Yomitan
読谷村Yuntanza26°24′ N 127°45′ EVillagePop. 42,412
Yomitan is the cape-shaped village north of Kadena on Okinawa's west coast, and Japanese Wikipedia counts it as the most populous village in Japan. It is known for Cape Zanpa and the Yachimun no Sato pottery village, and US forces landed on its shore on 1 April 1945.
Photo Waei · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 and others, credited in the gallery
Yomitan fills the headland between Kadena and Onna, with Cape Zanpa's cliffs at its tip and village-run beaches at Zanpa and Nirai. Inland, potters work at Yachimun no Sato, and Zakimi castle stands nearby. The village's own produce turns up at the Yunta Ichiba farmers' market, with popo pancakes from Sobe next door.
The shore at Toguchi is where American troops came ashore on 1 April 1945, Yomitan's tourism association lists the caves of Chibichiri-gama and Shimuku-gama among the village's sites and runs peace guides who explain their history, and in July 2026 it posted a notice about entering Shimuku-gama on those tours.
Restaurants and cafés
Eat in Yomitan食べる
See and do
Things to do in Yomitan遊ぶ
FAQ
Quick answers about Yomitanよくある質問
What is Yomitan known for?
Yomitan is known for Cape Zanpa, the Yachimun no Sato pottery village, Zakimi castle and the 1 April 1945 US landing beaches at Toguchi.
Is Yomitan the largest village in Japan?
Yes, by population. Japanese Wikipedia lists Yomitan as the most populous village in Japan, with 42,412 residents on the village's website in October 2026.
Is Yomitan a good place to stay?
Yomitan suits travellers who want a quieter coast than Chatan, with resort hotels at Zanpa and Nirai and sunsets over the East China Sea. A car or bike helps, because the sights spread across the cape.
How do you get to Yomitan?
Buses 28, 29, 48, 62 and 228 serve Yomitan bus terminal.
Within 12 km
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Within 12 km
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