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Kumejima Visitor's Bureau
Sep. 21, 2023
Nice to meet you all! Kumejima Visitor's Bureau. Kumejima, Kume Island a remote island in Okinawa with a population of about 7,300, is home to beautiful nature and rich culture. The Kume Island is located 100 km west of the main island of Okinawa, and access to the Kumejima is about 30 minutes by plane from Naha Airport on the main island of Okinawa to Kumejima Airport (7 flights a day). Kumejima Airport from Haneda Airport takes about 3 hours and 35 minutes. In addition, the ferry can be taken from the main island of Okinawa "Naha Tomari Port", Via Tonaki Island, it takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes to Kume Island Kanegusuku Port or about 3 hours by direct Kume Island flight. There are 1~2 ferries per day, so please be careful when using them. There are four ways to get around the island: town buses, rental cars, taxis, and bicycle rentals. You can rent a car from the airport if you make a reservation, and please check the reception desk of each company in the airport arrival lobby. There are town buses that go around the island (clockwise and counter-clockwise), the Airport Line, the Shimajiri Line, and the Kagiyama Line, and the Airport Line mainly operates according to the flight time, so you can easily use it. The Kume Island is about 23km and can be circled in about 3~4 hours by bicycle. The Kumejima has a number of fascinating sights. In this post, we will introduce some of them. The ruins of the Gusuku period scattered throughout Okinawa are called "Gusuku (castle)". Chinese ceramics are sometimes unearthed from Gusuku, and it is a spot where you can feel the remnants of the era when trade with overseas was thriving. Located at the top of Mt. Uejodake, "Uegusuku Castle Ruins" is the ruins of a castle built at the highest point in Gusuku. From the summit, you can see the entire Kume Island and it is also a superb viewing spot. "Gushikawa Castle Ruins" is a gusuku located on a limestone hill along the coast. It is also a nationally designated historic site, and Gusuku is characterized by a castle wall that mixes limestone and andesite. Next, we will introduce the beaches where you can enjoy the beautiful sea of Okinawa. "Ara Beach" is a hidden gem spot like a private beach surrounded by mountains. There is no doubt that you will be impressed by the beauty of the mysterious sunset as well as in the daytime! Shinri Beach, a beach with gentle waves, has an atoll right off the coast, and you can see the atoll up close at low tide. Since it is close to the airport, it is possible to watch airplanes take off and land. In addition, if you apply to the town environmental conservation division, you can use it as a campsite for free. "Mifuga Rock" on the shore of Yamatodomari is a tourist destination that means "female rock" in dialect. There are strangely shaped rocks created by the wind and tide, and it is a popular spot that is said to be a blessing for children. At Kumejima Tsumugi no Sato Yuimaru-kan, you can observe the dyeing techniques and works of traditional Kume Island pongee, and you can also enjoy weaving and dyeing Kume Island pongee. The Kume Island Museum is a museum where you can experience the history and culture of Kume Island, and holds permanent exhibitions of "Kume Island Nature and Culture" as well as special exhibitions. Next, we will introduce information on activities that you can enjoy in the Kume Island full of nature. The "Maine Beach", "Nakano Beach", and "Hatinu Beach" floating in the northeast of the Kume Island are collectively called "Hatenohama", and you can enjoy various marine activities! There are plenty of diving spots in the Kume Island for beginners to intermediate divers and above. Recommended for beginners, "Manta Station" is a popular manta ray encounter spot. You can enjoy Black Manta watching up close. In addition, the diving spot "Tombara", which is representative of the Kume Island with a huge rock height of about 50 m, has a maximum depth of 30 m, which is suitable for intermediate skiers and above, and the tide is strong, but it is also an attractive spot because there is a possibility of encountering schools of migratory fish, hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, etc. You can also explore the beautiful ocean world on a snorkeling tour. You can also enjoy the charm of Kumejima by strolling along the coastline in a "sea kayak" where you can enjoy the surrounding scenery while paddling on the sea. There is also a two-seater kayak, so you can enjoy it even with children. At the "Kume Island Horse Farm" where you can enjoy interacting with the horses, you can enjoy horse play that can only be experienced here! You can also use the "Umi Uma Asobi" to enter the sea while riding a horse, as well as your favorite horse play and a back menu on request. Yajiyagama Cave, the longest limestone cave in the Kume Island, which is about 800 meters long, offers year-round exploration programs. Depending on the program, you can explore the mysterious limestone cave in about 1 and a half ~ 2 hours. Don't miss the gourmet food of Kumejima! Kumejima is also famous as a shrimp farming pond. The quality is highly evaluated by the industry, and it is also certified as a "base production area" by Okinawa Prefecture. The season is December ~ May. In addition, sea grapes and awamori are also delicious specialties. It is also a perfect souvenir for Kume Island. Kumejima is a place where you can spend a rich time through contact with nature and cultural experiences. We will give you the best information to make your trip to Kumejima enjoyable. Thank you for your continued support!
