The Kaichu Road is a 4.75km-long bridge connecting the Yokatsu Peninsula in Uruma City, central Okinawa, with four outlying islands. It's about a 1 hour and 30 minute drive from Naha Airport.

The setting, surrounded by the sparkling cobalt blue sea, is perfect for a drive!

Beyond that underwater road, four islands line up in order from front to back: Henza Island, Hamahiga Island, Miyagi Island, and Ikei Island, where you can enjoy a simple yet rich island experience.

This article will introduce you to the four remote islands located across the Kaichu Road, and recommend some spots on each island!

<Table of Contents>
1.Henza Island
2. Hamahiga Island
3. Miyagi Island
4. Ikei Island

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1.Henza Island

After crossing the Kaichu Road, the first island you land on is Henza Island. While most of the island is an oil base, what makes Henza Island interesting is the hidden gems of shops scattered throughout the island.

Among the four remote islands, including Henza Island, the abundance of restaurants is particularly noteworthy.

1-1. Nikuya Shokudo in Henza

Nikuya Shokudo in Henza is, as the name suggests, a specialty meat shop. It is a popular restaurant on Henza Island where meat professionals who have been running a butcher shop in Osaka for 50 years and across three generations showcase their skills.

The menu consists solely of dishes made with "high-quality meats" such as beef and pork. If you're a meat lover, just looking at the menu might make your mouth water.

The average price per dish is around 3,000 yen, which might seem a bit pricey at first glance, but one bite will convince you. The quality of the meat is so high that you might even feel guilty about being able to enjoy it at this price.

It's located in a slightly hard-to-find spot, but it's a hidden gem that's well worth the effort to find.

■Nikuya Shokudo in Henza Address:252 Yonashiro Henza, Uruma City, Okinawa Prefecture Phone: 090-8823-7130 HP:https://nikuya-shokudo-henza.com/ Opening hours: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM *Reservations required for dinner on Saturdays and Sundays only. Closed: Wednesdays and Thursdays

1-2. Ajika

Ajika, a seafood restaurant, is located next to Henza Fishing Port. As the name suggests, Ajika's concept is seafood cuisine.

Located right next to the port, the seafood dishes made with fresh ingredients are sure to delight your taste buds.

The menu is so tempting that you'll be spoiled for choice, wanting to eat everything and unable to decide... It's a paradise for seafood lovers.

From the restaurant, you can enjoy a view of Henza Fishing Port and savor delicious food while soaking up the atmosphere of the harbor.

■Ajika Address:9396-6 Yonashiro Henza, Uruma City, Okinawa Prefecture Phone: 098-977-7783 Opening hours: 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM (or until sold out) Regular holiday: Monday

1-3. Ippukuya

Ippukuya offers a wide variety of drinks, sweets, and light meals, making it suitable for both meals and coffee breaks.
The view from the balcony is also fantastic.

Their signature dish is surprisingly cold noodles. The toppings of sea grapes and bitter melon are very Okinawan.

■いっぷく屋 Address:462 Yonashiro Henza, Uruma City, Okinawa Prefecture Phone: 098-983-1600 Opening hours: 11:00 AM to sunset Closed holiday: irregular holiday

2. Hamahiga Island

Hamahiga Island is an outlying island accessible from Henza Island via the Hamahiga Bridge. Also known as the "Island of the Gods," it is recognized as a power spot due to its many mystical locations.

On the one hand, you might expect to find resort hotels operating, but at the same time, there's a relaxed atmosphere, and the charm of Hamahiga Island lies in its diverse character.

2-1. Silmitchu

The cave where Amamichu and Shirumichu, the ancestral gods of the Ryukyu Islands, are said to have lived is called "Shirumichu".
Stepping inside, you feel the cool air on your skin, and it's a place that naturally evokes a sense of sacredness.

It is widely recognized as a power spot, and a constant stream of people, including locals, come to visit.
Furthermore, because of the legend that the shrine will grant you children, some people visit to pray for fertility. As it is a sacred place, please remember to be respectful and observe proper etiquette when you visit.

■Shirumichu Address:Katsuren Higa, Uruma City, Okinawa Prefecture

2-2. Southern Hope Hamahiga

Southern Hope Hamahiga is a cafe and restaurant that prides itself on its menu featuring local ingredients. You can enjoy dishes made with octopus and mozuku seaweed grown in the waters off Hamahiga Island.

The restaurant's signature dish is octopus rice, written as "多幸" (many blessings) and pronounced "takoumeshi" (多幸飯). Despite its unique name, there's no skimping on the food.

The simple seasoning brings out the natural flavor of the rice, and the chewy island octopus adds a nice accent, making this a dish you can enjoy without getting tired of it.

The accompanying mozuku seaweed soup has a comforting taste, and the dishes, which make the most of the quality of local ingredients, are exquisite.

■Southern Hope Hamahiga Address:229-1 Katsurenhama, Uruma City, Okinawa Prefecture Phone: 098-977-8811 HP:http://southernhope-h.com/ Opening hours: 11 hours to 16 hours Closed: Saturdays

3. Miyagi Island

Miyagi Island is connected to Henza Island by the Momohara Bridge. This island, where agriculture is thriving, is attractive for its unspoiled nature.

