It takes about one hour by car from Naha Airport. This teahouse is located in the middle of a bridge on the way to an outlying island in Uruma City, central Okinawa Island. Since it is located in the middle of a bridge, the view is guaranteed to be spectacular! However, it is located on the East Coast, and perhaps because it is considered inaccessible, it is not as crowded as the East Coast. The teahouse also serves delicious Okinawan cuisine!
Point 1: The most difficult to access? What is the location of the “Kaichu Chaya”?
As the name suggests, “Kaichu Chaya” is a teahouse with a 360-degree panoramic view.
It is located on a bridge called “Uminchu Road” on the way to the outlying islands of Uruma City in central Okinawa Island. Located on the east coast of the main island of Okinawa, it is not so glamorous, but you can call it a hidden gem.
Surprisingly, it takes only one hour by car from Naha Airport.
By bus, first, take Ryukyu Bus No. 190 to Koza, then transfer to Okinawa Bus No. 52 at the bus stop located a 2-minute walk away and get off at “JA Yakeina-mae”.
Then take the Heianza Sogo Kaihatsu bus, which is a 1-minute walk away, from “JA Okinawa Yonagusuku Branch Mae” to “Ayahashikan Mae”. The “Uminchu Chaya” is located on the first floor of the “Umi no Eki Ayahashikan” right after you get off the bus.
Since there are two transfers, the bus ride takes 2 hours and 11 minutes t, but it is definitely worth a stop as you will be able to see one of the best views in Okinawa.
The teahouse is decorated in a natural and modern style with a wooden atmosphere, and there is even a terrace. I was surprised at how stylish it was, and I couldn’t believe it was a public facility! The interior design is quite aggressive!
Among Okinawa’s many scenic spots, there is no better place to enjoy a meal while taking in the spectacular view.
Point 2: From Okinawa soba to taco rice! Introducing the menu at Kaichu Chaya!
The main menu at Kaichu Chaya is “Okinawa soba” (Okinawa buckwheat noodles).
There are many challenging items on the menu, from the standard one with bonito broth and tripe meat to “Spice Curry Soba” with more than 10 spices, Mozuku soba with Mozuku seaweed from Uruma kneaded into the noodles, Yushi tofu soba, cold noodle style soba, and many more.
A set of Okinawa soba with Shiju-shu and Mozuku vinegar is also available!
In addition, the popular “Makanai Set Meal” and the heaping bowl of “Taco Rice” are also very popular! And yet, the price is less than 1000 yen, so you can feel very satisfied.
The Okinawa soba is a “limited lunch menu,” so be careful!
Point 3: You can also experience a one-rank higher BBQ with a spectacular view at “Kaichu Chaya”!
『BBQ is available on the terrace surrounded by the sea at “Kaichu Chaya.
The menu includes a 3-hour private party for 5,500 yen per person (minimum 4 people, reservation required at least 2 days in advance).
The ingredients are also very generous: beef steak, ginger pork, tandoori chicken, Shizuoka hamburger steak, BBQ sausage, seasonal vegetables, pizza, pineapple, and much more.
The price used to be 4,500 yen, but it seems the price has gone up.
However, with many places charging over 5,000 yen per person and not so much for the contents, this is a surprise, don’t you think? They accept reservations by phone, e-mail, or DM on Instagram, so feel free to apply.
The location is a terrace surrounded by the 360-degree ocean at Uminchu Teahouse, and if the weather is clear, you can experience a dynamic tropical sunset. We recommend you to experience it once.
Located on the way to the Uminchu Road that crosses over to the remote islands of Uruma City in central Okinawa Island, Uminchu Chaya has a stylish interior that does not look like a public restaurant, and offers a wide variety of menu items, including Okinawa soba alone! You can also enjoy taco rice, set menus, and high-grade BBQ. If the weather is clear, you can enjoy an unbelievable sunset!
Access is a bit difficult without a car, but please visit “Uminchu Chaya” and see for yourself!
