Last reviewed: · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.
Overview & City Profile
Yonabaru (与那原町) in Okinawa Prefecture (Okinawa, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Kiyan Misaki (喜屋武岬), Henza Jima (平安座島), Ōmine Zaki (大嶺崎 ) and served by Shuri Station (首里駅) (Yui Rail, 3.7 km) · Okinawa Bus / Ryukyu Bus via the regional hub at Naha Airport (OKA), Yui Rail Monorail & Ishigaki / Miyako Airports. Set at 10 m elevation (26.2014°N, 127.7571°E), Yonabaru offers travelers a base for sampling regional Okinawa soba (wheat noodles in pork-kelp broth with tender soki ribs), Goya champuru (bitter melon, tofu, egg & pork stir-fry), Taco rice & Blue Seal ice cream cuisine and exploring neighboring Haebaru (南風原町) (2.9 km), Nishihara (西原町) (3.2 km), Nanjō (南城市) (4.5 km), Urasoe (浦添市) (6.1 km).
It is located at the southern end of Okinawa Island, on the east coast, overlooking Nakagusuku Bay. The total area is 5.18 km2, making it the second smallest municipality in Okinawa. Set across coastal plains and river valleys at 10 m elevation in Okinawa Prefecture, Yonabaru is anchored by local landmarks including Kiyan Misaki (喜屋武岬), Henza Jima (平安座島), Ōmine Zaki (大嶺崎 ) and connects to neighboring Haebaru, Nishihara, Nanjō via Shuri Station (首里駅) (Yui Rail, 3.7 km) · Okinawa Bus / Ryukyu Bus. Within Okinawa Prefecture, Yonabaru (与那原町) serves as a town (町) in okinawa prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1889-04-01) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Subtropical Ryukyu Kingdom heritage (Shuri Castle in Naha), Churaumi Aquarium (Motobu), Kerama Islands coral reefs, and the turquoise Yaeyama & Miyako islands (Ishigaki, Taketomi, Miyakojima).
| Fact | Details for Yonabaru (与那原町) |
|---|---|
| Japanese Name | 与那原町 (Yonabaru) |
| Top Local Landmarks | Kiyan Misaki (喜屋武岬) · Henza Jima (平安座島) · Ōmine Zaki (大嶺崎 ) · Ō Jima (奥武島) |
| Nearest Rail Station | Shuri Station (首里駅) (Yui Rail, 3.7 km) · Okinawa Bus / Ryukyu Bus |
| Primary Regional Hub | Naha Airport (OKA), Yui Rail Monorail & Ishigaki / Miyako Airports (Capital: Naha) |
| Prefecture & Region | Okinawa Prefecture · Okinawa |
| Elevation & Coordinates | 10 m · 26.2014°N, 127.7571°E |
| Administrative Status | Town (町) in Okinawa Prefecture (Incorporated: 1889-04-01) |
| Area & Population | 5.18 km² (3,580/km²) · 18,546 residents |
What to See & Do in Yonabaru (与那原町): Landmarks & Sights
Visitors exploring Yonabaru (与那原町) from Shuri Station (首里駅) (Yui Rail, 3.7 km) · Okinawa Bus / Ryukyu Bus at 10 m elevation (26.2014°N, 127.7571°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Yonabaru):
- Kiyan Misaki (喜屋武岬) — local sightseeing landmark near Yonabaru (与那原町).
- Henza Jima (平安座島) — local sightseeing landmark near Yonabaru (与那原町).
- Ōmine Zaki (大嶺崎 ) — local sightseeing landmark near Yonabaru (与那原町).
- Ō Jima (奥武島) — local sightseeing landmark near Yonabaru (与那原町).
- Primary Rail Gateway for Yonabaru: Shuri Station (首里駅) (Yui Rail, 3.7 km) · Okinawa Bus / Ryukyu Bus (connecting to Naha Airport (OKA), Yui Rail Monorail & Ishigaki / Miyako Airports).
Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Yonabaru
When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Yonabaru (与那原町) and Shuri Station (首里駅) (Yui Rail, 3.7 km) · Okinawa Bus / Ryukyu Bus, consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Okinawa Prefecture and Okinawa:
- Haebaru (南風原町) — 2.9 km from Yonabaru (Okinawa Prefecture)
- Nishihara (西原町) — 3.2 km from Yonabaru (Okinawa Prefecture)
- Nanjō (南城市) — 4.5 km from Yonabaru (Okinawa Prefecture)
- Urasoe (浦添市) — 6.1 km from Yonabaru (Okinawa Prefecture)
- Nakagusuku (中城村) — 7.5 km from Yonabaru (Okinawa Prefecture)
Getting to Yonabaru & Getting Around
Train & hub access to Yonabaru (与那原町) via Shuri Station (首里駅) (Yui Rail, 3.7 km) · Okinawa Bus / Ryukyu Bus: 2h 40m flight from Tokyo (HND/NRT) or 2h 05m from Osaka (KIX/ITM) to Naha (OKA), plus direct flights to Ishigaki (ISG) and Miyako (MMY). From Naha Airport (OKA), Yui Rail Monorail & Ishigaki / Miyako Airports, transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Shuri Station (首里駅) (Yui Rail, 3.7 km) · Okinawa Bus / Ryukyu Bus to reach central Yonabaru (26.2014°N, 127.7571°E).
- Local rail & IC cards at Shuri Station (首里駅) (Yui Rail, 3.7 km) · Okinawa Bus / Ryukyu Bus: JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Naha with Yonabaru (与那原町) and neighboring Haebaru, Nishihara, Nanjō. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Yonabaru, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
- Luggage & station coin lockers: Day-trippers stopping in Yonabaru between Naha and Haebaru can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
- Driving & car rental around Yonabaru: While Shuri Station (首里駅) (Yui Rail, 3.7 km) · Okinawa Bus / Ryukyu Bus anchors public transit for Yonabaru, picking up a rental car at Naha Airport (OKA), Yui Rail Monorail & Ishigaki / Miyako Airports makes it easy to link Kiyan Misaki (喜屋武岬) and Henza Jima (平安座島) with nearby Haebaru (南風原町) (2.9 km), Nishihara (西原町) (3.2 km), Nanjō (南城市) (4.5 km), Urasoe (浦添市) (6.1 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.
What to Eat in Yonabaru (与那原町) & Okinawa
Dining near Shuri Station (首里駅) (Yui Rail, 3.7 km) · Okinawa Bus / Ryukyu Bus and across Yonabaru (与那原町) highlights the regional food culture of Okinawa Prefecture and Okinawa. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Yonabaru:
- Okinawa soba (wheat noodles in pork-kelp broth with tender soki ribs) — regional specialty enjoyed across Yonabaru (与那原町) and Okinawa Prefecture.
- Goya champuru (bitter melon, tofu, egg & pork stir-fry) — regional specialty enjoyed across Yonabaru (与那原町) and Okinawa Prefecture.
- Taco rice & Blue Seal ice cream — regional specialty enjoyed across Yonabaru (与那原町) and Okinawa Prefecture.
- Umi-budo (popping 'sea grapes') — regional specialty enjoyed across Yonabaru (与那原町) and Okinawa Prefecture.
- Ishigaki wagyu & Sata andagi donuts — regional specialty enjoyed across Yonabaru (与那原町) and Okinawa Prefecture.
If you are dining in Yonabaru (与那原町) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Shuri Station (首里駅) (Yui Rail, 3.7 km) · Okinawa Bus / Ryukyu Bus.
Where to Stay in Yonabaru (与那原町)
Visitors staying overnight in Yonabaru (与那原町) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Shuri Station (首里駅) (Yui Rail, 3.7 km) · Okinawa Bus / Ryukyu Bus, or base at major rail hubs in Naha (Naha Airport (OKA), Yui Rail Monorail & Ishigaki / Miyako Airports) or neighboring Haebaru, Nishihara, Nanjō for quick train access into Yonabaru. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.
