Cape Hedo is located at the farthest northern tip of Okinawa. The majority of Okinawa’s population lives on the lower half of the island, and much of the upper half is covered in dense forests and mountains. This means that many of the most popular tourist attractions are found to the south. That being said, there is still plenty to do on the northern portion of Okinawa if you’re willing to drive a bit to get there.
After passing Nago which is located two-thirds up the island, there are multiple waterfalls and hiking trails to explore. After that, the farther up you go north, the more you begin to realize that you’ll have to eventually drive back. You will soon start to question if all the driving is worth it, even despite how beautiful the coastal drive may be. This is a common question that pops up when it comes time to discuss weekend plans or for tourists that don’t want to waste any vacation time. Many ponder the question, is it worth it to travel all the way up to Cape Hedo?
What is at Cape Hedo?
The biggest draw to Cape Hedo is the gorgeous view looking out over the rocky cliffs towards the clear blue ocean. It’s a bit hard to see, but if the day is clear enough, the island of Yoron, sitting just 14 miles north of Okinawa is visible on the horizon. Aside from the view, there are several monuments like the one below, which was built in commemoration for when Okinawa was revised from American to Japanese control.
Also, there are two cafes. One is inside the visitor center, and the other outside eatery serves food under a covered structure. There are no konbini this far north, so the food is a welcome sight. Once you’ve seen the view and grabbed some food, there isn’t much else to do at Cape Hedo itself.
While many people find the drive and view at the end plenty worth it, others might say not to visit Cape Hedo unless you have plans to also visit other places nearby as well. Which begs the question, what else is nearby to help make the trip worth the drive? Fortunately, there is a map at Cape Hedo with 20 different suggestions for things to do near and along the way to Cape Hedo.
Things to Do Near Cape Hedo
Daisekirinzan – This park contains several well maintained trails that are perfect to hike. Chuarumi Ocean View offers a stunning, elevated view toward Cape Hedo and the sea. The subtropical forest trail passes by amazing banyan trees. The wonder of rocks trail winds through a forest of large and very interestingly arranged rocks and highlights interesting rock shapes that are found along the path. This place also hosts a central café to grab some kakigori and other sweet treats. Overall, it’s a perfect location for families that want their kids to get out and safely explore. There is even a wheel trail accessible trail for anyone with a walking disability.
Hedo Saion Pine Trees Conservation Park – The park was named after a man called Saion who was a historical personage in Ryukyuan history and was considered talented in all fields of engineering. This park was established to preserve the pine trees found there and features walking paths between historical villages.
Okinawa Rail Observation Platform – This bird shaped observation deck stands at 11.5m and offers another fantastic view of the coast.
Kayauchi Banta – A scenic spot atop an 80 meter cliff, Kayauchi Banta has a fantastic view of the sea, as well as a marina and a tunnel on route 58.
These four spots are the closest to Cape Hedo, but realistically one would pass many other attractions on the long drive up the coast. It should be noted that there aren’t any regular bus routes that travel up this far. So if you’re a tourist on the island, renting a car is necessary to get all the way up to Cape Hedo. However, this does means that tourists are free to stop by any of the other beautiful destinations along the way, such as Hiji Falls or Yonaha-Dake Mountain trails.
Close by or along the way, as long as visitors pick one or two additional attractions to visit as well, it is well worth it to travel up to Cape Hedo.
