The “Crab Tunnel” is a tunnel for crabs heading to the sea during the summer spawning season. It is a kindness unique to Okinawa that the tunnel is built for the crabs to prevent them from being run over by cars. What kind of tunnel is it?
Point 1: Where is the “Crab Tunnel”?
The “Crab Tunnel” is a tunnel for hermit crabs and other species of crabs located on the coast of Ogimi Village, Kunigami County, in the northern part of Okinawa’s main island.
It takes about 1 hour and 42 minutes from Naha Airport to reach the tunnel, which is located along Route 58 going north. Around the time you enter Ogimi Village, you will see a “Crab Beware” sign, but there is no big signboard where the Crab Tunnel is located, so please refer to Google Maps for your reference.
When you arrive at the “Crab Tunnel,” there is a panel that introduces the crabs that inhabit the area and explains how they cross the road.
There is also an open space for several cars to park, so you can observe the crabs without having to park on the road.
Point 2: What exactly is a “crab tunnel”?
The “Crab Tunnel” is a concrete tunnel that is being built by the local government at taxpayer expense so that crabs heading to the sea during the summer spawning season will not be hit by cars as much as possible.
The concrete tunnel is just under National Highway 58, through which the crabs travel to the sea. There is also a blue net on the ocean side for the crabs to climb through.
Among the crabs crossing under the road, the Murasaki-o hermit crab is a protected species, and this is a very heartwarming and unique Okinawan effort to protect it.
Beyond the seawall on the side of the road is the emerald green sea of Yanbaru. Just looking at the clearly vivid emerald green color is soothing to the soul.
Point 3: What are the best places to eat and recommend around “Crab Tunnel”?
Since you have come all the way to Yanbaru to see the “Crab Tunnel,” you may want to stop by at some of the gourmet restaurants and recommended spots.
OKINAWA CACAO, located 3 minutes by car from the Crab Tunnel, is a highly reputable chocolate factory and café with not only a nice appearance and tableware, but also a menu that includes chocolate drinks based on karaki and chocolate flavors such as shell ginger, awamori, and seekwasa. It is a very popular chocolate factory and cafe.
Standard souvenirs are good, but sometimes it is nice to have a change of pace!
