrast to the emerald green of the sea. Showers and bathrooms are available as well, allowing you to enjoy the pristine natural surroundings to the fullest.
-
![]()
Short ferry ride which is good. Beach is clean and water crystal clear. If you enjoy snorkeling and marine life, this is not the right place. You will only see dull and dying corals with little...
-
- Cape Manzamo
- Travel / Tourism
- Okinawa Pref. Kunigamigunonnason Onna
- It is a popular scenic spot which is representative of Okinawa Prefecture, which is located in Onna Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa Prefecture. It is famous for having rocks on the coastal cliffs which closely resemble an elephant’s trunk, with the whole surface of the clear blue sea stretching out down below. The highly transparent sea is breathtakingly beautiful and is so transparent that you can even see the rocks in the sea, but be careful as there are a few places which don’t have a fence.
-
- Kouri Island
- Travel / Tourism
- Okinawa Pref. Kunigamigunnakijinson Kouri
- Kouri Island is located north of the main island of Okinawa, Yagaji Island. It is surrounded by emerald green seas, with a circumference of about eight kilometers. In 2005, the Kouri Bridge opened to connect the island with Yagaji Island, becoming a remote island that could now be reached by car from the main island. There are old houses and fields of sugar cane on the island, and the original Okinawan landscape remains remarkably unchanged. From ancient times, it has been given the names, “Love Island” and “God’s Island”, so there are also a lot of couples who visit this island.
-
- Kabira Bay
- Travel / Tourism
- Okinawa Pref. Ishigakishi Kabira
- Kabira Bay, located in the northwestern part of Ishigaki Island, has some of the best scenery on the island. The gentle cobalt blue sea is some of the clearest in the world, and the beach is filled with fine white sand. Board a glass boat and you can see brilliantly colored tropical fish and coral reefs. Kabira Park, located on a plateau, is highly recommended for its splendid view of the bay.
-
- Cape Hedo
- Travel / Tourism
- Okinawa Pref. Kunigamigunkunigamison Hedo
- Located at the northernmost tip of Okinawa, it is made up of cliffs of coral. On sunny days it is a picturesque spot where you will be able to command a view of Yoron Island. In 1972 during the Showa period, on the occasion of the return of Okinawa to the Japanese, a monument “sokoku fukki tousou ishibumi” (Return to Motherland conflict monument) was built. Located on the northern side of the cape Hedo dome is a limestone cave in the sea which is said to have formed approximately 20,000 years ago. It is known as a great diving spot.
-
- Cape Maeda
- Travel / Tourism
- Okinawa Pref. Kunigamigunonnason Maeda 469-1
- Cape Maeda is a picturesque place with a precipitous cliff formed from elevated coral and a view of beautiful, transparent ocean. Diving and snorkeling are popular in this area, and the “Blue Grotto” shining gloriously blue is a particular must see. It is also one of the best sightseeing places as you can watch whales from an observation tower or whale watching boats in winter.
-
- Miyako Island
- Travel / Tourism
- Okinawa Pref. Miyakojimashi
- Miyako Island is located about 300 kilometers southwest of the main island of Okinawa. It has picturesque scenery such as the cape of Higashi-hennazaki and the Ikema Ohashi Bridge and its contrast of the cobalt blue seas and the white sandy beaches is beautiful. Also, in the northern district of Miyako Island is “Yabiji”, which is regarded as Japan’s largest coral reef community, and is popular as a diving and a snorkeling spot.
-
- Ishigaki Island
- Travel / Tourism
- Ishigaki, Okinawa Prefecture
- It is the third largest island in Okinawa Prefecture, after the main island of Okinawa and Iriomote Island. Ishigaki Island is the economic, tourism and transportation center of the Yaeyama Islands, and departures to travel around the remote islands are from Ishigaki Island. There are many souvenir shops and restaurants in the town areas, on the one hand, you will also be able to experience Okinawan culture while in the suburbs as you can enjoy many types of subtropical trees, cobalt blue seas and white sandy beaches.
-
- Cape Zanpa
- Travel / Tourism
- Okinawa Pref. Nakagamigunyomitanson Uza 1861
- Cape Zanpa is a promontory that juts out into the East China Sea, with two kilometers of cliffs that reach a height of around 30 meters. At the tip of the Cape there is a brilliant white lighthouse; there are marvelous views of the Kerama Islands and Ie-jima (Ie Island). Cape Zanpa is a very popular spot for diving, and for fishing from rocks near the shore. It is also famous because the sun sets here later than anywhere else on the main island of Okinawa, which attracts large numbers of people to come and watch the sea get given a reddish tint by the setting sun.
-
- Senaga Island
- Travel / Tourism
- Okinawa Pref. Tomigusukushi Senaga
- Senaga Island, south of Naha Airport, is a small island with a perimeter of about 1.5 kilometer and located after crossing Kaichu-doro Drive (marine drive). “Senagajima Umikaji Terrace” where you can enjoy gourmet food and shopping events on weekends is recommended for both couples and families. The sunset over the East China Sea is beautiful, and you can enjoy the atmosphere of a resort just by going a little further from Naha City. About 10 minutes by car from Naha Airport.
-
- Ojima Island
- Travel / Tourism
- Okinawa Prefecture Nanjo ball
- Ojima Island is a remote island connected to the main island by a 150-meter bridge offshore of Nanjo City, Okinawa Prefecture. This island which is possible to be reached by car or by foot has “Okinawan style Tempura” as its specialty. While stuffing one’s cheeks with Okinawa’s characteristic thick deep fry battered tempura, you can enjoy the atmosphere of this leisurely island.
