Azama Sun-Sun beach
Located on the picturesque Chinen Peninsula in southeastern Okinawa, Azama Sun-Sun Beach is a mere twenty-minute journey from the Haebaru Expressway exit ramp. For those seeking a seamless travel experience, a route bus departs from Naha Bus Station and conveniently stops directly in front of the beach's main entrance, which is distinguished by a vibrant yellow arch. This accessibility makes Azama Sun-Sun Beach an ideal destination for a stress-free beach vacation.
Photos
Beach description
The beach is visually divided in half by an artificial embankment that resembles the tail of a giant fish. It serves as a reliable protection against seasonal storms and powerful ocean currents, ensuring that destructive waves do not wash out the shore. Thanks to this, swimming in the lagoon is comfortable and safe, making it ideal for young children. The sea is warm, shallow, and transparent, boasting an amazing turquoise color. The bottom is flat, sandy, and smooth. Swimming areas are fenced with buoys, and swimming beyond them is prohibited. Lifeguards vigilantly maintain order, so violators may be fined.
Scuba diving is not allowed, so enthusiasts of this activity should consider another location, such as Mibaru Beach, located a little further south. The main attractions at Azama Sun-Sun Beach include glass-bottom boat trips, water rides, and paragliding.
The beach is well-equipped with amenities such as showers, toilets, lounges, and lockers for storing valuables. Visitors can rent umbrellas and sun loungers, or find shade under awnings in the picnic area. Facilities for the physically challenged, a medical center, and a pharmacy are also available.
From the south, the beach is adjacent to the harbor, where visitors can embark on a ferry or a sightseeing launch to explore the neighboring islands. The largest of these is Kudaka Island, revered as a sacred place among the Japanese.
Along the shore, there are cafes, restaurants, small shops, and a paid parking lot. Nearby, a children's center, a mini zoo, a golf course, and several sports fields can be found within the adjacent park.
When is the best time to go?
The best time to visit Okinawa for a beach vacation is during the late spring to early summer period, specifically from late April to early July. This timeframe offers the optimal combination of warm weather, minimal rainfall, and fewer crowds before the peak summer season.
- Late April to May: This period is characterized by the Golden Week holiday in Japan, which can be busy, but the weather is pleasantly warm, and the water temperatures are comfortable for swimming.
- June: Early June is ideal as it precedes the rainy season, providing visitors with sunny days and clear waters, perfect for snorkeling and diving.
- Early July: Visiting just before the school holidays begin allows travelers to enjoy the beaches before they become crowded with domestic tourists.
It's important to avoid the peak typhoon season from August to October, as well as the cooler, less beach-friendly months of December to February. By choosing the recommended visiting window, beachgoers can delight in Okinawa's stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant marine life under the best possible conditions.
Video: Beach Azama Sun-Sun
Infrastructure
Tourists who prefer to relax on Azama Sun-Sun Beach often choose to rent a house in Nanjo City. There, a wide variety of accommodation options are available, ranging from chain hotels to budget pensions and private villas. The nearest accommodation to the sea is the small, classy vacation house Kafuwa Nanjyo, which is situated just a few tens of meters from the main beach entrance. This cottage is ideal for relaxing with your family, a small group of friends, or for a romantic honeymoon. It offers two bedrooms, a living room, a bathroom stocked with the necessary hygiene products, and a large kitchen equipped with modern appliances. The garden features a picnic area, a children's playground, and a sun terrace. Accommodation with pets is permitted. The owners, a young, friendly couple, are fluent in English.
A stone's throw from Kafuwa Nanjyo, guests will find several delightful restaurants offering European and Asian cuisine. Additionally, a market and a supermarket are just a ten-minute walk away.
Weather in Azama Sun-Sun
Best hotels of Azama Sun-Sun
All hotels of Azama Sun-SunUseful information
Tourists who like combining a beach holiday with exploring local attractions surely find something to do in the vicinity of Azama Sun-Sun Beach.
The sacred island of Kudaka, dear to the heart of every Japanese, is a must-visit. It takes you just half an hour by ferry or sightseeing launch while enjoying the beauty of the Pacific Ocean and the islands lost in it. The ticket price includes bike rental, if you wish you can cycle around the island. Some especially sacred places are closed to tourists, but this does not spoil the general impression of a stay. The island has several amazingly beautiful beaches, so you should grab bathing accessories, as well as a hat, sunscreen and comfortable shoes. You can have a meal in a restaurant near the pier, they even cook snake soup, prepared according to an old recipe and considered a healing potion for many diseases.
Fans of beautiful views and spectacular photos surely appreciate Cape Chinen Park, a paragliding area organized on a hill directly above the beach. And even a rather long climb up a steep staircase will not be able to spoil the impression of the stunning panorama that opens from its top.
Okinawa World deserves attention too, it is a theme park dedicated to the culture, nature and history of Okinawa, with its amazing stalactite cave, a village of craftsmen and shops with traditional local crafts.