The Yanbaru Forest Toy Museum, which reopened in 2026 after renovations, is an interactive museum where visitors can experience the rich nature and culture of Yanbaru, a World Natural Heritage site, through play.
The facility features a warm and inviting atmosphere thanks to the abundant use of wood sourced from Okinawa Prefecture, and offers a variety of activities incorporating Okinawan motifs.
This time, I actually visited the facility with my 2-year-old daughter and will provide a detailed report on the renovated interior, the attractions of the play area, and the crowd situation.
A family trip to the Yanbaru Forest Toy Museum! Information on the renovated museum's highlights, admission fees, and discounts.
12 cafes and restaurants in Chatan where you can enjoy live music, sunsets, and fireworks to enhance your travel memories.
The joys of a trip to Okinawa aren't limited to sightseeing. Enjoying meals while gazing at the beautiful ocean, experiencing Okinawan culture through live performances, and spending time at restaurants where you can fully enjoy the relaxed atmosphere unique to a resort are also important memories that will enrich your trip.
The Chatan and Mihama areas, in particular, are attractive for their exotic streetscapes and seaside location. In addition to Okinawan cuisine, you'll find a diverse range of restaurants offering authentic steaks, craft beer, seafood, and cafes, as well as plenty of spots where you can enjoy "food plus more" experiences such as sunsets, fireworks, and magic shows.
This article introduces 12 cafes and restaurants in Chatan that will make your trip even more special. From lunch to dinner, find your favorite spot to suit your travel needs.
Looking to buy pineapples and mangoes in Ishigaki Island? Head to a direct sales store! We'll introduce the best time to buy them and recommend some great shops.
Ishigaki Island enjoys a warm climate throughout the year and is known as one of Japan's leading producers of pineapples and mangoes. The island is dotted with direct sales outlets for pineapples and mangoes, many of which are easily accessible by rental car, making it a popular tourist destination. During the peak season, fresh pineapples and mangoes fill the shops, allowing visitors to fully enjoy their juiciness, rich sweetness, and fragrant aroma. Furthermore, since the sweetness, acidity, and aroma vary depending on the variety, comparing different types and finding your favorite is one of the joys of visiting the direct sales outlets. When you visit Ishigaki Island, be sure to savor the delicious taste of these tropical pineapples and mangoes.
"SHUHARI BIKE WORKS" - A unique bike shop where you can enjoy both rentals and customization | Expand your Chatan travels by bicycle
SHUHARI BIKE WORKS (Bicycle Research Workshop Shuhari) is located in a corner of Mihama American Village, across from a tranquil grassy area.
If you rent a bicycle here, it becomes your base for a cycling trip in Chatan. It's a workshop where you can repair and customize bicycles, and you can also find vintage frames and parts, original goods, and a wide range of other bicycle-related services.
The shop is connected to popular Chatan shops like Zhyvago Coffee and FRANkY TAVERN, as well as a select shop, creating a unique Chatan-style space where the atmosphere and culture of each shop blend together seamlessly.
In Chatan, a town where the atmosphere of a seaside resort blends with American culture and street vibes, SHUHARI BIKE WORKS makes cycling more than just a means of transportation; it's a "style" that adds a little freedom to travel and life.
What is Okinawa's traditional "Eisa" dance? | History, highlights, and events
Eisa is a quintessential summer tradition in Okinawa.
With its dynamic dancing, the powerful sound of drums that resonates far and wide, and the vibrant costumes that vary depending on the youth association, this event allows you to experience Okinawan culture firsthand, and some people even plan trips specifically to see the Eisa dance.
This article will cover everything about Eisa, from its history and highlights to events where you can watch Eisa performances and notable youth groups.
Here's a look at various aspects of Eisa dance.
Cycling along the coast of Chatan | From Mihama American Village to Araha Beach
Chatan Town, located on the coast in the central part of Okinawa Island, is a place where you'll want to spend your time leisurely, taking detours wherever your heart takes you, rather than rushing to a predetermined destination.
Mihama American Village (hereafter referred to as American Village), with its rows of colorful buildings, and Sunset Beach, bustling with people waiting for the sunset, are classic tourist spots in Chatan. Both can be visited on foot, but with a bicycle, you can easily venture "beyond" the popular areas, such as Araha Beach. The scenery, shops, and even the seaside air that makes you want to stop and linger will become cherished memories of your trip.
This time, we'll take a leisurely cycling trip through Chatan, starting from American Village and connecting Sunset Beach, Araha Beach, and a cafe break. Rather than competing on distance or speed, we'll introduce a short trip to Chatan where you can enjoy the Chatan coastline at your own pace through leisurely cycling (like a stroll).
[2026 Edition] When does the rainy season end in Okinawa? Why Okinawa after the rainy season is highly recommended!
In Okinawa, the rainy season begins about a month earlier than in mainland Japan, usually in May. It typically starts around the end of Golden Week and lasts for 30 to 45 days.
The average rainy season on Okinawa Island isThe rainy season began on May 10th and ended on June 21st.In Ishigaki Island and Miyako Island, the rainy season begins about a week earlier than on Okinawa Main Island.
Once the rainy season ends in Okinawa, it's officially summer! What's more, flights and hotels are slightly cheaper than during the summer holidays, making it an absolutely fantastic time to travel. So, knowing when the rainy season ends in Okinawa in advance will give you a head start in the booking battles.
Of course, the end of the rainy season varies from year to year, and even after it ends, there are always little worries, such as whether typhoons will come, when is the best time to go to Okinawa, and whether you'll be able to enjoy it properly during your planned trip, right?
So, this time, I'd like to offer my own explanation of the differences between Okinawa in the middle of the rainy season and Okinawa after the rainy season has ended, as well as information about typhoons and travel costs after the rainy season.
Let's clear away the gloomy weather and our worries, and enjoy Okinawa after the rainy season!
*This article is a revised version of an article originally published on May 7, 2015, adapted for 2026.
[Experience Report with Children] Bingata Dyeing Experience at "Shiro Bingata Workshop"! Bringing Travel Memories into Everyday Life
Ryukyu Bingata is a traditional craft representative of Okinawa. With its vibrant colors and bold patterns, Bingata is also popular as a classic Okinawan craft-making experience where you can preserve memories of your trip.
Gusuku Bingata Kobo, located in Urasoe City, is a bingata (Okinawan dyeing) workshop founded in 1971. Based on the concept of "bringing bingata into everyday life," they create many works that inherit tradition while also being in line with modern lifestyles.
This time, I tried my hand at Bingata dyeing with my two-year-old daughter. With unexpected color spills and playful struggles between us over the brush, the coaster we created became a special piece, filled with memories of our trip. This report details our experience, which is safe and enjoyable even with children, and highlights the unique charm of the workshop.
Nakijin Old House Cafe KURURU | A relaxing space created over 4 years, and hearty taco rice
Leaving the bustling tourist areas behind, we venture into the quiet settlements of Nakijin Village. Nestled in a narrow alleyway, in an area where many Fukugi trees remain, is "Kururu," the old folk house cafe we're introducing today.
This shop, enveloped in a relaxed atmosphere as if time itself had changed, is actually a special place that the young owner renovated by hand, piece by piece. The owner is very friendly and easy to talk to, and will readily share any stories about how he opened the shop and behind-the-scenes tales of the renovations.
The taco rice allows you to fully enjoy the deliciousness of their signature meat. Not only is the taco rice great, but the owner's lively stories and warm personality leave you feeling energized and positive.
We want visitors to experience the relaxed atmosphere of Nakijin Village, enjoy a chat, and savor the unique taco rice that can only be found here.
