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Mihama Town Resort American Village, located in the central part of Okinawa’s main island, is a colorful and exotic resort town with an American West Coast theme.
With shopping, dining, and spectacular views, this area is a favorite destination for families, couples, and friends.
Recommendations for Mihama Town Resort American Village!
Mihama American Village, located in Chatan-cho in the central part of Okinawa’s main island, is a resort area reminiscent of the streets of the American West Coast.
This area, with its colorful, photogenic buildings and beautiful sunsets unique to Okinawa, is a popular tourist destination that combines shopping, dining, and entertainment!
1. shopping heaven! Charming stores from all over the world!
Mihama American Village is a must for shopping enthusiasts! The area is lined with approximately 190 stores in a wide variety of genres.
You can find everything from fashion and sundries directly imported from the U.S. to one-of-a-kind works by local artists and specialty products unique to Okinawa.
Recommended Shops
- American Depot
A store dealing in vintage clothing and sundries directly imported from the United States. Many items are one-of-a-kind remade items, making shopping a treasure hunt experience. - #FR2 Chatan (#FR2 OKINAWA)
The Okinawa store of the “We are Fxxking Rabbits” themed apparel brand. Located in Mihama American Village, the store offers limited items and a location where you can feel the sea breeze. It is now attracting attention as one of the Japanese fashion brands that are active around the world. - HABUBOX Akala Store
Popular store where you can get unique Okinawan design T-shirts. The “Goya Eye Test T-shirt” makes a great souvenir!
point
The colorful building is filled with displays and wall art that make you want to take pictures.
While searching for your favorite items, you can also enjoy the shopping district itself.
2. photogenic cityscape!
Mihama Town Resort American Village is a spot where you can aim for “Instagram” wherever you walk! From the streets lined with colorful pop buildings to the Depot Island area with its unique wall art, there are plenty of places for photo lovers to enjoy.
- Wall Art Area
Colorful paintings and objects are scattered throughout the space. Art is hidden everywhere, including building walls and staircase landings. - Giant Shark at Depot Central
The powerful shark sculpture protruding from the wall of the building is a unique spot for children and adults alike. - Light-up area at night
The entire town is lit up from evening to night, creating a romantic atmosphere. In particular, the seaside area along Depot Island is a must-see!
3. spectacular sunset views! Romantic sunset unique to the west coast of Okinawa
The most attractive feature of Mihama American Village is the beautiful sunset! From the viewing spots scattered throughout the area, you can fully enjoy the sunset over the ocean on the west coast of Okinawa.
Recommended Spots
- Depot Island Boardwalk
The sky turning from orange to red against the wide ocean is breathtaking. Especially recommended 30 minutes before sunset time. - Sunset Beach
Sunset Beach, a 5-minute walk from Mihama American Village, is a sunset spot that attracts not only tourists but also locals, with a BBQ area and great food to enjoy at sunset.
quick tip
Bring a take-out drink to enjoy at sunset for an even more special moment. There are many stylish cafes, so enjoy the sunset with a drink in hand while strolling around!
4. a great nightlife! A special night in the city lit up!
The pop and bright atmosphere of the daytime is replaced by a more mature look at Mihama American Village at night. Along with the illuminated townscape, there are many spots where you can enjoy the nightlife.
- Music Bar
Dotted with stores where you can enjoy live music. Relax with a delicious cocktail while being surrounded by the sounds of jazz and blues. - Irish Pub
A place where many foreign tourists and local Americans gather. You can enjoy the night with an exotic atmosphere. - Night View Spots
Just strolling around the illuminated city is enough to get you in the mood! The Depot Island area in particular has a reputation for beautiful photos wherever you take them.
Mihama American Village is one of Okinawa’s leading tourist spots where you can enjoy everything from shopping to dining to spectacular views. The exotic townscape and a variety of events offer something new to discover each time you visit. Enjoy shopping and dining during the day, and enjoy the sunset and nightlife in the evening.
