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

Popular as a standard tourist spot in the northern part of Okinawa Island! The remote island, also known as the island of love, is Kourijima. The exhilaration of driving by car on Kouri-ohashi Bridge, which is 1960 meters long, is exceptional! A drive while looking at the emerald green sea below can involuntarily say "Beautiful!" You can enjoy a mysterious feeling as if you were floating on the sea. It is a spot that you definitely want to enter in the drive course.

On the other side of Kouri-ohashi Bridge, on the north side of the island, there is a heart-shaped rock called "Heart Rock". It became a hot topic because it became the stage of TV commercials of airlines where popular groups appeared, and it is always crowded with tourists. The shape of the heart of this rock and Kouri Island is called Koi Island, so it came to be said to be a sacred place of love someday. On the slope leading to Heart Rock, the scaffold is slippery, so it is recommended to visit with comfortable sneakers.

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

"Sesoko Beach" boasts one of the most beautiful beauty in Okinawa Prefecture. The natural beach, which stretches about 800 meters in length, is loved not only by tourists but also by locals. The smooth, pure white sandy beach and the highly transparent 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 snorkels. There are guards from mid-April to early October. In addition, you can overlook Iejima 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 a stylish old private house "Apple Cafe" with the French flag flutters. There are about 20 kinds of famous macarons made by French shopkeepers. Okinawan ingredients such as awamori, Sanponcha, Ieshima peanuts, and seasonal Okinawan fruits are kneaded into cream to eat Okinawan macarons. The colorful colors make it a great gift. There are plenty of baked sweets such as canelé and pie, all of which are delicious and authentic.

The Underwater Road, located in Uruma City, central Okinawa Island, is a bridge with a total length of about 4.7 km from Motojima to Hamahiga Island, Heianza Island, Miyagishima and Ikei Island. It's a waste to just pass by 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 down where you like and take a leisurely look at the sea, you will surely be healed. If you are hungry, be sure to 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 on the hill of Miyagishima while overlooking the beautiful sea, you will see the "Nuchimasu Sightseeing Salt Factory". Salt made with the world's first proprietary manufacturing method has been certified by the Guinness Book of Records as the world's best mineral content. If you look into the salt making room with a fun guided tour, you can see the beauty of the salt snow. The finished salt is fine and smooth touch. It has a high health and beauty effect, and you can purchase beauty goods, seasonings and sweets using Nuchimasu and at the shop on the second floor.

After enjoying a tour of the salt factory, go to the scenic spot "Kafubanta" on the premises. Kaho Banta is a dialect of Okinawa, "Lucky (Kaho) Cliff (Banta)". The view from 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 feel the power just on your skin. The white sandy beach under the cliff is called "Nuchinohama" and is known for sea turtles to lay eggs in the middle of the night.

About 15 minutes by car from Naha Airport. Senaga Island is home to a variety of spots, including resort hotels, hot springs, and shopping facilities. Although it is a compact island where you can make a lap in about 3 minutes by car, all "fun", "delicious" and "healing" are gathered, so you can enjoy it without getting tired even if you are a day. Also, because it is close to the airport, the airplane that can be seen up close is impressive! Check out Senaga Island, which is evolving every day.

Opened in August 2015, Senaga Island Sea Umi Kaji Terrace is a shopping facility with a large number of stores in slope ground. Not only photogenic cafes and shops born in Okinawa, but also shops where you can taste domestic and foreign cuisine. Sea casino terrace, which shines white in the daytime by the sun, can also enjoy a slightly different landscape with about 40 torches lit at night. Let's go out to Champloo Resort where you can enjoy without staying!

Ou Island, about 40 minutes from Naha city, is visited by many tourists as well as local customers for the famous Okinawan tempura. Unlike the mainland tempura, Okinawan tempura is characterized by a thick and chewy texture. The tempura with a wide variety of fish, squid, vegetables, etc. is affordable, but it's full of volume! Perfect for a snack while driving. There are several Okinawan tempura restaurants in Shimauchi, so it's a good idea to compare them.

The sun-dried Tobi squid is a summer tradition on Ou Island. As the name implies, Tobi squid glides on the sea surface and is said to fly up to 50 meters. If you dry it in the sun for about half a day, the umami will be condensed and the taste will increase. Of course, you can eat it as it is, but you can eat it deliciously by boiling it and boiling it or using itagaras (salt). This scenery that can only be seen from late June to October, be sure to check it out when you visit Ou Island!

Right in front of the fishing port, "Imaiyu no Oujima Marine Products Cafeteria", which has a nostalgic appearance, is a shop with plenty of local feeling. Imaiyu means fresh fish in Okinawan words. 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 boiling. In addition, there are plenty of dishes unique to Okinawa such as Okinawa soba and Umibudo soba. Enjoy a lot of fresh maiyu while feeling the sea spreading in front of the store.

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