A thorough guide to the charm of Araha Beach! Introducing recommended spots for BBQ, marine sports, and Mihama American Village

Araha Beach is located in Chatan Town, which is known for its popular spot "Mihama American Village" in the central part of the main island of Okinawa. The beach is lined with palm trees and open cafes, and there is a relaxed mood, and it is always lively with people who enjoy BBQ and marine sports! Here are plenty of ways to enjoy Araha Beach.

What kind of place is Araha Beach?

Araha beach teeth, Chatan Town, Okinawa A long beach with a total length of about 600 meters in Araha Park. It is a little-known beach with a calm atmosphere that is loved as a place of relaxation for the locals. Araha Beach, which is close to the US military base "Camp Forster" The exotic cityscape like the West Coast of the United States is attractive .. There are many cozy open terrace cafes and bars along the coast where palm trees breeze! Many photogenic spots Therefore, you may be absorbed in shooting.

On weekdays, Araha Beach has many people who take a leisurely walk along the coastal promenade with their dog or jog. Very lively on weekends Will be. Everyone ’s aim is BBQ to enjoy while looking at the sea .. Marine sports such as diving, snorkeling, dragon boating, kayaking, SUP, fishing are also substantial .. Along the beach there is a lawn square perfect for picnics, large boat-like playsets, beach volleyball courts and free basketball courts. You can spend the whole day relaxing with your family and friends ..

After enjoying the beach play, you can visit the surrounding gourmet spots, and the Ferris wheel is a landmark. Mihama American Village You can go to. Don't miss the beautiful sunset and the fantastic night lights.

Access to Araha Beach

Araha Beach in Chatan Town, central Okinawa Island Easy access from Naha Airport by general road (National Highway No. 58) in about 40 minutes .. It is also recommended to stop by as a relay point when traveling to the northern part of the main island by car.

When going from Naha Airport / Naha city by car :
Head north on National Highway 58 and arrive in about 40 minutes from Naha Airport and about 30 minutes from the city. Turn left at the "Chatan Minami" intersection and turn right at the end, and you will be on your left.

When going by bus :
From Naha Bus Terminal, take the 63rd Jagaru Line (via Humvee) bound for Gushikawa Bus Terminal and arrive in about 50 minutes. The beach is about a 5-minute walk from the bus stop in front of Hamby Town.

Basic information on Araha Beach

You can swim at Araha Beach from April to the end of October. Parking is free. Other basic information is as follows.

Street address:
2-21 Chatan, Chatan Town, Nakagami District, Okinawa Prefecture

phone number:
098-936-0077 (Regional Promotion Center)
098-926-2680 (Alaha Beach Administration Building)
098-936-9442 (Inquiries about barbecue)

Araha Beach Administration Building:
It is a concrete building next to the playset of a large ship, which goes out to the sea side from the first parking lot and the second parking lot.

business hours:
9:00 to 18:00 (Summer vacation period is until 18:30)

Swimming period:
April-end of October

Parking Lot:
The usage fee is free. It can accommodate 60 cars on the south side, 86 cars in the center, and 124 cars on the north side. The parking lot near the beach may be full during summer, consecutive holidays, and weekends. In that case, please use the third parking lot (1-12-12 Kitaya, Chatan-cho).

Facility:
Observation posts, shops, toilets (3 places in the park), showers (100 yen for adults), changing rooms, lockers (200 yen), vending machines, jellyfish prevention nets, etc.

How to enjoy Araha Beach

Araha Beach was created by Chatan Town following Sunset Beach. Artificial long beach is. There are many foreign residents in the area, so it's almost like A feeling of liberation and a fashionable atmosphere like an overseas resort there is. Enjoy beach play and marine activities, Mihama American Village It is attractive that you can enjoy various ways such as shopping at "" and tasting gourmet food at cafes and restaurants.

Enjoy the white sand beach

Araha Beach is an artificial beach, but the scenery is close to that of a natural beach. Smooth White sand Boasts high transparency and coral forest Cobalt blue sea Is the pride of Chatan Town.

A peaceful holiday at Araha Park

Araha Beach is a place of relaxation for the inhabitants Part of Araha Park is. The promenade that stretches along the coast is perfect for walking and jogging. There is also an outdoor stage, a multipurpose plaza, a 3 on 3 basketball court, and athletic playsets that imitate a shipwreck that will delight children. A large supermarket in front of the beach San-A It is also recommended to procure food and relax on the beach.

Beach party to enjoy at BBQ

Araha Beach is very popular with locals Beach party !! What is the beach party that Okinawans love? BBQ (barbecue) on the beach That thing. The BBQ is exceptional when you get together with your loved ones and family and watch the clear blue sea under the shining sun.
Araha Beach has a BBQ area in the park where you can book ingredients and tents at the beach kiosk. You can easily do BBQ empty-handed, so even beginners of BBQ should definitely try it. The beach party season is from the opening of the sea to autumn (around November). When I don't have time to do BBQ, I buy lunch boxes and snacks at the supermarket, or take out at a nearby cafe or restaurant. Casual picnic It is also recommended to try.

