About an hour and a half drive from Naha Airport. Ocean Tower is located at the entrance of Kouri Island in the northern part of Okinawa’s main island. Don’t say, “Why would I go to a tower on Kouri Island? Don’t say, “I’m not going to a tower on Kouri Island! It is a surprisingly enjoyable place with scenery, exhibits, and food!
Point 1: What is the location of “Kourijima Ocean Tower”?
Kouri Island Ocean Tower is an observatory located at the entrance of Kouri Island.
Kouri Island can be reached in one and a half hours from Naha Airport by taking Route 58 and Route 331 northward.
You will continue north on Route 58 until you reach “Hanechi Station” in Nago, then turn left onto Yagaji Island, and further cross the Kouri Bridge to enter Kouri Island.
The change of scenery from the bustling cities of Naha and Urasoe, to the endless fences of the bases on the side, and then to the ocean and the resort atmosphere, is interesting and unique to Okinawa.
The Kouri Ocean Tower is about four minutes to the right after crossing the Kouri Ohashi Bridge, and you ride an automatic cart from the parking lot to the tower. Oh, wow! It moves on its own without driving.
Since it moves automatically, you don’t need a driver’s license to ride it, and you can also see the spectacular view of Kouri Ohashi Bridge and Yagaji Island while sitting on the cart!
I felt like my fatigue from flying all the way to the northern part of Japan on the expressway just flew away!
Point 2: What are the exhibits at “Kourijima Ocean Tower”?
Kouri Island Ocean Tower” actually has a “Shell Museum” that exhibits more than 10,000 shells from around the world.
In an exhibition area modeled after an Okinawan flower block, shells and rare shells that cannot usually be seen are on display, creating a fantastic atmosphere.
There are also colorful corals that you have never seen before, and next to the exhibit, there is an exhibit that describes Kouri Island, so you can learn about another Kouri Island that is not just an “island of love”.
The route then proceeds to the observatory on the second through fourth floors.
The roofed observation decks on the 2nd and 3rd floors do not offer much of a different view, but the rooftop observation deck on the 4th floor offers a different sense of openness, and is recommended if the weather is clear!
Point 3: What kind of food do you recommend at “Kouri Island Ocean Tower”?
The Kouri Ocean Tower Shop, located on the first floor of the Kouri Ocean Tower, sells souvenirs and other items.
Kouri Island is famous for its pumpkins, and many pumpkin-based sweets are sold at this store.
Among them, we recommend the pumpkin pie.
The pumpkin filling inside the crispy pie crust is so delicious that you will become addicted to it! Unfortunately, the pie is not suitable as a souvenir because it crumbles easily, but we hope you will try it there and remember the taste!
