Yomitan village 読谷村

A quiet paradise near Naha

It's said that in Okinawa, it's the southern islands that are the most beautiful. It is true that the small island of Ishigaki is famous for its beautiful beaches. It's also said that on the main island, attractions are quite limited, except for the large Okinawa aquarium. But one hour from Naha, discover the village of Yomitan.

Sunset at Yomitan, Okinawa

A little further north of Yomitan, the Zanpa Misaki lighthouse is one of the main attractions of the region. Again, the bike ride is nice from the village center. Entry to the lighthouse costs just 200 yen ($2) and offers a breathtaking view of a rugged volcanic coastline. At the foot of the lighthouse, a tiny museum (all in Japanese) teaches the importance of these ship-saving buildings and their history on Okinawa.

Also try pumpkin tempura and sweet potato tempura, as well as black tempura, if you have the opportunity to find it at one of Yomitan's small restaurants. Black tempura consists of cooked fish paste, fried in breadcrumbs dyed with squid ink. Accompanied by a bowl of udon or in a bento, it makes a perfect snack before heading down to the quiet beaches of Yomitan.

To discover : Tempura


Yomitan lighthouse

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