Canaan Slow Farm, Okinawa

Delightful eco-friendly restaurant / guest house on the quiet east coast of Okinawa

What a treat Canaan Slow Farm is. Located on the much quieter northeast side of the main Okinawa island, Canaan Slow Farm sits on the southern edge of sleepy Higashi Town on Route 331, the main coastal thoroughfare (the term used loosely) for this part of the island. In an area where quality eats and services are spread far apart this place will serve as a welcome respite for travellers in Okinawa. Canaan Slow Farm sits across the road from one of the many quiet beaches in this part of Okinawa. Don’t be fooled by the name however, this isn’t a farm, rather it’s a restaurant (on the ground floor) with accommodation up top. I was here for lunch. The restaurant is decorated superbly, with rich wooden tables and “booth” style seating that comprises moulded white concrete against the walls that looks like something from holiday-island Greece or maybe some kind of Jedi base in Star Wars. Either way, it’s easy on the eye. A row of windows let in the light, but not too much which is a nice touch given how hot it can be in these parts. The restaurant space at Canaan Slow Farm feels cool, comfortable and refreshing. Lunch is served here between 11:30 - 15:00. Given the name I tried out the Canaan Curry for 1,200 yen which came served with rice, soup, salad and fruit. A coffee was included in the price. I’m not sure how you like your curry, the Canaan interpretation of it is a treat (although it might be a little mild / sweet for some palates). The travel partner had the Loco Moco. Service came in the form of some delightfully friendly ladies who offered beaming compliments about this traveller’s Japanese (and despite the name, wasn't at all slow). If you’re after a snack, slices of cake are 400 yen. Dinners are served at Canaan Slow Farm between 18:00 - 21:00. They’re on the pricier side of things at around 2,000 yen for a well-stocked plate. From the looks of this place it will come as no surprise to see words like “organic” on the menu. Rooms at Canaan Slow Farm come under the moniker, “Eco-Stay”. Honestly, I’m not sure what this means and I wasn’t able to have a look given that I had no plans to stay. Prices for singles start from 8,000 yen (12,000 yen for two) and go up to 11,000 yen during the high season. Rooms can sleep up to four. There are some benches outside of Canaan Slow Farm which fronts a nice plot of grass. Unfortunately a rather high sea wall limits views to the beach / ocean. There is a bike stand to hang your high-performance road bike on (there are a lot of cyclists tackling the roads around this part of Okinawa) and there is limited space for parking cars. There’s an ashtray out front. Inside, the wifi is free. If you’re in need of souvenirs you can buy salts, sugars and other bits and bobs from near the cash register. Ordering is from the table. Bill payment at the cash register (be prepared to shout for attention if all the staff are in the kitchen). So, if you’re travelling in this part of Okinawa, save time and stomach room for meal at Canaan Slow Farm. In terms of making this a base of exploration with an overnight stay be warned that things are quiet in these parts although as you move further north along the east coast of Okinawa things will only get quieter. In this regard, Canaan Slow Farm and Higashi Town might be considered something of a last outpost! Hours: Lunch: 11:30 - 15:00 Dinner: 18:00 - 21:00