- A Restaurant with a Sea View Right in Front of Toguchi-no-Hama Beach
- Blue Turtle Is a Beach House Right in Front of Toguchi-no-Hama Beach
- A Spectacular Location Right in Front of Toguchi-no-Hama Beach
- Miyako Beef Hamburg Is the Signature Menu
- The Miyako Native-Beef Steak Is Superb Too
- The Desserts Are Plentiful Too
- After Lunchtime, Pizza Appears Too
- The Sunset Time Is a Spectacle
- The Interior Atmosphere Is Stylish Too
- Things to Note When Going to Blue Turtle
- Visit Together with Nearby Sights
- Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
- The Luxury of Enjoying Superb Food While Looking at the Sea
A Restaurant with a Sea View Right in Front of Toguchi-no-Hama Beach
The first time I went to Blue Turtle was after swimming at Toguchi-no-Hama. I thought "I'm hungry" and went into the restaurant at the entrance to the beach.
Sitting at a terrace seat, the blue sea of Toguchi-no-Hama spread right in front, incredibly beautiful. Looking at the menu, the words "Miyako beef hamburg curry" caught my eye, and at ¥2,100 (about US$14) it was a bit pricey, but I was curious so I ordered it.
After waiting about 15 minutes the hamburg curry was brought over, a big hamburg sitting boldly on top of the curry, with plenty of colourful vegetables too. The moment I took a bite and thought "this is delicious" — the hamburg was juicy, the curry spicy, and since it said 16 kinds of spices, I certainly felt it was a flavour with depth.
A luxurious time eating hamburg curry while looking at the sea — it was the best. In this article I'll introduce Blue Turtle's appeal in detail, based on my experience of actually visiting many times. Miyako beef steak, hamburg curry, sunset time — I'll write it all, so if you're planning to go to Irabu Island, you absolutely should drop by Blue Turtle. Because the best experience of eating delicious food while looking at the sea awaits.
Blue Turtle Is a Beach House Right in Front of Toguchi-no-Hama Beach
Blue Turtle is a restaurant and bar right in front of Toguchi-no-Hama beach on Irabu Island.
It Was Originally Toguchi-no-Hama Diner
Blue Turtle was originally the place called "Toguchi-no-Hama Diner," a small diner apparently run by a grandpa and grandma. It was renewed and became the stylish Blue Turtle of today.
Now it feels like a new resort-style beach house, but the beach-house atmosphere remains. Despite a location like a high-end resort hotel's private beach, it has an atmosphere you can drop into casually, and I like that balance too.
All Seats Ocean-View Is the Best
Blue Turtle's greatest appeal is that all seats are ocean-view, and you can see the sea from any seat. The terrace seats especially are the best, with the blue sea of Toguchi-no-Hama spreading right in front.
The emerald-green sea visible between the tropical trees is a spectacle, the wind feels good, and you can hear the sound of the waves. I've sat at the terrace seats many times, and every time I think "this location is the best."
Opening Hours and Closing Days
Opening hours:
- Lunch: 11:00–17:00
- Dinner: 17:00–21:00 (last order 21:00)
- Last entry: 20:45
Closing days: open year-round
Being open year-round, it's open whenever you go. This is a welcome point. Lunchtime runs until 5 pm, so it's fine even going late in the afternoon, and at dinner time reservations are possible too.
I've visited many times, but being able to go without worrying about closing days is, I think, really convenient.
▶"Please check the latest opening hours and closing days at [Blue Turtle]"
Location and Access
Address: 1352-16 Irabu, Irabu, Miyakojima City, Okinawa
Phone: 0980-74-5333
Access:
- 5 minutes by car from Miyako Shimojishima Airport (3.7 km)
- About 23 minutes from Miyako Airport via the Irabu Bridge (15 km)
It's incredibly close to Shimojishima Airport, 5 minutes by car. Since you can drop by right after arriving at the airport, for people using Shimojishima Airport it's, I think, the spot to visit first.
It's about 5 minutes after crossing the Irabu Bridge — cross the bridge, turn left, proceed 4 km along the road, and it's on your left. The white building with a big blue turtle mural is the landmark, so you'll know it right away.
The car park is free, with space for several cars. However, it can fill up at lunchtime, so you need to be prepared to wait a little.
A Spectacular Location Right in Front of Toguchi-no-Hama Beach
Blue Turtle's greatest appeal is the location right in front of Toguchi-no-Hama beach.