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  • Kumejima
  • Okinawa Prefecture
  • Uegusuku Castle Ruins
  • Gushikawa Castle Ruins
  • Coast/Beach/Sea
  • Arla Beach
  • Scuba diving
  • Diving
  • Kayak
  • Kumejima Horse Ranch
  • ...and 10 others
Miyako Island Tourism Association
May. 25, 2023
So that you can choose Miyakojima as a travel destination that will be a memory of your lifetime, we will deliver the charm of Miyakojima through Cool Japan Video! First of all, this is my first post, so I will introduce Miyako Island and popular tourist spots. Miyakojima, located in Okinawa Prefecture, is one of the Miyako archipelago (Miyakojima, Ikemajima, Ōmijima, Irabu Island, Shimojijima, Kurimajima, Tarama Island, and Minna Island) of eight large and small islands located 300 kilometers southwest of the main island of Okinawa, and is a remote island with a population of about 55,000. After all, the biggest attraction of Miyako Island is the beautiful sea. The crystal clear emerald green waters are ideal for diving and snorkeling, and are visited by many people from all over the world. Miyakojima has a hot and humid subtropical maritime climate, so the average temperature is around 15°C even in winter, which is warm throughout the year. There are many popular tourist spots on Miyakojima, but the top ones in the ranking are Yonaha Maehama Beach, Painagama Beach, Sunayama Beach, Irabu Bridge, Ikema Bridge, Kurima Bridge, Snow Salt Museum, and Miyakojima Marine Park. Yonaha Maehama Beach is said to be the most beautiful beach in the East with its highly transparent sea and 7 kilometers of pure white sandy beach. There are many tours of marine sports and marine activities such as snorkeling and diving, and you can see tropical fish up close. "Painagama Beach" is known as a hidden spot loved by locals, and it is the perfect place to spend a relaxing time. In addition, "Sunayama Beach" allows you to enjoy the pure white sand dunes and the beautiful cobalt blue sea. To enjoy the clear and beautiful sea, we recommend not only the beach, but also the drive of the bridge that connects Miyako Island to neighboring islands. The Irabu Bridge is the best spot to enjoy driving on the 3,540-meter-long bridge that opened in 2015 connecting Miyakojima and Irabu Island. It is the longest Japan bridge that can be crossed for free. In addition, the "Ikema Bridge" connecting Miyakojima and Ikema Island, surrounded by the "Ikema Blue" sea characterized by a deep blue gradation, and the "Kurima Bridge" connecting Miyakojima and Kurima Island can enjoy different superb views, so we recommend renting a car and enjoying the magnificent scenery. Miyakojima is also the birthplace of the fluffy powdered salt "snow salt", and at the popular tourist spot "Snow Salt Museum", you can learn about Miyakojima's traditional salt making techniques and have hands-on exhibits. In addition, "Miyakojima Marine Park" is a facility with a 4-meter sea floor where you can observe various fish from the window. While seeing fish and beautiful coral that can only be seen here, please experience the beauty of the sea of Miyako Island! As a memory of your trip to Miyako Island, please enjoy the special products recommended as souvenirs. The fruits of Miyakojima are especially popular, and the three "mangoes", "pineapples", and "passion fruits" are especially recommended. These fruits are grown in the rich nature and blessed climate of Miyako Island, and their taste is exquisite. In addition to the sightseeing spots and specialties introduced this time, Miyako Island is still full of charm. We will continue to send out information about such attractive Miyako Island in the future, so thank you! Please make special memories just for you here on Miyako Island.
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  • Miyakojima
  • Yonaha Maehama Beach
  • Painagama Beach
  • Irabu Bridge
  • Kurima Bridge
  • Sunayama Beach
  • Yukishio Museum
  • Miyakojima Underwater Park
  • Coast/Beach/Sea
  • Diving
  • ...and 4 others

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