Depot Island is a colorful shopping and entertainment complex located within Mihama's American Village in Chatan Town, Okinawa Prefecture. It features over 160 establishments including restaurants, shops, bars, and a movie theater housed in distinctive Western-style buildings painted in bright colors. The area was developed to serve U.S. military families stationed at nearby Kadena Air Base and recreates an authentic American small-town atmosphere.
From Naha Bus Terminal, take bus number 20, 28, 29, or 120 to Mihama American Village Iriguchi stop. The journey takes approximately 40 minutes and costs 840 yen. By car from Naha Airport, it's about a 40-minute drive under normal traffic conditions. You can also take a bus to Kuwae bus stop and walk 5 minutes to reach the complex.
No, there is no admission fee to enter Depot Island or walk around the American Village complex. The area is free to explore, and you only pay for individual purchases at restaurants, shops, bars, or entertainment venues within the complex. Each establishment sets its own prices for goods and services.
Visitors can shop at over 100 stores selling everything from imported goods to local souvenirs, dine at American-style restaurants and cafes, enjoy drinks at various bars, watch movies at the cinema, and take photos with the iconic retro Ferris wheel. The oceanside boardwalk offers scenic views and additional dining options, while the colorful architecture makes it popular for photography and leisurely strolling.
Depot Island represents Okinawa's unique post-war history with American military presence and cultural exchange. The area evolved from serving U.S. military families into a distinctive fusion of American and Okinawan culture. It showcases how cross-cultural development shaped modern Okinawa, making it both a tourist attraction and a living example of the island's complex cultural heritage.
Traveler reviews
Well…. Not the Okinawa experience we were expecting. Total culture shock from the mainland. To be honest - love the weather - but this isn’t Japan. Depends what you’re looking for. To be fair — haven’t explored yet…..
It is a nice and beautiful location. You must come if you visit Okinawa that represents the Japanese business concept are executed for tourist and welcome all the family members to stay here for gathering, networking and holidays. It’s also a nice place to host an event for meetings with nice food and a lot of attractive stories and shops. You can enjoy the time here and share with their loved ones. The location was owned by the American military and now managed and operated by local organizations that generate jobs and revenues for supporting local business with high-quality of services.
Depot Island in American Village is a vibrant and charming destination that truly captures the spirit of Okinawa! The mix of colorful buildings, stylish boutiques, cozy cafes, and international restaurants makes it a perfect spot for shopping, dining, and just strolling around. The atmosphere is lively yet relaxed, especially in the evening when the lights come on and the area feels magical. It’s also just steps away from the beach, so you get beautiful ocean views too. Whether you're looking for souvenirs, great food, or a fun night out, Depot Island has it all. Definitely one of the must-visit spots in Chatan!
People talk a lot about American Village which is apart of Depot Island area. We went for American Village and got distracted quickly by the beautiful views of the ocean and the colors of the buildings. There were so many cute hidden spots and little photo op areas. We spent at least 2 hours in the unbearable heat and humidity because we were so amazed.
There’s a canal/river that runs perpendicular to the coast and it’s some of the clearest water I’ve ever seen. Many tourists on a Sunday so grabbing food was a bit more difficult than we anticipated. We managed to find a great Hawaiian brunch spot, Cafe 808, with reasonable prices! We spent the rest of our time walking around, window shopping, and watching the beach.
American Village as a whole is good for kids/adults who would prefer to have more of an American dining and drinking vibe. Takes the authentic experience away from being in Japan.
