It takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes by car from Naha Airport. Take Route 58 north to Yanbaru, and the beach is located north of the Okuma Private Beach Hotel. There is no parking lot or signboard, and the emerald-green sea seen through the grass is impressive!
Point 1: What is the location of “Hentona Kaigan”?
Hentona Kaigan” is located on the East China Sea side of the northern part of Okinawa Island (Yanbaru).
From the airport, you can get there by following Route 58 northward, which is almost a straight road, so you will not get lost.
You can park your car in a vacant lot along the national highway, a short distance away from the beach, and walk through a forest of tropical plants. It is only a few minutes away, but it makes you wonder if there really is a beach there.
That is why I was so impressed when I saw the emerald green ocean! It is indeed the sea of Hanbaru.
The emerald green color is clearly different from that of the central and southern areas!
Point 2: What kind of beach is “Hentona Kaigan”?
Hentona Kaigan” is a beautiful man-made beach with a long stretch of white sand.
Not only is the ocean beautiful, but the sandy beach is beautiful as well, making it a picturesque place in itself. Volunteers remove pumice stones and trash from the beach when camping, so the beach is always clean. I appreciate it.
Since this is not an official beach, there are no activities or rentals, but there are showers and toilets for a fee, which is very helpful.
There are only occasional locals fishing and snorkeling, and not a single tourist.
You will have to bring your gear and equipment, but snorkeling and SUP in the beautiful emerald green ocean, which is like a “swimming pool,” is probably the best thing you can do when you have the place to yourself!
However, there are no lifeguards, so please be careful of the currents and dangerous creatures.
Point 3: What are the sights and food around “Hentona Kaigan”?
Hentona Kaigan” is located in the northern part of Okinawa’s main island, in a region called Yanbaru, and there are not as many stores as in Naha and Chatan, where you can walk to a wide variety of stores.
It takes 1 hour and 45 minutes by car and 2.5 hours by bus.
Convenience stores are few and far between, and the “common stalls” that are part of the Okinawan and Amami culture support the daily lives of the residents.
This area is just outside the area of attractions and gourmet food, but you should definitely stop by “Michi no Eki Yui Yui Kunigami” (Road Station Yui Yui Kunigami), which is only a 3-minute drive from the beach.
Be sure to get some Yanbaru honey butter, which is made by boiling down Yanbaru honey with milk or coconut milk. It tastes just like “Kaya Jam” in Singapore.
The cream cup chiffon made with rare dragon fruit and Anno sweet potatoes at the Kunigami sweets store “Yui Cafe” in the facility is also delicious!
However, it seems that it is not available every day, so we recommend that you check before you go!！
