American Village + Cape Zanpa + Manza Beach, Satisfy Your Appetite at AEON Mall
Planning to visit Okinawa but worried about inconvenient public transportation? Want to check in at multiple classic spots in one day without rushing? Then you must keep this "American Village + Cape Zanpa + Manza Beach + AEON Mall" private car tour guide! Tested personally, the whole trip is easy and fulfilling, unlocking the essence of Okinawa, even beginners can follow along easily~
🌟Why choose a private car? The truth about getting around Okinawa!
When planning, I hesitated between bus and taxi, but finally decisively chose a private car for these reasons:
Okinawa’s attractions are scattered; it takes 40 minutes by car from American Village to Cape Zanpa, but the bus wait time is over an hour. With a private car, you can go and stop anytime, saving the hassle of transfers.
We traveled as a group of 4, and the per-person car fare was half the cost of taxis, plus we could chat with the driver about local hidden gems, making it very cost-effective.
Full itinerary guide: from trendy check-ins to healing scenery
First stop: American Village (09:00-11:30) — Pretend you’re in California with a fresh vibe
Right upon arrival, the colorful Ferris wheel caught our eye! This is the most American-style place in Okinawa, no filter needed for great photos:
Must-shoot spot: "American Village Ferris Wheel" looks fresh during the day and more romantic when lit up at dusk. It’s recommended to buy a single ticket (800 yen); one full rotation lets you capture the surrounding scenery perfectly.
Shopping and eating recommendations: There are many small shops along the street; try the "Blue Seal Ice Cream," the sea salt flavor is super rich. For a proper meal, "Gusto" family restaurant offers great value, the burger with Okinawan bitter melon salad is amazing.
Hidden gem: The beach next to the Ferris wheel is less crowded and beautiful; in the morning, you can see locals surfing, and every snap is a soothing sea view.
Second stop: Cape Zanpa (12:30-14:00) — Stunning coastal cliff views
It’s a 40-minute drive from American Village to Cape Zanpa. The moment you get off the car, the blue sea amazes you! This is a symbolic coastal landscape of Okinawa, key highlights include:
Must-see spot: "Cape Zanpa Lighthouse" — the white lighthouse against the blue sea. From the observation deck, you can see waves crashing on the rocks, perfect for atmospheric photos.
Tips: Wear comfortable shoes; it’s a 10-minute walk along the trail to the seaside. Avoid high tide times for safety.
Photo tip: The 2 PM sunlight is strong; bring a straw hat or sunglasses as props. Side-profile backlit silhouette shots look very artistic.
Third stop: Manza Beach (15:00-16:30) — Filming location of "Koibito Okinawa"
As a must-visit natural attraction in Okinawa, Manza Beach’s "Elephant Trunk Rock" truly lives up to its name! The lawn, said to hold thousands of people, offers super healing scenery:
Main attraction: "Elephant Trunk Rock" — a unique rock formation eroded by seawater, resembling an elephant’s trunk dipping into the sea. From the observation deck, you can overlook the entire coast and, on clear days, see distant islets.
Tips: Walking around the lawn takes about 20 minutes. Bring a picnic mat to sit on the grass and enjoy the sea breeze, very relaxing.
Avoid pitfalls: There are souvenir shops at the entrance with somewhat high prices; you can browse but don’t buy too much. Do not step on the grass to protect the natural environment.
Fourth stop: AEON Mall Okinawa Rycom (17:30-20:00) — One-stop for shopping and dining
Exhausted after a full day? The last stop is AEON Mall, where you can shop, eat, and buy everything, a perfect recharging spot:
Must-visit stores: "Daikoku Drugstore" Okinawa branch offers cheaper prices than downtown for sunscreen, masks, eye drops; "MUJI" has many Okinawa-exclusive products with great value.
Food recommendations: For Okinawan specialties, try "Danbo Ramen" with its rich pork bone broth; for fast food, "MOS Burger" Okinawan bitter melon burger is a must-try and surprisingly delicious; finish with "Okinawa Brown Sugar Milk Tea," perfectly sweet without being cloying.