Best Time to Visit Yonabaru & Seasonal Highlights
Seasonal guide for Yonabaru (与那原町, 10 m elevation at 26.2014°N, 127.7571°E): March–early May and October–November for warm swimming (24–28°C) with lower humidity; July–September for peak coral snorkeling and diving (watch for brief typhoons).
Wider sightseeing across Okinawa Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Kiyan Misaki (喜屋武岬) in Yonabaru (与那原町) includes: Subtropical Ryukyu Kingdom heritage (Shuri Castle in Naha), Churaumi Aquarium (Motobu), Kerama Islands coral reefs, and the turquoise Yaeyama & Miyako islands (Ishigaki, Taketomi, Miyakojima).
Practical Travel Tips for Yonabaru (与那原町)
- Tourist information (観光案内所) for Yonabaru: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Naha Airport (OKA), Yui Rail Monorail & Ishigaki / Miyako Airports or Shuri Station (首里駅) (Yui Rail, 3.7 km) · Okinawa Bus / Ryukyu Bus for local bus schedules to Kiyan Misaki (喜屋武岬) and walking maps of Yonabaru (与那原町).
- Cash & ATMs in Yonabaru: Convenience stores and major hotels around Shuri Station (首里駅) (Yui Rail, 3.7 km) · Okinawa Bus / Ryukyu Bus accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Kiyan Misaki (喜屋武岬) often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Yonabaru accept foreign debit cards.
- Local dining hours in Yonabaru: Around Shuri Station (首里駅) (Yui Rail, 3.7 km) · Okinawa Bus / Ryukyu Bus and neighboring Haebaru, Nishihara, Nanjō, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.
Frequently asked questions
What are the top things to see and do in Yonabaru (与那原町)?
Top local sights and scenic landmarks in and around Yonabaru (与那原町) in Okinawa Prefecture include Kiyan Misaki (喜屋武岬), Henza Jima (平安座島), Ōmine Zaki (大嶺崎 ), Ō Jima (奥武島). Visitors often combine sightseeing in Yonabaru with side trips to neighboring Haebaru (南風原町) (2.9 km), Nishihara (西原町) (3.2 km), Nanjō (南城市) (4.5 km), Urasoe (浦添市) (6.1 km).
How do I get to Yonabaru (与那原町) by train?
The nearest rail gateway for Yonabaru (与那原町) is Shuri Station (首里駅) (Yui Rail, 3.7 km) · Okinawa Bus / Ryukyu Bus, connected via the regional hub of Naha Airport (OKA), Yui Rail Monorail & Ishigaki / Miyako Airports. 2h 40m flight from Tokyo (HND/NRT) or 2h 05m from Osaka (KIX/ITM) to Naha (OKA), plus direct flights to Ishigaki (ISG) and Miyako (MMY). Use our Shinkansen Fare Calculator to price bullet-train connections to Naha Airport (OKA), Yui Rail Monorail & Ishigaki / Miyako Airports.
What local food should I eat in Yonabaru and Okinawa Prefecture?
When dining around Shuri Station (首里駅) (Yui Rail, 3.7 km) · Okinawa Bus / Ryukyu Bus in Yonabaru (与那原町), look for Okinawa Prefecture specialties including Okinawa soba (wheat noodles in pork-kelp broth with tender soki ribs), Goya champuru (bitter melon, tofu, egg & pork stir-fry), Taco rice & Blue Seal ice cream, plus Umi-budo (popping 'sea grapes') and Ishigaki wagyu & Sata andagi donuts at local shokudo, izakaya, and station bento counters.
When is the best time to visit Yonabaru (与那原町)?
Situated at 10 m elevation (26.2014°N, 127.7571°E) in Okinawa, Yonabaru follows Okinawa's seasonal calendar: March–early May and October–November for warm swimming (24–28°C) with lower humidity; July–September for peak coral snorkeling and diving (watch for brief typhoons). Compare month-by-month weather in our Japan Seasonal Calendar.
Official sources & further reading
Rules, prices and schedules change. Confirm details here before you travel: