Enjoy Okinawa Island by bicycle! Recommended spots to visit by rental bicycle by area!

 

Let's rent a bicycle and tour around the main island of Okinawa!

Bicycles are a popular means of transportation in Okinawa, allowing visitors to soak up the tropical breeze.

It is also convenient for sightseeing on Kokusai-dori, and you can easily get through narrow alleys and other places that are impassable by car, so there is no traffic congestion.

While some people bring their own bicycles to Okinawa, there are other ways to enjoy sightseeing by wisely renting a bicycle.

In this issue, we have compiled a list of bicycle rentals in Okinawa for your reference.

It is recommended for easy rental on sunny days.

 

What is the attraction of renting a bicycle on the main island of Okinawa?

 

Do you know what kind of attractions there are for using rental bicycles on the main island of Okinawa?

The following is a summary of the tropical climate and the unique advantages of bicycling.

Whether you ride a bicycle on a regular basis or have not done so for a while, it is an exhilarating and enjoyable means of transportation that you should definitely try when you visit Okinawa.

It is a ride that allows you to experience Okinawa through all five senses.

 

Lush natural scenery

With its rich natural scenery, Okinawa is a tourist destination where you can smell the tides and tropical scents.

It is an experience that allows you to feel the scenery spread out before you at your own pace while riding the bike, and you will not miss any of the beautiful scenery.

Just driving to your destination while gazing at the sparkling beaches and tropical vegetation will give you the exhilarating feeling that only Okinawa can offer.

Many people say that the bicycle experience in Okinawa will make them feel like a kid again during their summer vacation, and will allow them to return to their childhood memories and enjoy Okinawa to the fullest.

 

Enjoy the mild climate all year round

Since Okinawa is warm, around 20 degrees Celsius even in winter, bicycles can be ridden all year round without being affected by the climate.

Bicycles are a popular means of transportation for those who want to travel as if they were living in the city or visiting Okinawa on a solo trip, and are recommended mainly for use when exploring the city or the beach.

Even on windy days and steep hills, an electric bicycle with an assist will make it easy to get around.

If you want to experience the exhilaration that only a warm climate can offer, bicycles are the way to go.

We encourage you to try renting a bicycle in Okinawa for a means of transportation that will make you feel like you are cycling along the west coast.

 

There are hole-in-the-wall spots that can only be reached by bicycle.

 

There are many bike stations in Okinawa that are only accessible by bicycle.

This is a spot where bicyclists can take a break and where free maps are distributed to guide them along the cycling route.

Some of these cycle stations have facilities with showers available, so you can get a refreshing break from the sweaty ride of biking.

It is also well known that you can enjoy sightseeing in Okinawa at the best spots if you take a cycling tour.

There are some spectacular views and hidden spots that only locals know about.

 

There are a wide variety of bicycles available for rent.

There are a wide variety of bicycles available for rent in Okinawa, ranging from full-fledged minivelos, cross bikes, and road bikes to more casual bicycles such as mama-chari and folding bikes.

For those who wish to use the bicycle for long hours for sightseeing, a real bicycle such as a road bike or a bicycle with electric power assist is recommended.

For a quick stroll around town, enjoy a casual stroll on a mom-and-pop bicycle or a folding bicycle.

There is a range of bicycles for adults and children, so cycling with the whole family is recommended.

If you are not sure about this, we encourage you to use it because it is a comfortable means of transportation when visiting sightseeing spots that are not covered by the Yui Rail.

 

How to use rental bicycles on the main island of Okinawa

There are two ways to use rental bicycles in Okinawa: directly at a rental store or by making a reservation in advance.

If you are visiting Okinawa during the changeable weather season, it is recommended to rent directly, but be aware that it is crowded during the peak season.

Many of them charge by the hour, and some stores offer long-term rentals.

You can rent according to your own travel plans, so think about when you want to use it before making a reservation.

Bicycle rentals must be returned to the store after use.

After the time is up, you will be charged an overage fee, so be sure to return the car well in advance.

In addition to renting bicycles, shared bicycles are another popular means of transportation in Okinawa.

This is a system for renting bicycles via a smartphone app, and it is also possible to drop off bicycles at a predetermined location.

