Remote islands are hot in Okinawa right now!

A different kind of Okinawa trip!

Okinawa is visited by tourists all year round and offers a wide variety of sightseeing spots. From Okinawa's natural beauty to the unique history of Okinawa, there are many places to visit, but what we highly recommend you visit are the remote islands of Okinawa!Each of the remote islands has its own unique culture different from that of the main island of Okinawa, and each island has its own unique charm! Why don't you try a different kind of trip to Okinawa by discovering the sightseeing spots not only on the main island but also on remote islands that you have never visited before?

In this issue, we will tell you about the remote islands that can be reached from Ishigaki Island, which is the most accessible among the remote islands in terms of both international and domestic flights.

Click here to book ferry tickets to remote islands!
Click here to purchase ferry tickets.

 

Recommended information on remote islands around Ishigaki Island

Aragusuku Island (Panari Island)

Surrounded by coral reefs and completely undeveloped, Aragusuku Island is a place where nature and traditional culture thrive.The islanders proudly protect it and maintain an orderly island space. Do not enter the Utaki without permission or take pictures, and be sure to take your trash with you. Camping and camping are prohibited. Please follow the rules and enjoy Aragusuku Island, an island full of nature!

Famous places

• Quinupana: A hill with a great view. Ascending the stone steps, you can see Iriomote Island and the sunset is spectacular.
• Koirogahama beach: Located right next to Quinupana, surrounded by rocks and trees
• Takanik: One of the fire-banzan mounds of the Sakishima Islands, it has also been selected as a national historic site.
• North beach: full of beautiful shells and coral fragments! Sea turtles also come to lay eggs.

Click here to play on Panari Island ↓.
The "Mysterious Island" of Panari

For more information, click here↓.
To Aragusuku Island (Panari Island)! How to get there, how to play, and a list of recommendations

Kurushima

It is said that there are 10 times more cows than people on Kuroshima. Surrounded by beautiful sea, Kuroshima is also called "Cow Island" because there are more cows than people. Walking around the island, you will see many cows.

Famous for snorkeling at Nakamoto BeachHowever, accidents have occurred in recent years. When snorkeling, always swim with more than one person and watch out for each other. Please be aware that there may be sudden tidal currents due to the ebb and flow of the tide or the direction of the wind, or sudden deepening of the reef due to gaps in the coral. For your safety, life jackets are available for free at Sunmarine Kuroshima and the Kuroshima Research Institute.

Another recommendation.Sunset on the west beach and stars in the night skyIt is. You have to stay on the island to see it, so a day trip would be a waste!

Also, once a year on Kuroshima, there is a cow festival, where you can win a cow as a prize!

Famous places

• Nishi-no-hama: Beautiful sandy beach where sea turtles come to lay eggs. A large shadow of Iriomote Island spreads out in front of you.
• Iko Pier: A long pier used for the old Iriomote Island route. The city of Ishigaki Island can be seen far beyond.
• Kuroshima Research Institute: Research institute for marine life. Visitors can see an exhibition room and sea turtles in captivity.
• Nakamoto Beach: A famous beach on Kuroshima.

For more information, click here↓.
List of places to go, things to do and places to visit in Kuroshima!

islets of Ogasawara (islands)

Kohama Island is a peaceful island with emerald green waters and sugar cane fields.The view of this landscape is truly spectacular, so if you are going to Kohama Island, you should definitely go to Oodake. Other great options include relaxing at Tumal Beach or watching the sunset and stars at Kainin Park, which has a large manta ray observatory.

Famous places

• Datake: 99 meters above sea level, with a 360-degree panoramic view from the observatory at the top.
• Hosozaki Beach: A quiet beach where Iriomote Island can be seen very close by, and there is a large manta viewing platform in Kainin Park.
• Kohagura-so: a private house where the drama "Churasan" was filmed
• Sugar Road: A peaceful stretch of road with sugar cane fields on both sides
• Nishiodake: A well-known lookout point. There is a pavilion and a pleasant breeze.
• Katle Observatory: The sunset over Iriomote Island can be seen.

Click here for all the fun on Kohama Island↓.
Kohama Island Tours

For more information, click here↓.
List of recommended places to visit and things to do in Kohama Island!

Taketomi Island

Taketomi Island, famous for its bicycle rentals, is not only famous for its beautiful scenery such as Kondoi Beach, red-tiled streets, and buffalo carts, but also for its deep history and culture.The Kihoin Shushukan exhibits many valuable materials such as daily utensils and arts and crafts that are essential to the history of the island.If you are interested in the festivals and events, you will understand more about Taketomi Island. Why don't you stay overnight and spend time visiting historical sites and talking with islanders?

