Essentials
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Miyagi Coast (Sunabe). Quieter, walkability to cafes, oceanfront path, strong community vibe
- 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)
Working and Networking
- 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
- 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)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Designated BBQ pits at Araha Beach (Booking required via park office)
- 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
Other Services and Amenities
- 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
Business
- 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
- 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)
Health and Wellness
- 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
- 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
- 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