Just before the Churaumi Aquarium, the sea around the Motobu Peninsula offers two kinds of island trips: one you can reach by bridge, and one you reach by boat. If you are wondering “Which should I choose, Sesoko or Minna?”, “Where do I leave my rental car while I’m on the ferry?” or “What happens if the boat doesn’t run because of the weather?”, this article is for you.
Here we cover Sesoko Island, which you can drive to over the Sesoko Bridge, and Minna Island, which you reach by ferry from Toguchi Port. Alongside the sailing times and crossing time confirmed from published information, we organize where to leave your car, how to think about weather cancellations, and how it all fits with your rental car return time, all from a driver’s point of view.
Sesoko and Minna: the big picture
One island by bridge, one by boat
Sesoko Island is connected to the main island side of Motobu Town by the Sesoko Bridge (762 m long), so you can drive straight onto it. Sesoko Beach spreads along the west side of the island, and with a rental car you can drop by whenever you feel like it. We also introduce Sesoko in our 2-day northern Okinawa drive article.
Minna Island, on the other hand, is about 15 minutes from Toguchi Port in Motobu on the high-speed passenger boat “New Wing Minna.” You have to plan around the boat times, but in return you get a real away-from-it-all island feel. They are both part of the sea around the Motobu Peninsula, yet two completely different styles of trip.
A model schedule (day trip, as a guide)
On a day that includes Minna Island, the ferry times set the rhythm of the whole day. Driving from Naha to Toguchi Port takes about 2 hours, so if you pick up your car at Naha Airport and set out the same day, a flow of Sesoko in the morning and Minna in the afternoon is easy to arrange. The schedule below is an example based on the September 21 to October 31 timetable as of October 2026, and is only a guide.
| 8:30 | Leave the Naha Airport store → Okinawa Expressway to Kyoda IC (about 2 hours to the Toguchi Port area) |
|---|---|
| 10:30 | Arrive near Toguchi Port. Check where to park and how to buy your ticket |
| 10:45 | Cross the Sesoko Bridge to Sesoko Island and stroll Sesoko Beach (1 to 1.5 hours) |
| 12:30 | Back to Toguchi Port for lunch and boarding |
| 13:00 | Ferry from Toguchi Port to Minna Island (about 15 minutes) |
| 16:30 | Last boat from Minna Island to Toguchi Port (arrive around 16:45) |
| Around 19:00 | Head toward Naha by road and expressway. Refuel, then return the car |
If you are staying in the north the night before, the reverse order also works well: take the 10:00 ferry to Minna Island, come back on the 13:30 boat, and head to Sesoko in the afternoon. Either way, allow for the drive home and refueling, and decide early when you will leave Minna Island.
Three things to decide before you go
The first is the ferry timetable for your travel day. The number of sailings changes a lot by season, so check the timetable for your date as soon as it is set. The second is your rental car return time. If you come back on the last boat, the drive to Naha also takes time. The third is the possibility of weather cancellations. We cover this in detail in the section on weather cancellations, but it helps to have a spare day or a backup plan.
Sesoko Island: a drive-in island right beside the peninsula
Crossing the Sesoko Bridge
The Sesoko Bridge links the main island side of Motobu Town with Sesoko Island and is 762 m long. From the bridge you can see shallows shading from blue to green, with the mountains of northern Okinawa lined up in the distance. For the driver it is over in a moment, but passengers can enjoy the view.
The bridge itself is not a place to stop your car, so if you want to enjoy the view or take photos, pull over somewhere safe near the bridge. It is also a road used by local residents.
Sesoko Beach
Sesoko Beach, on the west side of Sesoko Island, is known for its white sand and very clear water, and Ie Island can be seen offshore. Even just walking along the water’s edge is pleasant, and with beach huts and marine sports counters nearby, it is easy to take a break even on days you don’t swim.
The swimming season is generally mid-March to late November (planned), but this can change depending on the year and sea conditions. If you visit in autumn, check beforehand whether swimming is possible and which facilities at the beach are open.
| Address | 沖縄県国頭郡本部町瀬底5583-1 |
|---|---|
| Swimming season | Mid-March to late November (planned). Check on site or officially for hours and other details |
| Parking | Yes (paid, 1,000 yen per day for a standard car) |
| Access | About 40 min by car from Kyoda IC, about 20 min from Nakijin Castle Ruins |
Parking and how to spend time on Sesoko
Parking at Sesoko Beach is paid (1,000 yen per day for a standard car). Check the finer conditions, such as how re-entry is handled, on site, and if you are combining the day with Minna Island, include the parking fee in your budget.
