2025.11.05

Grand Mercure Okinawa Cape Zanpa Resort A memorable experience at Cape Zanpa Lighthouse, one of only 16 "uplifting lighthouses" in Japan. Start a special guided tour to see the magnificent nature and learn the role and history of lighthouses

Guided by Rika Higa, director of the Tokokai Cape Zanpa branch of Musubibito, who knows Cape Zanpa, the guest-only program starts from November 1st, the lighthouse anniversary.

Grand Mercure Okinawa Cape Zanpa Resort, an all-inclusive resort hotel located in Cape Zanpa, one of the most scenic spots in Okinawa, has started a special guided tour of the lighthouse on November 1, 2025. Of the more than 3,000 lighthouses nationwide, only 16 can be climbed. One of them is the Cape Zanpa Lighthouse. You can actually climb up to the lighthouse that you can usually see and learn its role and historical background. In addition, this is a special program where you can enjoy the scenery unique to Okinawa as "Musubibito" with commentary by Toshika Higa, director of Cape Zanpa branch office, the appointing administrator.

＊1：https://www.tokokai.org/

■What is "Musubibito"

Grand Mercure Okinawa Cape Zanpa Resort is a hotel located in an area full of unknown charm that can be said to be "Hanare" when urban and tourist centers around Japan are regarded as "Hanare". Travels that are familiar with the superb view of nature and the traditions and culture rooted in the region are called "#Hanare Journey", and in recent years, overtourism has become an issue, it has been proposed as a new style of travel. The original experience program "Musubibito" will make this "#Hanare Journey" more memorable. People who protect tradition and culture and communicate the charm of the region are called "Musubibito", and this is an original experience program that touches the charms of each region with the guidance of "Musubibito".

■#About the journey: https://accor-resorts-japan.jp/concept/
■About Musubibito: https://accor-resorts-japan.jp/musubibito/

Toshika Higa Profile

Higa was born and raised in Yomitan Village, where Cape Zanpa Lighthouse is located. Cape Zanpa Lighthouse is the 13th open lighthouse out of 16 “Climbing Lighthouses” nationwide. On August 19, 2001, Higa's father started working as a branch manager. With the retirement of June 2011, he took over his role and is currently protecting the lighthouse as the head of the Tokokai Cape Zanpa branch. Indeed, he is a person familiar with the history of the Cape Zanpa Lighthouse.

Message from Rika Higa, Musubibito

“Climb up the 99 steps and open the door,” my day starts from there.
The scenery that spreads beyond that is not the same as a day. There are days when the ocean spreads gently under the clear sky, and days when the rough scenery where waves hit the rock spreads. You can see sea turtles swimming slowly in the highly transparent sea, or you can see humpback whales migrate from winter to spring. This lighthouse, where you can feel the transition of nature and the original scenery of Okinawa up close, is a place for me to work and an important place where my heart is healed.

Project background

Cape Zanpa, about a 15-minute walk from the hotel, is a scenic spot where the majestic scenery of the East China Sea, which is 30 to 40 meters high, stretches for about 2 km. On the other hand, rough waves hit the cliff, and it is a place that has been known as a difficult place for voyage since ancient times, and this cape has been regarded as an important landmark for voyage. At the time of the start of the lighthouse in 1973, the area was restricted to access at the U.S. military live ammunition training ground, but construction began at the strong request of the local community to make the difficult points of navigation safe, and the following year 1974 It turned on for the first time on March 30, 1974. In 2001, it was opened to the public as the 13th "visiting lighthouse" (a lighthouse that rises). Currently, only 16 lighthouses can be climbed in Japan, and only Cape Zanpa Lighthouse is located on Okinawa Island. （＊2）。 If you climb the 99 steps inside the lighthouse, you can see the deep greenery of the sea and Yomitan Village below, and many visitors come from Japan and abroad in search of this dynamic landscape. Focusing on the lighthouse, a symbol of Yomitan Village, this hotel offers a special program that will remind you of your trip to Okinawa, with the guidance of Higa, who is familiar with the charm of Cape Zanpa Lighthouse and the historical background.