Shopping tips: AEON supports Alipay and WeChat Pay; some stores offer tax refunds on minimum purchases, remember to bring your passport; parking is free, and the private car driver will wait at the entrance, super convenient.
📌Practical tips: Must-read private car tips for beginners
Booking: It’s recommended to book on Trip.com 3 days in advance, choose packages with Chinese-speaking drivers for easier communication.
Time management: Start from the hotel at 9 AM, allocate enough time at each spot, no need to rush, more relaxed and enjoyable.
Notes: Okinawa drives on the right; don’t rush the driver during the private car trip; respect local culture and don’t litter in scenic areas.
💫Trip summary
This private car tour was truly satisfying! From trendy check-in spots to natural landscapes, then shopping and dining, you can experience the essence of Okinawa in one day without rushing or transfers. Even beginners can easily handle it. If you come to Okinawa and want to efficiently visit multiple attractions, definitely try a private car tour—you won’t be disappointed~
Hotel → American Village → Cape Zanpa → Manza Beach → AEON Mall → Hotel
Which Okinawa attraction do you most want to visit? Feel free to leave a comment and share your tips~
Japan 1-Day Charter | Local Driver
We see the sea is calm and gentle, but at Cape Zanpa, you can see the other side of the sea, turbulent, roaring, and full of vitality. The wind at Cape Zanpa is very strong, carrying the sea water to hit the rocks on the shore. It stirs up layers of white waves. It splashes with tiny drops of water on your face. The cracks in the rocks of Cape Zanpa are full of various plants. There is a lack of fresh water resources, no fertile soil, and long-term exposure to strong sunlight day after day. In such a harsh environment, there are still plants that choose to take root here, reproduce, and become the unique scenery of Cape Zanpa. It was already evening when we arrived at Cape Zanpa, just in time to watch the sunset, but the sunset did not seem to be very perfect, and the clouds were a bit thick.
It's a very beautiful place, but the transportation is not very convenient if you don't have a car. You can take bus No. 28 and then take a taxi. It's not easy to get a taxi in Japan. You can ask the staff at Yomitan Terminal and the staff at the scenic spot for the taxi reservation phone number.
Cape Zanpa in Yomitan Village has a spectacular 2-kilometer-long cliff that is a must-see in Okinawa! There is also a 30-meter-high light. If you are willing to pay, you can go to the top floor to see more beautiful scenery.
Because I live in the middle of Okinawa, on the Tiger beach side, so I chose to take two buses, and then the rest of the journey was used, and I found the Imperial Palace of Royal Fruit on the way. Well, when we got to the beach, the wind was very strong. We walked along the road and found the lighthouse. The scenery nearby was also very beautiful. You can buy tickets to the lighthouse, but I didn't go up because I was in a bad mood all day long because of the dark sun. Please remember to wear sunscreen.
Very beautiful place. It's relatively simple. There's only one snack stand beside it. The driver's eldest brother is an Okinawan man. He'll give a brief introduction. He's a good man. Like it here, it's as beautiful as Hokkaido's headland of the earth.
Cape Zanpa is actually like a park. You can just walk around and take a look. You don't need a ticket. You only need a ticket to go to the lighthouse. There is a sculpture near the sea. The direction the man on the sculpture points to is China, and the sea opposite is the China Sea. Maybe because the transportation is not very convenient, there are not many people here, and the scenery is super beautiful. The most famous lighthouse here is Cape Zanpa. The sign on the tower says that the light was lit in early February of Showa 49, which seems to be a long time.
We met a typhoon this time. It's very spectacular! ___________ The sea water was blown ashore by a typhoon and slapped on our faces. It was a very special experience. The lighthouse stands on the shore and looks firm against the blue sky and white clouds. Baby is playing high, the stronger the wind, the more exciting he is.
The scenery is very beautiful, why the same sea without people's blue, the same people's clean, the other without comment, may cause public anger.