Mihama American Village Basic Information
| address (e.g. of house) | 9-1 Mihama, Chatan-cho, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa, Japan |
| Business Hours | Varies by store |
| Phone number | 098-926-4455 (Chatan Town Tourist Information Center) |
| parking lot | Free parking: 1,500 spaces |
What is Depot Island?
Depot Island is an open-mall complex that spans the American Village area and the Fisherina area. It is characterized by a townscape that offers a resort-like atmosphere unique to Okinawa.
Characteristic points
- Tropical resort atmosphere
Palm trees and bougainvillea are planted and colorful, aged buildings line the streets. The entire town is in harmony with Okinawa’s mild climate. - Sunset & Illumination
Sunset viewing on the beach is popular, and the entire area is beautifully illuminated at night. - Weekend Fireworks
Every Saturday at 8pm, fireworks are launched from the ocean side, creating a romantic atmosphere. - Depot Island Boardwalk
An oceanfront boardwalk completed in 2018. It features blue-painted tetrapods, and when viewed from the ocean, the entire town looks as if it is floating on the waves.
Attraction of Depot Island
Depot Island is loved by tourists as well as local residents as a sightseeing and recreational spot where shopping, dining, and resort hotels are located. In addition, the extraordinary combination of the ocean and the spectacular view of the cityscape provides visitors with a special experience.
Recommendations
- During the day, enjoy shopping and visiting cafes, and at dusk, enjoy watching the sunset by the sea.
- At night, illumination and fireworks create a fantastic atmosphere different from that of the day.
Depot Island is a place where you can enjoy a unique Okinawan resort experience and an exotic atmosphere at the same time!
How to get to Mihama American Village
Access by car
From Naha Airport, drive north on Route 58 for about 35 to 40 minutes.
Turn left at the Kuwae intersection near the former Ferris wheel site.
If you take a cab
- Time required: Approximately 45 minutes from Naha Airport
- Fee: Approx. 3,500-4,000 yen
Access by bus
- From Naha City: Take bus No. 20, 28, or 29, get off at Kuwae bus stop, and walk 3 minutes.
- From Naha Airport: Take bus No. 120 and get off at Kuwae bus stop. The trip takes about 1 hour and costs about 700 yen.
airport shuttle bus
- Purchase a ticket at the counter on the 1st floor of the airport. Get off at The Beach Tower Okinawa and walk 3 minutes.
It is now possible to come to Chatan from Naha Airport at once!
American Village parking guide: recommendations and hole-in-the-wall information by purpose!
All basic parking in American Village is free!
American Village, which has a large site area, has several free parking lots. Since it is crowded during on-season and holidays, it is best to know the parking lot information.
1. parking overview and map
- Size: Approximately 5 times the size of Tokyo Dome
- Number of parking spaces: scattered parking lots of various sizes
- Fee: Basically everything is free of charge
- Recommended area: Around Depot Island Building & Seaside Square Building
2. recommended parking by purpose
2-1. インスタスポットを楽しみたい場合
- Area: Around Depot Island Building & Seaside Square
- Features: close to SMOOTHIE BOO and car wall art.
2-2. 海カフェを訪れたい場合
- Area: Around Oak Fashion Building
- Features: Excellent location near the oceanfront.
2-3. 食事を楽しみたい場合
- Area: Around Depot Island Building & Seaside Square
- Characteristics: Good access to the area with a concentration of restaurants.
3. hole parking lot during busy times
3-1. ディストーションシーサイド地下駐車場
Feature: Surprisingly little known and therefore a hole in the ground. Convenient for rainy days.
3-2. 北谷町美浜公共駐車場
Features: can accommodate 1500 cars. Access to main area in approx. 10 minutes on foot.
3-3. 有料駐車場
- Location: North side of Hilton Okinawa Chatan Resort
- Fee: Free for the first 120 minutes, then 60 minutes/100 yen (maximum 400 yen per day)
- Features: secure parking and Mihama shuttle cart available.
Click here for parking in American Village.