Famous places

• West Pier: A spot to watch a beautiful sunset, registered as a national tangible cultural property in 2005.
• Kondoi Beach: A beach with shallow waters and gentle waves. The contrast between the blue ocean and pure white sand is beautiful.
• Kaiji beach: also known as "star sand beach," press your palm against the sand to look for star-shaped sand.
• Red tile townscape: Taketomi Island retains its good old Okinawan appearance with red tile-roofed streets and white beach paths.
• Nagomi no To (Tower of Nagomi): An observation deck with a panoramic view of the city with red-tiled roofs. No climbing down due to deterioration (as of September 2016).

Click here for popular island tours

Click here for fun in Taketomi Island↓.
Taketomi Island Sightseeing Tour

Hateruma Island

The highlights of Hateruma Island areNishi-hama.Other views of Coral Beach, Bemuchi Beach, and Takanazaki are also spectacular! It is fun to look around at the different colors of the sea and the different views. At night, the sky is full of stars, and depending on the time of year, the Southern Cross can be seen. I recommend you to enjoy your time as much as you want on the southernmost island with its traditional scenery and nature!

Famous places

• Nishi Beach: One of the cleanest ocean and white sand beaches in Yaeyama. Sunset is also recommended.
• Hamashitan community: Some of the large trees are several hundred years old and are designated as natural monuments by Taketomi Town.
• Coral beach: A beach formed by many piles of branch corals. Not well known.
• Sokina Tameike Observatory: Great place to see the stars because there is nothing around.
• Japan's southernmost monument: Hateruma Island is the southernmost inhabited island in Japan! A stone monument has been erected to prove it, and at the entrance is a serpentine path made of stones from all over Japan.
• Stargazing tower: There are telescopes and a planetarium, and detailed explanations of the stars are provided at night.
• Takana-zaki: A powerful cape with wild waves crashing on the precipitous cliffs
• Court Morimori: A fire guard station in the Ryukyu Dynasty era. Iriomote Island can be seen from here.

For more information, click here↓.
List of recommended places to visit and things to do in Hateruma Island!

Hatoma Island

Hatoma Island is an island of lush greenery surrounded by the sea, said to be the most beautiful in Japan.Hatoma Island is not a tourist destination, but a place where dozens of islanders live and where traditional culture and history are respected.See nature as it is and be healed by the power of nature and the richness of the sea in its serenity.Since there is only one regular boat service per day, transportation is not very convenient, but tours are available from Iriomote Island as well.

Famous places

• Hatoma Island Lighthouse: Located in Hatoma Nakamori, the highest point of the island, rather than on the coast so that it can be seen from a distance.
• Yara Beach: A great spot to watch the sunset, and is featured in BEGIN's song "Koi no shima Hatoma-jima" (Island of Love).
• Maehama Beach: The beach stretches just in front of the village. The high transparency and shallow waters make it ideal for playing with children.

For more information, click here↓.
A list of places to go, things to do, and recommendations for Hatoma Island!

islets of Lakeshore

There is a mysterious island between Kayashima Island and Taketomi Island that disappears and emerges from the sea. Hamashima," which is called a "phantom island" and is only a 10-minute boat ride from the nearest islands of Kohama and Kayashima, actually changes its size from time to time according to the ebb and flow of the tide.The contrast between the pure white sandy beach and the bright blue ocean that gradually appears as the tide recedes is spectacular. When the tide is at its lowest, the island is only about 200 meters long.

It is a popular spot for marine stores that come to the island at low tide when it is possible to go ashore! This is the ultimate deserted island, where gravure photo shoots for magazines and even weddings are sometimes held. Be careful not to get sunburned as there is no shade when relaxing in the perfect location. The area around Hamashima is also a popular spot for viewing colorful fish and coral reefs. Even if you are worried about getting seasick, there are tours that depart from Kohama Island in about 10 minutes, so why not join one?

Click here for details of the tour to the "Phantom Island" Hamashima.
⇒Ishigaki Island】Hamashima Island Tour

⇒Kohama Island] Phantom Island, Hamashima Tour (Ishigaki Island Tours)

Yonaguni Island

Yonaguni Island is Japan's westernmost border island.You will be overwhelmed by the masculine and majestic scenery that you will not find on other islands in Yaeyama, including Tategami Rock, the symbol of the island. The history of the island is very old, and if you talk with the islanders, you can learn about the culture and traditions that have been carefully passed down from generation to generation.

