Kumejima is one of the islands that make up the Okinawa Shoto island group. It is located about 90
kilometers west of Okinawa Honto. Like
many other of the small islands surrounding Okinawa Honto, Kumejima offers a
much less developed version of the beaches and Okinawanculture
for which the prefecture is well known. Kumejima is quite small, and traveling
from one end of the island to another rarely involves a journey longer than ten
kilometers.
Like elsewhere in Okinawa, the beaches of
Kumejima, snorkeling and diving are among the principal attractions for
visitors. Hatenohama Beach, an
approximately seven kilometer long sand bar surrounded by water just east of
the island, is Kumejima's most famous attraction. The beach is highly regarded
for its white sand, but can only be accessed by joining a tour. The other
beaches of Kumejima are also quite attractive, and are generally less busy than
the beaches found on Okinawa Honto.
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| Kumejima Island Seen From Above |
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Hatenohama Beach seen from above
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Kumejima developed similarly to
the rest of the archipelago, where regional rulers appeared and built castles
as their seats of power. The Uegusuku Castle Ruins stand on one of the island's highest peaks,
affording panoramic views of the surrounding area. However, the castle was not
able to resist the forces from Okinawa Honto, and
Kumejima became part of the Ryukyu Kingdom in the early 1500s.
Kumejima has two major towns,
one is located around the port and is inhabited mostly by locals, while the
other is a small town of hotels, restaurants and shops catering to the
tourists, located alongside Eef Beach.
Hatenohama Beach
Multiple companies operate tour boats between Kumejima and Hatenohama Beach. Half day and full day tours are offered. 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 by snorkelers. Washrooms are the only facilities available on the sandbar.
Half day around 3500 yen; full day with lunch around 5500 yen
Located quite apart from most other attractions, Ara Beach offers visitors an attractive and secluded beach atmosphere. The beach is about 500 meters long, and its washroom and changing facilities are not well maintained. Ara Beach 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.
Admission: Free, no parking fees
Eef Beach
Eef Beach is located beside the main concentration of tourist activity on Kumejima. Nonetheless, it does not get excessively crowded, as it stretches about two kilometers along the coast. Thebeach has both washrooms and changing facilities, and nearby hotels and businesses offer a range of water activities.
Admission: Free, no parking fees
Shinri Beach
Shinri Beach is located in front of the Cypress Resort Hotel on the western coast of Kumejima and known for nice sunsets. The beachsits in front of a rocky inlet that almost completely drains during low tide.
Admission: Free, no parking fees
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 300 yen
Uegusuku Castle Ruins
The Uegusuku Castle was the main fortification on Kumejima, located on the island's highest point about 300 meters above sea level. Nowadays only a few small stone walls remain, but the hilltop location still offers panoramic views over the island.
Hours: Always open
Admission: Free
Pools of Tropical Fish
On the northern coast of Kumejima exists an interesting spot along the coast where relatively large pools of water with a variety of sea life are separated from the sea during low tide. These pools allows visitors to observe the colorful sea life without even stepping into the water.
Hours: Always open
Admission: Free
Tatami Ishi Rocks
The Tatami Ishi are a rock formation on a small island connected to Kumejima by a bridge. They are named after tatami mats which they are supposed to resemble. Nearby are a sea turtle museum and a public bath house.
Hours: Always open
Admission: Free
Admission: Free
Beaches and Snorkeling
Multiple companies operate tour boats between Kumejima and Hatenohama Beach. Half day and full day tours are offered. 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 by snorkelers. Washrooms are the only facilities available on the sandbar.
Half day around 3500 yen; full day with lunch around 5500 yen
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| Hatenohama Beach |
Ara Beach
Located quite apart from most other attractions, Ara Beach offers visitors an attractive and secluded beach atmosphere. The beach is about 500 meters long, and its washroom and changing facilities are not well maintained. Ara Beach 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.
Admission: Free, no parking fees
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| Ara Beach |
Eef Beach is located beside the main concentration of tourist activity on Kumejima. Nonetheless, it does not get excessively crowded, as it stretches about two kilometers along the coast. Thebeach has both washrooms and changing facilities, and nearby hotels and businesses offer a range of water activities.
Admission: Free, no parking fees
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| Eef Beach Hotel |
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| Eef Beach Hotel |
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| Eef Beach |
Shinri Beach is located in front of the Cypress Resort Hotel on the western coast of Kumejima and known for nice sunsets. The beachsits in front of a rocky inlet that almost completely drains during low tide.
Admission: Free, no parking fees
Other Attractions
Uezu Residence
The Uezu Residence is built in the traditional Okinawan style with thick stone walls and red-tiled roofs. It was built in 1750 for a high ranked family. The house cannot be entered but only viewed from the outside. The grounds have two separate entrances, one for men and one for women.
Hours: 9:00 to 18:00 Closed: No closing days
Admission: 300 yen
Uegusuku Castle Ruins
The Uegusuku Castle was the main fortification on Kumejima, located on the island's highest point about 300 meters above sea level. Nowadays only a few small stone walls remain, but the hilltop location still offers panoramic views over the island.
Hours: Always open
Admission: Free
Pools of Tropical Fish
On the northern coast of Kumejima exists an interesting spot along the coast where relatively large pools of water with a variety of sea life are separated from the sea during low tide. These pools allows visitors to observe the colorful sea life without even stepping into the water.
Hours: Always open
Admission: Free
Tatami Ishi Rocks
The Tatami Ishi are a rock formation on a small island connected to Kumejima by a bridge. They are named after tatami mats which they are supposed to resemble. Nearby are a sea turtle museum and a public bath house.
Hours: Always open
Admission: Free
Torinokuchi Rock
The Torinokuchi rock is
located at the southern tip of Kumejima and resembles a bird's beak, after
which it is named. The rock is accessible by a pleasant walking path that runs
along the coast and the "whale viewing hill" with nice views onto the
sea.
| Hours: Always open Admission: Free |
Mifuga Rock
The Mifuga Rock is
another unique rock formation along Kumejima's coast. There is a parking lot
just beside the rock, and it is possible to walk through the hole in the rock.
Hours: Always open Admission: Free
Get There and Around
How to get to Kumejima
By air
JAL and RAC (Ryukyu Air Commuter), a member of the JAL Group, operate about 6-8 flights per day between Kumejima and Naha Airport on Okinawa Honto (how to get to Okinawa Honto). Flight duration is about 35 minutes. The regular one way fare is around 13,000 yen, however, discount tickets are usually available for around 8,000 yen.
During the summer, JAL operates one direct flight per day between Tokyo's Haneda Airport and Kumejima. Flight duration is about 2.5 hours. The regular one way fare is around 56,000 yen, however, discount tickets are usually available for about 20,000 yen. With an air pass you might be able to fly even cheaper.
By ferry
Kumejima (Kanegusuku Port) and Naha (Naha Tomari Port) are connected by ferries operated by the Kume Shosen Company. There are two round trips per day, with some of them stopping at Tonaki Island along the way. The one way trip takes 3.5 to 4 hours and costs 3390 yen. A round trip ticket is available for 6450 yen.
How to get around Kumejima
Rental cars are available through a small number of companies at the airport and port and are the most convenient way to travel around the island, while bicycles and motorcycles can be rented from some hotels and minshuku on the island.
There are three bus lines on Kumejima: The Loop Line travels in a circle along the island's main road (4-5 buses per day in either direction), the Airport Line connects the airport with Eef Beach (5-6 round trips per day), and the Shimajiri Line travels from Eef Beach to the southern tip of the island (2-3 round trips per day). Fares depend on the distance traveled and range from 120 yen to 470 yen.
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