Chatan
北谷町Chatan26°19′ N 127°46′ ETownPop. 28,963
Chatan is the seaside town of about 29,000 people on central Okinawa's west coast where American Village and the Sunabe dive coast face the sunset over the East China Sea. It sits about 40 minutes by car from Naha Airport, and a direct bus runs to Chatan Gateway.
Chatan's coast from the Miyagi shore to Araha Beach looks, by the tourism association's own description, like the American West Coast. The Hanby district takes its name from the US Marines' Hamby airfield that once stood there. The town runs along a strip from Araha's beach park in the south, past Mihama's American Village, to the Sunabe seawall dive coast in the north. Chatan also lies on the beaches where US forces came ashore on 1 April 1945, and a monument in Sunabe Baba Park marks the landing.
For riders, the seafront here stays flat end to end. The tourism association's own cycling course starts at Chatan Gateway, rents a bike in Mihama and follows the seafront 2.7 km to Araha Beach, and the seawall carries on north to Sunabe. The Chatan Tourist Information Center stores bags for ¥500 and rents e-assist trikes and mini-velos.
Restaurants and cafés
Eat in Chatan食べる
See and do
Things to do in Chatan遊ぶ
FAQ
Quick answers about Chatanよくある質問
How do you get from Naha Airport to Chatan?
A direct bus runs from Naha Airport to Chatan Gateway in Mihama, and Chatan's tourism association puts the drive at about 40 minutes.
Can you rent a bike in Chatan?
Yes. The Chatan Tourist Information Center rents e-assist trikes and mini-velos by the hour or day, and the Shuhari bike shop in Mihama rents and repairs bikes.
What does Chatan mean?
Chatan comes from Kitatan, an old Ryukyuan place name first recorded in 1577; its meaning is not recorded.
Is Chatan a good place to stay?
Chatan suits travellers who want sunsets and a flat seafront to ride, with restaurants in walking distance. Naha and the Onna resorts are both a short drive away.
Within 12 km
Stay nearby宿
Within 12 km
Beaches and swims nearby浜
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