[Newly Established] Scenic Cycling Tour of Southern Okinawa's Backstreets
~A journey connecting with the wind and conversation, revealing the "true face of Okinawa" that you won't find on navigation systems~
Have you ever had the experience of renting a bicycle to go south, only to find it scary because it was all on big roads? Our tour avoids main roads as much as possible, connecting secret narrow paths only accessible by bicycle to reach the sacred sites of the south. Our destinations are the stunning scenic spots of the south: Nirai Kanai Bridge and Chinen Cape.
💡 Three special experiences on this tour
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Never stop talking! The latest helmet with built-in intercom.
This eliminates the drawback of cycling: the inability to converse while riding. You can enjoy chatting with your guide and companions, even when you're apart, just like you're having tea at a cafe.
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"Secret back roads" that Google Maps doesn't tell you about
We'll guide you through a route inaccessible by car, offering a glimpse into the authentic daily life of Okinawa—from mangrove forests and villages adorned with seasonal flowers to the historic chimneys of sugar factories.
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Skiing across the breathtaking "Nirai Kanai Bridge"
Even uphill climbs are a breeze with an electric assist bicycle (E-bike)! You can experience a unique and exhilarating feeling, like plunging from the top of a hill into the emerald blue sea.
📋 Tour details
| item | Content |
| course |
Naha to Southern Okinawa Scenic Route (approx. 50km) E-Charity Naha Store ⇔ Ogiyama Park ⇔ Manko Park ⇔ Sugarcane Farm ⇔ Nirai Kanai Bridge ⇔ Chinen Cape ⇔ E-Charity Naha Store |
| Duration | Approximately 6-7 hours (including breaks and lunch time) |
| What is included in the price? | Guide fee, rental bicycle (electric assist), helmet with intercom, insurance. |
| Meeting place | E-Charity Naha Store (1 minute walk from Makishi Station on the Yui Rail) |
| Supported languages | Japanese, English, Chinese |
| What you need | Comfortable clothing, athletic shoes, drinks, sunscreen |
Now, let's take a look at what it was like to actually run the tour course!
[Okinawa Cycling Report] From Naha to the Scenic South! Behind the Scenes of a "New Kind of Cycling Tour" Connected by Back Roads and Intercoms
While renting a car is a classic way to sightsee in Okinawa Prefecture, renting a bicycle has recently become popular in southern Okinawa. However, if you follow your smartphone's navigation, you'll find yourself constantly on main roads where large trucks overtake you...
"It's a shame that Okinawa is so great, but all it has to do is deal with exhaust fumes and noise!"
With that in mind, our guide team (myself, Maki, and Jojo) went on a test run of a new southern guided tour that would utilize a "secret route where cars don't go" and the "latest intercom system."
We bring you the most emotional cycling experience.
1. The journey begins at an "oasis of water and greenery."
E-Charity Naha Store ~ Ogiyama Park ~ Manko Park
In the refreshing morning air, we started our activities at the E-Charity Naha store, located just a one-minute walk from Makishi Station on the Yui Rail.
First, we'll head to Okuyama Park.
The area around Kokusai Street is the most urban spot in Okinawa. There's a lot of traffic, so drive slowly and carefully.
Our team for this tour consists of Maki, our ace guide from Okinawa; Jojo, originally from Taiwan who loves Okinawa's nature so much she moved here; and myself, Inu, who loves Okinawan cuisine.
This is a popular spot for Naha residents to relax and is perfect for warming up before cycling or jogging. There are plenty of playground equipment that even small children can enjoy safely. It's highly recommended for families who come to play, especially if they rent electric bicycles with child seats from E-Charity.
Next, we headed to the adjacent Manko Park. This is a spot where a rich natural environment remains, unlike what you'd expect in an urban area, with a vast mangrove forest.
Now, let's introduce the tour's secret weapon! What we're wearing are the latest helmets with built-in intercoms. Normally, when cycling side-by-side, you have to shout things like "Look over there!" or "What?", but with these, we can communicate clearly with everyone at our normal speaking volume.
