Mihama American Village has become an indispensable spot for sightseeing in Okinawa. Chatan Park Sunset Beach (hereinafter referred to as Sunset Beach), located in one corner of the village, is a popular artificial beach where you can enjoy beautiful sunsets.

With excellent facilities including toilets, showers, and lockers, it's recommended not only for couples but also for families.

Besides swimming in the ocean, you can enjoy a stroll along the beach while shopping, or have a barbecue with friends – there are many ways to have fun. This time, we'll introduce the highlights of Sunset Beach, a must-visit spot when sightseeing in Chatan.

1. Sunset Beach operating period

Sunset Beach typically opens for swimming on a weekend in mid-April, and the swimming season lasts until October 31st.

Swimming is prohibited during the winter months, but the park and beach areas remain open, allowing visitors to freely enjoy a stroll.

Improvement work is underway until March 2024, and the lawn will be in a maintenance period until June 2024. As a result, there are fences in some areas, and access is prohibited in some parts for the time being, so please be aware of this.

The biggest appeal of Sunset Beach is undoubtedly its excellent location!

Located right next to the beach, Mihama American Village boasts a wide array of facilities, including restaurants, hotels, a movie theater, and a shopping mall—enough to keep you entertained all day long. Whether you're shopping and then casually drop by the beach, or grab a coffee nearby and enjoy the sunset, Sunset Beach offers plenty to enjoy even if you don't swim.

The sand on the beach is white and fine. During the improvement work in 2022, they apparently added approximately 19,000 cubic meters of new sand to the beach. Sand has now been laid in areas that were previously concrete, expanding the walking area and making it much more pleasant to spend time there.

The swimming area is shaped like a bay, making it very calm with no waves or wind. There are also nets to prevent box jellyfish from entering and lifeguards are always on duty, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience in the sea.

There is a management building on the beach where you can rent inner tubes, parasols, beach chairs, and other items. BBQ reservations are also handled here.

Right next to the administration building are separate men's and women's restrooms, lockers, and shower rooms. The shower rooms also have locker rooms, so you can change clothes there. Showers use cold water only and cost 100 yen for 3 minutes. Locker use costs 200 yen per use.

2. Satisfy your hunger at the parlor! You can also enjoy a BBQ without bringing anything.

There's also "Island Paddler's," a parlor offering beer, awamori (Okinawan distilled liquor), and light snacks. Opening hours are from 12:00 to 20:00. Warm soup is also available during the winter months.
Currently, we are only open on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.The store's official InstagramThey post their monthly business days, so it's a good idea to check in advance.

One of the charms of Sunset Beach is being able to enjoy a BBQ in a fantastic location! The BBQ area is lined with orange tents, and lovely background music plays from the parlor right next door. It naturally lifts your spirits!

You can choose from the "ISLAND BBQ Plan (weekends only)," which does not require reservations, and the "Standard Plan" and "Special Plan," which do require reservations. All plans include ingredients and equipment, so you can come empty-handed! The ISLAND BBQ Plan is 4,500 yen per person and includes 2 hours of all-you-can-drink. The Standard Plan is 3,000 yen per person, and the Special Plan is 3,500 yen per person. All plans include beef short ribs, pork spare ribs, vegetables, rice, and more.

Details about the BBQ can be found on Sunset Beach's official website .

▼▼Tour Okinawa by bus! Two round trips per day between Naha Airport and Chatan Town (Sunset Beach)!▼▼

3. Sunset Beach Sunset Spot

The emerald blue sea and blue sky are dyed in the color of a crested ibis, and the sunset, which becomes more intense with each passing moment, is overwhelmingly beautiful. Apparently, some couples even propose with this spectacular view as their backdrop. The nostalgic and fantastical atmosphere will make you sigh in admiration.

Enjoy the pure twilight at Sunset Beach, or the sunset at American Village, which feels like something out of a foreign town, just a short walk away. Take a stroll along the beach and savor both sunsets.

Within walking distance of Sunset Beach, you'll find Mihama American Village, the natural hot spring "Terme VILLA Chura-yu," and many unique hotels. After sunset, Chatan's charm lies in the fact that you can enjoy nighttime leisure activities on foot, from hot springs and heated swimming pools to dining, shopping, and accommodation.

4. Access to Sunset Beach

There are two parking options at Sunset Beach: the town-operated parking lot in front of Aeon Chatan store and the Chatan Park parking lot. Parking is free at both locations.

The town-operated parking lot in front of Aeon Chatan store can accommodate approximately 1,500 cars, and the Chatan Park parking lot can accommodate approximately 450 cars, so you will rarely have trouble finding a parking space.

The Chatan Park parking lot is closest to the beach, but please note that it has a set closing time.

Sunset Beach is just a one-minute walk from Mihama American Village. Look for the white dragon stone sculpture! Beyond that, you'll find a beach of white sand and blue ocean.
You'll find lockers and the administration building near this entrance.

If your purpose is to have a barbecue, the closest entrance is near "Terme VILLA Chura-yu," a natural hot spring located within the Chatan Park parking lot.

Chatan Sunset Beach is one of Okinawa Prefecture's leading sunset spots, loved by both tourists and locals. During the season, various music events, including hula dancing, are held on weekends, allowing you to fully experience the tropical atmosphere. When you visit Okinawa, be sure to enjoy the beautiful sunset at Chatan Sunset Beach!