Toguchi-no-Hama Is Irabu Island's No. 1 Beach
Toguchi-no-Hama is Irabu Island's most popular beach, with incredibly beautiful white sand and blue sea. 800 metres of white sand continue, and it's shallow shelving with calm waves so it's easy to swim.
It's a beach chosen among Japan's 100 Best Beaches, and compared with the famous beaches within Miyakojima it has fewer users, so you can relax at leisure. Surrounded by a tide-break forest, it has plenty of private feel too.
I've visited Toguchi-no-Hama many times too, and every time I think "this is really beautiful." The clarity is high, the sea colour is emerald green, and it's scenery that makes you want to take photos.
30 Seconds on Foot from the Beach
Blue Turtle is 30 seconds on foot from Toguchi-no-Hama, so you can drop by right after swimming at the beach. It's at the entrance to the beach so it's easy to find, and you won't get lost.
The terrace seats are OK to use in a swimsuit, so you can go bathing and enter the café straight after. There's an outdoor shower, so you can rinse off lightly before entering too.
I've dropped by Blue Turtle after swimming at the beach too, and it was convenient to sit at a terrace seat in my swimsuit and rest while eating ice cream.
You Can Survey the Sea from the Terrace Seats
Sit at a terrace seat and the sea spreads right in front, and the emerald-green sea visible between the tropical trees is truly a spectacle. The wind feels good, you can hear the sound of the waves, and you can fully enjoy a resort feel.
It's the best location where you can dine while looking at the sea, and you can view the ocean blue from any seat. At high tide on a fine day the sea colour is at its clearest, so it's especially recommended.
I thought too, "with this location, even if the dish prices are high, it makes sense." Since it's an experience including the scenery, I think it has value beyond the price.
Miyako Beef Hamburg Is the Signature Menu
Blue Turtle's signature menu is the Miyako beef hamburg, and many people order this.
A Hamburg Made Luxuriously with Miyako Beef
Price: ¥2,100 (about US$14, with rice)
The Miyako beef hamburg uses, luxuriously, steak-grade meat. Since it's grilled fluffy while keeping its juiciness, put a knife in and the meat juices ooze out.
You're moved by the matching of the umami-packed hamburg and the rich sauce. You can choose the sauce from aged demi-glace, tomato sauce or grated-onion sauce, and I always choose the demi-glace.
Seasonal island vegetables are added as garnish, and please note the subtle skill of changing the cooking method to suit the ingredient — grilling, boiling, frying.
The Hamburg Curry Is Popular Too
Price: ¥2,100 (about US$14)
The Miyako beef hamburg curry is a popular menu too, a special curry combining a beef-bouillon base with 16 kinds of spices. While suggesting a European-style curry with its deep colour tone, you can clearly tell that a wide variety of spices is kneaded in.
Since the hamburg uses Miyako beef, it's a luxurious flavour as a curry topping. Full of meat juices, you can mix it into the roux and enjoy the shift in taste.
I ordered the hamburg curry when I first visited too, and thought "this is delicious," and have been a repeat customer since. It has plenty of colourful vegetables on it too, gorgeous in appearance.
There's a Vegetable Chicken Curry Too
Price: ¥1,480 (about US$10)
There's a vegetable chicken curry too, more reasonable than the hamburg curry. The curry blending 16 kinds of spices has umami within the spiciness, with chunky chicken and colourful vegetables on top.
I've eaten the vegetable chicken curry too, and it was delicious with the aromatic spices working well. It's lighter than the hamburg curry, so it's just right when you're not that hungry.
The Miyako Native-Beef Steak Is Superb Too
Blue Turtle offers Miyako native-beef steak too, and this is a popular menu too.
What Is Miyako Native Beef
Miyako native beef (Miyako Kyori-gyu) is Japanese black beef raised on Miyako Island, cattle raised in Miyako Island's warm climate and rich nature. The meat is tender, with a sweetness to the fat.
The steak is perfectly cooked, aromatic on the outside and tender inside. You can firmly feel the meat's umami, and a steak eaten while looking at the sea is exceptional.
Daily Steak A (200 g)
Price: from ¥6,900 (about US$46)
Daily Steak A (200 g) is from ¥6,900, using Miyako native beef. It has volume too and fills you up.
I've ordered the steak once too, and the meat quality was high and I thought "you absolutely have to eat this." The price is high, but it's a deliciousness worth that much.