-
- Bise Fukugi Tree Road
- Travel / Tourism
- Okinawa Pref. Kunigamigunmotobuchou Bise
- Bise Fukugi Tree Road is a tunnel of garcinia subelliptica trees surrounding a village which is divided like a grid. The trees were planted as a wind shield for the houses and have grown. The estimated age of the oldest tree is said to be 300 years old and the bright green color is dazzling. A ride on a water buffalo cart is also recommended.
-
- Tokashiki Island
- Travel / Tourism
- Okinawa Prefecture Tokashiki-son, Shimajiri-gun
- Tokashiki Island is located 30 kilometers west of Naha City. The island has some of the clearest seas in the world, and it is known as “Kerama Blue”. There are beautiful beaches such as Aharen Beach and Tokashiku Beach. Marine sports such as snorkeling and diving are popular. During the winter season, you can also see the appearance of humpback whales.
-
- Sesoko Island
- Travel / Tourism
- Okinawa Pref. Kunigamigunmotobuchou Sesoko
- Sesoko Island is a remote island which can be reached from the main island of Okinawa by crossing the 762 meter long Sesoko Ohashi Bridge. The island has a circumference of approximately eight kilometers. As it can be easily accessed by car, it gets crowded with many tourists. “Sesoko Beach” which is located on the west side of the island is particularly popular. The contrast between the emerald green sea and the white sandy beach is wonderful. Also Sesoko Island is famous for its beautiful sunsets. It is a remote island where you can thoroughly enjoy spending a leisurely time.
-
- Taketomi Island
- Travel / Tourism
- Okinawa Pref. Yaeyamaguntaketomichou Taketomi
- Taketomi Island is one of the Yaeyama Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, which has a circumference of about nine kilometers. It is about six kilometers from Ishigaki Island which is the center of Yaeyama and it takes about 10 minutes to get there by ferry. It is a beautiful island where you can strongly get a feeling of typical Okinawa, such as the white sand on the red tiled roof of private residences and the brightly colored flowers typical of the south. On the west side of the island, there is Kaiji Beach which is famous for “Hoshizuna” (star sand), which is one of Yaeyama’s most popular tourist destinations.
-
- Ikei Island
- Travel / Tourism
- Okinawa Pref. Urumashi Yonashiroikei
- Ikei Island is the furthest point you can reach when driving along the Inter-Island Causeway from the main island of Okinawa. Ikei Island is a tranquil island covered in sugar-cane fields, and is a great place for just having a relaxing stroll. The Island has several popular beaches - including Ikei Beach and Odomari Beach—where visitors can enjoy the beautiful clear waters of the surrounding sea. Ikei Island is the perfect spot for marine leisure activities.
-
- Higashi-hennazaki
- Travel / Tourism
- Okinawa Pref. Miyakojimashi Gusukube Bora
- An example of one of Miyako Island’s sightseeing areas is the cape of Higashi-hennazaki, which was designated as a national Place of Scenic Beauty in 2007. The promontory is approximately two kilometers in length, and it is possible to have an unbroken view of the beautiful Okinawan sea from the cape which projects out into the cobalt blue seas. It is also possible to climb up onto the lighthouse which is situated at the very end of the cape. As it is possible to see a perfect horizon from up on the lighthouse, it is known as a famous spot for the first sunrise of the New Year. In the springtime, the whole surface blooms in profusion with Easter Lilly and it is also recommended as a walking spot.
-
- Zamami Island
- Travel / Tourism
- Okinawa Prefecture Shimajiri-gun Zamami-son
- Zamami Island is an island located 40 kilometers west of Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture. It is the main island of the village of Zamami in the Kerama Islands group. The contrast between the pure white coral sands and the emerald green seas is wonderful, with divers from all over the world gathering here. The rich coral reefs became a registered area of the Ramsar Convention in 2005 as an area of ocean that nurtures living things. Since then, the area of ocean meeting the registration requirements increased during 2015 and the actual registered area expanded. Also, the sandy beaches are also spawning grounds for sea turtles and in the winter a pod of humpback whales come to give birth and raise their young. It is a beautiful island where you can experience nature.
Okinawa Areas
Let go of your image of a busy, ordered Japan and replace it with crystal-clear waters, white sand beaches, and relaxing folk music: You’ve arrived in Okinawa. A world away from the high intensity of Tokyo, Okinawans appear to live a laid-back beach life on this paradisiacal tropical island that lies in the middle of the East China Sea almost 1,000 kilometers south of mainland Japan’s most southern tip. Home to a spattering of islands, prepare yourself to discover underwater caves, star-shaped sand, and an island culture sometimes unrecognizable from mainland Japan.
Okinawa Photo Album
Best of Okinawa
Travel guide top page
A list of itineraries
A list of articles
A list of spots
Photo AlbumSearch by Region
-
- Hokkaido / Tohoku
- Hokkaido
- Aomori
- Iwate
- Miyagi
- Akita
- Yamagata
- Fukushima
-
- Kanto
- Ibaraki
- Tochigi
- Gunma
- Saitama
- Chiba
- Tokyo
- Kanagawa
-
- Koshinetsu / Hokuriku
- Niigata
- Toyama
- Ishikawa
- Fukui
- Yamanashi
- Nagano
-
- Tokai
- Gifu
- Shizuoka
- Aichi
- Mie
-
- Kinki
- Shiga
- Kyoto
- Osaka
- Hyogo
- Nara
- Wakayama
-
- Chugoku
- Tottori
- Shimane
- Okayama
- Hiroshima
- Yamaguchi
-
- Shikoku
- Tokushima
- Kagawa
- Ehime
- Kochi
-
- Kyushu / Okinawa
- Fukuoka
- Saga
- Nagasaki
- Kumamoto
- Oita
- Miyazaki
- Kagoshima
- Okinawa
