It takes about 50 minutes by car from Naha Airport. It is a beach that can be reached almost by a single road via National Route 58. This beach is part of a U.S. military recreation facility called “Trii Station. It is not usually open to the public, but every year around July, the beach is open to the general public.
Point 1: What is the location of “Torii Beach”?
Torii Beach is located in Yomitan Village in the central part of Okinawa Island. Yomitan Village is located close to Kadena Town where the Kadena Air Base is located and is indicated on the map only as “Torii Beach.
You may have thought it was just a regular beach, but you may have seen the vast area that includes the beach is shown in gray on the map, with nothing written on it.
In Okinawa, in addition to the U.S. military bases you often hear about such as Kadena, Futenma, Henoko, etc., land along the beaches as “recreation areas” or “training grounds” is a military facility for the U.S. military and is not usually accessible to the general public. If that area is included, it might be fair to say that a considerable area of Okinawa is occupied by the U.S. military.
Point 2: When can I enter “Torii Beach”?
In front of the gate of Torii Beach, there are two red Torii gates side by side. It is a mystery what they were thinking when they lined up the torii gates, but it is a sensation that Japanese people would never think of.
Although the area is normally inaccessible, the U.S. military knows this and opens the facilities to the general public several times a year. The beach is open to the public mainly during the GW and summer months, and you can experience the American atmosphere by using not only the beach but also the on-site booths and restaurants.
You can find out when the open days are on the official website and Twitter. In some cases, photo identification is required, so please be sure to check carefully when entering each facility.
Point 3: How to enjoy “Torii Beach
At Torii Station, where “Torii Beach” is located, visitors can enjoy swimming, SUP, water slides (for a fee), wakeboarding, and other activities.
There will also be many booths where visitors can enjoy authentic American cuisine, including authentic American hamburgers, dynamic whole roasted pigs, and barbecue on large skewers.
T-shirts, tank tops, and other merchandise will also be on sale.
And best of all, since you will be surrounded by Americans, you can enjoy the feeling of being in a foreign country just by watching the way Americans behave.
You can have a rare experience in an atmosphere where the music of the “Beach Boys” will fit right in, so be sure to check the schedule and go!
