Chatan Town is located in the central portion of Okinawa, bordered by Kadena Town to the north, Ginowan City to the south, and Okinawa City, Kitanakagusuku Village, and Futenma to the east. Chatan is particularly well known to Americans on the island, as the presence of three bases (Kadena Air Base, Camp Lester, and Camp Foster) within the town’s borders gives it a very western feel.

The kanji for Chatan translates to mean “northern valley,” and humans are thought to have lived in the area for more than 5,000 years. Remains of a small castle (gusuku) built on a hill not far from Camp Foster’s Spot Gate are still discernable, and excavations throughout the town have yielded artifacts from this and previous millennia.

Chatan can be broken down into four main parts, the northernmost of which is Sunabe. Located on the East China Sea, Sunabe includes the small communities of Minato, Hamagawa, and Miyagi. Running along the coast is a large seawall known to many simply as Sunabe Seawall. Since many of the homes and businesses in Sunabe were constructed on reclaimed land, the wall was built to protect them from dangerous ocean swells caused by typhoons. A large number of Americans live in Sunabe due to its close proximity to the bases. Thus, there have been numerous restaurants, cafes, and izakayas opened in the area.

Additionally, Sunabe is particularly well known among scuba divers and surfers. Neophyte divers often complete their entry-level certifications in the area, as there are several points of easy access along the seawall. As a general rule, currents around the seawall are minor, and conditions at Sunabe dive sites are often favorable when other dive locations on the island are not. Surfers can often be seen in shoulder seasons and just before typhoons, when the ocean waters are more turbulent and good waves are present.

Just south of Sunabe is Mihama. This seaside commercial park developed when the former military base known as Camp Kuwae was returned to Okinawa Prefecture by the U.S. military in the 1980s. Chatan Town quickly developed plans to reclaim part of the coastline and construct a large commercial zone that became known as American Village. Today, American Village is the central portion of Mihama. Designed to mimic a seaside park in coastal southern California, the area is popular with local residents and tourists alike, who come to shop in its boutiques, eat in its restaurants, and enjoy its entertainment venues (such as a bowling alley, movie theater, and Ferris wheel). The Village is particularly lively on weekends, when street performers take over the boardwalk in front of the Ferris wheel and showcase their skills during various performances, the subjects of which range from break-dancing and BMX stunt riding to using diabolos and singing. Just behind the village are the luxurious Beach Tower Hotel and Sunset Beach, and to the south is Chatan Sports Field, where the Chunichi Dragons, a Japanese professional baseball team, hold their spring training each year.

Just south of Mihama is Kitamae, a community that includes the hamlets of (north to south) Hamby, Araha, and Iha. Stretching over what used to be Hamby Air Field (an auxiliary American airfield built after World War II and returned to the town in 1981), this settlement is better known today for its high concentration of restaurants and izakaya. Hamby is home to the Hamby Free Zone, which is most vibrant on weekend nights, when local vendors join the area’s cadre of businesses and put up stalls along portions of the main thoroughfare. The street takes on the atmosphere of a nighttime flea market, with residents milling about looking for good deals and enjoying an evening outside. The more southerly Araha is best known for Araha Beach and “Pirate Ship Park.” The large wooden ship play-structure is actually a replica of the Indian Oak, a British ship that wrecked off the coast of Chatan in 1840. (The crew was cared for by the Okinawans, who also helped them build another boat in which to return to Britain.)

The final portion of Chatan is a small, landlocked area bordered by Kadena Air Base to the north, Camp Foster to the south, Highway 58 to the west, and Highway 330 to the east. It includes the communities of Kuwae, Yoshihara, Yamauchi, Omura, Yagibaru, Minamitobaru, Ihei, Tamagami, Kamisedo, Simoseido, and Zukeran. Less commercialized and more community-oriented, this portion of Chatan contains many of the city’s residences and schools, as well as landmarks such as Yoshihachi Sushi Bar, Chatan Town Office, and Chatan Community Center.

Chatan Photos

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Your work
written by George , August 09, 2008

I first came across your work with the Chatan piece you did for Okinawa Living Magazine...

I am amazed by it and congratulate you on an inspiring web-site

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Chatan Okinawa
written by John , August 09, 2008

Thanks George,

Chatan was probably the piece that has recieved the most amount of feedback.

Examples of the feedback recieved:

"I just saw the latest Okinawa Living. My compliments to your folks for the
great artwork. I'd be interested in knowing how those photos were made to
look like chalk drawings. Very nice job."

Thank you. Your June Okinawa Living Magazine (Chatan venue) is a big hit with the Chatan Town Hall folks including the Mayor. Great job to you and your staff. A public relations masterstroke.


What a great piece this was and to see the photographs offering a grainy touch was almost nostalgic considering the fresh facelift Chatan has had over the past decade or two. I thought they were canvas paints at first glance and was looking for the artist so maybe I could buy a print or two! Beauitful works of photography! Just like you, I remember Hanby Airfield and Highway 58 as an "Ocean Highway" through this area. Your team here did a superb write and shoot! Yeah, I'm just another MCCS employee, but I am a fan of Okinawa Living, and a customer...These pieces your crews do, just amazing stuff!

With Much Respect.



I teach Japanese at Kadena High School and I wanted to write and express my appreciation for the weekly culture article you write for the "Okinawa Marine". It's impossible to fully learn the Japanese language without an understanding of the culture, and I have often referred to your column in my classes. They are well written, timely, and quite interesting. I also notice that you are the Managing Editor of "Okinawa Living". This is one of the best publications I've seen on Okinawa and I'm always impressed with each issue. In fact, we did a class project based on the article on Japanese schools from last Fall. I took my class on a field trip to Kyuyo High School and we met their English teacher featured in the article. John Burgreen always delivers incredible photos. In the June issue on Chatan, how does he create photos that look more like watercolor paintings. It's an amazing effect. Thanks for two great publications and keep up the good work!

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