 

Recommended Spots in Okinawa [Northern Okinawa] Area

If you wish to tour the northern area of Okinawa by bicycle, it is recommended that you take a bus or rent a car to the northern area and then use a rental bicycle.

The area takes more than two hours by car from Naha City, so even intermediate cyclists will have a hard time getting there from Naha by bicycle.

There are also rental stores in the northern area, so please use them to enjoy cycling.

 

Churaumi Aquarium

Churaumi Aquarium is a popular tourist attraction in Okinawa.

This huge aquarium is based on the theme of the Okinawan sea, and visitors can also observe whale sharks and postnatal breeding scenes.

The parking lot is always crowded because it is a facility that can be enjoyed by both adults and children, but bicycles can be parked easily.

There is a café where visitors can experience the underwater world enjoying tea, as well as a park around the aquarium, and you can cycle along the nearby Fukugi trees to Churaumi Aquarium.

To get to Churaumi Aquarium by bicycle, you can either rent a bicycle at your accommodation or go to Churaumi Aquarium from one of several rental stores around Fukugi Namiki.

⬇︎ Click here for recommended tours that include Churaumi Aquarium.

 

Kouri Island

Kouri Island is a popular place for those who rent bicycles.

The island is connected to Okinawa by land, and is a sightseeing spot where visitors can experience a remote island.

If you want to rent a bicycle at this location, take a bus or rent a car to the Kouri Island Products Center to visit.

This facility is located at the foot of the Kouri Island Bridge and has a restaurant, café, souvenir shop, etc. It also offers rental bicycles.

After renting a bicycle, enjoy sightseeing in the remote islands by crossing the Kouri Bridge or visiting the Heart Rock.

The island also offers delicious island food spots and observatories, and is well known as a more comfortable sightseeing destination than a car.

⬇︎Here are recommended tours held near Kouri Island

 

Ruins of Nakijin Castle

Nakijingu Castle Ruins, one of the 100 most famous castles in Japan, is a sightseeing spot in the Nakijingu area that was the location for a morning TV drama.

The castle was built around the 13th century, before the Ryukyu Kingdom was established, as the castle of the Kitayama Kings who ruled the northern part of Okinawa.

The castle walls, built on a plateau about 100 meters above sea level, are several hundred meters high and offer a spectacular view of the city.

If you plan to visit this attraction by bicycle, it is recommended that you visit the nearby accommodations or rent a bicycle around Fukugi Namiki.

Some people rent bicycles from Nago City and spend 2 to 3 hours to enjoy cycling in the northern area, which is also recommended.

⬇︎ Click here for recommended tours held at Nakijin Castle Ruins.

 

Chura Terrace

Chura Terrace is reputed to have the most spectacular view on the main island of Okinawa.

This was a facility where visitors could enjoy BBQ and lunch while viewing the beautiful and spectacular scenery, but now only accepts rental bicycles and operates a souvenir shop.

Chura Terrace is located in the middle of the northern area, making it a good base from which to enjoy cycling.

The cycling course that takes you to Kouri Island, Jeide Beach, and mangrove forests will be a relaxing experience with the emerald green sea and sugar cane fields.

Bicycle rentals are available by the hour and include electric bicycles.

⬇︎Click here for nearby attractions.

 

Nago Agri-Park

Nago Agri-Park has become a complex facility with the theme of health, beauty, and longevity in Okinawa Prefecture.

This facility is a place where farmers and others aiming for 6th industrialization develop processed products and make prototypes, and is popular for its café where you can enjoy Okinawan cuisine and various events.

Nago City, which maintains this facility, is also famous for being the first city in Okinawa to promote bicycle paths.

Therefore, on holidays, events using bicycles are held and many people come to participate in races and bicycle classes.

If you wish to participate in this event, rent a bicycle from a bicycle rental store in Nago City before you go.

Bicycle enthusiasts are encouraged to check out the events on the website before visiting.

 

Recommended Spots in Okinawa [Chubu] Area

The central Okinawa area is conveniently located for access from Naha City.

There are also many bike rental stores near Naha Airport, which can be useful when touring the Chubu area.

Since many people choose the Chubu area as a base for their travels, they may be able to rent bicycles at their accommodations.

The east coast is rich in nature and has excellent cycling trails.

It is also useful for sightseeing to visit places that cannot be covered by the Yui Rail alone, so please take advantage of it.

