"Cafe Mori no Subako" in Nakijin is a secret hideout-like place with a cafe inside a treehouse.
The pillars that pierce from floor to ceiling are actually the trunks of trees growing there. From the deck built between the trees, you can see the sea, and the atmosphere is filled with the concentrated charm of the naturally rich northern region.
As the name suggests, this cozy shop offers a unique experience of Okinawan time in a spacious interior and a deck with breathtaking views. Why not try it out?

1. Mori no Subako is a cafe surrounded by nature.

After parking your car and walking further in, you'll see a small hut with yellow accents – this is "Cafe Mori no Subako" (Forest Nest). You'll see a deck on your right.

The seats on the outdoor deck offer a close-up view of the sea. Although the outer edge is enclosed by a counter, there are no high railings, giving it a very open and spacious feel. The deck is about 20 square meters and includes counter seats (6 seats) where you can enjoy the spectacular view, as well as a table that seats 6 in the middle, making it suitable for groups.

While I was on the deck, it suddenly started to drizzle (a common occurrence in Okinawa), so I moved inside. Inside, there are four counter seats and two tables. And there's wood there?! The surface is glossy, but the bark and scales are still there.

This treehouse was inherited by the owner, Mr. Sato, from the original owner (landowner), and reopened in August 2022 as a cafe and accommodation facility. The compact kitchen layout is lovely! Mr. Sato is also very gentle and his natural customer service is very reassuring.

You can see the ocean from the tables inside the restaurant. Can you see the gecko hiding on the window frame? That's a common sight in Okinawa. It's plump and fat, so I guess there's plenty of food for it (lol).

2. Menu at Cafe Mori no Subako

The menu consists of two main courses, several à la carte items that pair well with alcohol, such as an appetizer platter and french fries, one or two desserts, and drinks. This time, I tried both main courses.

The first item is "Hummus with 7 kinds of side dishes in an oat dough," priced at 1,500 yen. All of the dishes are new to me. It uses plenty of different vegetables.
Hummus is a paste-like dish made from simple ingredients: chickpeas, garlic, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, and salt. It is said to be a traditional staple dish in the Middle East.

These are four types of sauces. The hummus and side dishes are well-seasoned, but please use them according to your preference.

I made oatmeal tortillas, filled with hummus, side dishes, and sauce, and rolled them up. They were like healthy tacos, and I devoured three of them in no time! (lol)

This is the "Hummus and Colorful Vegetable Black Bread Sandwich," priced at 1,100 yen. It has a healthy texture and flavor, nourishing you from the inside out. Is that slightly reddish sauce made from beets?

The rain had stopped, so we went out onto the deck for our after-dinner drinks.

The golden sparkling wine in the wine glass is HipHop Orange (900 yen). It was a refreshing wine with a hint of honey. The iced coffee is a whimsical (?) blend by the owner, Mr. Sato. It had a deep flavor that was truly impressive, almost like specialty coffee.

The drink menu includes wine, craft beer, and mezcal (a Mexican distilled spirit made from agave, just like tequila), all carefully selected by the owner. Apparently, customers working in the US military are fond of drinking mezcal.
They also have a wide selection of soft drinks, including homemade cocoa cola for 650 yen and homemade ginger ale for 650 yen. The drink menu is unique and makes you want to come back again!

3. Stay and enjoy a sauna at Cafe Mori no Subako.

We were also given a brief tour of "Treehouse Hotel Mori no Subako" on the grounds of Cafe Mori no Subako.

Here too, the wood extends from the floor to the ceiling. With plenty of glass, it's a very open and airy room where the morning sun would surely feel wonderful.

Across the deck from the guest rooms is the "Forest Nest Scenic Sauna." It can be rented out as a private sauna, and there were people using it on this day as well. The sauna has two set time slots a day: 12-15:00 and 16-19:00, and costs 12,000 yen per session.

The sauna also has a cold plunge pool, and afterwards you can relax and rejuvenate while enjoying this amazing view—it's the perfect environment! Oh, by the way, swimwear is a must (lol) because you'll be visible.
Accommodation rates vary depending on the season. Only one group can stay per day, so please book early if you are interested.

4. Access to Cafe Mori no Subako and Parking

Cafe Mori no Subako is located in Nakijin Village, near Warumi Bridge, about a 25-minute drive from the center of Nago.

A narrow uphill path leads to the entrance of the property. The path becomes narrower and steeper as you go higher.
There are three parking areas. First, there is Parking Lot 3, which can accommodate 5-6 cars, located across the road from the entrance to the slope. Parking Lot 2 has space for 2 cars halfway up the slope.
If you go past the second parking lot and continue uphill, you will find the first parking lot, which has space for about three cars.

Once you start going up the hill, you can't make a U-turn, so be especially careful as it can be slippery when it's raining or after it rains. If you're not confident in your driving skills or are worried, just use the third parking lot. The cafe is about a 2-minute walk from the third parking lot.

Final thoughts

"Cafe Mori no Subako" was a wonderful cafe space where, even with a short stay, you could forget about everyday life and truly experience the present moment. I would love to return someday to enjoy delicious wine and healthy food, perhaps even staying overnight!

Aya

Born in 1974 in Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture. A weekend writer who secretly works hard to deliver Okinawa information for adults, hoping to cheer up people of her generation who tend to settle into the "usual."

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