List of stores in Mihama American Village
Mihama American Village offers a wide range of stores from fashion, general merchandise, and art to unique hands-on stores.
| Store Name | Features/Contents | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Leather & Wood U.A.STORE From Okinawa | Selling collaborative products of Leather and Wood from Okinawa. | Depot Island Bldg. E |
| meowmeow | Directly managed by the popular “Tatchii Zoo” character series. | American Depot B |
| DAZZLE | A fashion store that supports fashion at all costs. | Distortion Fashion Building |
| Niigaki Tile Factory, Chatan Mihama American Village | Sells coasters and sundries made from traditional Okinawan red tiles. | Distortion Fashion Building |
| GARAGE HOUSE Depot Island Store | A popular store for girls with a wide range of accessories. | Distortion Fashion Building |
| Southerly | Sells handmade glass accessories featuring the sea and sky of Okinawa. | Depot Island Seaside Building |
| Kicks Buzzed | Japan’s first store specializing in custom sneakers. | Depot Central |
| Mihama Glass N.aturally | Sells nature-themed glassware and sundries. | Depot Central |
| Hurley Okinawa Store | Official store of the expressive brand Hurley. | Depot Island Bldg. E |
| RANCH | T-shirts and apparel store featuring hetauma designs. | American Depot B |
| made in okinawa | The store offers a selection of Okinawan products that make great gifts. | Depot Central |
| RyuSpa Chatan Branch | Natural cosmetics store using Okinawan ingredients. | Depot Central |
| hub box | A long-established brand of original Okinawan T-shirts. | American Depot B |
| XROSS*R | Specializing in gifts and souvenirs. | Oak Fashion Building |
| GARAGE HOUSE Seaside Branch | A popular and reasonably priced accessory store. | Distortion Seaside Building |
| Chocolate Jesus | A select store that carries RIPNDIP and other topical brands. | Distortion Seaside Building |
| tokuzoknives.com (Tokuzo) Chatan Branch | Specializing in high-quality kitchen knives. | Depot Central |
| Skip Mihama | A fashion store selling a variety of apparel for kids. | American Depot B |
| LOVALOT | Sells character goods with a healing theme. | Distortion Seaside Building |
| ELEGRAM Depot Store | A select store with products directly imported from the United States. | Depot Island Building D |
| Tropical Goods TIDA Chatan Store | Sells accessories and shisa made of materials from Miyako Island. | Depot Island Building C |
| Niigaki Tile Factory Potte Mihama | Specializing in a wide variety of ceramics. Also offers traditional Okinawan tile designs. | Depot Island Building C |
| cozy house dusty house | A store selling accessories inspired by Mimi. | at’s Chatan |
| American Depot | Import select store with a theme of American culture. | American Depot A |
| Hat Shop Flava Depot Island | One of the largest hat specialty stores in Japan. Wide range of designs available. | Depot Island Building C |
| NYS Collection Chatan Depot Island Store | An authorized eyewear brand store in Japan. | Depot Island Bldg. E |
| BLANC JUJU | An accessory brand that uses the traditional Okinawan craft of Bingata as an art form. | Vessel Hotel Campana Annex |
| SuiSavon -Suri Soap- Chatan American Village Gallery Shop | A skincare brand from Okinawa that uses naturally derived ingredients. | Depot Island Building A |
| Aeon Chatan Store | Large shopping center. Convenient for shopping for food and daily necessities. | Aeon Chatan Store |
Mihama American Village Gourmet List
| Store Name | Features/Contents | Location |
|---|---|---|
| STEAK HOUSE BB | This restaurant specializes in steaks and is popular with locals and U.S. military personnel. | Depot Island Building A |
| Chatan Burger Base Atabii’s | A burger restaurant with ocean views at every seat. | Depot Island Seaside Building |
| Blue Seal Depot Island Store | A store of Blue Seal, Okinawa’s leading ice cream brand. | Depot Island Building D |
| kisekino tebasaki american village | The restaurant boasts flavorful chicken wings, including the famous “employee course. | FASHION PLAZA F |
