Chatan Digital Nomad Guide - Tips & Local Information
BUSINESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🧾 VAT |
10% Consumption Tax (8% for some food/drinks) |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules |
Yes, comprehensive rules for Japanese tax residents |
| 🏠 Property Tax |
Fixed Assets Tax (1.4%) and City Planning Tax (0.3%) |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax |
Real Estate Acquisition Tax (approx. 3-4%) plus registration license tax |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads |
Japan Digital Nomad Visa allows 6 months of stay (restrictions apply on local employment) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. ¥800,000 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = ¥24,000,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. ¥550,000 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = ¥16,500,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. ¥750,000 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = ¥37,500,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. ¥500,000 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = ¥25,000,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. ¥700,000 per m² (e.g., 75 m² = ¥52,500,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. ¥450,000 per m² (e.g., 75 m² = ¥33,750,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax |
Effective rate approx. 30.6% (Standard Japan rate) |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax |
20.42% for non-residents, can be lower depending on tax treaties |
| 🏦 Tax System |
Worldwide income for permanent residents; non-permanent residents taxed on Japan-sourced income |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket |
45% plus 10% local inhabitant tax |
ESSENTIALS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏙️ City |
Chatan, Nakagami District, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan |
| 👥 Population |
Approximately 28,500 |
| 💻 Internet Speed |
High speed; Fiber optic (NTT Hikari) offers 100-500 Mbps; 5G is widely available |
| 💸 Currency & Banking |
Japanese Yen (JPY). 1 USD ≈ 150 JPY. Major banks include Bank of the Ryukyus and Okinawa Bank |
| 🚰 Tap Water |
Safe to drink; high mineral content |
| 🔌 Power |
100V, 60Hz (Okinawa is 60Hz), 🔌 Type A/B sockets (US-style) |
| 📶 SIM Card |
Mobal, Sakura Mobile, or Ubigi (eSIM). Accessible at Naha Airport or Aeon Mall Rycom |
| 💳 Banking for Expats |
Wise, Revolut, and Sony Bank are popular; 7-Eleven ATMs for international cards |
| 🛌 Accommodation |
Mix of American-style apartments and lofts; monthly rentals via Okinawa Stay or Airbnb |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly |
Yes, Chatan (Mihama) is very Westernized; Paypay, Apple Pay, and Credit Cards accepted almost everywhere |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals |
Airbnb, Booking.com, and local agencies like Housing Okinawa |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation |
La'gent Hotel Okinawa Chatan (approx. ¥8,000/night) or Guest House Seawall (approx. ¥4,000/night) |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists |
Mihama American Village (High energy, shopping, dining, sunset views) |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads |
Miyagi Coast (Sunabe). Quieter, walkability to cafes, oceanfront path, strong community vibe |
WORKING AND NETWORKING
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space |
Howlive (Aeon Mall Rycom branch) - ¥2,200/day or Startup Lab Lagoon in nearby Okinawa City |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work |
Zhyvago Coffee Roastery (Mihama) - excellent WiFi, plenty of outlets, ¥600-900 per coffee |
| 💼 Networking Events |
Okinawa Digital Nomad Meetups (often held at Sunset Beach or local bars); Startup Lab Lagoon events |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats |
Friday night social mixers at DoubleTree by Hilton Chatan or Sunabe Seawall gatherings |
TRANSPORTATION
| Topic |
Details |
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App |
DiDi or GO (Uber has limited presence in Okinawa; mostly for Taxis) |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental |
Hello Cycling (Share bikes via app) or Chatan Information Center (Rental cycles ¥1,500/day) |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby |
Sunset Beach (Mihama) or Araha Beach (Park-like setting with fitness equipment) |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline |
Japan Transocean Air (JTA) or Ryukyu Air Commuter (RAC) |
| ✈️ Top International Airline |
All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airlines (JAL) via Naha Airport (OKA) |
| 🛣️ Highway Access |
Okinawa Expressway (E58) Exit 3 (Kitanakagusuku) is the main access point |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub |
No train/monorail in Chatan. Shared transit hub is Naha Bus Terminal (45 mins away) |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes |
OKICA (Okinawa IC Card) used for local buses including the #120 Naha-Nago line |
| ✈️ Regional Travel |
