A wide view towards Izena and Iheya islands
From the left as you face the sea round to straight ahead, the horizon opens out. And as in the photograph, you can see Izena and Iheya islands floating on it in the distance.
BeachNorthern Okinawa (Nakijin)
Uppama Beach
Good value — you can use the resort hotel pool too
Good value: ¥300 per person gets you not only the showers but the resort hotel pool. The beachside is shaded, and the wide horizon is yours to look at as long as you like.
Clarity
3/5
Colour
4/5
Views
4/5
Shade
5/5
Facilities
4/5
Unspoilt
4/5
Highlights
A hotel pool that visitors can use
The beach sits in front of Resort Hotel Bel Paraiso. As you would expect of a resort hotel it has a pool — and it is open to non-guests. For ¥300 per person (!) you get the beach, of course, plus the showers, changing rooms and toilets. Sign up at the hotel reception.
Shade beside the beach
The hotel building casts shade over the beachside. As described under Shade below, there is a wooden deck in the shade with seating, so you can sit and look at the sea for a long time without spending anything.
Good to Know
The whole beach
Uppama Beach is directly in front of the hotel at the right of the photograph. The island in the centre is Kouri. From the beach, Kouri lies to your right as you face the sea.
Water clarity and gradation
The clarity is about average for a beach here — similar to Kouri Beach in the same village, and lower than Akabaka or Nagahama. Uppama does not have as developed a reef edge as those two, so it takes more of the open ocean and the surface is more easily disturbed by wind and waves.
The gradation is above average. Light blue at the water's edge, emerald green out to the reef edge and deep blue offshore form the base, and each shifts with the seabed and the clouds, so it never gets dull however often you look.
Shade
The hotel building casts shade exactly where you want to sit and look at the sea. You can sit on the shaded wooden deck, or spread a mat on the grass.
Swimming area and snorkelling
The swimming area is narrow but deep front to back, so a reasonable depth is kept even at low tide, and everyone from children to adults can find the depth they want. And unusually for an Okinawan beach, you can snorkel inside the swimming area.
Toilets, showers, changing rooms and foot rinse (hotel)
Beside the hotel pool there are toilets, indoor showers, a foot rinse (outdoor shower) and changing rooms. Use costs ¥300 per person including the pool as well as swimming at the beach. Sign up at the hotel reception.
Toilets, showers and changing rooms (beach houses)
The beach house in the photograph (Ohamaya) also has showers, toilets and changing rooms, slightly cheaper than the hotel's ¥300 at ¥200 for adults and ¥100 for children. The beach house next door (Surf Party Okinawa) offers the same facilities at the same price.
Water sports and equipment hire (hotel-run)
The hotel's own water sports, marine activities and equipment hire menu. Details are on the Resort Hotel Bel Paraiso official website.
Water sports and equipment hire (Ohamaya)
The water sports, marine activities and equipment hire menu of the beach house Ohamaya.
Water sports and equipment hire (Surf Party Okinawa)
The water sports, marine activities and equipment hire menu of the beach house Surf Party Okinawa. They specialise in stand-up paddle (SUP), and it is very reasonable at ¥3,500 for 40 minutes. (The photograph can be enlarged.)
Barbecues and camping
This is a hotel beach, so camping is not possible. Barbecues can be booked through Surf Party Okinawa's barbecue plan. It is not listed on their website, but they told me there is also a plan where you hire only the tent and bring your own food, so ask if that interests you.
Restaurant (hotel-run)
The menu of the hotel's own restaurant. You can eat on the outdoor terrace.
Beach house (Ohamaya)
The menu of the beach house Ohamaya.
Beach house (Surf Party Okinawa)
The menu of the beach house Surf Party. There is plenty on it and the tables are smart. They told me that even out of season (November to March) they will open the beach house if you ask when booking a marine activity.
Beach yoga
We do not run beach yoga at Uppama Beach. The nearest beach where we do is 21st Century Forest Beach, 40 minutes away by car.
Note
The beach is long enough, but the gap between the water's edge and the hotel building is narrow, which makes it feel a little cramped. Have a look at the photograph under Shade beside the beach above.
Information
View on Google Maps →
Last checked: September 2018
In Japanese (for maps, taxis and car navigation): ウッパマビーチ 沖縄県国頭郡今帰仁村運天１０６９
Morning and evening yoga
at Uppama Beach
We run beach yoga here too. Check availability and book in a few steps.