| Churahama Restaurant | An Okinawan izakaya where you can enjoy awamori and goya chanpuru (bitter melon stir-fry). | Distortion Seaside Building |
| JUMBO STEAK HAN’S Mihama | A hearty restaurant where you can enjoy juicy steaks and lobster. | Depot Island Building A |
| Okinawa Quickly Quickly | Specializing in tapioca drinks. | Dragon Palace |
| sunagawaseimenjo | An Okinawan-style ramen restaurant where you can enjoy your choice of noodles and special soup stock. | FASHION PLAZA F |
| Barry’s | A bar where you can relax and enjoy shisha. | FASHION PLAZA F |
| SUN TOMMY SWEETS CROWN | A wide variety of souvenir sweets such as pies and rusks are available. | Oak Fashion Building |
| Thai Cuisine paopao the elephant | Thai restaurant near Sunset Beach. Terrace seating is popular. | red lobster |
| Cafe & Bar Mai Malu | A Balinese-style cafe and bar where you can enjoy the sunset view. | Distortion Seaside Building |
| Wagyu Bar Ripple | A bar where you can enjoy a spectacular view, shisha, and the finest Japanese beef. | Depot Island Seaside Building |
| TACOS CAFE Taco Loco | A cafe where you can enjoy tacos made with authentic Mexican spices. | American Depot B |
| Taco Rice Cafe Kijimuna Depot Island | A restaurant specializing in taco rice where omelette tacos are popular. | Depot Island Building C |
| Seaside STEAK BEEFY’S | Steakhouse boasting ocean views. | Depot Island Seaside Building |
| Yakiniku Doraku, Chatan Branch | A yakiniku restaurant with a resort atmosphere. Lunch and dinner can be enjoyed. | Depot Central |
| Horizon Curry Works Okinawa | A restaurant specializing in spice-scented curry. Homemade hot oil accents the flavor. | Distortion Seaside Building |
| Burger Bear Diner Mihama | The diner boasts burgers and shakes. | Depot Central |
| ZHYVAGO COFFEE WORKS | A coffee stand where Okinawan and American West Coast cultures are fused together. | Distortion Seaside Building |
| Minyo Live Bar Shimanchu | Izakaya where you can enjoy authentic Okinawan cuisine along with live Okinawa folk songs. | Recu Okinawa Chatan Spa & Resort |
| VONGO & ANCHOR | A hybrid café combining Okinawa and the American West Coast. | Depot Island Seaside Building |
| Cafe & Bar Double Decker | A café and bar with a London bus as its landmark. | Seaside Square |
| Pizzeria Bar Ariccia | A restaurant where you can enjoy authentic Neapolitan pizza baked in a wood-fired oven. | Depot Island Seaside Building |
| red lobster | A seaside restaurant serving authentic seafood. | red lobster |
List of hotels in Mihama American Village
| Hotel Name | feature |
|---|---|
| Vessel Hotel Campana Okinawa | A resort hotel with a main building, an annex, a large public bath and a rooftop pool. A facility where you can enjoy a slightly richer stay. |
| Condominium Hotel Mompa | Condominium-style hotel with comfortable accommodations with kitchen and living space. It is an attractive place to spend time as if you were at home. |
| Recu Okinawa Chatan Spa & Resort | A new brand hotel to be opened in 2020. Equipped with a hot spring healing pool and a variety of facilities, this hotel will enhance your stay in Okinawa. |
| Linkens Hotel | A resort hotel where you can experience Okinawan culture with Ryukyuan cuisine and the sound of sanshin (Okinawan guitar). It features an excellent location overlooking Sunset Beach. |
| The Beach Tower Okinawa | A resort hotel overlooking the beautiful sea and sky. The modern interior and extensive in-house facilities are attractive. |
Culture and history of Mihama American Village
Mihama American Village is a resort district located in Mihama, Chatan Town, Okinawa Prefecture, and is known as an area where American culture and Okinawa’s unique culture are combined. Its establishment and development reflects the history of the area and its relationship with the U.S. military presence in Japan, as well as local cultural adaptations and creativity.
1. the return of the U.S. military base triggered local development
The Mihama American Village land was originally used as the U.S. military’s Humvee Airfield. The airfield was built when Okinawa was under U.S. rule and served as an important military base for the region.
