Moopon

Miyako Island (Miyakojima), located 300 kilometers south of Okinawa Main Island,
is known for some of Japan's best beaches and as a great destination for diving and snorkeling in the coral reefs.

The island is the fourth largest island in Okinawa Prefecture.
It is mostly covered by sugar cane fields and a few towns,
among which Hirara is the largest with a moderate range of eating place, such as restaurants and bars.

Resort hotels and pensions are found across the island.
Unlike other parts of Okinawa, there are no habu snakes in Miyako.
Miyako Island offers a small range of other attractions, including places of natural beauty and cultural interest,
and a couple of elegant bridges to neighboring islands.

Tropical Botanical Garden
It is a spacious park for recreation and the study of tropical plants in inland Miyako.
Several walking trails with the over 1600 types of plants that include trees,
bushes and flowers from Miyako and from Hawaii, Taiwan and Southeast Asia.

Admission: Free 
Access Information:
Miyako Island is a relatively small island,
measuring about 25 kilometers from south to north and about 15 kilometers from east to west.
A rental car is the most convenient means of getting around Miyako.

 

Miyako Island (Miyakojima),
located 300 kilometers south of Okinawa Main Island, is known for some of Japan's
best beaches and as a great destination for diving and snorkeling in the coral reefs.

The island is the fourth largest island in Okinawa Prefecture.
It is mostly covered by sugar cane fields and a few towns, among which Hirara is the largest with a moderate range of eating place,
such as restaurants and bars.
Resort hotels and pensions are found across the island.
Unlike other parts of Okinawa, there are no habu snakes in Miyako.
Miyako Island offers a small range of other attractions, including places of natural beauty and cultural interest,
and a couple of elegant bridges to neighboring islands.

 Ikema and Kurima Bridges 
Freely traversable by car, motorcycle, bicycle or on foot
Miyako is connected to two of its neighboring islands by the bridges.
At the northern tip of Miyako, the 1.4 kilometer long Ikema Ohashi leads to Ikema Island,
while the 1.7 kilometer long Kurima Ohashi connects Kurima Island with Miyako in the southwest. 

Access Information:
Miyako Island is a relatively small island, measuring about
25 kilometers from south to north and about 15 kilometers from east to west.
A rental car is the most convenient means of getting around Miyako.

 

Kumejima (久米島) is an island, part of the Okinawa Islands.
It is located about 90 kilometers west of Okinawa Island.
Kumejima offers a much less developed version of the beaches and Okinawan culture.
Kumejima is quite small, and traveling from one end of the island to another rarely involves a trip longer than ten kilometers.
Like many other of the small islands in Okinawa, the beaches of Kumejima, snorkeling and diving are among the principal attractions for visitors. 

Hatenohama Beach
It is an uninhabited island ,an approximately seven kilometer long sand bar surrounded by water just east of the island,
is Kumejima's most popular attraction.
White sand of the beach can only be accessed by joining a tour. 

On the sandbar, swimming is restricted to the calmer northern beach,
and the sand is a little rougher than it seems from a distance.
The sea has a moderate variety of fish that can be observed while snorkeling.
Toilet is the only facilities available on the sandbar.

Access Information
Half day around 3500 yen; full day with lunch around 5500 yen
Some companies operate tour boats between Kumejima and Hatenohama Beach.
Half day and full day tours are offered. 


 

Kumejima (久米島) is an island, part of the Okinawa Islands.
It is located about 90 kilometers west of Okinawa Island.
Kumejima offers a much less developed version of the beaches and Okinawan culture.
Kumejima is quite small, and traveling from one end of the island to another rarely involves a trip longer than ten kilometers.

Like many other of the small islands in Okinawa, the beaches of Kumejima,
snorkeling and diving are among the principal attractions for visitors.

Eef Beach 
Eef Beach is located beside the one of famous tourist activity on Kumejima.
Nonetheless, it does not get excessively crowded, as it stretches around two kilometers along the coast.
Its facilities include changing and toilets.
Nearby hotels and businesses offer a range of water activities.

Admission: Free
Parking Fee: Free

 

Kumejima (久米島) is an island, part of the Okinawa Islands.
It is located about 90 kilometers west of Okinawa Island.
Kumejima offers a much less developed version of the beaches and Okinawan culture.
Kumejima is quite small, and traveling from one end of the island to another rarely involves a trip longer than ten kilometers.
Like many other of the small islands in Okinawa, the beaches of Kumejima, snorkeling and diving are among the principal attractions for visitors.

Ara Beach 
The beach, about 500 meters long, offers attractive and secluded beach
atmosphere as its location is quite far from most other attractions.
It offers some good snorkeling opportunities, with a variety of sea
life around a group of coral about 200 meters from the shore and a bit difficult to find.
Beware of currents.
The beach is also good place for sunset.
Note: toilets and changing facilities are not well maintained.

Admission: Free
Parking Fee: Free

Access Information:
In Kumejima, there few public transportation service.
Rental car is the most convenient way to travel around the island.

 

Kumejima (久米島) is an island, part of the Okinawa Islands.
It is located about 90 kilometers west of Okinawa Island.
Kumejima offers a much less developed version of the beaches and Okinawan culture.
Kumejima is quite small, and traveling from one end of the island to another rarely involves a trip longer than ten kilometers.