Limousine Bus from Naha Airport directly to Chatan hotels (approx. ¥810) |
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏥 Best Hospital |
Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital (Uruma) - English speaking staff available |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers |
Yoga Tree Okinawa (near Sunabe Seawall) - English instruction, ¥2,500 per drop-in |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers |
Anytime Fitness Chatan (24/7 access) - approx. ¥7,500/month |
| 🧺 Laundry Services |
Washman Coin Laundry (Several locations in Chatan) - approx. ¥800-1,200 for wash/dry |
FOOD AND DRINK
| Topic |
Details |
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App |
UberEats and Wolt (Very active in the Chatan/Mihama area) |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try |
Taco Rice (Originating in Chatan/Kin) - Try at King Tacos (¥600-800) |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options |
Tamie's Kitchen (Mihama) - Plant-based organic bowls and burgers |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots |
Blue Seal Ice Cream (Mihama Depot Island) - Okinawa Salt Cookie flavor (¥400) |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots |
Aeon Chatan Shopping Center and San-A Hamby Town |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store |
Amazon Japan (Fast shipping to Okinawa) and Rakuten |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery |
Aeon Net Super (Online grocery ordering and delivery) |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area |
Mihama Depot Island (Depot Island Boardwalk) and Sunabe Seawall bars |
| 🍻 Local Brewery |
Chatan Harbor Brewery - Craft beer brewed on-site, ¥800-1,200 per pint |
| 🍷 Wine Bars |
Unidontos (Mihama) - Selection of international wines and small plates |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls |
Mihama Night Market (Weekends) - Yakitori and Okinawa doughnuts (Sata Andagi) |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine |
Gordie's (Old school hamburgers) or Bollywood Dreams (Indian) |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks |
Mihama American Village Ferris Wheel (landmark area) and the Sunabe Seawall |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues |
Bokunen Museum (Okinawa Art) in Mihama |
| 🏰 Historical Sites |
Nearby Nakagusuku Castle Ruins (UNESCO World Heritage Site, 15 min drive) |
| 🕍 Religious Sites |
Futenma Shrine (Cave shrine in nearby Ginowan) |
| 🎉 Annual Events |
Chatan Sea Port Festival (July) and the Okinawa International Movie Festival |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts |
Koza (Nearby Okinawa City) for jazz and history |
| 🎭 Theater Venues |
Ashibinaa (Okinawa City) for traditional performances |
| 🛍️ Local Markets |
Hamby Night Market (Weekends) for flea market finds and street food |
| 🎼 Music Scene |
7th Heaven Koza (Hard rock/metal) or live Sanshin music at local Izakayas |
| 🎨 Street Art |
Depot Island Boardwalk murals and building art |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes |
Taste of Okinawa (Naha, but offers Chatan excursions) - Soba making |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries |
Akara Gallery (Mihama) featuring Naka Bokunen's work |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings |
Traditional Okinawan houses at Ryukyu Mura (20 mins north) |
| 🏴 Local Heritage |
The 'Eisa' dance tradition, heavily celebrated in the Nakagami district |
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes |
Cape Maeda (25 mins north) for the Blue Cave and snorkeling |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby |
Yanbaru National Park (approx. 90 mins north) |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths |
Sunabe Seawall Promenade - 2km of coastal walking/running |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints |
Chatan Harbor at sunset - unmatched golden hour views |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations |
Hija River (boundary of Chatan and Kadena) for mangrove birds |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots |
Designated BBQ pits at Araha Beach (Booking required via park office) |
OTHER SERVICES AND AMENITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service |
Yamato Transport (Kuroneko) and Sagawa Express |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services |
PC Depot (Kitanakagusuku) or Apple authorized repair at Aeon Rycom |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots |
Chatan Town Indoor Gymnasium |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes |
Iryo Language School or private tutors at 'English & Japanese' cafes |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots |
Chatan Town Library (Free WiFi, quiet environment) |
| 🏘️ Community Centers |
Chatan Town Hall Community Center |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges |
Cyber Cafe Bagus (Nearby in Ginowan) |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls |
Vegas Vegas (Pachinko) - Note: Gambling is regulated in Japan |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING CHATAN