2025.11.05

Grand Mercure Okinawa Cape Zanpa Resort A memorable experience at Cape Zanpa Lighthouse, one of only 16 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, Musubibito, who knows Cape Zanpa, starts a guest-only program from November 1st, the lighthouse anniversary.

Grand Mercure Okinawa Cape Zanpa Resort, an all-inclusive resort hotel located in Cape Zanpa, one of Okinawa's leading scenic spots (Location: Yomitan Village, Nakagami County, Okinawa Prefecture; General Manager: Akihiro Tezuka) 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 only see and learn its role and historical background. In addition, this is a special program where you can enjoy the unique scenery of Okinawa as "Musubibito" with commentary by Toshika Higa, director of Cape Zanpa branch office of the Tokokai (*1).

＊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" in urban areas and tourist centers around Japan. The trip that is familiar with the superb view of nature and the traditions and culture rooted in the region is called "#Hananari Journey", and in recent years, overtourism has become an issue, it has been proposed as a new style of travel. The original experience-based program "Musubibito" will make this "#Hanari Journey" more memorable. This is an original experience-based program in which people who protect tradition and culture and disseminate the charm of the region are called “Musubibito” and this “Musubibito” guide introduces the charm of each region.

■#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 "Rising Lighthouses" nationwide. On August 19, 2001, Higa's father started working as a branch manager. Following his retirement in June 2011, he took over his role and is currently protecting the lighthouse as the head of the Cape Zanpa branch of the Tokokai. Indeed, he is a person familiar with the history of the Cape Zanpa Lighthouse.

Message from Toshika 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 may see sea turtles swimming slowly in the transparent sea, or you may want humpback whales to 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.

Background of the project

Cape Zanpa, about a 15-minute walk from the hotel, has a 30-40-meter high uplift coral reef cliff that stretches for about 2 kilometers, and the magnificent scenery of the East China Sea woven with blue gradations spreads out in front of you. On the other hand, rough waves hit the cliff, and it is also 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 lighthouse construction 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, March 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）。 As you climb the 99 steps inside the lighthouse, you can see the deep greenery of the sea and Yomitan Village below your eyes, and many visitors come from home and abroad in search of this dynamic scenery. Focusing on the lighthouse, which is the 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 and historical background of the Cape Zanpa Lighthouse.

＊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 holidays, Golden Week, Bon Festival, etc. may not be held.
For more information, please refer to the official website.
Opening time: From 9:30 to 14:00 to 30 minutes each
Price: 3,000 yen per person (tax included)
Contents: About 15 minutes explained 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: Lighthouse visit commemorative stamp book, original keychain, drink included
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 Lighthouse Guard, Lighthouse Structure and History of Okinawa

Toshika Higa, director of the Lighthouse Association Cape Zanpa Branch, who is responsible for the management of the lighthouse, will carefully explain the history of lighthouses in Japan, the mechanism of lenses, and the difference in shape of each lighthouse in the attached exhibition room. After deepening your learning, while actually climbing the lighthouse, you will 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 terrain such as the US landing point 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 glimpse 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. In addition, on days when the weather conditions are in place, you can overlook Tonaki Island, Kume Island, and Aguni Island. This view is a special scenery that can only be seen by the climber. In addition to the commentary by Higa Musubibito, this lighthouse climbing program includes an original keychain, drink, and a "lighthouse visit commemorative stamp book". If you push a stamp after climbing, you may increase your interest in "upping lighthouses" and you may want to visit "upping lighthouses" nationwide.

In order to enable ships to clearly recognize the light of the lighthouse as a landmark, a signal different from the nearby lighthouse is sent by combining the way it emits and colors. The light of the Cape Zanpa Lighthouse is called the "Gun flashlight" twice every 10 seconds, and it shines brightly, and it is devised so that it can be clearly distinguished 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 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 a hot spring bath overlooking the sea, and eating local dishes at a buffet restaurant.

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