Kudaka Island is the sacred place inhabited by Amamikiyo, the god that created the islands of Ryukyu.
There is a ritual that has been performed continuously on this island since the Ryukyu Dynasty (15th century), which is still performed today.
The whole of the Kudaka Island is a sacred place, and has an atmosphere different from other islands, where time passes in a special way.
Take a relaxed trip by bicycle to search for the hidden mysteries of Kudaka Island, the island of gods!
＜もくじ＞
1． Basic information about Kudaka Island
2． Enjoying your trip with a rented bicycle
3． Manners in Kudaka Island
4． Required time: Highly recommended bicycle course
4-1．【An Hour Course】
4-2．【Two Hours Course】
4-3．【Three Hours Course】
5． Kudaka Island souvenirs
6． Access to Kudaka Island
7． Summary
1． Basic information about Kudaka Island
©OCVB
Kudaka Island is situated at about 5km (3.1mi) east of Chinen Peninsula, the sacred site of Okinawa situated in the southern part of the main island.
You can reach Kudaka Island only by ferry.
It is a small island which you can see the whole island in 15-20 minutes with a bicycle.
The whole island is a sacred spot, with a number of places for worship and prayer.
First, let me introduce you to some of the best known and most interesting locations!
©OCVB
■Kaberu Cape
This is the place where Amamikiyo descended.
The most superb landscape on Kudaka Island unfolds in front of your eyes.
Please visit this sacred place for prayers in silence.
■Fubo sacred site
This is one of the 7 biggest sacred sites in Ryukyu.
Men are famously not allowed to enter this place, but recently, women are not allowed to enter, either.
©OCVB
■Osato house, Palace garden and Fukama
This is an important religious place where island events take place.
Although it is near the village, entrance is restricted during the important events .
■Ishiki beach
It is believed that this beach is anchored a boat from gods which came from beyond the sea.
Swimming is prohibited at this holy beach, once visited by many Ryukyu emperors.
■Romance Road
A beautiful walking path. Take a break in the gazebos and on the benches while enjoying the views.
■Upama (Star Sand Beach)
This is the longest beach on Kudaka Island.
As the name suggests, it has star-shaped sand. Star sand is the most popular souvenir, but in reality they are tiny living creatures.
Even if you find some, you are not allowed to take it away.
2． Enjoying your trip with a rented bicycle
Kudaka Island has many places to be visited. A bicycle is ideal for such purposes.
Around Tokujin harbor, where the ferry comes and leaves, there are three rental bicycle houses.
This time we have rented a bicycle from “Kudaka Shelter,” a place we spotted once we climbed the slope near the harbor.
This is the ferryboat shelter.
It is fully equipped with coin-operated locker and toilet, so it is useful even while strolling around Kudaka Island.
Here, you can rent a granny bike with 300JPY/hour and an electric bicycle for 500JPY/hour.
Kudaka Island does not have many ups and downs, but has many unpaved places.
We recommend the electric bicycle for people who are not so confident in their stamina, or the just simply want to have a relaxing island tour.
Once you leave the village, you will not find any shops or vending machines. Please buy drinks before you leave!
There are also many places without shade, so please take measures against sunlight and heatstroke.
3． Manners in Kudaka Island
©OCVB
As we mentioned, the whole of Kudaka Island is a holy ground.
Here, native people are living their life. Please have in mind the modest thought of not disturbing this protected island. Before you leave, make sure you have understood the manners and other important points!
■You will go through narrow streets and though villages. Safe bicycle riding is the most important!
■Please avoid talking loudly and making noise.
■There are places with restricted access, places where swimming is forbidden and places where camping is forbidden. Please carefully check the maps and signboards.
■It is forbidden to remove the island’s flora, fauna, stones, jewels, etc. Please always remember this.
■Please be careful not to expose in public too much of your body.
*You can check more about manners and important points watching the video which plays inside the ferry.
Moreover, we advise you to check the maps and signboards which also have indications about these aspects.
For people who feel anxious by alone, joining a guided tour is highly recommended .
■Kudaka Island Guide Tour Details：http://www.kudakajima.jp/taiken.html
4．Required time: Highly recommended bicycle course
Be prepared and depart at once!
Let’s see more about the time required for the recommended bicycle course.