On a day paired with Minna Island, it is realistic to keep your Sesoko visit to an hour to an hour and a half and finish in the morning. Even if you don’t plan to get in the water, simply walking along the beach from the parking lot gives you a good feel for the island.
From Toguchi Port to Minna Island: ferry basics
The boarding point and basic ferry information
The ferry to Minna Island leaves from Toguchi Port in Motobu Town. If you exit the Okinawa Expressway at Kyoda IC and head toward the Churaumi Aquarium, Toguchi Port is just before the aquarium. From Naha Airport to Toguchi Port it is about 2 hours by car.
The boat is the high-speed passenger boat “New Wing Minna” operated by Minna Kaiun, and the crossing from Toguchi Port to Minna Island takes about 15 minutes. As it is a passenger boat, you leave your car at Toguchi Port and board on foot. You need to be on board at least 10 minutes before departure, so arrive at the port with time to spare.
| Boarding point | Toguchi Port (沖縄県国頭郡本部町渡久地) |
|---|---|
| Operator | Minna Kaiun (inquiries: 0980-47-5179) |
| Boat | High-speed passenger boat “New Wing Minna” |
| Crossing time | About 15 minutes |
| Boarding | On board at least 10 minutes before departure. Advance ticket reservations are reportedly not available |
| Access | About 2 hours by car from Naha Airport (via expressway) |
Timetable (a guide by season)
The ferry timetable changes by season. Below are the departure times from Toguchi Port that matched across several published sources. From Minna Island, boats leave 30 minutes after the Toguchi Port departure in every season.
| April 1 to June 30 | 9:00 / 10:00 / 13:00 / 16:00 |
|---|---|
| July 1 to July 19 | 9:00 / 10:00 / 11:00 / 13:00 / 15:00 / 16:00 |
| July 20 to August 31 | 8:30 / 9:30 / 10:30 / 11:30 / 13:00 / 14:00 / 15:00 / 16:00 |
| September 1 to September 20 | 9:00 / 10:00 / 11:00 / 13:00 / 15:00 / 16:00 |
| September 21 to October 31 | 9:00 / 10:00 / 13:00 / 16:00 |
| November 1 to March 31 | 9:00 / 13:00 / 16:00 |
In autumn (September 21 to October 31), for example, the last boat leaves Minna Island at 16:30. If you take the 10:00 ferry out, you have about 3 hours until the 13:30 boat back, or about 6 hours until the 16:30 last boat. If you take the 13:00 ferry, you have about 3 hours until the last boat. The fewer the sailings in a season, the less choice you have about how long to stay. Timetables can change, so always check the latest times with Minna Kaiun.
About the fare
The fares given for the Minna Island ferry do not match across the sources we found, so we do not list an amount in this article. Tickets are bought on the day, and since where to buy them is best confirmed from the information on site, it is a good idea to call Minna Kaiun (0980-47-5179) beforehand and check that day’s fare.
Spending time on Minna Island
The island’s sea and beach
The appeal of Minna Island is the white sand and clear water you reach after just a 15-minute boat ride. The color of the water deepens little by little from the shore outward, giving it a slightly different feel from the main island. It is an island for people who want to enjoy the sea.
Swimming on the island and the opening status of facilities there (showers, changing rooms, food and so on) may vary by season. Especially outside the swimming season, it is safest to ask the operator or businesses on the island before you cross.
Walking the island
Minna Island is less about driving around and more about walking from the port to the sea. As in the photo, there are places where a stone-paved path leads down to the sea. Because you leave your rental car in a parking lot on the main island, comfortable walking shoes or beach sandals will come in handy.
There may be times of day with little shade, so bring a hat, sunscreen and plenty to drink.
What to bring and how to plan
On Minna Island you can’t count on “just popping into a convenience store” as you would on the main island. Prepare towels, a change of clothes, sunscreen, drinks and snacks with room to spare at Toguchi Port. Also check the return boat times as soon as you arrive on the island and save them on your watch or phone, so you don’t miss a boat.
If you miss the last boat back, you may not be able to leave the island that day. Head to the port with time to spare, and plan as if you will take the boat before the last one.
Where to leave your car and returning your rental
Parking at Toguchi Port
Toguchi Port has a parking lot where ferry users can leave their cars, and several sources describe it as free with room for about 100 cars. However, we could not confirm the official operating hours, capacity or conditions of use. Especially on a day when you return on the last boat, it is safest to ask beforehand whether the parking lot stays accessible until late.
