Busena Marine Park | The Ultimate Resort Paradise in Central-Northern Okinawa.
Visiting Okinawa is all about total, blissful relaxation!
As you head into the central and northern coastal waters of Okinawa's main island, the clarity of the ocean noticeably improves. That is why nearby spots such as Kouri Island, Sesoko Beach, Minna Island, and Emerald Beach are so wildly popular; on sunny days, the sea reveals stunning layers of vivid turquoise and deep blue.
Situated on Cape Busena, the Busena Marine Park (ブセナ海中公園) area boasts gorgeous beaches and luxury resort accommodations, truly making it a resort paradise among resort paradises! The park centers around three major highlights: the Underwater Observatory, the Glass-Bottom Boat, and Bankoku Shinryokan. Here, visitors can fully immerse themselves in pristine ocean waters, rich marine ecology, and significant regional history!
◎ Busena Marine Park (ブセナ海中公園)
♁Address: 1744-1 Kise, Nago City, Okinawa, Busena Marine Park
♁ Transportation: Take Bus No. 20 or No. 120 and get off at "Busena Resort," followed by a 5-minute walk (Okinawa Bus | Car Rental)
♁ Admission: Free park entry
♁ Official Website: Busena Marine Park
♁ Find Accommodations: Booking | Agoda | Hotels | Expedia (Compare Prices | Recommended Accommodations)
(If driving from downtown Naha, it takes roughly 1.5 hours to reach the marine park—or about 75 minutes via the expressway. If taking public transport, both Bus No. 20 and No. 120 take you directly to the park entrance. Inside, the grounds encompass a large luxury resort hotel, the Underwater Observatory, glass-bottom boats, and Bankoku Shinryokan, all within convenient walking distance of one another.)
(The Busena Terrace Beach Resort is the luxury resort located on this peninsula. The property features beaches along both its east and west shores. Most visitors gravitate toward the west beach—closer to the Underwater Observatory—because the water sports and equipment rental centers are situated here. The east coast is rockier, but the water remains remarkably clear and occasionally attracts local anglers.)
(Busena Marine Park is actually quite spacious, but fortunately, there is a thoughtful free shuttle trolley running between the main entrance and the Underwater Observatory along the western coast. It departs roughly every 20 minutes and is available whenever seats are open. However, taking a leisurely stroll along the coastal path is an even lovelier experience—it only takes around 10 minutes on foot! You will notice many hotel guests strolling by in bathrobes and swimwear, which gives the whole place a laid-back, joyful vacation atmosphere.)
◎ Underwater Observatory & Glass-Bottom Boat
Finally, we arrive at the park's most popular attractions!
Cape Busena is renowned for its crystalline water clarity, and this site is home to the only underwater observation tower on Okinawa's main island. Visitors simply walk down a spiral staircase into a stunning undersea realm, admiring the marine ecosystem from a panoramic vantage point. If the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium represents the crown jewel of "man-made aquariums" in Okinawa, then the Underwater Observatory is your premier "natural aquarium"—surrounding you with wild fish living freely in an untouched ocean habitat!
Want to explore even deeper?
If viewing the ocean floor from the tower isn't enough, you can board unique "whale-shaped glass-bottom boats" to cruise the surrounding waters. It allows you to appreciate this immaculate ecosystem from both inside and above, moving across the dynamic reef environment. Trust me, after witnessing this breathtaking seascape with your own eyes, it is impossible not to fall in love with Okinawa all over again!
♁ Address: Kise Underwater Observatory, Nago City, Okinawa
♁ Opening Hours: 09:00 - 18:00; Glass-bottom boats depart every 20 minutes (schedules adjust seasonally)
♁ Transportation: Take Bus No. 120, alight at "Busena Resort," and walk for 5 minutes (Okinawa Bus | Car Rental)
♁ Admission Fees:
Underwater Observatory: Adults ¥1,050 / Children (Age 4 to Junior High) ¥530
Glass-Bottom Boat: Adults ¥1,560 / Children (Age 4 to Junior High) ¥780
Combo Ticket (Observatory + Glass-Bottom Boat): Adults ¥2,100 / Children (Age 4 to Junior High) ¥1,050
♁ Official Website: Busena Marine Park: Underwater Observatory & Glass-bottom Boat
♁ Find Accommodations: Booking | Agoda | Hotels | Expedia (Compare Prices | Recommended Accommodations)
(To enter the Underwater Observatory, you cross this connecting sea bridge. Although it serves simply as an access walkway, many travelers pause here because the surrounding ocean views are unimaginably magnificent!)
(Water clarity like this is simply irresistible! While Okinawa's outer islands like the Kerama Islands or Kudaka Island are undeniably famous for pristine sea conditions, seeing water of this exceptional clarity right off the main island is a real treat. Watching schools of tropical fish glide through the shallows will spoil your eyes completely!)
(Even if you do not plan to go inside the observatory, you can still admire the dazzling water from the bridge and try fish feeding. Feed dispensers are available right on the walkway, making it an engaging activity enjoyed by kids and adults alike.)
(Ticket booths for the glass-bottom boat and observatory are situated near the pier, though purchasing tickets at the main park entrance is also possible.)
(The observation floor sits approximately 5 meters below the surface. While the interior space is compact, it features 24 circular portholes providing a 360-degree perspective of coral reefs, open ocean, and schooling marine life—an experience highly recommended for families with children.)
(The resort vibes here are truly unmatched! The west beach of the marine park draws lively gatherings of vacationers thanks to its comprehensive amenities, varied water sports, protected swimming zones, and outstanding water purity!)
◎ Bankoku Shinryokan (万国津梁館)
In Japanese/Ryukyuan heritage, "Shinryo" signifies a bridge, and "Bankoku Shinryo" translates to a "Bridge for All Nations." This prestigious site gained worldwide prominence in 2000 as the host summit venue for the G8 Kyushu-Okinawa Summit. A fun historical tidbit: the colorful Okinawan Kariyushi shirt was officially designated as summit attire for the world leaders attending back then! Today, the facility has evolved into an elegant complex featuring conference halls, exhibition galleries, lounge areas, and a seaside cafe terrace, occasionally serving as an exclusive wedding venue limited to just one ceremony per day. With its stately Ryukyuan-modern architecture and sweeping coastal vistas, it is an inspiring cultural landmark to explore while visiting Busena Marine Park!
Moreover, the cafe inside Bankoku Shinryokan is famed for its traditional Okinawan steamed pastries (chinsuko / sponge cakes)—an original signature dessert crafted from local sponge cake served alongside tropical mango and coconut ice cream. Food enthusiasts should definitely give it a try!
♁ Address: 1792 Kise, Nago City, Okinawa, Bankoku Shinryokan
♁ Transportation: Take Bus No. 120, alight at "Busena Resort," and walk for 10 minutes (Okinawa Bus | Car Rental)
♁ Admission: Free entry
♁ Official Website: Bankoku Shinryokan (Includes event schedules)
♁ Find Accommodations: Booking | Agoda | Hotels | Expedia (Compare Prices | Recommended Accommodations)
That concludes my guide and travelogue for Busena Marine Park (ブセナ海中公園)! I believe most travelers come to Okinawa drawn by the crystal-clear ocean waters and serene resort atmosphere. While Okinawa's western coast offers countless stunning stops, if you want an up-close, effortless encounter with natural underwater sea life, Busena Marine Park is undoubtedly an exceptional choice!