Nuchimaasu, a representative specialty product of Okinawa, is also manufactured on Miyagi Island. It's a place where you can feel the bounty of nature firsthand, with a peaceful atmosphere that truly embodies Okinawa.

3-1. Kaho Banta

Located within the grounds of the "Nuchimaasu Tourist Salt Factory" is Kaho Banta, where you can enjoy a spectacular view.

The majestic landscape stretching out before you, and the sea shimmering with its blue gradient, will make you want to exclaim, "Wow, it's so beautiful!!"

Pay attention not only to the scenery but also to the name. The lovely name, a combination of "kafuu," which means happiness or good news in the Okinawan dialect, and "banta," which means cliff, will warm your heart.

(Incidentally, it seems that in Kaho Banta, "Banta" is used to mean "cape" rather than "cliff.")
True to its name, Cape Happiness, this place is sure to soothe your soul with its breathtaking natural scenery.

■Kaho Banta Address:2768 Yonashiro Miyagi, Uruma City, Okinawa Prefecture

3-2. Nuchimaasu Tourist Salt Factory

The Nuchimaasu Tourist Salt Factory is a place where Nuchimaasu, a representative specialty product of Okinawa, is manufactured.
Nuchimaasu means "salt of life" in the Okinawan language, and here they produce salt from the beautiful seawater of Okinawa.

Inside the facility, a salt factory is in operation, offering a fascinating glimpse into the salt-making process, something you don't usually get to see. The piles of salt create a scene reminiscent of a snowy landscape.

The facility features shops selling carefully selected souvenirs made with Nuchimaasu salt, as well as a restaurant where you can fully enjoy Nuchimaasu cuisine and salt-based sweets, making it a place where you can have fun and learn about salt.

My personal recommendation is silk salt, which can be used for exfoliation!

■Nuchimaasu Tourist Salt Factory Address:2768 Yonashiro Miyagi, Uruma City, Okinawa Prefecture Phone: 098-923-0390 HP:https://www.nuchima-su.co.jp/ Opening hours: 9 hours to 17 hours 30 minutes

4. Ikei Island

Ikeijima Island is connected to Miyagijima Island by a red bridge. It is the final island accessible by car from the Kaichu Road.

Ikei Island is renowned for its beaches, and in the summer, locals enjoy beach parties there. With large resort hotels, Ikei Island offers the unique opportunity to spend a whole day enjoying marine leisure activities.

4-1. Ikei Beach

The first thing you see when you cross over to Ikei Island is Ikei Beach. It's characterized by its pristine white sand and light blue sea.

This is a representative beach of Ikei Island that gets crowded with locals and tourists during the high season. It's a compact beach, but it has excellent facilities, making it a great place to relax or be active.

The facilities you'd expect at a beach resort, such as toilets and showers, are just the beginning. They also offer marine leisure plans and even rental rooms for overnight stays.

What's even more surprising is that there's a restaurant attached. It's the kind of place where you might end up going for a drive but then find yourself unable to resist taking a swim.

■Ikei Beach Address:405 Yonashiro Ike, Uruma City, Okinawa Prefecture Phone: 098-977-8464 HP:http://www.ikei-beach.com/

4-2. Odomari Beach

Otomari Beach is a hidden gem known only to those in the know. It features incredibly soft sand that makes your feet slumber, and crystal-clear waters. It's a beach that evokes images of paradise.

While swimming is a great activity, the real highlight of Odomari Beach is snorkeling! You can observe fish swimming freely in the sea up close and personal.

It's even used as a location for wedding photography, so it's definitely worth visiting just to take pictures.

■Odomari Beach Address:1012 Yonashiro Ike, Uruma City, Okinawa Prefecture Phone: 098-977-8027 HP:http://www.oodomari.com/

5. Extra Episode

5-1. Ayahashi Seaside Station

The Ayahashi Sea Station is a unique complex located in the middle of the Kaichu Road (sea road). Its building is shaped like a ship.

The facility features souvenir shops and restaurants, as well as a small beach, making it a lively place that attracts both locals and tourists every day.

■Ayahashi Seaside Station Address:4 Yonashiro Yahira, Uruma City, Okinawa Prefecture Phone: 098-978-7900 HP:https://ayahashikan.co.jp/ Opening hours: 9 hours to 18 hours

5-2. King Tacos Yokatsu Store

King Tacos, a famous restaurant representing Okinawa's B-grade gourmet food, has a branch in Yokatsu, near the Kaichu Road.
The restaurant is located just before the Kaichu Road, making it perfect for a meal before a drive.

Alternatively, you could resist the urge to eat immediately and instead enjoy your takeout at a scenic spot you find during your drive.

■King Tacos Yokatsu Store Address:784 Yonashiro, Uruma City, Okinawa Prefecture FB:https://www.facebook.com/kingtacos/ Business hours: From Ten thirty am to Five pm

Final thoughts

The real charm of driving along the Kaichu Road lies in being able to drive to islands with their own unique appearances. Driving on a day when the sun is shining brightly is especially wonderful.

However, each spot is so charming that what was supposed to be a short drive might turn into a long stay, with you thinking, "I want to stay here longer!"