 

Shuri Castle (in Kyoto)

Shuri Castle was the center of Ryukyuan culture, where diplomacy and politics of the Ryukyu Kingdom were conducted.

After being burnt down in the war, Shuri Castle was reborn as a state-run park to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Okinawa's return to mainland Japan.

The impressive bright red building is a popular sightseeing spot in Okinawa, attracting many domestic and international tourists because of its photogenic appearance.

In 2000, it was listed as a World Heritage Site, but a fire in 2019 destroyed many of its facilities.

Currently, reconstruction work is underway as a "showcase reconstruction" to restore the main hall by 2026.

To visit here by bicycle, take the monorail to Shuri Station and rent a bicycle.

Cycling along the cobblestone streets in nearby Shuri Kinjo Town is recommended for a relaxing and enjoyable tour of Shuri Castle.

 

Shikana-en

Shikinaen was built more than 200 years ago as a villa of the Ryukyu royal family.

It was used as a vacation home for the royal family and for entertaining envoys from China.

It is a sightseeing spot with a sense of history, registered as a World Cultural Heritage in 2000, and is a sight worth seeing with an area of more than 120,000 tsubo.

Since the place was devastated by the war, the present Shikinaen Garden was rebuilt over a period of about 20 years starting in 1975.

The mixture of three architectural styles (Japanese, Chinese, and Ryukyuan) makes this sightseeing spot an expression of Okinawa's diversity.

When visiting this facility by bicycle, it is a good idea to rent a bicycle at a bicycle rental store in Naha City or at a place to stay.

 

Omari Coast

Odomari Beach, popularly known as Odomari Beach, is a beautiful 600-meter-long white sand beach.

The beach is rich in nature where rare hermit crabs and sea turtles come to lay their eggs, so you can relax and forget about the hustle and bustle of daily life.

To visit by renting a bicycle, take a bus from Naha Airport to Umi no Eki Ayahashikan.

You can rent a bicycle at the Ayahashikan, so choose a bicycle here and enjoy cycling along Prefectural Route 10 to Odomari Beach.

The cycling route also includes the Nuchimasu Tourist Salt Factory, where you can see the process of producing Okinawan sea salt and the snowy landscape of salt.

 

Kariyushi Kanna Thalasso Laguna

Kariyushi Kanna Thalasso Laguna is one of Asia's largest and most renowned thalasso resorts.

Thalasso is a natural therapy that utilizes the sea and is recognized as a medical treatment in advanced medical countries such as France and Germany.

At this facility, SPA with a thalasso pool, family baths including rock baths, health-conscious meals, and saunas are popular.

This facility is on the Okinawa Cycling Map, and you can visit it by renting or sharing a bicycle in Naha City.

If you work up a sweat while cycling, stop by and work up a sweat.

 

Nature Miraikan

Nature Miraikan is a camp facility located in Kanamu-cho, Okinawa Prefecture.

With a wide variety of rental items and complete camping sets available for rent, this is a popular facility for those who can enjoy camping empty-handed.

Here you can rent bicycles for 300 yen per hour for cycling around the area.

The surrounding area is also full of tourist attractions such as the Bikubu River, a place where you can see buffalo, and mangroves, where you can enjoy sightseeing bicycling.

 

Recommended Spots in Okinawa [Southern Area

For those who want to enjoy cycling in earnest, we recommend cycling around the southern area from Naha City.

If you would like to rent a bicycle in the southern area, you can do so at the Nanjo City Hall, the Onmu Island Imaiyu Market, Ganju Station Nanjo, and Niihara Beach.

This is an area where you can rent a bicycle that suits you best for your sightseeing purposes, but you will need to take a bus or rent a car to get to these locations.

The southern area, with its abundant natural beauty, is a perfect place for cycling.

There are many cafes and other facilities, so if you feel tired, you can take a rest at a café.

 

Around Itoman City

Around Itoman City, there are many historical sightseeing spots such as the local beach Daitohama Beach, Peace Tower, Ryukyu Glass Village, Okinawa Peace Memorial Park, Roadside Station Itoman, and Himeyuri Tower.

Bicycles, which are small and easy to maneuver, are perfect for touring Itoman City's sightseeing spots.