(※For smart phone user, please click the image above.）)
4-1．【An Hour Course】
Leave Tokujin Port
↓（About 20 minutes）
Kaberu Cape：stop by for 10 minutes
↓（About five minutes）
Fubo sacred site：stop by for five minutes
↓（About 15 minutes）
Arrive at Tokujin Port
If you want to fully enjoy the wonders of Kudaka Island, you need at least 1.5 hours to take a tour.
However, for people who have only one hour due to ferry schedule. This is a recommended course.
4-2．【Two Hours Course】
Leave Tokujin Port
↓（About 20 minutes）
Kaberu Cape：stop by for 15 minutes
↓（About five minutes）
Romance Road：stop by for 20 minutes
↓（About five minutes）
Fubo sacred site：stop by for five minutes
↓（About 10 minutes）
Osato house, Palace garden and Fukama：stop by for 15 minutes
↓（About 10 minutes）
Arrive at Tokujin Port
This is a course which includes the most famous sacred places in Kudaka Island.
Take advantage of your resting time and view the landscapes!
4-3．【Three Hours Course】
Leave Tokujin Port
↓（About 10 minutes）
Osato house, Palace garden and Fukama：stop by for 15 minutes
↓（About five minutes）
Sotoma Palace：stop by for five minutes
↓（About 10 minutes）
Fubo sacred site ：stop by for five minutes
↓（About five minutes）
Kaberu Cape：stop by for 15 minutes
↓（About five minutes）
Romance Road：stop by for 20 minutes
↓（About 10 minutes）
Upama (Star Sand Beach)：stop by for 10 minutes
↓（About 15 minutes）
Ishiki beach：stop by for 20 minutes
↓（About 15 minutes）
Arrive at Tokujin Port
This is a course which included sacred places. It makes you relax and feel the atmosphere of this island.
Take your time to enjoy Kudaka Island. Relax and watch the ocean.
This highly recommended course includes plenty of time for sight seeing.
For people who comes for the first time it is easy to get lost in the village and have difficulties in finding a destination.
There are also many unpaved roads, so if you will decide a course on your own, you will lose more time than riding a bicycle in the village.
5． Kudaka Island souvenirs
The last thing you do on a trip is definitely buying souvenirs!
This time we have bought a souvenir representative for Kudaka Island from “Kudaka Shelter,” the place which helped us so much in renting a bicycle.
There are many interesting things, like talismans against evil spirits with real exorcist salt, island shallots, or the famous item of Kudaka Island “black-banded sea krait (sea snake).”
6． Access to Kudaka Island
To reach Kudaka Island, please take the ferry from Azama Port situated in Nanjo, on the southern shore of the main island (Okinawa).
【From Naha Airport to Azama Port】
■Access by Car
From Naha airport, head to the “Haebarukita IC” towards Naha airport road.
And then, head to the National Road 331 through the National Road 329. Estimated Time: 50 minutes
■Access by Bus
Form Naha Bus Terminal, take Shikiya Line 38 and go off “Azama Sunbeach Entrance”. It will take about five minutes to the port. *Fare：780 yen
※Checking the bus schedule is highly recommended because of the bus line limitation.
[Ferryboat Fares]
There are 6 round trips per day for Azama Port – Kudaka Island (Tokujin harbor) route, with ferry and high-speed boat combined.
It is cheaper if you buy a round trip ticket when you leave.
■Express Ferry “New Kudaka”
Estimated Time：about 15 minutes
Fare：*Adults – one-way 760 yen、round-trip 1,460 yen
*Children – one-way 390 yen、round-trip 750 yen
■Ferry Kudaka
Estimated Time：about 20 minutes
Fare：*Adults – one-way 670 yen、round-trip 1,280 yen
*Children – one-way 340 yen、round-trip 650 yen
※Junior High School Students are considered as “Adult”. Children who is under five will be free per one adult.
There is not much difference in the departing hours. It is also OK to decide your departing time according to the schedule.
Please check the service hours and service status on the Kudaka maritime transport home page below.
【Kudaka Kaiun（Ferry）】
■HP：http://kudakakaiun.web.fc2.com/
In Kudaka Tokujin harbor, there are no toilets and other facilities. These services can be found only in “Kudaka Shelter” situated near the harbor.
Please note that public toilets can be found only in Kouryuukan and Fukama-don. Once you leave the village, you will find no toilets.
7． Summary
There are many vows kept in Kudaka, the island of gods. Kudaka Island is not an ordinary tourist destination.
These vows were kept by people of Kudaka Island since ancient times and they must also be kept from now on.
Come and feel the mysterious power of Kudaka Island!
