Cape Manzamo


Cape Manzamo is a scenic rock formation on Okinawa Island, Japan. It is located near Onna Village in the Kunigami District of Okinawa Prefecture. Cape Manzamo is one of the most popular places among both Japanese and international travelers who visit Okinawa Island.

Location

Cape Manzamo is located on the western side of Okinawa Island, facing the East China Sea. It is accessed most easily from Onna Village, which is served by public transportation buses travelling between Naha and Nago.

Origin of the name

When visiting Cape Manzamo, 18th Century Ryukyuan king Sho Kei is said to have noted that the top of the cliff was big enough for 10,000 people to sit. The kanji characters of the Japanese written form of Manzamo reflect the king's expression: 万 座 毛. The third syllable "mo" is pronounced long, therefore Manzamo is sometimes transliterated as Manzamou. Another English translation of the name is Cape Manza.

Popularity

Due to its location, Cape Manzamo is facing the open East China Sea to the west. This makes it a very popular spot on Okinawa for viewing the sunset, and for taking photos of the cliff from its side facing Onna Village.
At low tide, at the bottom of the rock formation which constitutes the picturesque cliff, tidal pools are formed. Directly on the sea-facing side of these pools, there is a popular scuba-diving spot known as The Toilet Bowl.

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