There are shared cycling services such as "Churachari," so you can make progress in sightseeing around Itoman City by using such services or renting a bicycle at your lodging in Itoman City.

During peak season, renting a bicycle is more comfortable than renting a car due to the congestion in the area.

 

strand of hair on top of the head

Manzamage is a sightseeing spot with oddly shaped rocks that look like elephants' noses on the precipitous cliffs.

The contrast of colors from the emerald green of the shallows to the azure of the offshore ocean is spectacular, making it a must-visit place for cyclists.

It is also a good resting spot for cyclists, as they can lie down and heal their weary bodies on the grassy plains at the top of the cliff.

Take your time and enjoy the spectacular view at the place that the King of Ryukyu praised as "good enough to seat all people".

Rent a bicycle from Manza Beach Bicycle Rental and you can enjoy an easy bike ride to Manza-Mao.

Restaurants such as the popular Nakamura Soba are also located nearby.

 

Cape Maeda

Cape Maeda is the spot where the Blue Cave is located and is visited by many divers and snorkelers.

If you want to visit the Blue Cave itself, it is recommended to visit on a diving or snorkeling tour, but it is worth it just to see the spectacular view of the East China Sea.

Beach 51, a natural beach around Cape Maeda that can be reached by passing through sugar cane fields, is also popular.

To visit here by bicycle, you can rent a bicycle from Manza Beach Rent-a-Cycle or Onna Village.

Since there are only a few rental bicycles in Onna Village, it is advisable to inquire in advance if you wish to use one.

 

Okinawa World

Okinawa World is a sightseeing spot with one of the largest limestone caves in Japan.

Its mysterious location makes it a cool spot even on a midsummer day.

Many people use it as a power spot and healing spot to enjoy the great outdoors.

This is a place where you can explore beautiful limestone caves on an impressive scale, so stop by while you are cycling.

If you visit here, we recommend renting an electric bicycle at the Okutajima Imaiyu Market.

Electric bicycles with electric power assists, which can easily go uphill and to places that are a bit far away, provide a means of transportation that allows you to enjoy sightseeing while feeling nature with ease.

It is about 5 km from the bike rental location, so please use it.

 

Ganghala Valley

The Valley of Gangara is a valley formed when a limestone cave collapsed.

A place to observe subtropical forests and caves in a coral-derived limestone area, with the sunlight shining into the valley.

You can also enjoy touring the ruins of ancient human dwellings, but you cannot enter the valley unless accompanied by a guide.

The only way to visit here is to take a guided tour such as the Gangara Valley Bicycle Tour or the Cave Café at the entrance to the Gangara Valley.

If you can't miss the power spots and healing spots, take a cycling tour to enjoy the sights.

 

Things to keep in mind when renting a bicycle on the main island of Okinawa

The most important things to keep in mind when renting a bicycle on the main island of Okinawa are the weather and bicycle rules.

Okinawa's climate is warm and comfortable even in winter, but there are many windy days that can make it difficult to get around on a regular bicycle.

If it is windy, an electrically power assisted bicycle is recommended as it is relatively easy to get around.

In the event of typhoons or inclement weather, it is a good idea to consider alternative means of transportation, as bicycle rentals may not be available.

Another thing to keep in mind is the bicycle rules.

Traveling to Okinawa is a liberating experience, but the number of people who drive dangerously and get into accidents is increasing.

Where bicycle paths are available, use them and drive safely.

Bicycle use in areas with many pedestrian tourists is also dangerous, so drive with caution.

 

Okinawa Tours also offers non-bicycle rentals!

Okinawa Tours also offers non-bicycle rentals.

You can rent electric kickboards, which can be used on public roads for sightseeing in the city, or Segway minis for sightseeing in designated areas.

It is popular because it is an easy and convenient means of motorized transportation, which also reduces fatigue during travel.

This is a great opportunity to book a ride that has become a popular attraction in foreign countries and resorts.

 

summary

In Okinawa, there are various means of transportation for sightseeing.

Since you can choose and combine means of transportation according to your travel plans, we recommend using a bicycle rental service to make your trip unique to you.

Also, if you are planning to ride a bicycle, make sure you have adequate sun protection.

Sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses are useful, so pack them in your travel bag and enjoy the sights you can see by renting a bicycle.