Evening-Only À La Carte Menu
At dinner time there's an evening-only à la carte menu too, with full-fledged Western menu items like omar lobster in tomato cream sauce and yanbaru chicken grilled with gorgonzola cheese.
With dishes using Miyako Island's fresh island vegetables and prefecture-produced meat, whatever you eat is a hit. Since a chef good at full-fledged Western cuisine carefully creates them incorporating island ingredients, the dish level is high.
The Desserts Are Plentiful Too
Blue Turtle's desserts are plentiful too, and many people visit for café time.
Ice Cream & Shaved-Ice Dessert
The popular ice cream comes in 4 kinds: kiwi & banana, double pineapple, mango and more. At the bottom of the dish is colourful kakigori (shaved ice), so you can enjoy two flavours, ice cream and shaved ice.
The shaved ice is a random 3 kinds, beautiful in colour, delicious for the eyes too. It's especially popular in summer, and I think it's a perfect dessert for a hot day.
Brown-Sugar Crème Brûlée Is Popular Too
Price: ¥900 (about US$6)
Brown-sugar crème brûlée using Tarama-Island brown sugar, and the panna cotta of the day, are offered at ¥900 too. The gentle sweetness of the brown sugar is delicious, perfect as an after-meal dessert.
I've eaten the brown-sugar crème brûlée too, and the surface was crisp and the inside smooth and delicious. The brown-sugar flavour works well, and I think it's an Okinawan-style dessert.
After Lunchtime, Pizza Appears Too
At Blue Turtle, pizza appears too after 3 pm, after lunchtime ends.
3 Kinds of Pizza
Price: from ¥1,650 (about US$11)
There are 3 kinds of pizza, offered from ¥1,650. Even if you miss lunchtime you can taste pizza, light meals and dessert, so it's convenient.
When I missed lunchtime, I ordered pizza too, and it was delicious with a full-fledged taste. Eating pizza while looking at the sea is good too, letting you taste a resort feel.
Agu-Pork Sausage Iron-Plate Grill
There's an agu-pork sausage iron-plate grill too, and this is a popular menu too. The juicy agu-pork sausage sizzles on the iron plate, aromatic and delicious.
It's perfect as a snack with drinks too, and many people visit at dinner time or bar time.
The Sunset Time Is a Spectacle
Blue Turtle's sunset time is a spectacle, and visiting in the evening is recommended too.
Dinner While Gazing at the Sunset
From the terrace seats you can survey Toguchi-no-Hama and the sunset, and taste a sunset time so blissful you forget the passing of time. The scenery of the sun sinking into the sea is truly beautiful and romantic.
I've visited in the evening too, and the experience of eating dinner while gazing at the sunset is unforgettable. I think it's recommended for couples and families too.
Reservations Are Essential at Dinner Time
Dinner time is popular, so reservations are essential. Go without a reservation and you'll end up waiting, so it's better to book by phone in advance.
Outside of dinner you can't reserve, so if you want to sit at a seat you like, aiming for an early time is recommended. The sea-side terrace seats especially are popular and fill up right away.
At Night It Becomes a Stylish Bar
At night it becomes a very stylish bar, where you can enjoy cocktails and alcohol too. There's even a cocktail called Blue Turtle, and a cocktail named after the shop is worth drinking as a memento.
The imo-jochu (sweet-potato shochu) is the best too, and enjoying delicious drinks and steak while bathed in the sea breeze is exceptional. I've visited at night too, and with a different atmosphere from the daytime, I could enjoy an adult time.
The Interior Atmosphere Is Stylish Too
Blue Turtle's interior is stylish, and wherever you crop it, it makes a picture.
A Pure-White Café Restaurant
The white exterior wall and the big blue turtle are the landmarks, and the pure-white appearance has a beautiful contrast with the blue of the sea. Seen from the beach side, the lawn and palm trees heighten the tropical mood, and the space has plenty of openness.
The interior and terrace have a stylish atmosphere, and you can feel like you've come to an overseas resort. It's such a lovely atmosphere that I've even thought "I want to work at this shop."
There Are Indoor Seats Too
The terrace seats are popular, but there are indoor seats too, and with air conditioning you can spend time comfortably even on a hot day. The indoor seats are also arranged so you can see the sea, so you can enjoy the scenery wherever you sit.
When I visited in high summer too, I chose an indoor seat once, and it was cool and comfortable. Since you can see the sea even from an indoor seat, you can dine while enjoying the scenery.