Arrive with time to spare, check where to park and where to buy your ticket, then board. Please do not leave valuables in the car while it is parked.
| Location | Toguchi Port parking lot (沖縄県国頭郡本部町渡久地) |
|---|---|
| Fee | Described as free in many sources (please confirm officially) |
| Capacity | About 100 cars according to some sources (please confirm officially) |
| Inquiries | Minna Kaiun 0980-47-5179 |
Working backward from the last boat to your return time
The thing to watch on a Minna Island day is your return time. For example, if you take the last boat on the autumn timetable (leaving Minna Island at 16:30), you reach Toguchi Port around 16:45. From there it is about 2 hours to Naha, so you need to factor in that the drive to Naha takes about 2 hours after the last boat arrives.
UMUI Rent-a-Car’s Naha Airport store is open 8:00 to 20:00 every day of the year, and the Omoromachi store is open 9:00 to 18:00. Cars can only be returned at our stores, and after returning at the Naha Airport store there is a free shuttle to the airport. On a day you take the last boat, once refueling and traffic are included, returning to the Omoromachi store within its opening hours is unlikely as a rule of thumb. Even when returning to the Naha Airport store, work backward from your flight time so that the plan is not rushed.
How return times and extensions are handled depends on your booking and the Rental Agreement. If you are unsure, please ask the store before you set out.
Refueling in the north
Away from the towns, gas stations become fewer in the north. Refueling in an area with plenty of shops, such as central Nago, before heading back to Naha lets you drive without worrying about the fuel gauge. Gas stations can also get busy with rental cars heading for return, so it is best to include refueling in your time plan. Other refueling and return tips are also covered in our 2-day northern Okinawa drive article.
How to think about weather cancellations
When cancellations are likely
Boats to outlying islands may generally be held back because of sea conditions such as strong wind or high waves. Sailings can be affected especially when a typhoon approaches or on days with strong winter north winds. For the criteria for cancellation and how to find out the day’s sailing status, please check the information given by the operator.
Even when the weather on the main island is fine, a rough sea can stop the boat. Conversely, with only light rain the boat may still run. Rather than assuming “it’s raining, so we’re out,” decide after checking the sailing status.
Checking the day before and on the day
On a day you plan to cross to Minna Island, it is safest to check the sailing status twice: the evening before and again before you set out. Call Minna Kaiun (0980-47-5179) to confirm the sailing status before you leave Naha. Since Naha to Toguchi Port takes about 2 hours, finding out about a cancellation only after you arrive means a big loss of time.
When a typhoon is approaching, UMUI Rent-a-Car also puts safety first. If your plans change because of a typhoon, no cancellation fee applies to your reservation (a no-show cancellation without contacting us is subject to the no-show fee). For details, see our typhoon policy.
A backup plan for a cancelled day
If the boat is cancelled, switch to spending the day on the main-island side of the Motobu Peninsula. Besides Sesoko Beach on Sesoko Island, Motobu has plenty to enjoy even on a rough-sea day, including the Churaumi Aquarium and the fukugi tree-lined lanes of Bise. For parking and crowd tips at the aquarium, our Churaumi Aquarium parking and crowds article is a useful reference.
On days of heavy rain, there are also places to spend time indoors. Please see our article on indoor spots for rainy days in Okinawa as well.
Sesoko and Minna: frequently asked questions
Can I take my rental car on the ferry to Minna Island?
The boat to Minna Island is a high-speed passenger boat, and we found no information that assumes cars are carried across. It is safest to plan on leaving your car in the Toguchi Port parking lot and boarding on foot.
Can I visit both Sesoko and Minna on the same day?
Yes, but time is tight. If you set out from Naha on the same day, a realistic flow is Sesoko in the morning and Minna by an afternoon ferry. If you want more breathing room, consider staying the night before in Motobu or Nago and taking a morning ferry.
I’m worried about the weather. When should I decide?
As a guide, check with the operator once in the evening the day before and again before you set out on the day. If a typhoon is expected to approach, please talk to UMUI Rent-a-Car about your reservation early.
The sea around the Motobu Peninsula shows completely different faces in the same area: Sesoko, which you cross by car, and Minna, which you cross by boat. If you keep three things in mind, the ferry times, where to leave the car and your return time, a day trip to an island is stress-free. UMUI Rent-a-Car offers a free shuttle from Naha Airport to our store. We hope you will use us for your trip around the sea of the Motobu Peninsula.
* Business hours, prices, ferry timetables and other information in this article are as of October 2026. They are subject to change, so please check each facility’s and operator’s official website or counter before you go. Travel times are estimates assuming no traffic. We have not listed the ferry fare because the amounts did not match across the sources.
Photo credits: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0). The photographer is credited in each photo’s caption.