Famous places

• Japan's westernmost monument: From here, the last sunset in Japan can be seen.
• Dr. Koto Clinic: Open set used in the TV drama "Dr. Koto Clinic". Tour is available.
• Nanda Beach: Located in Sonai Village, this beautiful beach is sung in the folk song "Nanda Beach.
• Ayamihabiru Museum: Museum of the world's largest moth, Yonagunisan (Ayamihabiru)
• Tategami Rock: Towering over the rough sea, the rock is a symbol of Yonaguni Island.

For more information, click here↓.
List of recommended places to visit and things to do in Yonaguni Island!

Barras Island

An island that does not appear on any maps, located about 10 minutes by boat from Iriomote Island. Barasu Island is an island formed by pieces of coral reefs and is a miracle island that sometimes disappears at high tide. Barras Island is the only island in the northern hemisphere made up of such pieces of coral reef!

Barasu Island is one of the most popular spots on social networking sites such as Instagram, where a commercial for Orion Beer was shot.There are tours from Iriomote Island, so if you stay overnight or come to Iriomote Island for a day trip, this is a must-visit spot!If the weather is nice, you may be able to get the photo of a lifetime! If the weather is good, you might be able to get a photo that will be a memory for a lifetime!

Click here for details and plan list of Barasu Island Tour ↓↓ Click here for details and plan list of Barasu Island Tour

 

Iriomote Island (Okinawa)

Iriomote is an island where more than 90% of the island is covered with subtropical virgin forest. It has the largest mangrove forest in Japan, just like the Amazon.The Japanese Government.2018.The island is so unspoiled and unexplored that it has been targeted for registration of the entire island as a World Natural Heritage site. It is also known as the Galapagos of the East.Iriomote, with its ocean, mountains, and mangroves, is the best place to do activities in Okinawa.

Famous places

• It is called "Miracle Island" and is the only two islands in the world made entirely of coral reef fragments,Barras Island Cruiseis famous.
• The largest drop in Okinawa,Pinaisara Fallscan be seen in the following table.
• There are beaches in various locations in Okinawa that are among the clearest and have the most variety and size of fish. ⇒.Iriomote Island, the holy land of snorkeling! Recommended 5 beaches♪♪
• Japan's smallest firefly, "Rhizophora mucronata (species of midge)Habitat of the "The
• A phantom flower that blooms only one night, "flower petals fallen on water, resembling a spider flower (esp. Pelecanoides urinatrix)You can look at the 'The

 

A set plan including a ferry ticket is also recommended!

Iriomote Island was registered as a World Natural Heritage site last year, making it a remote island that attracts more attention than ever.

On Iriomote Island, you can enjoy a variety of activity experiences amidst the great nature.

To Iriomote Island, from Ishigaki IslandferrySome people find it a hassle to purchase and book ferry tickets, which can only be reached by

For those who are interested in this type of service, the ferry ticket and activities are included in the package.set planis recommended!

Rather than booking each ferry and activity separatelyeconomicaland save you the trouble of purchasing a ferry ticket.

Click here for popular Iriomote Island tours (set plan)

Check out more details about Iriomote Island tours from Ishigaki Island!

 

For more information about Iriomote Island, click here↓.
List of recommended places to visit and play in Iriomote Island!

 

Yubu Island (Hiroshima-Nagoya Island)

If you come to Iriomote Island for sightseeing, you should also visit Yubu Island. The entire island is a subtropical botanical garden, and you can go to Yubu Island by a buffalo cart. This is probably the only place in Japan where you can cross the sea by buffalo. Enjoy a leisurely ride across the sea while listening to the sound of sanshin (Okinawan traditional three-stringed instrument)!

Famous places

• Enjoy buffalo cart sightseeing crossing from Iriomote Island to Yubu Island.
• Butterfly garden where you can view a variety of butterflies, including Japan's largest giant tiger butterflies
• Bougainvillea Garden where you can admire subtropical flowers blooming all year round

Click here for popular island tours

For details and a list of plans for Yubu Island sightseeing, click here↓.

For more information, click here↓.
List of recommended places to visit and things to do in Yubu Island!

summary

Remote islands in Okinawa are filled with various attractions. Iriomote Island Tours offers activities mainly in Iriomote, but other islands are also attractive, so why don't you enjoy island hopping to various remote islands?

⇒ All activities in Iriomote Islandview (e.g. flowers, movie)