An Instagram-Worthy Spot
Blue Turtle is a shop popular on Instagram, and the shop's interior and the drink packaging are stylish too. With an atmosphere women seem to like, there are many places that make you want to take photos.
I've posted on Instagram too, and got lots of likes. It's a photogenic spot, so it's recommended for photo lovers too.
Things to Note When Going to Blue Turtle
Here are some things to note when going to Blue Turtle.
The Car Park Fills Up at Lunchtime
At lunchtime (12–2 pm) the car park can fill up, and you can wait about 15 minutes until you find a parking space. For the time around midday it's better to go with time to spare.
I've had the experience of going at lunchtime with the car park full too, but wait a little and it opens up, so no need to panic. Go at an early time (around 11) or a late time (around 3) and the car park is open.
The Prices Are Tourist-Spot Prices
Blue Turtle's prices are tourist-spot prices, a bit high with hamburg curry ¥2,100 and steak from ¥6,900. But considering the location and dish quality, I think it's an agreeable price.
At first I too thought "it's expensive," but after eating I thought "for this scenery and deliciousness, this price makes sense." Since it's an experience including the scenery, it has value beyond the price.
Use in a Swimsuit Is OK Too
The terrace seats are OK to use in a swimsuit, so you can drop by straight after swimming at the beach. There's an outdoor shower, so you can rinse off lightly before entering too.
I've used a terrace seat in my swimsuit too, and could enjoy it feeling like I'd come to a stylish beach house. However, the indoor seats are no swimsuits, so care is needed.
Café-Only Use Has a 30-Minute Limit
For café-only use, you may be told "30 minutes" right after entering. When crowded, café-only users seem to have a time limit.
When I used it for café only, I was told "30 minutes" too. But in reality, slightly over 30 minutes was fine, so the impression was that it's not that strict.
Electronic Payment Supported
Blue Turtle supports electronic payment, so you can use credit cards and electronic money. You're fine even without carrying cash.
I've paid cashless too, and could check out smoothly. I think it's convenient for people who don't want to carry cash too.
Visit Together with Nearby Sights
There are other sights around Blue Turtle, so visiting them together is good.
17END
17END is at the tip of the Shimojishima Airport runway, a spectacular spot representative of Irabu Island. It's about 10 minutes by car from Blue Turtle, with a beautiful Miyako-blue sea colour.
You can also see planes take off and land up close, a photogenic spot. I've dropped by Blue Turtle after seeing 17END too, and the flow of eating delicious food after seeing a spectacle was the best.
Iraph SUI, a Luxury Collection Hotel
About 3 minutes by car from Blue Turtle is the Iraph SUI, a Luxury Collection Hotel. A high-end resort hotel, where even non-guests can use the restaurant and café.
I've dropped by Iraph SUI too, and the hotel's atmosphere was lovely too. I think visiting both Blue Turtle and Iraph SUI is a good course too.
Sawada-no-Hama
Sawada-no-Hama is about 15 minutes by car from Blue Turtle, a beautiful beach chosen among Japan's 100 Best Beaches. Tsunami stones are dotted about, and you can enjoy distinctive scenery.
I've visited Sawada-no-Hama too, and since it's known as a place with a beautiful sunset, visiting in the evening is recommended.
Toriike Pond
Toriike Pond is about 20 minutes by car from Blue Turtle, a representative sight of Shimojishima. Two circular ponds, large and small, connect to the sea through a cave on the sea side, and you can enjoy mystical scenery.
Eat delicious food at Blue Turtle, and feel the beauty of nature at Toriike Pond. Such a day is lovely too, I think.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Here are answers to commonly asked questions about Blue Turtle.
Q1: Where is Blue Turtle?
Right in front of Toguchi-no-Hama beach on Irabu Island. The address is 1352-16 Irabu, Irabu, Miyakojima City, Okinawa.
Q2: What are the opening hours?
Lunch 11:00–17:00, dinner 17:00–21:00 (LO), last entry 20:45.
Q3: What are the closing days?
Open year-round.
Q4: Is there a car park?
Yes. There's a free car park. It can fill up at lunchtime.
Q5: What's the signature menu?
Miyako beef hamburg ¥2,100, Miyako beef hamburg curry ¥2,100, Miyako native-beef steak from ¥6,900.
Q6: Are reservations needed?
Reservations recommended at dinner time. No reservations at lunchtime.
