As you travel toward the northernmost tip of Okinawa Main Island, just before reaching Cape Hedo, you’ll find a hidden gem known only to those in the know.
Its name is “Kayauchi Banta”.
From this 80-meter-high cliff, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Okinawa’s stunning blue waters!
While there are no flashy tourist facilities here, the magnificent scenery stretching out before you truly captures the raw beauty of Okinawa’s nature.
This site also holds a unique history—a place once known as the “Road of Turning Back” due to its harsh terrain.
Let’s dive into the details.
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Kayauchi Banta: Features and Highlights
- What is Kayauchi Banta? A Scenic Spot Atop a Sheer Cliff
- [Highlight 1] A Panoramic Blue Ocean View
- [Highlight 2] Memories of the “Road of Turning Back”
- Tips for Your Visit
What is Kayauchi Banta? A Scenic Spot Atop a Sheer Cliff
Located in Kunigami Village in Northern Okinawa, Kayauchi Banta is a scenic lookout point where you can peer down at the ocean from a cliff approximately 80 meters high.
In the Okinawan dialect, “Banta” means “cliff“.
The name originates from a legend that if you threw a bundle of kaya (thatch) from the top of this cliff, the winds were so strong that the bundle would immediately scatter into pieces.
You won’t find large billboards or major facilities here; all you see is the sea, the sky, and the cliffs. It doesn’t feel like a typical “tourist trap,” but that simplicity is exactly what makes it so charming. It’s the perfect spot for those who want to experience the powerful presence of nature itself.
[Highlight 1] A Panoramic Blue Ocean View
The biggest draw of Kayauchi Banta is, without a doubt, the panoramic view of the blue ocean.
The dramatic drop-off right beneath your feet and the vast sea stretching toward the horizon make you truly appreciate the scale of nature.
The way the water shifts from pale emerald to deep sapphire is simply stunning!
From this height, the “Ginama Fishing Port” looks like a tiny, adorable miniature model.
Be sure to get your phone out and snap your favorite shots!
[Highlight 2] Memories of the “Road of Turning Back”
Just before you reach Kayauchi Banta, there is an area that was once called “Modoru-michi” (The Road of Turning Back).
Because of the rugged terrain, the path was so narrow that it could only accommodate one person at a time.
The name comes from the fact that if two people met from opposite directions, one of them would inevitably have to turn back.
From the “Modoru-michi” information board
While you can visit by car today, it must have been a treacherous journey for people in the past.
Visualizing the harsh relationship between daily life and nature behind this beautiful scenery makes the view look a little different, doesn’t it?
Tips for Your Visit
- Admissin: Free
- Parking: Limited space available, and the roads leading there aren’t particularly wide.
- Safety: It’s best to allow plenty of time for your trip and drive carefully.
Because it is located on a cliffside, it can get very windy.
Check the weather and stay safe while enjoying the view.
Kayauchi Banta: Basic Info, Fees, Parking, and Access
- Basic Information
- Fees
- Parking
- Estimated Time Needed
- How to Get There
Basic Information
| Name | Kayauchi Banta |
| Photo |  |
| Address | Ginama, Kunigami-son, Okinawa |
| Official Website | - |
| Tel | - |
| Hours | Always open |
| Closed | - |
| Fee | Free |
| Parking | Free |
| Access | |
| Description |
Fees
Kayauchi Banta is free of charge.
Anyone is welcome to explore freely.
Parking
There is a free parking lot with space for about 10 cars.
Estimated Time Needed
Quick View: 10 minutes.
If you just want to admire the ocean and Ginama Port from the observatory.
Full Experience: 20 minutes.
10 mins for the view + 10 mins to walk the old path and read the historical markers.
How to Get There
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