Looking for a cheap way to get to Kumejima? Take the ferry! We'll show you how to choose and book yours.

Kumejima Ferry
@ocvb

Access to Kumejima Island, located about 100km from Okinawa Main Island, is either by plane or ferry.

The ferry service varies depending on the season and day of the week, with 1 to 3 departures per day, and each trip lasts approximately 3 hours.
The advantages of ferries are that they are cheaper than airplanes and can transport cars.

If you're traveling by plane, there are seven round trips a day on the Naha-Kumejima route, and the flight time is extremely short, about 25 minutes.
The biggest advantage of flying is undoubtedly the short travel time.

If time is your priority, choose a plane; if cost is your priority, choose a ferry.

This time, I've researched various aspects of ferry travel, including how to book tickets and the travel time, to help those who want to get to Kumejima Island as cheaply as possible.
(The information in this text is current as of January 2018.)

Read More

Filed Under: Kerama Islands, Kume Island, Daito Island Tagged With:

Grandma's cooking class on Kumejima Island! Relaxing yet incredibly fulfilling island time.

Kumejima Cooking ClassRoselle, cultivated in subtropical regions, is a type of herb that is highly nutritious and is also believed to have beauty benefits.

Roselle has been produced on Kumejima Island, located about 100km from Okinawa Main Island, for over 10 years, and roselle tea and candy are sold at the airport and hotels.

At the guesthouse run by the grandmother who started cultivating roselle, you can experience harvesting roselle and making jam.

At first, I wondered why we'd go all the way to Kumejima just to make jam, but when I actually participated, I found it surprisingly fun.

Making jam while chatting with the grandmother in a truly Okinawan atmosphere is perfect for those who want to experience a relaxed island lifestyle.

Read More

Filed Under: Kerama Islands, Kume Island, Daito Island Tagged With: ,

We finished three bottles of wine! We had island Italian food at "café Shimamun+" on Tokashiki Island.

cafe Shimamun+
Tokashiki Island in winter is quiet with few tourists. Temporary closures of restaurants are not uncommon.

On the day I visited Tokashiki Island, all the restaurants in the Aharen district, the center of Tokashiki's tourist area, were closed for the day, as if they had all coordinated their closures.

I went to "café Shimamun+" simply because there were no other restaurants open. However, in the end, it far exceeded my expectations and left me extremely satisfied!

I'm convinced that staying on Tokashiki Island was worthwhile, even during the off-season.
This time, I'd like to introduce "café Shimamun+", an Italian restaurant on Tokashiki Island.

Read More

Filed Under: Kerama Islands, Kume Island, Daito Island, Remote island Tagged With:

Seven unique and slightly unusual tourist spots that will make you a Kumejima expert!

Ghost Hill
When you think of the remote islands of Okinawa, many people imagine blue seas and white sandy beaches, but even these beautiful islands have a history!
Kumejima Island, just a 35-minute flight from Okinawa Main Island, certainly has places where you can enjoy beautiful Okinawan scenery, but it also has plenty of interesting tourist spots that will make you exclaim, "What?! What is this?!"
This time, I'll introduce some unusual and unique tourist spots.

Read More

Filed Under: Kerama Islands, Kume Island, Daito Island Tagged With:

Ranking of tourist spots on Tokashiki Island, categorized by accessibility!

Tokashiki Island Tourist Spots

Tokashiki Island is just a 35-minute high-speed ferry ride from Tomari Port in Naha. While swimming at Aharen Beach and Tokashiku Beach is a popular activity, what other tourist spots should you visit besides swimming?
This time, we'll introduce the tourist spots on Tokashiki Island that we actually visited by rental car, ranked by ease of access.

Read More

Filed Under: Kerama Islands, Kume Island, Daito Island, Remote island Tagged With:

A summary of information on transportation to Tokashiki Island, including reservations, fares, and timetables for high-speed boats and ferries.

The ferry Tokashiki floating in the sea off Tokashiki Island
Tokashiki Island is located about 40 minutes from Naha by high-speed ferry.
Combined with its exceptionally beautiful sea and easy access, the resort is fully booked every day during peak season with tourists looking to swim in the ocean.

If you're in Okinawa, it would be a shame not to see the Kerama Blue!

