Special Okinawa Spots to Visit in Summer
Okinawa boasts unwavering popularity as a domestic summer travel destination. Surrounded by beautiful seas, the island of Okinawa offers a unique culture that flourished during the Ryukyu Kingdom era, as well as traditional food and scenery that differ from the mainland, making it feel like a foreign country. For those visiting Okinawa this summer, we would like to introduce spots that you can enjoy even more precisely because it is summer. Please enjoy Okinawa beyond just its beaches.
1Yohena Hydrangea Garden
Hydrangea gardens you'll want to visit during the rainy season
In Okinawa, flowers bloom much earlier than on the mainland, with cherry blossoms peaking in January, and sunflowers and cosmos in January and February. So, what about hydrangeas? Okinawa often enters the rainy season after Golden Week, and the peak for hydrangeas is typically from mid-May to the end of June.
A place you should definitely visit during this time is the "Yohena Hydrangea Garden" in Motobu Town, in the northern part of Okinawa Prefecture. Located about a 20-minute drive from the "Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium," it attracts many visitors from both Japan and abroad when the flowers are in full bloom.
It all started with hydrangeas, which I began growing as a hobby
On the approximately 3,000-tsubo (approx. 9,900 square meters) grounds, about 10,000 hydrangea plants of around 40 varieties bloom in splendor, overwhelming visitors with their beauty. The garden was started when the former owner, Uto Yohena, began planting hydrangeas as a hobby at the age of 60.
It is said that Uto started by growing just two plants, but now, when the season arrives, the area looks like it has been covered in a blue carpet. With each plant producing about 30 flowers, the scenery colored by these voluminous hydrangeas is truly breathtaking.
Local
Supporter
The hydrangeas that cover the mountain slopes are a sight to behold. The rainy season can be gloomy, but knowing I can see these hydrangeas makes me feel better.
- Yohena Hydrangea Garden
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1312 Izumi, Motobu-cho, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa Prefecture MAP 
Approx. 80 minutes by car from Naha Airport
9:00 - 18:30
Open every day during the season
Adults 400 yen, elementary/junior high/high school students 200 yen
0980-47-2183
Free
Group discounts available
2Shuri Sakiyama-cho Barringtonia racemosa row of trees
Head to Shuri to see the "Barringtonia racemosa," a phantom flower that blooms for only one night
The "Sagaribana" (Barringtonia racemosa) is a flower that opens only on summer nights and falls by dawn. It is a one-night flower that grows wild in the Amami Islands and the Okinawa region. Its flower language is "happiness will come," and it blooms in dense clusters like wisteria, hanging down from the branches. It releases a vanilla-like fragrance, enveloping the surrounding area in a sweet scent.
There are several spots in the prefecture where you can see these Sagaribana, but for those staying in Naha, we recommend Shuri Sakiyama-cho. It is also known as one of the Eight Views of Shuri.
A hidden gem near Shuri Castle
About a 10-minute walk from Shuri Station, the atmospheric stone-paved path near Shuri Castle (Baba-dori, affectionately known as Zuisen-dori) is even illuminated during the Barringtonia racemosa (sagari-bana) season. The best time to see them is at night from June to August. About 30 sagari-bana trees are planted along the approximately 150-meter path, and when the season arrives, locals visit while taking their evening strolls.
By the way, this area is a hidden gem not yet widely known to tourists. Why not see the fleeting and romantic sagari-bana, which bloom for only one night, with your own eyes?
Local
Supporter
The sweetly scented night-blooming flower is somewhat mysterious. The viewing period is short, but why not plan your trip to Okinawa during this time?
- Shuri Sakiyama-cho Barringtonia Row
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- Shuri Sakiyama-cho, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture MAP
- Approx. 10 minutes on foot from Shuri Station
- Free
- None
3Kouri Beach
Outstanding transparency. One of the most beautiful beaches in Okinawa
If you want to enjoy a drive during your trip to Okinawa, there is a driving course you absolutely must check out. One of them is Kouri Island, located in the northern part of the main island of Okinawa. This island, where untouched nature remains, is called the "Island of Love" because of the Okinawan version of the Adam and Eve legend, and the entire island is said to be a power spot.
To get to the island, you cross the Kouri Bridge, which is about 2km long. With emerald green sea spreading out on both sides, you will feel as if you are driving on the ocean. Kouri Beach spreads out at the entrance to the island.
Blue seas and sunsets. Enjoy Kouri Island all day long
The white sandy beach and the incredibly clear sea are so beautiful they will take your breath away and captivate anyone who visits. Another feature of this beach is that it is well-equipped with facilities such as showers and restrooms. The shallow beach is safe even for those who are not good at swimming.
