Cape Hedo

Overview

Cape Hedo is the northernmost point of Okinawa Island, located in Kunigami Village. Jutting out from the island, it faces both the East China Sea and the Pacific Ocean, offering views of two different bodies of water from the same headland.

Highlights

• ●The northernmost point of Okinawa Island
• ●A headland facing both the East China Sea and the Pacific Ocean
• ●Yoron and Okinoerabu islands visible roughly 22 km away on clear days
• ●A monument commemorating Okinawa's reversion to Japan stands at the site

History

The cape was once part of Okinawa Kaigan Quasi-National Park and was later brought under the newly established Yanbaru National Park in 2016. According to Ryukyuan tradition, King Gihon, who reigned in the mid-13th century, is said to have fled the royal capital after abdicating the throne and to have last been seen near the cliffs of Cape Hedo. Today a monument commemorating Okinawa's return to Japanese sovereignty stands at the site, and the area has developed into a tourist stop with nearby restaurants and souvenir shops.

Map

26.8728, 128.2639 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Walk out to the tip of the cape to take in views of both the East China Sea and the Pacific
2. 2Visit the reversion monument and reflect on its history
3. 3On a clear day, try to spot Yoron and Okinoerabu islands in the distance
4. 4Stop by nearby restaurants and souvenir shops to sample local Yanbaru products

Did you know?

💡 On the Shoho-era Kuniezu, a provincial map made during the Edo period, the cape appears under the name "Heto Misaki," and the 1892 pilot guide Nihon Suiroshi records it also as "Cape Kunigami," noting its long use as a maritime landmark.

Nearby spots