tourism・eat・shopping 2023.12.21

‘ Kouri Island Ocean Tower’ Enjoy a quality time at a tower with a spectacular view surrounded by the sea 360 degrees

#partner#family#sea#driving#Northern-area#spectacular-view

Writer

三好優実

A web editor and writer from Kagawa Prefecture. Sometimes public relations. Since 2014, he has moved to Okinawa (where he would like to live forever if possible). He is the author of the book ``Kagawa Prefecture Aru Aru''.
https://note.com/yumi03

Photographer

小橋川恵里奈

A photographer from Okinawa Prefecture. He moved to Tokyo in 2006 to study under Tomohiko Tagawa, and became independent in 2008.
He mainly shoots magazines, advertisements, portraits, etc.

List of articles

Kouri Ocean Tower, a symbol of Kouri Island

Kouri Island can be reached from northern Okinawa by crossing the Kouri Ohashi Bridge, which is known as a scenic drive spot. It is also known as the “Island of Love” because of the presence of the heart-shaped rock “Heart Rock” which was used as a filming location for a commercial, and because of the legend of Adam and Eve.

Kouri Ocean Tower, the symbol of this romantic island, is a scenic spot with a panoramic view of Kouri Island’s ocean and bridges, and is also a commercial facility with shops and restaurants. Enjoy the scenery, gourmet food, and shopping while being surrounded by the beauty of Kouri Island’s sky and sea.

View from Ocean Tower

Ocean Tower is a chalk observation tower that stands 82m above sea level. It boasts a great location where you can overlook the blue ocean of Kouri Island and the Kouri Island Ohashi Bridge that stretches over it. To get to Ocean Tower, park your car in the parking lot and move slowly using an automatic cart. Part of the fun is looking at the tropical scenery of blooming hibiscus and feeling the sea breeze as you travel. Inside the cart, audio guidance introducing the island’s history and sightseeing spots plays, and you can feel your mood gradually getting excited.

The tower has 5 floors, with the Kouri Island Museum on the 1st floor exhibiting the history of Kouri Island and the Shell Museum where you can learn about the world of shellfish, an indoor observation floor on the 2nd and 3rd floors, and an ocean deck on the roof. The recommended route is to learn about Kouri Island at the museum and then admire the scenery from the ocean deck. If you look at the scenery after getting to know Kouri Island, you will be able to understand its charm even more. I can’t wait to see the spectacular view! If so, then of course you should go up to the roof first.

Explore the mysterious world of shellfish at the Shell Museum

The Shell Museum, located next to the museum on the first floor, displays over 10,000 shells collected from all over the world. By displaying shells of various shapes and shapes using light and color, the entire museum becomes a fantastic space. You can almost hear the sounds of the world’s oceans from the shellfish from all over the world gathered in one space. At the shell shop attached to the building, you can purchase accessories, tableware, and shell lamps made from shellfish. We also recommend purchasing commemorative items for couples.

In addition, there are panel explanations of ecosystems, worksheets that parents and children can enjoy, and a digital aquarium called “Creature Encyclopedia,” so you can have fun with your children as well. You are free to take photos inside the museum. Some shellfish are famous in Okinawa as talismans, and some are called living fossils and can fetch prices as high as new cars. As you would expect from Love Island, there are also heart-shaped shells, so be sure to look for them.

Plenty of shopping and gourmet food

At the shop on the first floor, you can not only purchase souvenirs from Okinawa and Kouri Island, but also sell original sweets made using island pumpkins purchased directly from farmers on the island. It is a happy space where you can see the sweets factory through the glass and the sweet scent wafts through the air. Be sure to purchase sweets that can only be purchased here, such as Kaboni (Western-style steamed buns) made from island pumpkins, roll cakes, and heart-shaped cookies that are perfect as Koi no Shima souvenirs.

If you get hungry after visiting all the places, eat. There is a restaurant on the premises where you can enjoy meals while admiring the spectacular view. Restaurant “Ocean Blue” is a restaurant with a spectacular view of Kouri Ohashi Bridge and the Kouri Blue Sea. We recommend the authentic Napolitan pizza baked in a 500 degree oven. Also, the 45cm tall tower drink is sure to look great in photos. Enjoy your meal while looking out at the sea. At Island Blue, a restaurant exclusively for groups, you can enjoy a specially selected premium lunch menu made with plenty of Okinawan ingredients, including Agu pork, in a luxurious space with all seats overlooking the ocean.

Why not make some wonderful memories at Kouri Ocean Tower, where you can enjoy the scenery of Kouri Island, local products, and gourmet food throughout the day?