Every November, the north of Okinawa hosts Tour de Okinawa.
It’s one of Japan’s largest cycling events, running everything from an international road race for professional teams to citizen races and open cycling categories. In the weeks before it, you start seeing cars with bikes on the roof all over the north of the island.
In 2026 it takes place on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November.
Grandma’s House is at the top of a climb
Grandma’s House is in Izumi, in the hills of Motobu.
It’s up a hill. Getting there involves climbing. I got curious about exactly how much, so I looked it up.
From Motobu Town Hall to the house: 4.5 km, with 152 m of ascent.
Guests arriving by car sometimes remark that it’s further up than they expected. If you’re on a bike, though, that’s rather the point. You roll downhill on the way out and finish with a climb on the way back. For anyone who actively enjoys that sort of thing — and I know you exist — it’s a good place to be based.
It’s quiet up here, with very little traffic. You wake to birds. Not a bad place to spend the night before a race.
Uncle’s House is close to the course
Uncle’s House is a short walk from a road the race passes along.
The 50 km categories run through Nago, Motobu and Nakijin, looping around the Motobu peninsula. If you’re here to watch, being able to walk from the house to the roadside is worth something.
Starts are early. Not having far to travel helps.
What happened in 2024
I went out to watch once, in 2024.
That year it rained hard. It had been raining since the day before, there were landslides and road collapses across the north, and the whole of the first day was cancelled. For the second day, the organisers moved every race onto a shortened 50 km loop around the Motobu peninsula.
The rain didn’t stop. Water covered the road between Nakijin and Nago, and at 6:53 in the morning the race was called off. Some riders were already lined up at the start when the decision came. In thirty-six editions of the event, it was the first time the races had been cancelled.
I was standing at the roadside when a marshal received the news over the radio and passed it on to those of us waiting. Disappointing, but safety comes first.
I couldn’t make it in 2025, though I gather it went ahead without trouble. This year I’d like to actually see them ride past.
When to book
The race is on the weekend, but rider registration takes place the day before, on Friday from 13:00 to 17:00. Some cycling categories only register on the Friday.
In practice that means three nights from Friday to Sunday, or two from Friday to Saturday. There aren’t many places to stay in the north of the island, so it’s worth sorting out early.
Both houses are rented whole, so a team or a group of friends can stay together. You’re welcome to bring bikes inside.
Entries for 2026 close at 17:00 on Saturday 19 September.
Road closures
This matters whether or not you’re here for the race.
On the Sunday, roads around the course close from around 6:00 in the morning. Major roads across the north are affected, so if you’re travelling in the area that weekend, plan around it.
The organisers publish maps showing the closures and times. Worth a look before you set out.
Tour de Okinawa 2026 (38th edition)
Dates: Saturday 7 – Sunday 8 November 2026 Location: Northern Okinawa Organised by the Tour de Okinawa Association
Entry periods Cycling categories: 22 July – 19 September 2026, 17:00 Race categories: 1 August – 19 September 2026, 17:00
Official website Road closure information
Dates and details are subject to change. Please check the official website.
Either way
Riders or spectators, both are welcome.
If you want the climb, that’s Grandma’s House. If you’d rather be near the roadside, Uncle’s House. Both are private rentals, so early starts won’t disturb anyone.
November in Okinawa is past the worst of the heat. A good month for riding, and a good month for standing at the side of a road watching other people ride.
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