The glass entrance hall of Enagic Sports World Southern Hill, with its bowling and Southern Hill signs and the mural pointing to the skate rink.Photo: Google Maps listing · SourceThe empty ice of Southern Hill Ice Arena under its low silver ceiling, with the resurfacer at the far end and the sponsor boards along the wall.Photo: Google Maps listing · Source
Okinawa's only ice rink, inside a family sports complex
Southern Hill Ice Arena calls itself Okinawa's only ice skating rink. The sheet measures 28 by 58 metres, and the rink's page says the hall is lit up for a dreamlike atmosphere.
The rink is one part of Enagic Sports World Southern Hill in Haebaru, which also has a 36-lane bowling alley and a batting centre with ten bays, so a visit can fill a whole day.
Beyond public sessions the arena runs beginner skating lessons on Sunday mornings and afternoons for ages from toddlers to adults, and it has held beginner curling sessions on Saturdays in October. Ice-hockey tournaments also use the ice: an old-timers event ran from 1 to 5 October and a 3-on-3 event runs from 9 to 11 October, with opening hours changed for both. Groups of 21 or more can book at a discount, and a shuttle bus seating 28 is available.
Before you head out.
Admission, rentals and arrival details, researched from official rink information. Source checks stay current for 30 days.
Admission
A public skating session with hire skates costs ¥1,900 for adults (18 and over), ¥1,700 for students aged 13 and over, ¥1,500 for children aged 7 to 12 and ¥1,300 for children aged 6 and under; with your own skates it is ¥1,700, ¥1,500, ¥1,300 and ¥1,100.
Skaters with a disability pay ¥1,400 for adults, ¥1,200 for students, ¥1,000 for children and ¥800 for children aged 6 and under; wheelchair users pay ¥600.