Beach Teahouse / Nanjo City, Okinawa Prefecture: With a 30-year history, this is the original “ocean café” where you can feel the sea.

I wrote ”café,” but ”coffee shop” might be the more accurate term. Rather than the katakana term “Ocean View,” the phrase “feel the ocean” using kanji and hiragana might be more appropriate.

"Hamabe no Chaya" will celebrate its 30th anniversary in December 2024. Today, ocean-view cafes can be found all over Okinawa, but the pioneer of this trend is located in Nanjo City, in the southern part of Okinawa Island.

Beach Teahouse Report

At high tide, the sea is almost directly below.

Just as the name suggests, there is a small wooden house right on the beach. It’s a cozy café that blends seamlessly into the natural surroundings. At high tide, the sea reaches right up to the windows, and at low tide, the beach comes into view—allowing you to enjoy different views depending on the time of day.

The restaurant, which will soon celebrate its 30th anniversary, retains the nostalgic atmosphere it had when it first opened.

Menu

Coffee: About 660 yen
Chiffon Cake: About 600 yen
Coffee tastes best when you drink it while listening to the sound of the sea breeze.

I like this chiffon cake. Keep in mind that drinks cost around 700 yen and food items cost around 600 yen.

Okibura Reviews

If you follow the directions on your GPS, you might find yourself wondering, "Is this the right way?" but it's fine. (laughs)

There are many ocean-view cafes in Okinawa, but it’s rare to find one this close to the sea. With options including terrace seating, shaded seating, beachfront seating, and indoor seating, feel free to choose your favorite spot based on your mood that day—as long as there’s an open seat.

With the sounds of nature serving as healing music and a place where both mind and body can find solace, “Hamabe no Chaya” will surely continue to be loved by many people for years to come. Be sure to visit this historic seaside café, which has been in business for 30 years!

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