Okinawa-based blogger @owncolorstravel here! I run a blog focused on travel and lifestyle, sharing recommendations for must-visit spots and travel tips for those visiting Okinawa from other parts of Japan, as well as international travelers interested in Japanese culture.
Today, I’m bringing you the latest updates from Okinawa, where spring arrives early, and the weather is starting to warm up!
Since it’s been a while since my last Okinawa post, let’s talk about the weather in mid-March. The average temperature is around 22°C during the day and 16°C at night. Some days can feel a bit chilly, while others are warm enough for short sleeves!
The Chatan area in Okinawa Main Island is a fantastic location with stunning ocean views, breathtaking sunsets, and plenty of stylish cafés—perfect for capturing Instagram-worthy shots. Plus, with American Village and beautiful beaches nearby, it’s a great spot to stop by in between sightseeing.
This time, I’m introducing Transit Café, a long-established spot in Chatan’s Sunabe area, where you can enjoy food and drinks while taking in the ocean view. This café has been around for 20 years and remains a local favorite!
・Transit Cafe Okinawa
The biggest draw of Transit Café is its unbeatable location—with the East China Sea right in front of you. Just beyond the seawall lies Miyagi-Sunabe Beach, making this café-restaurant a true ocean-view gem.
Sunabe Beach is well-known as a surfing and diving hotspot, and the surrounding area is filled with dive shops and surf stores—making it a perfect hangout for ocean lovers.
This neighborhood is also home to many U.S. military personnel, giving it a unique international vibe. The colorful beachfront apartments resemble something straight out of the West Coast of the U.S., adding to the area’s charm. When the weather is clear, people gather along the coast at sunset to enjoy the stunning view, creating a laid-back, peaceful atmosphere.
Since Kadena Air Base is nearby, you’ll often see planes flying overhead—sometimes with a pretty thunderous roar that might even cut your conversation short!
Transit Cafe 2-220 Miyagi, Chatan-cho, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa 904-0113 2nd floor
Look for the white building by the seaside—that’s your landmark! Parking is available along the seawall in a parallel parking style.
Head up the stairs to the second floor, and you’ll find a beautifully renovated space waiting for you.
This spot offers both lunch and dinner, and on the third floor, there’s even an accommodation space.
In fact, I stayed there once before moving to Okinawa. Since I was considering relocating, it gave me a great sense of what it would be like to live by the ocean.
On a sunny day, it’s absolutely perfect.
Exactly like this.
・Transit Cafe lunch menu
For lunch, they offer cheese fondue, paella, curry, daily pasta specials, steak, and more.
On a sunny day, dining on the terrace is a great choice—it’s refreshing and highly recommended. You can even see the Kerama Islands in the distance.
With chill music playing and a tropical juice in hand, you’ll instantly feel the island vibes and a sense of escape from everyday life.
Whether you’re dining solo or with company, the terrace and counter seats inside make it easy to drop by without hesitation.
Speaking of which, it looks like there’s also a food truck during lunchtime. They serve items like tacos and herb chicken risotto rice, so I might stop by and check it out next time.
・Dinner menu and atmosphere
The calm atmosphere at night makes it perfect for a date.
With its white-themed interior, the restaurant isn’t too noisy, allowing you to enjoy a relaxed conversation while dining, especially at the counter seats.
Paella is one of my personal favorites.
This one is packed with Okinawan sea grapes and plenty of seafood.
Herb-crusted shrimp and cheese fondue—best enjoyed with a glass of wine.
The recommended time to visit is around sunset, when you can watch the sun slowly go down for a romantic experience.
They also have steak, but the menu was revamped quite a while ago. This was the steak I used to order often—I really hope they bring it back. It was one of my favorites!
The customer base ranges from locals to tourists visiting Okinawa, as well as American residents living in Japan, as I mentioned earlier.
By the way, the restaurant is now completely non-smoking.
・A one-group-per-day accommodation, “Transit House.”
This accommodation, Transit House, is separate from the restaurant and can be accessed via a different staircase leading to the third floor.
It offers an exclusive, private space, limited to just one group per day.
This photo was taken when I stayed here during a past trip to Okinawa, so it’s from over ten years ago. At that time, the SEAWALL along the coast was still under construction.
It looks like the bedroom is now equipped with a projector that supports up to 120 inches, allowing guests to enjoy movies or Netflix as if they were in a theater.
Breakfast is served at Transit Café, and the check-in time is from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, with check-out by 11:00 AM.
There are plenty of hotels around American Village, but staying a bit farther out in the Sunabe and Miyagi Coast area offers a different way to enjoy your trip.
The best time to visit Okinawa’s main island is from mid-March to around Golden Week in May—especially before the rainy season!
You’ll get to experience early summer vibes with warm, comfortable weather.
Transit Cafe is a place you’ll want to visit again and again, thanks to its great atmosphere and friendly staff.
The luxurious location, with beautiful views of the tropical blue ocean right in front, is a major highlight for enjoying delicious food and drinks.
Whether you’re with friends, on a date, or even on your own, it’s easy to drop by and perfect for creating memories during your Okinawa trip. Why not take the time to relax, feel the laid-back Okinawan vibe, and enjoy a special moment?