Story Northern Okinawa
The beautiful flavours of Okinawa's northern coast Published in 2021

Northern Okinawa

The beautiful flavours of Okinawa's northern coast

 

8:30     Inoh Restaurant

 

 

Enjoy breakfast with a view at Inoh Restaurant! Located on the fourth floor of the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (no admission ticket is necessary to enter the restaurant), it boasts panoramic views of the East China Sea. The restaurant serves a special Morning Menu which includes local Okinawa ingredients like Agu pork sausages from Motobu, served with thick toast and locally-grown salad.
*The special Morning Menu is available until March 31st, 2022.

 

9:30     Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

 

 

Home to about 21,000 marine creatures, Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is a great place to learn about Okinawa's marine life at every depth. The dynamic Kuroshio Sea tank - one of the largest in the world - features gigantic whale sharks and manta rays. The Deep Sea tank re-creates the mysterious world of the deep ocean with about 130 species of creatures that are rarely seen.

 

 ↓ Car, 5 mins
︙

12:00     Kominka Shokudo Yukuru

 

 

Stop for a hearty bowl of Okinawa soba - a bowl of soupy egg noodles topped with tender pork ribs - at Kominka Shokudo Yukuru, a cozy restaurant in a traditional Okinawan-style building. Yukuru is located in Bise, which is famous for its row of ancient Fukugi trees, called Fukugi Namiki, once planted as a windbreak to protect the village. You can walk through this tunnel of trees, lined with mostly private older homes, to Cape Bisezaki.

 

 ↓ Car, 40 mins
︙

14:00     Kouri Island

 

 

Drive across the bridge from Yagaji Island to the tiny Kouri Island, which takes only 10 minutes to go around the coastal road. Surrounded by the turquoise ocean, you can go swimming or snorkelling during warm weather seasons, or simply enjoy the cafes on the island. A popular tourist site is the unique coral formations resembling whales' tails or hearts, therefore popularly known as Heart Rock, located just offshore on the northern tip of the island.

 

 ↓ Car, 10 mins
︙

14:30     Kouri Ocean Tower

 

 

At 82m above sea level, Kouri Ocean Tower is a great vantage point to see Kouri Bridge. The tower is home to the Kouri Island Museum where you can learn about the island, completed with indoor observation areas. The ocean deck on the rooftop is an amazing spot to enjoy a full panorama of the landscape with a drink, and travelling up to the deck is best experienced through an automatic cart.

 

 ↓ Car, 75 mins
︙

17:00     ZHYVAGO COFFEE

 

 

Get your coffee fix with great seaside and sunset views at Zhyvago Coffee Works Okinawa, located on the busy promenade of American Village. The casual cafe merges the trendy vibes of west coast Okinawa with west coast USA. Grab a few treats - from cookies to cakes - and enjoy them with your coffee on the cafe's terrace overlooking the pier.

 

 ↓ Car, 45 mins
︙

19:00     Tubarama Kokusaidori branch

 

 

Immerse yourself in Okinawan culture at Tubarama Kokusaidori, a rustic restaurant with an interior that resembles a traditional Okinawan village with their iconic roof tiles and coral walls. Enjoy a dinner of Okinawan cuisine with an impressive range of options, from jimami tofu and stir-fried goya, to stewed rafute and many more. Accompany the meal with local drinks like awamori or snake wine - all with live folk music performances in the background.

 

 

Published in 2021