Motobu

Motobu (本部) is a town of 13,000 people (2016) on Okinawa Island, Japan, in the northern (北部 Hokubu) region. The town occupies the eastern part of the Motobu Peninsula and two islands: Minnajima and Sesokojima. It is known for its aquarium and botanical garden.

Understand

Tourist information site

The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site.

Get in

Motobu is located between the towns of Nakajin and Nago and can be reached by either route 449 or 84.

Several islands can be accessed from Motobu, namely the small islands of Sesoko (by bridge) and Minna-jima (by ferry). Both islands are incorporated as part of the Town of Motobu. Ferry service also runs from Motobu Port to Ie-jima.

See

• 1 Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (沖縄美ら海水族館), 424 Ishikawa, ☏ +81 980-48-3748. 08:30-18:30 (last admission 17:30). Part of the Ocean Expo Park, the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium hosts a large tank of 7,500 m³, where large fish including whale sharks and manta rays are kept. This site is very popular among Japanese and it pays off to visit it early in the day to avoid the crowds. ¥1,800.  
• 2 Nakijin Castle (今帰仁城, Nakijin Gusuku). These ruins of a Ryukyuan gusuku are part of UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fortress includes several sacred Utaki groves, reflecting the castle's role as a center of religious activity. It is known for the Hikan cherries which bloom in northern Okinawa between mid-January and early February, providing the first cherry blossoms each year in Japan. The ruins are particularly known for the beautiful view out over the East China Sea, for the impressive grandeur of the castle walls, and for the overall amount of space taken up by the castle grounds.  
• 3 Omoro Botanical Garden (おもろ植物園, Omoro Shokubutsuen), Ocean Expo Park, 424 Ishikawa. open daily except Thursdays. This garden collects plants that are described in the Omoro Sōshi (おもろそうし), a collection of Okinawan poems and songs. The garden contains about 400 species of salt-resistant plants, including large trees, small trees, shade trees, various garden plants, and herbs. The garden also contains more than 110 wild orchid species, many of them endangered, native to the Ryukyu Islands. Free.  

Do

A beach on Minna Island

• 1 Minna Island (Minnajima) (水納島). A small but picturesque croissant-shaped island just 15 min from Toguchi Harbor, with good snorkeling and beaches. Ferry ticket ¥1,710/return. (updated Nov 2023)

Eat

• 1 Nougeichaya Shikinoaya (農芸茶屋　四季の彩), Kunigami District, Motobu, Izumi, 371-1. 11:00-19:00, closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Delightful cafe is surrounded by nature. While you eat your meal you may choose to sit at a counter overlooking lush mountains. Many handmade shisa decorate the cafe and are for sale. (updated Apr 2015)
• 2 Kinokawa (紀乃川), Kunigami, Motobu, Kenken 603, ☏ +81 980-47-5230. 11:00-21:00. Unpretentious Japanese food in a very unpretentious building. The only real reason to climb there is to eat their peanuts tofu, it looks like ice cream and is probably the most delicious form of tofu you'll ever eat. ¥1000. (updated May 2015)