＊2：https://www.tokokai.org/tourlight/

A 360-degree panoramic view overlooking the lighthouse corridor

Overview

Start date: From November 1, 2025 (Sat)　※Held only on Saturdays and Sundays
Date of exclusion: New Year's holidays, Golden Week, Bon Festival, etc. may not be held.
For more information, please visit the official website.
Time: From 9:30, from 14:00, 30 minutes each
Price: 3,000 yen per person (tax included)
Contents: About 15 minutes of accompanying explanation by Toshika Higa, head of the Cape Zanpa branch
About 5 minutes tour of the lower part of the lighthouse, which is usually closed to the public
Free time Approx. 10 minutes (you can see the scenery from the lighthouse and enjoy photography)
Benefits: Comes with lighthouse visit commemorative stamp book, original keychain and drink
Number of people: 1 person can participate
Remarks:
※Apply up to 2 weeks in advance
※Cancellation in bad weather
※Free cancellation
Details and Reservations: https://grand-mercure-okinawacapezanpa-resort.jp/sightseeing/musubibito-tour-noboreru-todai/

Points of a special guided tour of Cape Zanpa Lighthouse

1． Learning from the lighthouse tower, the mechanism of the lighthouse and the history of Okinawa

Toshika Higa, director of the Cape Zanpa branch of the Lighthouse, who manages the lighthouse, will carefully explain the history of lighthouses in Japan, the structure of the lens, and the differences in the shape of each lighthouse in the attached material exhibition room. After deepening your learning, while actually climbing the lighthouse, listen to explanations about the role that Cape Zanpa Lighthouse has played and the distance the light reaches (light delivery to Naha City, up to about 33 km away). In addition, from the top of the lighthouse, you can also see the US landing site in the Battle of Okinawa, and the surrounding nature, remote islands, and cliffs. Through Higa's guidance, you will be able to deepen your understanding of the lighthouse that plays a role as a signpost for safety, the history of Okinawa seen from it, and the nature of Okinawa.

2． I burn my eyes on the extraordinary scenery and keep a record of climbing the lighthouse

From the top of the stairs of about 30m and 99 steps on the edge of the cliff, you can see the magnificent scenery of the East China Sea and the cliffs of about 2 km below. Also, on days when the weather conditions are in place, you can overlook Tonaki Island, Kume Island, and Aguni Island. This view is a special landscape that can only be seen by the climber. In addition to the commentary by Higa Musubibito, this lighthouse climbing program includes original keychains, drinks, and "Lighthouse Visit Memorial Stamp Book". If you push a stamp after climbing, your interest in "uphill lighthouses" will increase, and you may want to visit "uphill lighthouses" nationwide.

In order to ensure that ships can clearly recognize the light of the lighthouse, which serves as a landmark, it sends a signal different from the nearby lighthouse by combining the way it emits light and color. The light of the Cape Zanpa Lighthouse is called the "Gunning Light" and is devised twice every 10 seconds to make it clear from the lights of other ships and towns. Experience culture, history, and nature from the top of the lighthouse, which is often seen as part of the landscape. I suggest a memorable journey.

About Grand Mercure Okinawa Cape Zanpa Resort

An all-inclusive beach resort located in Cape Zanpa, one of the most scenic spots in Okinawa. The largest pool area in Okinawa Prefecture is open all year round, so you can enjoy a relaxing resort stay and Okinawa time throughout the year. It is a resort hotel where you can enjoy Okinawa with your five senses from children to ADULTS, such as bathing in an observation bath overlooking the sea, and tasting menus using local ingredients at a buffet restaurant and local cuisine.

[Location] 1575 Uza, Yomitani-mura, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa 904-0328, Japan
【TEL】 03-6627-4738 (Reservation Center)
[Fee] All-inclusive 1 night from 29,500 yen (per room for 2 people, including tax and surcharge)
※Some drinks, activities, etc. are charged, and lunch is not provided.
[Official Website] https://grand-mercure-okinawacapezanpa-resort.jp/
[Access] About 70 minutes by car from Naha Airport