Get hooked on marine sports

The sea around Araha Beach is highly transparent Marine activity Experience tours and rental shops are extensive. Diving, snorkeling, parasail, glass-bottom boat, dragon boat, kayaking, surfing, SUP, fishing You can enjoy various marine sports such as. There is also an uninhabited island (Alaha Island) about 10 minutes away from the beach by kayaking, so Feel like exploring Is also good.

"Raft fishing" that you can easily challenge

"I'm inexperienced, but I want to try fishing in the blue sea!" For those who like that, take a boat ride from Araha Beach to a raft for 3 minutes and relax. fishing Why don't you enjoy it? If you want to fish more seriously, we also recommend a half-day boat fishing tour departing from the nearby Hamakawa fishing port.

Adventure with kids on a shipwreck athletic

It's also a landmark of Araha Beach, Athletic that imitates a big ship .. This ship imitates the Indian Oak, a British ship wrecked off the coast of Chatan in 1840 due to a typhoon. It was set up based on the historical fact that the locals rescued all the crew and sent them hospitality.

Quite full-scale as an athletic The Tarzan rope is stretched from the ship to the sea, which is very popular with naughty children. There are also slides and net playsets beside the playset, and you can also climb the suspension bridge on the deck or mast of the sailing ship.

Too beautiful sunset

About 5 minutes by car from Araha Beach, it is famous for the sunset over the East China Sea. Sunset beach there is. " Mihama American Village It's a walking distance from "Araha Beach", so after having fun at Araha Beach, move to "Mihama American Village" and watch the sunset at Sunset Beach. You can enjoy a blissful time, which is convincing that it is said to be one of Okinawa's leading sunset spots.

Sightseeing spots around Araha Beach

Mihama American Village

Mihama American Village, which is marked by a large Ferris wheel, A large-scale commercial facility created in the image of the West Coast of the United States .. The store began to open around 1998, and is now an entertainment city boasting a vast site equivalent to about five Tokyo Domes.

Over 130 stores with a wide variety of shops gather on the premises Depot Island ", Lined with clothes and miscellaneous goods imported directly from the United States" American Depot , 55 specialty stores move in " Aeon Chatan branch , "" Of a long-established live house Mod , You can enjoy a live show in Okinawa " Kalahai , Cinecon " Mihama 7 Plex , Etc., and is famous as one of the best play spots in Okinawa. At night, the entire city is lit up, creating an adult space where neon lights shine. Street live performances, street performances, and events are also popular mainly on weekends. There is a free parking lot at the entrance of the area that can accommodate more than 1500 cars.

Carnival Park Mihama

" Carnival Park Mihama The Ferris wheel is a symbol of American Village. There are about 50 tenants, such as gourmet food, fashion, and souvenirs, centered on the experience-based trick art amusement facility.

Bokunen Museum

" Mihama American Village Inside, A museum where you can appreciate the works of Okinawan painter Bokunen (Naka Bokunen) .. The spectacular red tile roof of the building Akara, which is the model of Bokunen, is impressive and is a photogenic spot. There are also unique installations such as an observatory overlooking the sea of Chatan, and you can enjoy art attractions.

American cityscape

The streets of American Village are like a scene from a Hollywood movie. There are many tasteful apparel shops, general stores, select shops, resort hotels, etc., and the terrace seats of the cafe by the sea have a great atmosphere. There are many photogenic places, Feeling like traveling abroad just by taking a walk You can taste.

Relax in a fashionable cafe where foreigners gather

Mihama American Village There are many gourmet restaurants and cafés with a nice atmosphere where local foreigners gather.
" ZHYVAGO COFFEE WORKS OKINAWA Is a coffee stand from Okinawa where you can enjoy a cup of coffee carefully brewed. The interior of the store, which aims to create a hybrid space where the West Coast of the United States and the West Coast of Okinawa overlap, has an industrial and cool atmosphere.
" Transit Café Is a fashionable cafe with a panoramic view of the coast, and is popular for its extensive menu, hearty dishes, and fresh tropical cocktails.
" The Junglila Cafe and Restaurant The trendy glamping-style interior is stylish and looks great on Instagram! You can have a good time relaxing at the tatami room style seats or drinking alcohol while swaying at the swing counter.

After enjoying the activity, relax while watching the sunset

Araha Beach is a place where not only local Chatan children but also many US military personnel can gather and enjoy the exotic atmosphere. The beauty of the clear blue sea, which makes you feel like a beach in the city, makes the time you spend here special. Enjoy BBQ and marine sports during the day, stroll around the American Village at dusk to watch the sunset, and relax at the cafes and bars at night-the beach is perfect for that holiday.

* Information such as plans, prices, timetables, and phone numbers is as of July 2020.