Senaga Island Umikaji Terrace

👋 Haisai! I’m CULT.
How is your preparation for your Okinawa trip going? Today, I’d like to talk about Umikaji Terrace on Senaga Island, which might just be the perfect way to start and end your Okinawa journey. The reason it marks both the beginning and the end is because it’s located near the airport, and there are many car rental offices nearby. So, it’s a place you might visit right after picking up your rental car or just before returning it on your last day. You can even watch planes take off and land from the terrace.
The Southern European-style buildings are perfect for filling up your gallery, and you can end your trip with a refreshing sea breeze and some delightful desserts.

📚 To give a brief introduction, it opened in 2015 and is named “Terrace with Sea Breeze,” combining the words “Umi (Sea)” and “Kaji (Wind).” Since the terrace faces west, you can enjoy the sunset if you visit in the evening.
There are around 40 different commercial facilities, including cafes, souvenir shops, and craft stores. Additionally, the Senagajima Onsen (瀬長島温泉) is connected uphill, allowing you to enjoy a combined hot spring tour.

🏝️ Senaga Island

The location is near Naha Airport in Okinawa, and it’s more convenient to rent an electric bicycle than to use public transport. On weekend afternoons, if you plan to use a rental car, it can be difficult to find parking in your desired spot. Therefore, it’s recommended to park in a slightly distant car park and walk in to explore. ⏰ The usual opening hours are from around 10 to 11 in the morning, with shops starting to close from around 7 to 8 in the evening. Even if the shops close, you can still enjoy exploring Umikaji Terrace, so don’t worry too much 🥰 [Google Map]

When you drive with Google Maps navigation on, this is the scenery you’ll see. You can follow the Senaga Island coastal road to reach Umikaji Terrace. It’s a good idea to stop here briefly, take a few commemorative photos, and then continue on your way.

🐚 Umikaji Terrace

If you’re lucky, you might find a good parking spot, but that’s rarely the case. So, I’m parking at the car park located past Umikaji Terrace and walking in. You can watch planes take off and land, and you’ll also see people taking aerial photos.

This is the arrival view. The building consists of three floors, and you can usually access the terrace on top of the building. Some areas are open to the public for free, while others are used as outdoor terrace tables for restaurants. If it’s beautifully decorated, it’s likely a restaurant space. In such cases, there will be a sign indicating it’s a restaurant area, so be sure to check.
The most comfortable way is to enjoy a dessert or a cup of tea at a spot you like, wouldn’t you agree?

You can sit on the terrace and enjoy this view. As mentioned at the beginning, this place faces west, so you can watch the sunset. If I capture the sunset, I’ll make a separate post to show it to you.

Usually, if you come across a terrace decorated like this, it’s part of a commercial establishment. It belongs to a café or restaurant, so please don’t enter without permission. Instead, wait for a staff member to guide you to a seat. As my blog is aimed at a global audience, I feel it’s necessary to explain this for those unfamiliar with the custom. Let’s all be gentle and well-mannered tourists 🧐

If you go up to the second or third floor, you can enjoy a view of the Okinawa sea from a higher vantage point. The combination of white and mint colours, with the sea in the background, creates a magical setting for taking beautiful photos 📸

If someone in your group has a pram or is in a 🧑‍🦽 wheelchair, using the second floor might be a bit challenging, but the first and third floors are accessible. There is a ramp at the back of the shopping area, allowing easy access for those with mobility issues. The second floor does require the use of stairs, which is something to keep in mind.

When I visit Umikaji Terrace, I usually have Blue Seal ice cream. Although it’s a fairly ordinary flavour without anything particularly special, it’s an Okinawan brand and its design suits Okinawa, which I think will enhance your travel experience a bit more. 😆

I placed a blue wave on top of vanilla. This photo was taken in winter, but if you set it up like this in summer, the ice cream will melt quickly and get on your hands, so you need to be careful. A good way to take pretty photos is by using a cone, but in summer, I recommend using a cup a bit more.
However, if you really want to take this photo and brighten up your Instagram feed, you can either set it up with just one scoop or take the photo quickly and eat it fast 🍦

Additionally, there are various handicrafts and souvenirs that capture the essence of Okinawa available for purchase. Okinawa has its own range of regional exclusive products, so do take a good look around. For those visiting from inland areas, items that capture the spirit of the sea might be appealing. Interestingly, wooden bowls are also widely sold, and it’s not uncommon to see people purchasing them.

Let’s wrap up the story about Umikaji Terrace here. From a traveller’s perspective, it’s incredibly accessible, making it easy to visit. It’s almost a must-see spot as it often marks the beginning or end of a trip. After all, all the car rental companies are nearby. That’s why I’ll frequently mention Umikaji Terrace.

I’ll leave it at that for now and will return with more Okinawa travel information. Matayasai!