Araha Beach, located within Arakaki Park in Chatan Town, is a beautiful seaside destination known for its approximately 600-meter stretch of brilliant white sand. With its wide beach, open ocean views, and spectacular sunsets, it is a popular place to relax and enjoy Okinawa’s coastal scenery.
Araha Beach offers much more than swimming and sunbathing. The park features a variety of recreational facilities, including a playground modeled after the Indian Oak, a British ship, as well as 3-on-3 basketball courts and shaded gazebos where visitors can take a break.
The beach is also well suited to marine activities. Visitors can enjoy activities such as parasailing and dragon boat rides, making Araha an attractive destination for those who want to combine a relaxing beach day with a little adventure.
The seaside promenade is popular with local residents, especially in the morning and evening. People come here for jogging, walking, and casual exercise while enjoying the sea breeze and coastal scenery.
The park is also conveniently located near Mihama American Village. It takes about 15 minutes to walk there along the waterfront through Chatan Park, making it easy to combine a visit to the beach with shopping, dining, and entertainment in American Village.
One of the most distinctive features of Arakaki Park is the playground modeled after the Indian Oak, a British ship that ran aground off the coast of Chatan in the 18th century.
The people of Chatan rescued the ship’s crew and treated them with great kindness. The story remains an important part of the area’s history and symbolizes the spirit of hospitality that connected the local community with people from overseas.
The ship-shaped playground was created to preserve the memory of this historic event. Today, it is a popular place for children to play and one of the park’s most recognizable attractions.
With its long white-sand beach, recreational facilities, marine activities, and beautiful sunsets, Araha Beach offers an enjoyable mix of nature and urban convenience. It is a particularly good choice for travelers looking for a beach that is easy to reach while still offering plenty of space for outdoor activities.
Whether you want to swim, try a marine activity, watch the sunset, exercise along the promenade, or simply relax beside the sea, Arakaki Park and Araha Beach provide an inviting way to experience the laid-back coastal atmosphere of central Okinawa.
Swimming hours: 9:00-19:00
Swimming season: Mid-April to October
Free of charge
40 minutes by car from Naha Airport, or about 45 minutes from Naha Bus Terminal by bus on the Nago West Line (20), Yomitan Line (28), or (29) to the Chatan stop.