Nature

Cape Zanpa

Yomitan, Okinawa

Overview

Jutting into the East China Sea at Yomitan's western tip, 30m coral cliffs run 2km against crashing surf. Climb the white Zanpa Lighthouse (JPY 300) to spot the Kerama Islands on clear days; facing due west, the cape holds the main island's last sunlight, making it the premier sunset spot. Ryukyu-era tribute ships to China took their final bearings here. Zanpa Beach and a giant shisa statue sit nearby.

💰 Tickets

Free; lighthouse entry JPY 300.

🎟️ Check ticket prices →

Opening Hours

Open 24 hours (lighthouse roughly 9:30-16:30)

🚇 Getting there

About 1h10m by car from Naha, 30 minutes from American Village — a natural west-coast pairing.

⏱️ How long to visit

About 45 minutes to 1 hour.

🌅 Best time to visit

Sunset is the whole point — the island's very last light. Note the lighthouse closes before dusk.

Travel Tips

Arrive 30 minutes before sunset and settle along the cliff path below the lighthouse. Strong winds — keep back from the edge.

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🇰🇷 Tips for Korean Travelers

Practical info for Korean travelers heading to Okinawa, Japan from Seoul (ICN).

Korean Passport · Visa

Check visa rules for Japan on the Korean MOFA travel advisory site before flying — visa-free, visa-on-arrival or e-visa rules change often. Keep at least 6 months of passport validity.

Flight from Incheon (ICN)

Compare direct and connecting flights from Incheon (ICN) to Okinawa on Skyscanner or Google Flights. Early-morning departures from Korea are usually the cheapest option.

KRW ↔ Local Currency

Check the live FX widget above for the latest KRW rate. Korean travel cards like Travel Wallet, Hana EZ and Toss FX offer free local ATM withdrawals and competitive rates.

Korean Community · Korean Food

Many cities have an active Korean community in Okinawa with Korean restaurants, mini-marts, and Korean-speaking guides. Search Naver Cafe or KakaoTalk open chats for "Okinawa 한인" before you go.

Attractions near Cape Zanpa

Tap a pin on the map to jump to that attraction.

Nature

Cape Maeda (Blue Cave)

Home of the Blue Cave, where sunlight turns the water electric blue — Okinawa's snorkeling and diving mecca, with clifftop walks above.

📍 5.9km away

Cultural

Ryukyu Mura

A village theme park of relocated century-old farmhouses — eisa performances, shisa crafting and hands-on Ryukyu culture.

📍 8.0km away

shops

American Village

A retro-Americana town built on returned US base land, packed with photo spots and capped by Sunset Beach's famous dusk.

📍 14.8km away

Nature

Cape Manzamo

Okinawa's signature seascape — an elephant-trunk cliff on a raised coral cape 'where ten thousand could sit'.

📍 15.5km away

Nature

Kaichu Road

A free 4.7km causeway straight across the sea, linking four outer islands with water on both sides the whole way.

📍 24.3km away

religion

Naminoue Shrine & Beach

The Ryukyus' foremost shrine perched on a seaside cliff, with Naha's only city beach below — a perfect last dip before the airport.

📍 25.0km away

Castle

Shuri Castle

The 450-year royal palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom and a World Heritage site, now showcasing the open-to-view reconstruction of its fire-lost main hall.

📍 25.1km away

Garden

Fukushuen Garden

A full-scale Chinese garden in downtown Naha — pavilions, ponds and waterfalls built to honor ties with Fuzhou.

📍 25.4km away

shops

Kokusai Street

Naha's 1.6km main drag — the 'Miracle Mile' of souvenir shops, Okinawan restaurants and live-music izakaya running late into the night.

📍 25.4km away

foods

Makishi Public Market

'Okinawa's Kitchen' — buy rainbow-colored tropical fish or Agu pork downstairs and the 2nd-floor eateries cook it on the spot.

📍 25.5km away

shops

Senagajima Umikaji Terrace

White terraced shops cascade down an islet by the airport — 'Okinawa's Santorini', where sunsets share the sky with landing jets.

📍 30.2km away

religion

Sefa-utaki

The Ryukyu Kingdom's holiest site and a World Heritage — through the great triangular rock cleft lies a view of sacred Kudaka Island.

📍 32.1km away

Museum

Churaumi Aquarium

Japan's most beloved aquarium, famed for whale sharks gliding through the vast Kuroshio Sea tank — Okinawa's undisputed #1 sight.

📍 32.5km away

Beach

Emerald Beach

The free beach of Ocean Expo Park beside Churaumi Aquarium — a Y-shaped white strand wrapped in true emerald water.

📍 33.1km away

Cultural

Okinawa World

A theme park bundling the 5km Gyokusendo limestone cave, a Ryukyu craft village and eisa dance performances.

📍 35.1km away

Castle

Nakijin Castle Ruins

A World Heritage gusuku fortress of the old Hokuzan kingdom, famed for 1.5km of undulating ramparts and Japan's earliest cherry blossoms each January.

📍 35.1km away