SUI TAXI · NIRAI KANAI BRIDGE
Nirai Kanai Bridge The road down to the sea.
From Naha ｜ Private Charter ｜ Nanjo ｜ With Sefa Utaki
Down to the water, in an S.
Nirai Kanai Bridge carries the road that drops from the Chinen plateau in Nanjo down towards the coast. It is two bridges joined together, Nirai and Kanai, about 1,200 metres in total. From the high ground it loses height in one long S-curve until it is nearly at sea level.
The view while crossing is good, but what makes this place is the view of the bridge itself from above. There is a lookout on top of the tunnel before the bridge, and from there the S-curve, the Pacific beyond it and Kudaka Island all sit in a single frame.
"Nirai Kanai" is the Okinawan name for a paradise said to lie far out across the sea. Knowing that changes how the road looks as it heads down towards the water.
From the lookout: the S-curve, the Pacific and Kudaka Island beyond.
One stop on a southern loop.
Coming from Naha for the bridge alone fits inside a 3-hour charter, though the stop itself is about 15 minutes at the lookout. Few people build a whole day around it.
Sefa Utaki is in the same part of Chinen, five minutes away by car. Add Chinen Cape Park, Okinawa World and the Peace Memorial Park and you are at five or six hours. Within a loop of the south, this bridge becomes the good-looking stretch between stops.
Nirai Kanai Bridge by taxi
Round trip charters from Naha start at 3 hours, from 21,000 yen including tax, with expressway tolls charged separately. It is 40 to 50 minutes each way from central Naha. As a southern course together with Sefa Utaki and Chinen Cape, budget five to six hours, from 35,000 yen.
Stopping on the bridge is not permitted. The lookout has parking for only a handful of cars, and on weekends you may be waiting for a space. Your driver waits with the car, so all you do is get out and walk to the lookout.
— Where the lookout is: The lookout sits on top of the tunnel before the bridge, not after it. Leave the running order to your driver so you do not have to double back.
Charter fares including Nirai Kanai Bridge
| Plan | Fare | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Naha to Nirai Kanai Bridge, round trip charter (3 hours) | From ¥21,000 | One vehicle, up to 5 people, from ¥4,200 each Expressway tolls and parking are extra |
| Southern course (5-6 hours, with Sefa Utaki and Chinen Cape) | From ¥35,000 | One vehicle, up to 5 people, from ¥7,000 each Tolls, parking and admission are extra |
| Naha Airport to a hotel around Nanjo transfer | ¥14,000 | One vehicle, up to 5 people, from ¥2,800 each Expressway tolls included |
| Hotel around Nanjo to Naha Airport transfer | ¥14,000 | One vehicle, up to 5 people, from ¥2,800 each Expressway tolls included |
Charter fares are time-based at ¥7,000 per hour (¥3,500 per additional 30 minutes booked in advance). Extensions made after departure are ¥4,200 per 30 minutes. Admission, expressway tolls and parking are charged at cost. For charters of 6 hours or more we take a 30% deposit when you book, and the balance is paid on the day. Minimum booking times depend on where you start: from 3 hours in the south and central area, 4 hours in Onna Village and 6 hours in the north, and 8 hours for trips that cross between the south and the north. Where a long transfer is involved, the transfer fare for that stretch is the floor for the price.
Address
Chinen, Nanjo City, Okinawa
Length
Nirai and Kanai bridges together, about 1,200 m.
Lookout
On top of the tunnel. Bridge, sea and Kudaka Island in one view.
From Naha
About 40 to 50 minutes
Access
| Location | Chinen, Nanjo City, Okinawa |
| Visiting | The lookout is open all day, free of charge |
| Parking | Space for a few cars at the lookout. No stopping on the bridge |
| From Naha | About 40 to 50 minutes |
| Nearby | Sefa Utaki (5 min), Chinen Cape Park (10 min) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a taxi from Naha to Nirai Kanai Bridge?
A round trip charter of 3 hours starts at 21,000 yen. That is the price for one Alphard carrying up to five people, so from 4,200 yen each with five. A one-way transfer from Naha Airport to a hotel around Nanjo is 14,000 yen with expressway tolls included. On charters, tolls and parking are charged separately at cost.
Can I stop on the bridge to take photos?
No, stopping on the bridge is prohibited. Photographs are taken from the lookout on top of the tunnel before the bridge. It is the better picture anyway, since the S-curve, the Pacific and Kudaka Island all fit in one frame.
Can I combine it with Sefa Utaki?
Yes, they are about five minutes apart. Sefa Utaki takes 30 minutes to an hour because of the slope and stone steps from the entrance, and the bridge is about 15 minutes at the lookout. Both together still fit inside a 3-hour charter.
How much walking is involved?
The lookout is right by the parking space and there are almost no steps. Most visitors stay around 15 minutes. In terms of walking, this is the easiest of the southern sights.
How many hours do I need?
For the bridge alone, three hours is enough. The south also has Sefa Utaki, Chinen Cape, Okinawa World and the Peace Memorial Park, and covering those together takes five to six hours. Minimum booking time for charters starting in the south or centre is three hours.
Is it worth going in the rain?
The lookout has no shelter, and rain flattens the colour of the sea. In the same area we often suggest switching to Gyokusendo Cave at Okinawa World, which is indoors. You are welcome to decide on the day once you see the sky.
Ready to book?
Recommended Combination Courses
Sefa Utaki
Popular southern course paired with Shikinaen Garden.
Stay 60 min+
Chinen Cape
A scenic cape with sweeping views of the Pacific — the refreshing highlight of a southern drive.
Stay 30–60 min
Okinawa World
A southern course staple — Gyokusendo Cave & Ryukyu culture.
Stay 60 min+
Peace Memorial Park
Over 240,000 names carved into Mabuni Hill — the heart of the southern peace course.
Stay 30 min+