Naminoue Beach is an urban artificial beach located in the heart of Naha and the only designated swimming beach within Naha City. Its exceptional convenience makes it a popular place for both visitors and local residents to enjoy the Okinawan sea without leaving the city.
The beach is approximately 15 minutes by car from Naha Airport and around 15 minutes on foot from Kokusai Street, making it an especially convenient stop for travelers with limited time.
For many visitors, Naminoue Beach becomes a final taste of Okinawa before leaving the island. You can swim, relax on the sand, or enjoy a meal nearby and then return to the city or airport without a long journey.
Although Naminoue Beach is surrounded by the urban landscape of Naha, it offers the feeling of a tropical seaside escape. White sand and blue water create a pleasant contrast with the buildings and roads of the city nearby.
The beach is divided into eastern and western sections by a dramatic rocky cliff topped by Naminoue Shrine. The western section, known as the Wakasa side, adjoins Wakasa Seaside Park, while the eastern Tsuji side is surrounded by restaurants and casual food establishments.
Looking up from the beach, visitors can see the striking cliff and the shrine above it, creating a unique landscape where Okinawa’s natural, urban, and cultural features come together.
The name “Naminoue” means “above the waves” and comes from Naminoue Shrine, which stands dramatically on the cliff overlooking the sea.
The shrine is an important part of Okinawa’s religious and cultural heritage. Combining a visit to the beach with a walk to the shrine allows travelers to experience two very different sides of Naha in one location: a modern urban beach and a sacred site connected with the history of the Ryukyu Kingdom.
One of Naminoue Beach’s greatest advantages is the range of facilities available nearby. Visitors can use showers, changing rooms, lockers, restrooms, and other beach facilities, making it easy to swim even when you have only a few hours available.
A barbecue area is also available, making the beach suitable for families and groups. The surrounding area offers restaurants and casual food options, so visitors can easily combine swimming with lunch, dinner, or a quick snack.
Because everything is close at hand, there is no need to prepare for a full day at a remote beach. Naminoue is particularly convenient for travelers who want to fit a little seaside time into a busy Naha itinerary.
During the swimming season, Naminoue Beach attracts visitors who want to enjoy the clear waters close to central Naha. In addition to swimming, visitors can enjoy a range of activities including snorkeling and stand-up paddleboarding.
Beach volleyball and beach soccer are also popular ways to stay active. The wider area has been developed as the Naha Beach Resort, with dedicated areas for diving and snorkeling as well as opportunities for marine sports.
Naminoue Beach is particularly useful for travelers with a tight schedule. Its location means that you can enjoy a swim shortly before heading to the airport or visit the beach soon after arriving in Naha.
From Naha Airport, the beach can be reached by car in approximately 15 minutes, while the Naha Umi-Sora Tunnel can make the journey even more convenient. Taxis, buses, and the Okinawa Urban Monorail can also be used to reach the surrounding area.
The beach is approximately 15 minutes on foot from Kokusai Street, making it easy to combine a seaside break with shopping, dining, and sightseeing in central Naha.
Naminoue Beach is surrounded by some of Naha’s best-known attractions. Naminoue Shrine is immediately beside the beach, while Kokusai Street is within easy reach.
Travelers can also combine a visit with cultural attractions such as Shuri Castle, historic streets, traditional gardens, and museums. This makes Naminoue Beach a convenient addition to a sightseeing itinerary rather than a destination that requires a separate trip.
One of the most appealing features of Naminoue Beach is the way it combines a beach holiday atmosphere with the convenience of a city. You can look out across the sea while being only minutes away from Naha’s shops, restaurants, transportation, and major tourist attractions.
The dramatic cliff, the shrine above it, the blue sea, and the surrounding city create a landscape unlike the remote island beaches elsewhere in Okinawa.
As an urban coastal environment, Naminoue Beach is supported by ongoing efforts to keep the area clean and safe. Visitors are encouraged to respect the beach environment, dispose of rubbish properly, and follow local rules and safety guidance when swimming or participating in marine activities.
Naminoue Beach is one of the easiest places to experience the sea of Okinawa without leaving Naha. Its white sand, blue water, convenient facilities, and wide range of activities make it suitable for families, couples, groups, and solo travelers alike.
Spend a few hours swimming and relaxing, visit the historic shrine rising above the beach, enjoy a meal nearby, and then continue exploring Naha. Whether you have an entire afternoon or only a little time before your flight, Naminoue Beach offers an easy and memorable way to enjoy the Okinawan sea.
From Naha Airport
Approximately 6 minutes using the Naha Umizura Tunnel. (In case of cab, approx. 4.5 km fare)
Monorail (get off at Kencho-mae Station)
Naha Bus (get on Palette Kumoji-mae No. 2 or 45 and get off at Seibumon), approx. 12 min. walk
■Car / Car Rental
From the airport, take Route 58 north, turn left at Kumoji intersection, and go straight.
Monorail
If using the monorail, please get off at Kencho-mae Station or Asahibashi Station and take a cab.
It takes about 5 to 10 minutes.
*About 30 minutes on foot.
■Bus
Please use the following buses.
●Namigami Beach Wakasa side Wakasa Seaside Park
Wakasa Seaside Beach Wakasa Seaside Beach Wakasa Seaside Beach Wakasa Seaside Beach Wakasa Seaside Beach
Airport Hotel Circuit Bus No. 19, City Route, West Area
Airport Hotel Circuit Bus No. 19 on the City Line East Area
Uwakami Beach Tsuji side
Seibumon bus stop, 5 min. walk
City Line #1 Shuri Makishi Line
City Line No.2 Shikina Kainan Line
City Line No.3 Shintoshin Line
City Line No.5 Shikina Line
City Line No.15 Kanagawa Line
City Line No. 45 Yone Line
Miejo small boat pool (Miejo Port)
Get off at Miejo (turnaround line) bus stop on the city line. 7 minutes walk.
Please use the promenade from the side of the Mie Castle.