Kakinohana Hija: Nanjo Sacred Spring, Okinawa

In the southern part of the main island of Okinawa, below a cliff reached by descending a slope from a hilltop village in Nanjo City, lies Kakinohana Hija. A leading spring site of Okinawa chosen in 1985 among Japan's 100 finest waters by the Ministry of the Environment, it has clear water welling ceaselessly from between the rocks. The channel divides in two, the right called the men's stream (ikigagaa) and the left the women's stream (inagugaa); the women's stream was used for bathing, and the lower flow for washing horses. A sacred place deeply rooted in life and faith, with the pleasant shade of surrounding trees and the murmur of clear water, it is a healing power spot full of natural energy.

Highlights

• Abundant Spring Water: Clear water welling vigorously from the rock face. Dipping your hands lets you feel the cool power of nature.
• Men's and Women's Streams: The channel divides in two. The women's stream was once used for bathing, and the shallow lower pool for watering horses, a spring where the history of daily life lives on.
• Sanctuary in the Shade: The quiet space covered by trees is a cool, healing place even in hot Okinawa.
• View of Fields and Sea: From the hilltop village you can look over peaceful fields and the blue sea spreading beyond.

Enjoying the Seasons

In subtropical Okinawa the green is beautiful year-round, and in summer especially the cool air of the spring makes it a pleasant spot to escape the heat. Even in dry periods the water rarely runs out, so you can meet clear spring water whenever you visit. The surroundings are peaceful farmland, so it is perfect for a casual stop on a drive to spend quiet time in nature.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: Tamagusuku-Kakinohana, Nanjo City, Okinawa
• Access: About 40 minutes by car from Naha Airport
• Hours: Anytime (daytime viewing is recommended)
• Admission: Free

Practical Travel Notes

• The Descent Below the Cliff: From the parking area of the village to the spring, you descend a slope and stone steps. The way there is downhill and the return uphill, so wear comfortable shoes and go at an easy pace.
• Visit in Daytime: The shade below the cliff can grow dim, so a bright daytime visit is recommended. Watch for slippery footing as well.
• Water Cherished by the Community: The spring is still protected by the village. Always take your trash home and take care to keep the water clean.
• Nearby: A viewpoint over fields and sea lies close by, convenient to tour together with southern sights such as Gangala Valley, Okinawa World, and Sefa-utaki.

A Quick Tip

As you descend a slope and stone steps from the village to the spring, comfortable shoes are recommended. The spring is a place still cherished by the community, so take your trash home and use it cleanly. Nearby there is also a stunning view over fields and sea, so touring it together with southern sights such as Gangala Valley and Okinawa World is recommended.

📚 Sources

This article draws on guidance from Nanjo City and the Nanjo City Tourism Association about Kakinohana Hija, information on the Ministry of the Environment's list of one hundred famous waters, and on-site interpretive panels. Statements such as its selection among the hundred famous waters in 1985 and the naming of the right channel as the men's stream and the left as the women's stream rest on these public materials and on-site panels. Because access times and the viewing environment may change, please confirm current details with official sources such as the Nanjo City Tourism Association before visiting.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: About thirty minutes to one hour to view the spring from the village parking area and take in the surroundings.
• What to bring: The route down the cliff uses a slope and stone steps, so wear comfortable shoes and go at an easy pace.
• Getting around: About forty minutes by car from Naha Airport; the surroundings are peaceful farmland, making it easy to drop by on a drive.
• Best time: The shade below the cliff tends to be dim, so a bright daytime visit is recommended.
• Conservation etiquette: This spring is still tended by the village, so always take your trash home and help keep the water clean.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Location: 182 Aza Tamagusuku, Nanjo City, Okinawa Prefecture
• Viewing hours: As this is not a managed facility there are no set opening and closing times (visit during daylight hours, as it gets dark underfoot)
• Access (by car): About 50 minutes from Naha Airport on ordinary roads, or about 40 minutes from "Haebaru-minami IC" on the Okinawa Expressway
• Access (by bus): Take bus No. 39 on the Hyakuna Line, get off at the "Kakinohana" stop and walk about 20 minutes
• The path on site: From the southern side of the village you descend a steep stone-paved slope for about 100 metres. The stone paving is slippery and the rocky ground is rough, so shoes that are easy to walk in are essential
• Inquiries: 098-948-4611 (DMO Nanjo Co., Ltd.)

* The number of parking spaces, parking fees and any viewing charge are not published officially. * The water is still piped up to the village and used as domestic and drinking water, and the site also serves as a place of worship for rituals such as Hatsu-ubii. Local residents carry out regular clean-up activities here, so please be considerate: do not foul the water and take all your rubbish home with you.

(Sources: Nanjo City tourism portal site "Rashiine Nanjo City", Ministry of the Environment "100 Famous Waters" detail page, Okinawa tourism information website "Okinawa Story")