The Best 11 Places to Go in Nanjo-city, Okinawa

Speaking of sightseeing spots in Okinawa, where do you think of first? The popular spots, such as the International Street, the Shuri Castle, the Chatan American Village and Chura- umi Aquarium are all concentrated in the middle and the northern part of Okinawa, aren’t they? The southern part with little accommodation is difficult for it to be the main area for sightseeing. Having said that, there are many equally wonderful places in the southern area. I am introducing to you the popular sightseeing spots around the Nanjo-city in the Okinawa prefecture.

1. Seifautaki

photo by aprilwg   /   embedded from Instagram

The “Seifautaki” in Chinen in the Nanjo-city in Okinawa has been registered as a world heritage site. During the Ryukyu Dynasty, it used to be the most renowned sacred place. Even now, it is carefully preserved as a special holy place. Amongst younger people, it is much talked about as a power-spot. Many people visit there every year.

Why don’t you enjoy the great nature and the superb sea from a much higher place? This old historic holy place will make your trip to Okinawa more special, I’m sure.

2. Niraikanai Bridge

The popular spot, “Niraikanai Bridge” is a unique bridge at which the entrance is a tunnel. You can view this beautiful scenery after passing through the tunnel. The sea which you can see from the bridge going down is magnificent. It is truly Paradise! It is popular for driving out.

Using this bridge is the best route to visit the “Seifautaki” which was introduced previously. You can enjoy the 2 places in 1 drive. You can also enjoy the gorgeous sunrise from the observation area on the bridge. So, it attracts people not only in summer but also in winter.

3. Miibaru Beach

photo by m2style   /   embedded from Instagram

You can’t miss the beautiful beaches on your trip to Okinawa, can you? In the Nanjo-city, there are many maintained artificial beaches. But natural beaches are strongly recommended for visiting! The “Miibaru Beach” is surrounded by trees, big rocks and sea creatures. You can swim being enveloped by Mother Nature.

At night, you can see the beautiful starry sky, as there is no street light. This is the place which you must visit on your trip to the Nanjo-city.

→The 10 Best Beaches You Must Visit in Okinawa, Japan

4. Kakinohanahiija

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The “Kakinohanahiija” has been selected among the 100 exquisite and well-conserved waters. It is a good little-known sightseeing spot in the Nanjo-city. Even a visitor who is an expert on Okinawa won’t know about this place, only the locals. It is on the hill in Tamagusuku in the Nanjo-city, so you can see the marvellous scenery from there as well.

Children can enjoy themselves in the flowing clean spring water. It is recommended for a family with their child as well as for a couple who like to take a walk. Especially, on week-days, the place is less crowded.

5. Kudakajima Island

The Miyako Island, the Zamami Island and the Tokashiki Island are internationally well known. It is possible to make a return journey to those islands, but it is a tight squeeze to do it during your fixed schedule, isn’t it? However, the Kudaka Island is only 20 minutes away from the Azama Port by ferry. It is such an inviting isolated island, isn’t it?

The entire Kudaka Island is a holy place, so people have protected the tradition since the Ryukyu Dynasty. Even now it is called, the “God’s Island”. As a result, it has been keeping the original historical environment. That’s why it is worth visiting. You can enjoy cycling throughout the island, as it is small. I’d like you to enjoy the good olden traditional scenery to the full.

 
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6. Okinawa World

photo by mafekaji_okinawa   /   embedded from Instagram

The “Okinawa World” is a top-class Theme Park in the Okinawa prefecture. The special feature is Gyokusendo. It is a natural limestone cave which is 300 thousand years old. The number of stalactites in the cave are the most and its length is the longest in Japan. The natural monument, Gyokusendo is highlighted. Apart from the area which is open to the general public, some stalagmites growing in the area have been under research.

In the park, the constructed castle-town of the Ryukyu-era has been exhibited. You can enjoy simply walking in the park. You can experience the Okinawa traditional handicrafts and also you can enjoy taking a photo in a Ryukyu costume. There are attractions, such as the powerful performance, Eisaa and a Habu-snake show. Besides, there are buffet-styled foods, a beer brewery and a tropical fruit garden. So, you can enjoy yourself all day long there. Now you may be excited!

7. Gangara Valley

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This place is said to have been a limestone cave hundreds of thousands of years ago. The limestone cave has collapsed and the forest has been created. In the 1960s and 1970s, some human bones were excavated in the southern part of Okinawa. It was the oldest complete skeleton in Japan. It is supposed to be the skeleton of the “Minatogawajin” who lived in Okinawa 2,000 years ago.

The “Gangara Valley” seems to have been a good place of residence for them. When you step in one foot, the ancient forest spreads out just like the Ghibli’s world. It is located on the other side of the “Okinawa World”. It is convenient to visit both of them at the same time.

8. Café Kurukuma

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Speaking of a café with a magnificent view, everybody mentions the “Café Kurukuma”. It is located on the upper side of the “Niraikanai Bridge”. The view from the café impresses everyone, but the attraction of this café is not only this view.

The foods of this café are genuine Thai cuisine. It is officially authorized as Thai and the chefs in the kitchen are professional Thai cooks. They cook foods under the theme, “medicinal herbs, herbs and health”, using the local vegetables and herbs. They taste very good and satisfy health-oriented people.

9. Hamabe-no-chaya

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You can hear the refreshing sound of waves in the popular small café in the Nanjo-city, “Hamabe-no-chaya”. When you sit at the counter near the window, the magnificent sea is just a stones throw away. You can feel as if you are monopolizing the beautiful sea. After your meal, you can walk on the beach straight from the café.

They offer their original Pizza which is cooked with the local vegetables, the salad with the sea water dressing and the aromatic original charcoal roasted coffee. Their sweets are also very delicious, so it is a good place for having a rest during the trip.

10. Yuinchi Hotel Nanjo

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Did you know that there were natural hot-springs in Okinawa? The hot-spring in the “Yuinchi Hotel Nanjo” contains the ancient ground water. There is no filtering or added temperature or added water to it.

The hot-water flows out for 24 hours. You can see the sea and the Nanjo-city through the large window. It is a superb view. For people who are not keen on a big bathroom, there is a reserved private bath. That’s good news, isn’t it?

If you want to enjoy an activity, the flowing pool with the 2 long sliders is waiting for you. The rooms are good quality, but the price is reasonable. It is a hotel, but they allow you to bring in the devices for camping and BBQ on their site! It is suitable for a day trip as well as an over-night one.

→The 10 Best Hot Springs (Onsen) You Must Visit in Okinawa, Japan

11. Hyakunagaran

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The “Hyakunagaran” is a top-class hotel. It was awarded the “Asian Continent Award” for a consecutive 2 years in the seaside high-class hotel section. The contest is called the “World Luxury Hotel Award 2014 & 2015”. The tiled-roofed hotel has the overwhelming exclusive atmosphere.

It is close to the Miibaru Beach. All the rooms are facing the ocean. They have a patio with the southern country’s enormous tree, Gajumaru (Banyan) and a cave with a 7-metre-tall stone Buddha statue inside. This hotel is recommended for people who want to enjoy a little luxurious trip.

→The 10 Best Luxury Hotels and Ryokans in Okinawa, Japan

Let’s Enjoy Tourist attractions in Nanjo-city, Okinawa!

Have you enjoyed these articles? Do you agree that there are many wonderful spots in the southern part of Okinawa? Please make a plan of your trip to Okinawa with enough time to visit the southern area as well. I’d like you to find more attractions in the Nanjo-city with your own eyes. The best memory is waiting for you there.