Kumejima has two major towns; one is located around the port.
Another is inhabited mostly by locals, while the other is a small town of hotels,
dining halls and shops catering to the tourists, located alongside 

Uezu Residence
The Uezu Residence was built in 1750 for a high ranked family.
It is built in the traditional Okinawan style with thick stone walls and red-tiled roofs.
The house cannot be entered but only viewed from the outside. 

Facility Information:
Hours: 9:00 to 18:00 
Closed: Opened All Year Round 
Admission: 300 yen

Access Information:
In Kumejima, there few public transportation service.
Rental car is the most convenient way to travel around the island.
 

Kumejima (久米島) is an island, part of the Okinawa Islands.
It is located about 90 kilometers west of Okinawa Island.
Kumejima offers a much less developed version of the beaches and Okinawan culture.
Kumejima is quite small, and traveling from one end of the island to another rarely involves a trip longer than ten kilometers.

Kumejima has two major towns; one is located around the port.
Another is inhabited mostly by locals, while the other is a small town of hotels,
dining halls and shops catering to the tourists, located alongside

Uegusuku Castle Ruins 
The Castle Ruins stand on the island's highest point about 300 meters above sea level.
It offers panoramic views of the surrounding area. Nowadays only a few small stone walls remain.

Facility Information:
Hours: Always open 
Admission: Free

Access Information:
In Kumejima, there few public transportation service.
Rental car is the most convenient way to travel around the island.

 

Kumejima (久米島) is an island, part of the Okinawa Islands.
It is located about 90 kilometers west of Okinawa Island.
Kumejima offers a much less developed version of the beaches and Okinawan culture.

Kumejima is quite small, and traveling from one end
of the island to another rarely involves a trip longer than ten kilometers.
Like many other of the small islands in Okinawa, the beaches of Kumejima,
snorkeling and diving are among the principal attractions for visitors.

Pools of Tropical Fish 
Kumejima has an interesting spot along the northern cost of the island.
It is relatively large pools of water with a variety of sea life are separated from the sea during low tide.
You can observe the colorful sea life without even stepping into the water.

Facility Information:
Hours: Always open 
Admission: Free

Access Information:
In Kumejima, there few public transportation service.
Rental car is the most convenient way to travel around the island.

 

Hiji Waterfall is located in the northern Yambaru area of the main island of Okinawa.
The waterfall is about 26 meters tall nestled in the forest.
The waterfall can be reached in an attractive and easy hike along a nature trail through the forest. 

The trailhead is about two kilometers inland from the main road along the island's western coast.
From the trailhead with a toll booth, the distance to the waterfall is about 1.5 kilometers,
and the hike takes around 40 minutes one way.
The trail is well maintained, and there are quite a few steep sections with stairs along the way. 

The trail comes to an end at the Hiji Waterfall, which makes an impressive sight.
The sound of the running water and the tranquil atmosphere of the forest make the waterfall
a good spot for a rest before making the return trip to the trailhead.

At the trailhead there is a campground, offering picnic tables and elevated wooden decks which tents can be set up on.
The fee is 2000 yen per tent site and night.

Because of the Yambaru area's small population there has been much less human
encroachment on the habitat of the area's wildlife than elsewhere on Okinawa main island.
Consequently, a much larger diversity of wildlife can be found in the area.
Travelers who keep alert of their surroundings will have the chance to see a number of animals unique to the area,
such as particular species of bird, turtle, lizard and snake.

Information about the Yambaru area's wildlife and hiking trails can be found at the nearby Ufugi Nature Museum.
It is located about one kilometer inland from the main road along the coastline.
The museum has illustrative maps and displays about the area's wildlife free of charge.

Hiji Waterfall is located in northern the main land of Okinawa ,
about 75 kilometers from Naha and not far from Okuma Beach.

Hiji Waterfall
Hours: 9:00 to 18:00 (last entry at 16:00)
From November to March, the park closes at 17:30 and entry is until 15:00
Closed: During extreme weather
Admission: 500 yen

Yambaru Wildlife Conservation Center
Hours: 10:00 to 16:30
Closed: Mondays, national holidays and December 29th to January 3rd 
Admission: Free
Level of English: Moderate

Access Information:
Via bus
board highway bus number 111 from Naha to Nago Bus Terminal
(名護バスターミナル; 90 minutes, 2100 yen from Naha Bus Terminal or 105 minutes, 2190 yen from Naha Airport; 1-2 buses/hour)
and transfer to bus number 67. Get off at Okuma Beach Iriguchi
(オクマビーチ入口, 60 minutes, 1010 yen, 1-2 buses/hour)
from where the trailhead is a 20-25 minute walk inland along the road.

 

Kumejima (久米島) is an island, part of the Okinawa Islands.
It is located about 90 kilometers west of Okinawa Island.
Kumejima offers a much less developed version of the beaches and Okinawan culture.
Kumejima is quite small, and traveling from one end of the island to another rarely involves a trip longer than ten kilometers.
Like many other of the small islands in Okinawa, the beaches of Kumejima,
snorkeling and diving are among the principal attractions for visitors.

Tatami Ishi Rocks 

The Tatami Ishi, a rock formation on a small island connected is connected to Kumejima by a bridge.
They are named after tatami.
Nearby there are a sea turtle museum and a public bath house. 

Facility Information
Hours: Always open 
Admission: Free

Access Information:
In Kumejima, there few public transportation service.
Rental car is the most convenient way to travel around the island.