This time, we'll give you a complete guide on how to use the high-speed boats and ferries that serve as your base for getting to Tokashiki Island.
As a bonus, here's a guide on how to get around to the main spots on Tokashiki Island.

Read More

Filed Under: Kerama Islands, Kume Island, Daito Island, Remote island Tagged With:

I went to Kuroishi no Mori, a hidden scenic spot on Kumejima Island.

Kuroishi Forest
When it comes to scenic spots on Kumejima Island, "Hiyajō Banta" and "Uejō Castle Ruins" are well-known, but there is actually a hidden gem of a scenic spot that only those in the know are aware of.
That's the "Kuroishi Forest" that we'll be introducing today.

At first glance, it looks like "a park with nothing special about it." It's a hidden gem that's hardly even listed on tourist maps, but it's a scenic spot that surprised a photojournalist friend of mine, who exclaimed, "It's the bluest sea I've ever seen on Kumejima!"

In this article, I, a resident of Kumejima Island, will introduce how to access Kuroishi Forest and some of the best spots for taking stunning photos.

Read More

Filed Under: Kerama Islands, Kume Island, Daito Island Tagged With:

Dive in a coral reef sanctuary! What makes diving in Zamami Island so appealing?

Diving in Zamami Island

The Kerama Islands are known for their beautiful blue seas, often referred to as "Kerama Blue."

Zamami Island, located almost in the center of the Kerama Islands, is a beautiful island known as a nesting ground for sea turtles.
Green sea turtles, hawksbill turtles, and loggerhead turtles are seen swimming back and forth... and they're often spotted in the shallow waters.

So, what shall we do for fun...? Snorkeling? Swimming? Or kayaking? There's a wide variety of activities to choose from!
...But if the water is really clear, I'd still like to try diving so I can see all the way to the seabed.

So, in this article, I'd like to introduce you to the charms of diving in Zamami Island.

Read More

Filed Under: Kerama Islands, Kume Island, Daito Island Tagged With:

A journey to be moved by the Kerama Blue. The allure of diving in Tokashiki Island!

Diving in Tokashiki Island

The Kerama Islands in Okinawa are famous as a diving spot in Japan that divers from all over the world dream of visiting.

Tokashiki Island is the largest of the more than 20 islands in the Kerama Islands, which are straddled together by a chain of islands of varying sizes.

It's also famous for its beautiful beaches, such as Aharen Beach and Tokashiku Beach. And among the Kerama Islands, Tokashiki Island is the closest to Naha, the gateway to Okinawa Main Island!

So, in this article, I'd like to introduce the appeal of diving in Tokashiki Island.

Read More

Filed Under: Kerama Islands, Kume Island, Daito Island, Remote island Tagged With:

My way of spending time on Aka Island [Beautiful sea designated as a national park]

Kerama Islands, Aka Island, Beaches, Gourmet

In March 2014, the Kerama Islands in Okinawa were designated as a national park.

The sea around the Kerama Islands, which is particularly beautiful even within Okinawa, is called "Kerama Blue," and the gradation of various shades of blue is truly stunning.
The Kerama Blue is so captivating that tourists from all over the world visit the area.

This time, I'd like to introduce Akajima, one of the Kerama Islands.

This recommended itinerary will allow you to fully enjoy Akajima Island, featuring beautiful beaches, delicious lunches, and bars where you can enjoy authentic cocktails. Please use it as a reference!

Read More

Filed Under: Kerama Islands, Kume Island, Daito Island, Remote island Tagged With:

Okinawa's remote islands! A complete guide to the hugely popular Kerama Islands!

Kerama Islands Beaches

Are you wondering what the Kerama Islands are like? What can you do there? And how do you get there?

The Kerama Islands are a group of islands south of Okinawa that are famous as a world-renowned diving spot.
It's close enough to Naha to visit on a day trip by ferry, making it a popular and easily accessible island destination.

Overlooking Tokashik Beach

(C) OCVB

This time, we'll provide you with basic information about the Kerama Islands, including beaches, diving spots, recommended locations, how to get to the Kerama Islands, and recommended accommodations.
If you're planning a trip to the Kerama Islands, reading this article will help you enjoy your trip. Please use it as a reference!

Read More

Filed Under: Kerama Islands, Kume Island, Daito Island Tagged With: ,

Copyright Okinawa Lab. All rights reserved.

▲