After Okinawa was returned to Japan in 1981, the Humvee Airfield was also returned and a policy was adopted to use this land for local economic revitalization.
As a result of reclamation of the returned land, redevelopment of the Mihama area began in earnest in 1988. A project was planned to maximize the use of the coastline, and a resort and commercial facility were integrated into the development.
2. development vision: modeled on California’s “Seaport Village
The streetscape of Mihama American Village is modeled after Seaport Village, a tourist destination on the West Coast of the United States, specifically San Diego, California. The plan was intended to create an “exotic” atmosphere that would appeal to both locals and tourists, while taking advantage of the characteristics of Chatan Town, where the U.S. military is concentrated.
Traditional Okinawan architectural elements, such as red-tile roofs, were also incorporated into some parts of the building, creating a unique landscape that is a blend of American and Okinawan architecture.
3. town formation: phased development
The first phase of construction, which began in 1997, saw the opening of stores and cafes selling American goods. After 1998, more commercial facilities and resort hotels were added, and by 2004, the entire town was almost complete.
Furthermore, in 2010, “Depot Island” was completed, adding an area of colorful, pop-up buildings and greatly increasing the overall appeal of the Village.
4. integration with Okinawan culture
The unique charm of this area lies not only in the importation of American culture, but also in its “fusion” with the unique Okinawan culture. For example, the following elements are characteristic
- Eisa and other traditional performing arts events: Eisa performances by local youth groups provide opportunities for tourists to experience Okinawan culture.
- Creative cuisine using local ingredients: Restaurants and cafes in Mihama American Village offer international cuisine using Okinawan ingredients.
- Display and sale of traditional Okinawan crafts: Some stores carry local crafts such as yachimun (pottery) and bingata (dyed goods).
5. night culture and American style
Mihama American Village is an area that can be enjoyed not only during the day but also at night. In particular, the American-style nightlife stands out.
- Live music venues and music bars: Spots where tourists, especially local Americans, gather. Visitors can enjoy live jazz and blues music.
- Irish pubs and bars: a mature space where you can fully enjoy the atmosphere of a foreign country.
- Illuminated cityscape: At night, the entire city is enveloped in beautiful lights, creating an extraordinary theme park-like atmosphere.
6. contribution to the community and evolution of tourism
Today, Mihama American Village is not only a tourist attraction, but also makes a significant contribution to the local community.
- Creation of local jobs: Many restaurants and stores employ local people and support the local economy.
- Attracting tourists: As a tourist destination that attracts millions of visitors annually, Okinawa’s overall tourism revenue is increasing.
- Cultural exchange: The area has become a model for multicultural coexistence, providing a natural setting for exchange between U.S. military personnel in Japan, tourists, and local residents.
7. role of the Ferris wheel “SKYMAX60
The Ferris wheel “SKYMAX60”, once a landmark of the city, was the symbol of Mihama American Village, and although it was demolished in the 2020s due to its age, a new hotel is scheduled to be built on its site, further evolving the area.
Historical Significance of Mihama American Village
The history of Mihama American Village is a symbol of the reconstruction and revitalization of the area after the Battle of Okinawa. Utilizing land returned from the U.S. military base, this area, which blends American and Okinawan cultures, has overcome the hardships of the past and continues to develop as a “place of exchange” between locals and tourists.
As a result, Mihama American Village has become more than just a tourist attraction; it has become an important part of Okinawa’s new identity.
summary
Mihama Town Resort American Village is a resort town that is a staple of Okinawan sightseeing, yet offers something new to discover each time you visit.
You can enjoy beautiful sunsets and an exotic atmosphere while shopping and dining. Please visit on your next trip to Okinawa!
If you want to enjoy Okinawa, get discount tickets online!
special feature article
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The main island of Okinawa has many wonderful beaches that can only be found in the tropics. We will introduce each of them in an easy-to-understand manner, from the very secluded to the well-serviced executive beaches.
Typhoon Okinawa
We have compiled a list of points to keep in mind when a typhoon approaches so that you can respond without panic before or during your trip. We hope you will find it useful.
One of the best spots for lunch in Okinawa!
