Northern Okinawa Drive Model Course | 8-Hour Plan by Tuk-Tuk 【Kouri, Sesoko, & Fukugi Tree Path】

In Northern Okinawa, you’ll find the rich nature of “Yanbaru,” a registered World Natural Heritage site, and breathtaking views of remote islands. Kouri Island, Sesoko Island, Bise Fukugi Tree Path… The greatest appeal of the 8-hour rental plan is that it allows you to enjoy the “best parts” of these star-studded spots without being rushed by return times.

【Staff Advice】: A Tuk-Tuk is what transforms your Northern Okinawa sightseeing from mere “transportation” into the “ultimate attraction.” My wife always tells customers, “I could drive it after just 5 minutes of practice, so you’ll be fine!” and she’s right—the controls are surprisingly simple. With an open body that has no windows or doors, the exhilaration of soaking in the emerald green sea breeze and the Okinawan sun is something you can’t get from a standard rental car once you’ve experienced it.

In this article, we have carefully constructed an 8-hour drive model course to fully enjoy Northern Okinawa for a whole day. From the island vibes of Sesoko and the silence of Bise to the overwhelming panorama of Kouri and the exquisite gourmet spots that local staff frequent privately. We will guide you “toko-toko” (leisurely) into the depths of the North that a 3-hour plan could never reach.

Explore the North! The Golden 8-Hour Drive Route

This is an ambitious course that starts from Motobu and completes the famous sights of the North in a clockwise direction. Because the Tuk-Tuk makes “moving itself fun,” even the travel time between spots turns into a photo opportunity.

10:00 Depart for Okinawa Drive by Tuk-Tuk | Hit the Road in “15 Minutes”

Once you check in at TukTukGO in Motobu, your day turns into a “special adventure.” A Tuk-Tuk is a three-wheeled vehicle that can be driven with a standard driver’s license (AT limited OK). No helmet is required, and the controls consist of just the accelerator and the brake.

【A Word from the Staff】: If you’re thinking, “I’m worried about the controls…”, please rest assured. 5 minutes for reception, 6.5 minutes for the safety and lecture video, and 3 minutes for a one-on-one lecture with a staff member. In less than 15 minutes total, everyone gets the hang of it and departs with a smile.

The biggest feature of a windowless Tuk-Tuk is that you “become one with Okinawa” the moment you start driving. The scent of the tide, the warmth of the sun, and the wind brushing your cheeks—all things you’d miss in an air-conditioned car. A “raw” experience you can’t get in a rental car starts right here.

10:15 Sesoko Island Drive | Aerial-like walk across Sesoko Bridge and Anti Beach

Sesoko Island is a remote island accessible from the main island by a single bridge. The moment you drive across the 760m-long Sesoko Bridge in a Tuk-Tuk is truly like an “aerial walk.” Because there are no windows, you can monopolize the emerald green panorama spreading to your left and right without any obstruction.

【Staff Recommendation】： Anti Beach, located just to the left after crossing the bridge, is actually a hidden sanctuary for snorkeling where you can see tons of tropical fish. Furthermore, the island’s representative scenic cafe, “Matsuda Shoten” (→ View fluffy pancakes and the bridge scenery), is a must-visit. Sweets eaten while feeling the Okinawan breeze and looking at the bridge you just crossed from the terrace are exceptional. It adds the perfect touch of luxury to the start of your drive.

The sand at Anti Beach is very fine, and just walking along the water’s edge is healing. Even for those who say, “I don’t have time for a full swim, but I want to feel the Okinawan sea,” a Tuk-Tuk allows you to pull up right next to the beach, making a dense beach experience possible in a short time.

11:30 Bise Fukugi Tree Path | The excitement of moving from the “Green Tunnel” to the “Blue Sea”

Located very close to the Churaumi Aquarium is the Bise Fukugi Tree Path. Thousands of Fukugi trees surround the houses as windbreaks, preserving the appearance of an old Okinawan village.

【Staff Advice】： While this is often thought of as a “green” healing spot, the real thrill is “tasting it together with the sea.” The moment you slowly exit the maze of the tree-lined path and your field of vision suddenly opens up to reveal Ie Island and the blue sea… this route is the moving experience our staff most highly recommends. If you want to take a break, head to “cafe CAHAYA BULAN” (→ Check the map for this hidden gem view), which boasts terrace seats overlooking both the trees and the sea. Park your Tuk-Tuk and listen to the quiet sound of the waves.

Local Staff’s Honest Choice: “The Best Lunch in Nakijin & Motobu”

What determines the success of the 8-hour plan is “lunch.” The place our staff is personally convinced is “the immovable No. 1 in the Okinawa Soba world” is Nakijin Soba (→ Exquisite broth you’ll wish came from a faucet). The elegant, transparent broth is at a level where you’ll seriously wish you could “carry it around in a water bottle” after just one sip.

【How to Beat the Queues】： It’s a popular shop where a one-hour wait is not uncommon, but with the 8-hour plan, you have plenty of time. If you aim to arrive early around 10:30 AM before it opens, the probability of entering smoothly at the 11:00 AM opening increases significantly.

If you’re in the mood to “eat while feeling the sea even more!”, go to On the Beach CAFE (→ Special seats right in front of the sandy beach). This completely open-style cafe with no window glass is an extension of the Tuk-Tuk’s exhilaration. In fact, this place is also the entrance to a “rare private beach” that only those who have eaten there can step onto.

13:00 Kouri Island Drive | One of Okinawa’s Best Scenic Roads

After enjoying the Bise Fukugi Tree Path, it’s finally time for Kouri Island. The route across the approximately 2km-long Kouri Bridge is mesmerizing, offering a view that makes it feel as though you are driving right on top of the ocean.

【Staff Tip】: Rather than just the destination, the “journey” to Kouri Island is packed with recommendations. For example, The Sinmay (→ watch the brown sugar shaving performance), a specialty brown sugar milk tea shop. Watching them shave a giant block of Okinawan brown sugar right in front of you is spectacular. Even if there’s a line, the turnaround is quick, so you can grab a drink in about 15 minutes.

Once you arrive on the island, stopping by “Sorahashi” for souvenir shopping is the local secret to a successful Kouri sightseeing trip.

15:00 Rikari-Kawarumi | An Observatory Overlooking Kouri Bridge

You definitely want to include Rikari-Kawarumi (→ see the stunning view from the observatory) in your course for that perfect Instagram shot!

【Staff’s Honest Take】: The scenery is truly top-tier. However, the drink lineup is very specialized to local products. If you’re craving a standard soda or bottled water like you’d find in a convenience store, it might be safer to have those ready beforehand (haha).

16:30 Recommended Cafe in Motobu: “Ma-Blue”

A perfect final stop for your drive is the Hawaiian-style Ma-Blue Garden House in Motobu (→ view the hearty menu). From massive burgers to fluffy pancakes, everything here is delicious—this spot is officially staff-certified!

18:00 Returning the Tuk-Tuk | Travel Time Becomes Your Best Memory

【Final Advice from Staff】: Some people worry that reversing might be difficult. The trick is to “look directly behind you instead of just using the mirrors.” Unlike a car, a Tuk-Tuk has a completely open view, so looking back directly is actually much easier!

Driving in an open vehicle with no windows allows you to directly sense the smell of the sea and the warm air. There is a sense of freedom you simply can’t find in a rental car, making the act of traveling itself the highlight of your trip.

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