Itoman City, Okinawa Prefecture
A Drive to Kyan Cape More than the distant horizon, I found myself watching waves break against the rocks
Kyan Cape faces the sea on the southern coast of Okinawa Island, in Itoman City. It's described as marking the boundary between the Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea. One June afternoon, I stopped at a spot with a sea view and watched waves roll in against the rocks. I took my time enjoying the chinsuko I'd brought along, too.
Read about my June afternoon watching the waves and the coastline.
SummerA June afternoon
Just a little longer, watching waves break beside the rocks
One June afternoon at Kyan Cape, I was looking out at the sea when I found myself more interested in the irregular shapes of the nearby rocks than in the straight line of the horizon. I let my eyes follow the grassy shoreline into the distance, then brought them back to the waves in front of me. I'd come to see the wide-open sea, but I kept watching the white lines around the rocks.
When a wave came in, a thin line of foam formed around the rocks. I waited to see if the next wave would turn the same spot white, but its shape was a little different. Sunlight flickered across the surface of the sea. I raised my hand to take a photo, lowered it again, and watched one more wave.
The breeze stirred the sleeves of my white shirt. My pink top underneath had warmed in the sun, but the sea air brushed my arms. I held the paper bag against my chest and took out a piece of chinsuko. Just as I was about to bring it to my lips, I heard the waves grow louder and my eyes wandered back to the sea.
This time, a bite. It was crisp at first, then slowly melted on my tongue. It was only a little sweet, but pausing between bites let me enjoy it for quite a while. I hesitated over putting the rest back in the bag, then took one more bite. The sweetness lingered as I looked out at the sea.
The area around this cape was the site of the last fierce fighting of the Battle of Okinawa and is now part of Okinawa Senseki Quasi-National Park. The Peace Tower also stands at the cape. I recalled what I'd read before coming and put the bag away. The waves kept rolling onto the shore in front of me. I listened to them and watched the sea for a while.
Before leaving, I took one more slow look from the grassy shore to the horizon. When I arrived, the wide-open sea had captured my attention; now I could picture a few of the rocks where the waves foamed white. I made sure to get them in my photos. I hope that when I look back at them, I'll remember the sound of those waves along with the breeze.
The story sections are fiction inspired by this location. For accurate information, please consult official tourism and information websites.
Local specialty
Chinsuko
A traditional Okinawan baked confection with a crisp bite and a melt-in-your-mouth texture. I ate the chinsuko I'd brought with me. Taking small bites as I watched the waves let me savor its sweetness.
Highlights
Waves Breaking Along the Rocky Shore
At Kyan Cape, where steep cliffs line the coast, you can take in views of the shoreline and open sea. Before I noticed the shape of the coast, my eyes went straight to the waves turning white beside the rocks.
The Cape and the Peace Tower
The surrounding area was the site of fierce fighting in the final stages of the Battle of Okinawa and is part of Okinawa Senseki Quasi-National Park. The Peace Tower, a memorial, stands at the cape. I want to remember the history of this place along with its sea views.
Getting There and Visitor Information
A Detour to Kyan Cape
- Drive from Naha Airport
- About 30 minutes
- Time Needed to Visit
- 10 minutes
From the airport, follow local roads south to this cape. Stop at a spot with a sea view for a short break and a look at the rocky shore and waves.
The prefectural tourism guide puts the drive from the airport at about 30 minutes, and Itoman City suggests allowing 10 minutes at the cape. Watching the waves made me want to stay a little longer.
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