Okinawa’s rich natural surroundings are accompanied by a longstanding tradition of local spiritual beliefs.
The original author reflects on wartime tragedies, including families misled by the Japanese military into taking their own lives, and speculates that such losses may have deepened that feeling. This is the author’s reflection, not an established explanation of the origin of Okinawan religion.
Rather than dwell on that sad history, this account visits a café associated with one of Okinawa’s well-known spiritual sites.
Yabusachi is described in the original as one of Okinawa’s seven major ‘power spots.’
A café stands in that sacred area.
Next door is holiday accommodation with a pool, also operated by Café Yabusachi.
That will have to wait for another visit…
The café is known among Okinawan residents and has appeared regularly on television.
More precisely, it may be best described as a restaurant for the view.
Set on a cliff above Hyakuna Beach, one of the south’s scenic stretches of coast, it overlooks a striking expanse of sea.
The first menu page was startling too.
We had come for a light lunch, but the generous meat plate was JPY 3,600.
Local wagyu steak at JPY 2,900 also looked relatively expensive.
Turning the page revealed the more ordinary options.
That was a relief.
We ordered the café’s seasonal-vegetable tomato pasta and Okinawan comfort food, taco rice.
A gluten-free pasta substitution was available in the original visit. The author welcomed that option for people avoiding wheat, but its availability alone does not establish allergen or cross-contact safety; discuss individual requirements with the café.
Lunch included a salad bar, drink bar, and soup.
The salad selection was fairly good.
The reviewer recalls fruit-infused ‘detox water,’ shikuwasa citrus juice, and orange juice.
The so-called detox water tasted mild, like water with fruit added; the name is not a health-effect claim here.
The soup contained Okinawan mozuku seaweed.
I personally enjoyed it very much.
Looking out over Hyakuna’s sea, we started with dessert.
The infused water had an attractive color.
Then came Okinawan taco rice
and gluten-free tomato pasta full of seasonal vegetables.
The expansive sea backdrop made the meal feel even better.
The standout ingredient was Okinawa’s familiar goya, or bitter melon.
It can be difficult to cook: keeping it crisp can leave bitterness and a raw aroma, while long cooking removes the texture along with the bitterness.
Here it kept its crunch while the bitterness was restrained, and was very enjoyable.
There are indoor seats and a counter terrace with the same impressive view.
A sofa terrace on the other side is another place for a long conversation.
Unfortunately for us, those desirable seats were all reserved.
Hyakuna Beach is admired for its beauty even among southern Okinawa’s coasts.
Looking across the cobalt-blue water while eating this Italian-style lunch at a traditionally revered site left the reviewer feeling refreshed in both body and spirit.
Café Yabusachi
Address: 646-1 Hyakuna, Tamagusuku, Nanjo City, Okinawa Prefecture
Telephone: 098-949-1410