Perfect for the drive course! 5 remote islands that can be reached by car from Okinawa Island

Popular as a standard tourist spot in the northern part of Okinawa Island! Kourijima is a remote island called Kourijima. The exhilaration of driving on the 1960-meter-long Kouri-ohashi Bridge by car is exceptional! A drive while overlooking the emerald green sea under your eyes will unintentionally raise your voice, "Beautiful!" You can enjoy a mysterious feeling as if you are floating on the sea. It is a spot that you should definitely enter on the drive course.

On the other side of Kouri-ohashi Bridge, there is a heart-shaped rock called "Heart Rock" on Tine Beach, located on the north side of the island. It became a hot topic because it became the stage of the TV commercial of the airline where popular groups appeared, and it is always crowded with tourists. The shape of the heart of this rock and Kouri Island is called the island of love, so it was said to be a sacred place of love someday. The slope leading to Heart Rock has a slippery scaffolding, so it is recommended to visit with easy walking sneakers.

The Sesoko-ohashi Bridge, which connects Okinawa Island and Sesoko Island, was opened in 1985. It is close to 10 minutes from Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, so you can drop in casually to get back and forth. The reason why the middle of the bridge is slightly higher is because ships come and go under the bridge. The beautiful sea and the characteristic shape of the bridge are perfect for photo shoots. After crossing the bridge, there is a free parking lot on the left side, so be sure to park your car and stroll around Shimauchi.

"Sesoko Beach" boasts one of the most beautiful beauty in Okinawa Prefecture. The natural beach, which stretches about 800 meters long, is loved not only by tourists but also by locals. The smooth, pure white sandy beach and the clear sea are perfect for tropical mood. Because it is shallow, fish and coral can be seen with the naked eye, and you can easily enjoy snorkeling. From mid-April to early October, there are observers, so please feel safe. In addition, you can overlook Eshima, Italy and Minnajima from the beach to the offshore, and it is also famous as a sunset spot.

In the village of Sesoko Island, there is an apple cafe, a stylish old private house where the French flag flutters. There are about 20 kinds of specialty macarons made by French shopkeepers. Okinawan ingredients such as awamori, Sanponcha, Italy Eshima peanuts, seasonal Okinawan fruits are kneaded into the cream to eat Okinawan macaron. Colorful colors will make you happy with gifts. There are plenty of baked sweets such as canules and pies, all of which are delicious and authentic.

The Underwater Road, located in Uruma City, Okinawa Island, is a bridge with a total length of about 4.7 kilometers from Motojima to Hamahiga Island, Heianza Island, Miyagishima Island, and Ikei Island. It’s not good to just pass through this bridge by car! There is a deep blue sea on both sides of the road, and there are places where you can sit along the road. Just sit in your favorite place and take a leisurely look at the sea, there is no doubt that you will be healed. If you are hungry, please go to "Sea Station Ayahashikan" in the center of the underwater road. You can enjoy local gourmet such as Okinawa-style tempura restaurant.

If you drive a car on a hill on Miyagishima while overlooking the beautiful sea, you will see the "Nuchimasu Sightseeing Salt Factory". Salt produced by the world's first proprietary manufacturing method is Guinness Book-certified as the world's highest mineral content. If you look into the salt-making room with a fun guided tour, you can see the beauty of salty snow. The finished salt has a fine and smooth touch. It has a high health and beauty effect, and you can purchase Nuchimasu and beauty goods, seasonings and sweets using at the shop on the second floor.

After enjoying a tour of the salt factory, go to the scenic spot "Kafubanta" on the premises. Banta is a dialect of Okinawa, and "Lucky Cliff (Banta)". The view from the top of the cliff at an altitude of about 80 meters is truly spectacular! In fact, this area is a sacred power spot. If you look at the superb view while feeling the refreshing breeze, you can truly feel the power on your skin. The white sandy beach under the cliff is called "Nuchinohama" and is known for sea turtles lay eggs in the middle of the night.

About 15 minutes by car from Naha Airport. "Senaga Island" has a variety of spots such as resort hotels, hot springs, and shopping facilities. Even though it is a compact island where you can go around in about 3 minutes by car, all of "fun", "delicious" and "healing" are gathered, so you can enjoy it without getting tired even in a day. In addition, since it is close to the airport, the airplane that can be seen up close is impressive! Check out Senaga Island, which evolves every day.

Senaga Island Umikaji Terrace, which opened in August 2015, is a shopping facility with many stores in slope ground. Not only photogenic cafes and shops born in Okinawa, but also shops where you can enjoy domestic and international cuisine. In the daytime, you can enjoy a different landscape with about 40 torches on fire at night, and you can enjoy a different landscape. Let's go out to Champloo Resort where you can enjoy without staying!

Oujima, about 40 minutes from Naha city, is visited by many tourists as well as local customers for the famous Okinawa tempura. Okinawan tempura is different from the mainland tempura, but is characterized by a thick and chewy texture. Tempura, rich in variety of fish, squid, vegetables, etc. is affordable, but it is full of volume! Perfect for snacks while driving. There are multiple Okinawa tempura restaurants in Shimauchi, so it's also ◎ to compare them.

Tobiika's sun-dried is a summer tradition of Ou Island. As the name suggests, Tobiika glides through the sea surface and is said to fly up to about 50 meters. If dried in the sun for about half a day, the umami will condensate and the taste will increase. Of course, you can eat it as it is, but you can eat it deliciously even if you boil it and boil it, or if it is grilled (salt). This scenery that can only be seen from late June to October, and when you visit Ou Island, be sure to check it out!

Right in front of the fishing port, "Imaiyu no Oujima Seafood Shokudo" is a shop with plenty of local feeling, with its nostalgic appearance. Imaiyu means fresh fish in Okinawan language. Imaiyu, which is purchased every day, is of course excellent freshness! You can eat maiyu according to your favorite cooking method, such as fish juice, butter grilling, and stewing. In addition, there are plenty of dishes unique to Okinawa such as Okinawa soba and sea grape soba. While feeling the sea spreading in front of the store, you can enjoy the fresh maiyu.

Post: April 5, 2018 (Updated: August 2023)