Q7: Can you use it in a swimsuit?
The terrace seats are OK in a swimsuit. Indoor seats are not.
Q8: Can you take away?
Drinks can be taken away.
Q9: Is it OK with children?
It's OK. Easy to use even for families.
Q10: Can you use credit cards?
You can. Electronic payment supported.
Q11: Is there a shower?
Yes. There's an outdoor shower (free).
Q12: What was it originally?
Originally "Toguchi-no-Hama Diner," a small diner run by a grandpa and grandma.
The Luxury of Enjoying Superb Food While Looking at the Sea
What I felt most strongly from visiting Blue Turtle many times was that this is a place where you can spend a luxurious time enjoying superb food while looking at the sea.
With the prime location right in front of Toguchi-no-Hama beach, since all seats are ocean-view, you can see the sea wherever you sit. The terrace seats especially are the best, and the emerald-green sea visible between the tropical trees is truly a spectacle.
The Miyako beef hamburg uses, luxuriously, steak-grade meat, and put a knife in and the meat juices ooze out. You're moved by the matching of the umami-packed hamburg and the rich sauce. The Miyako beef hamburg curry is a special curry blending 16 kinds of spices, a flavour with depth.
The Miyako native-beef steak has tender meat, a sweetness to the fat, and is perfectly cooked. The evening-only à la carte menu is full-fledged too, and whatever you eat is a hit.
The ice cream & shaved-ice dessert has colourful shaved ice at the bottom of the dish, so you can enjoy two flavours.
The interior is stylish, with the white exterior wall and big blue turtle as the landmarks. Seen from the beach side, the lawn and palm trees heighten the tropical mood, and the space has plenty of openness. There are indoor seats too, and with air conditioning you can spend time comfortably even on a hot day.
It was originally "Toguchi-no-Hama Diner," a small diner run by a grandpa and grandma. It was renewed and became the stylish Blue Turtle of today. The beach-house atmosphere remains, but it feels like a new resort-style beach house, with a location like a high-end resort hotel's private beach.
The sunset time is a spectacle, and the experience of eating dinner while gazing at the sunset is unforgettable. You can taste a sunset time so blissful you forget the passing of time, and it's recommended for couples and families too.
At night it becomes a stylish bar, where you can enjoy cocktails and alcohol too. Enjoying delicious drinks and steak while bathed in the sea breeze is exceptional, and with a different atmosphere from the daytime you can enjoy an adult time.
If you come to Irabu Island, you absolutely should drop by Blue Turtle. Since it's 5 minutes by car from Shimojishima Airport, you can visit right after arriving at the airport too. Cross the Irabu Bridge, turn left, proceed 4 km along the road, and it's on your left. The white building with a big blue turtle mural is the landmark, so you'll know it right away.
Park the car and sit at a terrace seat. The blue sea of Toguchi-no-Hama spreads right in front, incredibly beautiful. Look at the menu and order the Miyako beef hamburg curry. Wait about 15 minutes and the hamburg curry is brought over, a big hamburg sitting boldly on top of the curry.
I want you to taste the moment of taking a bite and thinking "this is delicious." The hamburg is juicy, the curry spicy, and I want you to enjoy the flavour with the depth of 16 kinds of spices. I want you to spend a luxurious time eating hamburg curry while looking at the sea.
Drop by Blue Turtle after swimming at the beach, and enjoy ice cream at a terrace seat in your swimsuit. Visit in the evening and eat dinner while gazing at the sunset. At night, enjoy a cocktail at the stylish bar. Whatever time you visit, you can have the luxurious experience of enjoying superb food while looking at the sea.
I can say with confidence that Blue Turtle is a restaurant you absolutely should visit if you come to Irabu Island. With the prime location right in front of Toguchi-no-Hama beach, at an all-seats-ocean-view seat, eat superb food using Miyako beef. The best experience awaits.
Toguchi-no-Hama is Irabu Island's most popular beach, with 800 metres of white sand continuing, shallow shelving with calm waves. Swim at the beach, dine at Blue Turtle, and return to the sea again. I want you to spend such a day.
If you come to Irabu Island, be sure to drop by Blue Turtle. And enjoy a luxurious time eating delicious food while looking at the sea. At the restaurant right in front of Toguchi-no-Hama beach, with the white building and big blue turtle mural as the landmark, taste the best experience. Because Blue Turtle is a place that teaches us something important.