"Maki, it's amazing how many mangroves there are right next to the city of Naha!" "You're right! Jojo, are there mangroves in Taiwan too?" "Yes! There are beautiful mangrove tunnels in Taiwan..."
While riding, the conversation flows easily, almost as if you were having tea at a cafe. Once you experience this, you'll never want to go back to regular cycling.
2. Take a "secret path" not shown on Google Maps.
Avoiding the main roads, I escaped the everyday life of Okinawa.
After leaving Manko Park, we finally arrive in the southern part of Okinawa Island. Normally, if you use Google Maps navigation to head south from Naha, you'll end up on busy roads. However, our tour is different.
We ventured onto a narrow path that could only be accessed by bicycle, a path that made us wonder, "Can we even get through here?"
There, I discovered the true face of Okinawa, a place not found in guidebooks. The ordinary roads transformed into exciting activities.
The main roads are busy with cars and traffic lights, making cycling difficult, and the scenery consists of rows of shops that you can find anywhere in Japan.
While traveling by car might be fine, I wanted to offer a special experience that can only be had by bicycle, so I decided to create a tour plan that takes you through the southern region.
The encounters with vividly colored flowers that you've never seen before differ from season to season. This will be an unforgettable travel memory. This plant is called "Kaenkazura" (Flame Vine), and I found it by chance while walking along the road!
"The Taiwan cherry blossoms are still in bloom, aren't they?" "Jojo, did you know that these cherry blossoms are the first to bloom in Japan?" "This is my favorite flower, so it was the first thing I learned about when I became a cycling guide!"
With an intercom, you won't miss even a fleeting discovery while riding. The time spent riding, undisturbed by the noise of cars, and feeling the birdsong and the sound of the wind, truly sharpens all your senses.
3. A sugarcane farm where you can experience the brilliance of life.
A paradise of sugarcane bathed in abundant sunshine
Following a series of back roads, we arrived at a sugarcane plantation in Okinawa. As far as the eye could see, sugarcane fields (uuji) swayed in the wind, creating a pleasant rustling sound.
After traveling a little further, we encountered a delightful event: sugarcane harvesting. The sugarcane was being harvested using a machine called a harvester.
When the sugarcane is harvested, the leaves are carried away by the wind. The scent of grass fills the air, making it feel just like summer. It's interesting how Okinawa has such a strong summer smell in March!
Further along, I discovered a chimney that stretched into the sky, exuding an incredible sense of history! Apparently, there used to be a sugarcane factory in this area, and this chimney was used at that time. Being able to experience such fascinating Okinawan history in such a quiet place, without a single tourist around, is one of the charms of cycling.
4. A little scary lol "Scarecrows of Okinawa"
As we walked along, chatting about how there's still so much we don't know about Okinawa, we noticed scarecrows standing in a field.
The impact was so great that it completely overshadowed all the beautiful scenery we'd seen up until then! I heard that the scarecrow's outfit changes depending on the season.
So, where are we now?
5. The road leading to the sky: "Nirai Kanai Bridge"
A gift from God awaits at the top of the hill.
We're approaching the most challenging and most breathtaking part of the tour. The uphill climb continues steadily. Normally, this would be a point where you'd give up and think, "This is tough...", but on this tour, you can easily climb it using electric bicycles or e-bikes.
First, we admire the beautiful Nirai Kanai Bridge and the sea from the top. It was sunny today, so it was beautiful, but the sky was slightly hazy and whitish. Anyone who gets to see this view under a blue sky is incredibly lucky!
"Nirai Kanai" is a term from Okinawan mythology referring to the ideal land of the gods located far across the sea, and is believed to be the place where life is born.
Now for the highlight of this tour! We'll cycle down the Nirai Kanai Bridge!
What unfolds before your eyes is a magnificent panorama of the Pacific Ocean. It feels as if you are floating in mid-air, or as if you are diving into the sea. The emerald blue gradient stretches on and on, and all your fatigue vanishes in an instant.
This view is something you can never experience just by driving past it in a car. It's a special sense of accomplishment that you can only get by pedaling here on your own two feet.
