Enjoy a sunset dinner in the Chatan area! Two enchanting hours where you won't be able to take your eyes off the sky

When you think of Chatan, you think of Mihama American Village.

This city resort offers shopping, dining, and entertainment, and as its name suggests, its American-style streetscape is a popular photo spot.

And the seaside area, where you can watch the sunset over the west coast, is a classic sunset spot.
In April 2019, the seaside promenade was renovated and transformed into a much wider and more beautiful space.

This time, we'll introduce how to enjoy the sunset from the seaside area of Mihama American Village, and recommend some great sunset dinner spots!

<Table of Contents>
1. The real charm of Chatan lies in its sunsets!
2. The seaside promenade has been renovated.
3. This is the place for a sunset dinner in Chatan!
4. The real sunset experience begins after the sun has set.
XNUMX.in conclusion

1. The real charm of Chatan lies in its sunsets.

To those who casually drop by Mihama American Village for shopping and cafes, and then hastily head back to their hotel in a different area in the evening... I want to say this loud and clear.

"Chatan = Sunset!"

It would be such a waste to come all the way to Chatan and miss the sunset!
Personally, I've recently started staying at hotels in the Chatan area every time I visit, specifically to enjoy the sunset there.

Why are we so captivated by the sunsets in Chatan?

Perhaps it's because it's viewed in a setting where a sense of exoticism and a resort-like atmosphere are blended together in just the right way.
Of course, the view from a resort hotel room, a restaurant on a hill, or a quiet beach is absolutely stunning.

However, the sunset viewed from this place, which is a bit chaotic like a typical tourist spot, bustling with tourists, yet also has a floating feeling as if you're in a foreign country, is absolutely wonderful.

2. The seaside promenade has been renovated.

If you want to enjoy the sunset in Chatan, the seaside area of Mihama American Village is highly recommended.

The walkway expansion work was completed in April 2019, and it has now been transformed into a much wider and more open space.

The terrace seating area with the table in the photo, and the walkway to the right, are all new additions from this renovation. Being closer to the sea than before, it offers a truly "seaside" and "resort" feel!

Before the renovation, this was the only sidewalk, so the sidewalk width has more than doubled!

As you can see, there are rows and rows of restaurants along the promenade in the seaside area.
You can enjoy the sunset from any of these places, from Italian restaurants and pancake shops to izakayas and coffee shops, but I recommend choosing a place with a terrace seating area.

By the way, even though it's the sunset, the Okinawan sun is very strong, so if you're concerned about sunburn, be sure to take thorough precautions.

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

3. This is the place for a sunset dinner in Chatan!

If you're looking to enjoy a leisurely sunset dinner, I recommend these two restaurants!

The first one is "Pizzeria Bar Ariccia".

The piping hot, oversized pizzas come in a wide variety, so it's a great idea to order several kinds and share them. In addition to pizza, they also offer pasta, meat dishes, and homemade desserts.

The restaurant is very spacious and open inside, but of course, my target is the terrace seating.

If the terrace seating is full, a little trick is to get takeout! You can also use the tables on the walkway that are available for free.

And the second one is "Chatan Burger Basa Atabii's".

Located right next to "Pizzeria Bar Ariccia," this gourmet burger restaurant boasts 100% beef patties.

Hamburgers really suit this town! They offer over 10 kinds of hamburgers, as well as hot dogs and sandwiches. Enjoy them with their wide selection of craft beers.

This restaurant also offers takeout, so be sure to enjoy it on the terrace seating along the promenade. Even if everyone wants to eat different things, sitting on the terrace along the promenade is easy because everyone can just get takeout and bring their own food.

You could enjoy the sunset while having dinner, but watching it from a spot closer to the sea along the promenade, or simply relaxing on a bench, are also great options.

Furthermore, this area boasts an abundance of coffee shops, with "ZHYVAGO COFFEE WORKS OKINAWA" and "VONGO & ANCHOR" being particularly popular.

Even when you're full and think, "It's still too early for dinner!", you can still enjoy the sunset with a drink in hand.

4. The real sunset experience begins after the sun has set.

As the sun sets below the horizon, don't just leave immediately saying, "Ah, that was beautiful."
The real sunset experience begins after the sun has gone down!

After the sun sets, the sky's appearance changes moment by moment. The colors of the sky, the shades of the clouds, and the lingering glow of the sun combine to create the most magical atmosphere at this time.

If the sun sets at 19 PM, you can enjoy the changing sky until around 20 PM.
So, if you're planning on having a sunset dinner, I recommend going an hour before or after sunset, or around 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the summer.

5. Conclusion

The sunset over the west coast can be seen from all over Okinawa.

It's beautiful no matter where you look from, but if you visit Chatan, I highly recommend staying until sunset.

In fact, staying in the Chatan area is highly recommended if you want to enjoy this sunset with beer or wine.

Incidentally, the sky is often ablaze with color just before a typhoon hits.
The contrast between the blue sky, the shadows of the clouds, and the bright red sunset is especially beautiful, so if a typhoon is approaching during your stay in Okinawa, be sure to end your day in Chatan, where you can fully enjoy the sunset.