It is a natural beach located in Uruma City, central Okinawa Island, about an hour’s drive from Naha Airport. It is not a formal beach, so the stones and coral fragments are wild and tasty. It is not a beach for swimming, but it is a great place to relax! There is also a power spot nearby, which is somewhat calming.
Point 1: What is the location of “Katsurenhaebaru Beach”?
Katsurenhaebaru Beach is located in Uruma City in central Okinawa, on a peninsula just before crossing over to Hamahika Island, where the power spot of Sirmichu is located.
It is about an hour’s drive from Naha Airport. It is relatively easy to get to via National Route 58, National Route 330, and Prefectural Route 36, so it takes only one hour to get there.
However, this is not the case with buses. First, you need to go from the airport to AEON Lycoming in Okinawa City, then change buses, get off at Hamaya Iriguchi, and walk for 16 minutes, which takes about 2 hours.
This proves how good Okinawa’s expressways are.
Point 2: What kind of beach is “Katsurenhaebaru Beach”?
Katsurenhaebaru Beach is not the cleanest beach on the islands, but it boasts a clarity that is close to that of the islands.
Even to get to the beach, you will have to walk along a path lined with rocks and tropical plants, which will make you feel adventurous.
The sound of sanshin (Okinawan traditional three-stringed guitar) music, which can be heard from nowhere, is a strange and relaxing accompaniment to the beach.
The beach has a white sandy part and a rocky part with many rocks, and even if you take a picture of the beach, it looks different from one direction to another, making it hard to believe that it is the same beach.
It is indeed a picturesque tropical beach with large rocks sticking out of the sea.
The fact that the beach is not crowded with tourists is also an attraction.
This beach is open for swimming and snorkeling at your own risk, but since there are no swimmers, no lifeguards, and no jellyfish nets, it is best to avoid this beach on days when conditions are even slightly bad.
Of course, there are no restrooms, changing rooms, or showers.
Also, since it is on the Pacific Ocean side, not the East China Sea, you cannot expect sunset, but it is a good idea to go early in the morning to see the sunrise.
Rather than swimming, it is recommended to relax and enjoy the scenery or take a walk.
Point 3: What are the sightseeing & dining options around “Katsurenhaebaru Beach”?
Near Katsurenhaebaru Beach is the World Heritage Site of Katsuren Castle Ruins.
This castle ruin, with its beautiful streamlined form of stone walls, was the residence of Amawari, who brought prosperity to Katsuren through overseas trade in the 15th century and was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000.
Many history books describe the last lord of the castle, Amawari, as a villain who stood against the Ryukyu Dynasty, but in fact, he was a great lord, and there is a sad story that the Ryukyu Kingdom was afraid of his power and arranged the “Gosamaru-Amawari Rebellion”.
Also, as for food around Katsuren Nanpuhara Beach, we recommend “Kamimoto Shoten,” a shaved ice shop run by sisters who renovated their grandmother’s store! The menu includes “Fresh Strawberries and 4 kinds of Berries” and “Baked Sweet Potato and Benidama”.
It is only a 5-minute drive from the beach!
