Experience the best of Yomitan-son

Yomitan lies on the central west coast of Okinawa Island, north of the Hija River. Zakimi Castle, built in the early fifteenth century, has curved walls of coral limestone and an arched gate, and is part of the World Heritage listing of the Ryukyu sites. Cape Zampa, a rocky headland topped with a lighthouse, looks over reefs and rolling breakers.

Yachimun no Sato is a pottery village with climbing kilns where potters make the thick, hand-glazed tableware known as yachimun. The village is also known for beni-imo, the purple sweet potato, which turns up in tarts and sweets. In April 1945 the Allied landings on Okinawa took place on the beaches of Yomitan and Kadena. To the north, the Blue Cave at Cape Maeda is a popular snorkelling site in neighbouring Onna.

Purple sweet potato desserts, Okinawa soba and fresh fish are the village's tastes, and pottery shops sell bowls and cups from the kilns. The cooler winter months suit walks along the cape, when the sea air is clear and bracing.