John Man Beach I met sea turtle and Makabe Chinaa’s Raftey-Gozen



A native Okinawan, born and raised in Okinawa, will introduce you to various beaches in Okinawa while showing you underwater videos.

The beach introduced here is John Man Beach, also known as Odo Coast, located in Itoman City. John Man Beach is a popular beach not only for swimming and playing on the beach, but also for diving and surfing.

The depth in the reef is an alternative 1 to 4 meters at low tide, and there is no tidal current, so even beginners can enjoy the wild nature of the Okinawan sea.

With coral reefs and numerous tropical fish, this is a beach where you can easily enjoy the beautiful ocean of Okinawa.

What’s more, this time I was able to meet sea turtle! The place where I met the sea turtle was a shallow point close to the shore, less than one meter deep, about 10 seconds swim from the shore.

It was as if sea turtle was waiting for me and I swam straight out to meet them. I was quite moved by my first encounter with a sea turtle.

I have photographed that wild Okinawan sea in the beautiful and swimmable reef of John Man Beach and even in the steep and deep area at the edge of the reef.

And this time, I would like to introduce you to Makabe Chinaa, an old Ryukyuan house in Itoman City, which is designated as a Tangible Cultural Property of Japan. It is an old Ryukyuan house that still has bullet holes from World War II.

There I had a Raftey-Gozen, a set of nine dishes including Okinawa soba (small), jushi, raftey, carrot shiriri, and more.

Travelers should visit Makabe Chinaa at least once for its wonderful and relaxing atmosphere.

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  • Address : 901-0334 Odo 243, Itoman city, Okinawa Japan
  • Parking : free parking
  • Good season : From the beginning of June to the end of September is recommended
  • Depth : 1m~4m (It depends on the flow of the tide)
  • Toilet : There is a free toilet in the parking lot
  • Shower : There is a 300 yen hot water showers near the beach
300 yen hot water showers near the beach

Odo coast beach is here ↓

Notes on swimming at Odo Coast Beach

Odo Coast beach is not a dangerous beach, but it is still a natural beach so there are notes I want to let you know in order to enjoy the sea of Okinawa safely. In order to enjoy the sea of Okinawa safely, please pay attention to the following points.

1. Let's prepare exercise

Feeling rises in the sea of Okinawa, you suddenly swim and your legs stick. Not only does this hurt, you feel quite dented. In order not to do so, let's get into the sea by doing a preparatory movement properly.

2. Attention to sunburn

The sunlight in Okinawa is quite amazing. The amount of ultraviolet rays is about ten times that of Japan main island! Swimming for 1 or 2 hours will pretty get sunburned. You can not prevent sunblocks alone. You can not be relieved even in a cloudy sky. As you are swimming, you are wet in the water, so you do not notice the burning on the sun. So I'd recommend swimming in clothes like Rush guards. It is stretchy and easy to move, it is perfect for swimming in the sea as it dries quickly. It also serves to prevent scratches. A woman makes it difficult to see the body line.

※If you click on the image you can buy it directly from Amazon Japan
 

3. Attention to scratches and cuts by coral

Odo Coast Beach is a natural beach, so coral reefs and rocks are natural as it is. So swimming may cause injuries such as scratches or cuts. Especially because the feet are easy to get hurt, I recommend you to wear Marine shoes and swim. Marine shoes are the best because sandals will take off. Since you can buy it at around 1,000 yen, please prepare for injury prevention.

※If you click on the image you can buy it directly from Amazon


4. If not good at swimming and children should wear life jackets

The sea has high tide and low tide, depending on the time, the water depth is different even in the same place. At low tide, the water depth may be 1 m or less, but 2 m or more at high tide. Even at low tide, there are places where legs can not reach depending on the location. Even floating bags are okay, but Life jackets are the best to swim with tropical fish with underwater glasses on.

※If you click on the image you can buy it directly from Amazon


5. If you want to shoot underwater videos with smartphones, there are items like this

The underwater videos introduced on this page were taken with a smartphone. I shot a normal smartphone with a Waterproof case. If you have a waterproof case like the picture below, everyone can easily shoot underwater videos. Because it can be used in the sea or in the pool, it is perfect for the summer leisure! However, in the water, the touch panel of the smartphone can not be used at all. This can not be helped. . . . As a precaution, you had better use waterproof tests with tissue before use.

※If you click on the image you can buy it directly from Amazon


6. Attention to the flow of the tide

The sea repeats high tide from low tide to low tide from high tide at roughly 12 hour cycle. In the case of low tide from high tide the tide draws, so the water depth gradually becomes shallow. Just as seawater draws, it flows in a direction away from the coast. At high tide from low tide is the reverse flow. Tide forecast.com is good. The link destination is Naha's data, but the time of the tide level does not change so much depending on the location, so you recommend you check in advance.

7. There seems to be a shark in the offshore ahead of the reef

Apparently it seems that sharks are being witnessed occasionally off the reef destination. However, the range swimming in the reef has no danger at all. Please do not worry.

Shark attention sign

8. If you want to know more about the beautiful beaches of Okinawa, these books are recommended

I introduce the books that I actualy bought as reference. As for "Okinawa beach great 505", I often admire that he has studied only this much, and many beaches of Okinawa are introduced with photos. "Okinawa Snorkeling Guide" is featured 50 points carefully selected for beginners to enjoy. I also want to swim all seas. I will do my best to make it possible.

※If you click on the image you can buy it directly from Amazon Japan
 

Please be careful, safe and enjoy the Okinawa beach.