There are also scenic spots and cafes with panoramic ocean views scattered around the island. In the evening, you can enjoy the sunset and spend time feeling as if you have been cut off from the real world. Nearby, there is also the "Kouri Fureai Hiroba," where you can find local specialties and souvenirs, and enjoy a meal. Why not stop by after enjoying some fun in the sea?
Local
Supporter
Crossing the Kouri Bridge is a moving experience, even for Okinawan locals who are used to seeing the beautiful sea. Recently, the number of stylish cafes on the island has increased, adding to the fun of visiting.
- Kouri Beach
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- Kouri, Nakijin-son, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa Prefecture MAP
- Approx. 85 minutes by car from Naha Airport
- Free
- 0980-56-1057 (Nakijin Village Tourism Association)
- Free
- Showers, toilets, and changing rooms available
4Bise Fukugi Tree Road
A green power spot showered in negative ions
When you feel like you want to be liberated from your stressful daily life, head to a power spot located about a 4-minute drive from the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. The Bise Fukugi Tree Road, where about 20,000 fukugi trees stand in a row, is a healing spot wrapped in the gentleness of nature.
Surrounded by tall fukugi trees, it stays cool even in midsummer, making it perfect for a stroll. The chirping of small birds, the sound of the wind, the rustling of the trees, and the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves are so pleasant that it feels like a cleansing for the soul. There are also rental bicycles available, so you might enjoy cycling as well.
A natural beach that even snorkeling beginners can enjoy
Pass through the green tunnel and you will reach the sea. Bise Beach, which has a well-maintained promenade, is a popular swimming spot for families, where you can see clownfish and colorful tropical fish. In fact, Bise Beach is also known as a snorkeling spot. On clear days, you can see Ie Island in the distance, and in the evening, you can watch the sunset sinking behind it.
Numerous studies around the world have reportedly proven that nature relieves stress. The powerful fukugi tree-lined path and the blue sea may help reduce our worries, concerns, and daily stress.
Local
Supporter
The Bise Fukugi Tree Road, surrounded by greenery, has plenty of shade and is a pleasant spot where cool breezes blow through even in midsummer. Conversely, in winter, the fukugi trees block the wind from the sea, keeping it warm.
- Bise Fukugi Tree Road
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- 626 Bise, Motobu-cho, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa Prefecture MAP
- Approx. 100 minutes by car from Naha Airport
- Free
- 0980-48-2371 (Bise Ward Office)
- Free
5Farmers Market
Get tropical mangoes at a reasonable price
For those who say, 'I look forward to stopping by local supermarkets and markets while traveling,' we recommend places where you can purchase fresh local produce that you can only find in that area at reasonable prices. There are currently 11 'Farmers Markets' in Okinawa Prefecture (including two on remote islands).
They are located in various areas such as 'Haina! Yanbaru Market' in Nago City, 'Chanpuru Market' in Okinawa City, and 'Umanchu Market' in Itoman City. Since the producers and the produce handled differ at each store, it might be a good idea to visit a few of them.
When you think of summer in Okinawa, you think of bitter melon
Unlike supermarkets where winter vegetables are lined up even in summer, farmers markets allow you to feel the seasons and what is in season. In summer, dragon fruit, passion fruit, mangoes, and pineapples are lined up, and the stores are bustling with locals and tourists visiting for them.
Although there are some fluctuations in timing and the amount handled, tropical fruits are sold at all stores. Many people also buy them for mid-year gifts or souvenirs. You can also have the produce you purchased shipped, so you can shop without worrying about your luggage getting too heavy (some items cannot be shipped).
Local
Supporter
A farmers' market visited by professionals such as chefs and cafe staff for their supplies. You can buy fresh and delicious produce at low prices, so it is a place you should definitely use.
- Farmers Market
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- 4-20 Nishizaki-cho, Itoman City, Okinawa Prefecture (Farmers Market Itoman Umanchu Market) MAP
- Approx. 15 minutes by car from Naha Airport
- 9:00–18:00
- Closed on the 4th Wednesday, January 1st–3rd, and the first day of Obon
- 098-992-6510 (Farmers Market Itoman Umanchu Market)
- Free
MAP
- Nearby Hoshino Resorts facilities
Local supporter in charge of this article
- Yuka NakamuraA beautiful person with a lovely smile
HOSHINOYA Okinawa
Yomitan, Okinawa Prefecture
A luxury resort along one of Okinawa's finest coastlines. From every oceanfront room, you can enjoy an exclusive, breathtaking view that stretches all the way to the horizon.
Access About 1 hour by taxi from Naha Airport
- Accommodation rate example
- Per person per night From ¥27,324