6. Chinen Cape, overlooking the Island of the Gods
Immerse yourself in the lingering memories of your journey amidst silence and breathtaking scenery.
The last place we visited was Chinen Cape Park. Standing at the tip of the cape, a 270-degree panoramic view of the sea unfolds before you. In the distance, Kudaka Island, known as the "Island of the Gods," floats peacefully.
Bonus episode: Okujima Island, famous for Okinawan tempura.
After admiring the breathtaking scenery surrounded by the blue sea and blue sky, the three of them started to get hungry. They discussed what to do for lunch and decided to go to Oujima, a nearby island, to eat popular Okinawan tempura! This island is known as a cat island because it is home to so many cats, making it a paradise for cat lovers. It is a small island with a circumference of about 1.7 kilometers.
Okushima Island is also a famous spot for squid fishing, and as a squid fishing enthusiast, whenever I come to this island, all I can think about is whether there are any squid to be seen.
Once you cross the bridge to Okujima Island, you'll arrive at Nakamoto Tempura Restaurant in no time!
Everyone bought their favorite tempura and decided to eat it near the sea. There was a breakwater right in front of us, so we decided to eat there. The sea was so close and the water was incredibly clear!
We tried a variety of dishes, but everyone unanimously agreed that the squid tempura is the best recommendation.
Here, we toasted with the jasmine tea I had brought with me.
"Wow, today was absolutely amazing. I definitely couldn't have gone down that narrow path by myself," Maki said with satisfaction.
"It was fun thanks to having the intercom!" Jojo nodded. Then Jojo asked, "There's a place I'm curious about, so shall we ride a little further?"
This was the first time the three of us had come to the South, so we all agreed that we might as well go! After we finished eating, we set off right away.
Bonus episode: Giza Banta Falls, a hidden gem in southern Okinawa.
It took about 30 minutes from Oujima Island. We arrived quickly while driving, enjoying the view of Okinawa's blue sea and tropical plants.
"Huh? Can we even go through here?" I thought, as I walked along a path surrounded by grass, and finally arrived at a breathtaking ocean view. The ocean views from Nirai Kanai Bridge and Chinen Cape are amazing, but the Okinawan ocean seen up close is absolutely fantastic!
The tide pools that form when the tide goes out are home to a variety of fish and crabs. The path to the waterfall ahead is rough, so athletic shoes are a must! The rocks and corals in the Okinawan sea are rugged, so please be very careful when you go to see them.
This place truly felt like a hidden gem! Everyone was able to revert to their childlike selves and have a great time. Apparently, when it gets a little warmer, some people even swim here. If you're going to the south, this is definitely a place you should visit.
Summary: Why our tour?
In southern Okinawa, renting a car might be sufficient if you simply want to get to your destination. However, our cycling tours aim to transform the journey itself into an experience.
1. "The best back roads" only known to guides
We'll guide you on a route that avoids the exhaust fumes of main roads and allows you to experience Okinawa's nature, flowers, and the way of life of its people.
2. How Income is Changing the "Group Experience"
This overturns the common perception that "cycling means you can't talk." Even when you're far apart, or out of breath on a hill, you always feel connected, providing a sense of security and enjoyment. This also plays a crucial role in safety management.
3. Our eCharity guides will accompany you!
We'll fully support you through any daunting journey. Leave the photography to us! We can assist you in Japanese, English, and Chinese!
[New! Southern Guided Tours - Reservations Now Open]
Would you like to join us in exploring the "real Okinawa" that isn't on Google Maps?
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Course: Naha to Southern Okinawa Scenic Route (approx. 50km)
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Features: Free rental of helmets with intercoms, and bicycle rentals are also included in the price. We introduce safe routes focusing on back roads.
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Target audience: Beginners to intermediate riders (electric assist bicycle option available)
If you're thinking, "I want to go and see the blue of the Nirai Kanai Bridge with my own two feet!", then please check out the details via the link below.
Next, it's your turn to shout "Amazing!" in the midst of this view. We'll be waiting!
