Summary
This time I went to Kohama Island and Iriomote Island!
From Naha Airport, you will first fly to Ishigaki Airport. From there, you will take a boat to visit each of the islands⛴.
It’s not a place you can easily go for a quick visit, but it’s worth the time! It was the most enjoyable stay 🌺
I wish I could go back 😌.
*Please note that information and prices listed are subject to change.
Travel Itinerary
Naha Airport（那覇空港）
This trip also started at Naha Airport!
First we will take a plane to Ishigaki Island 🛫.
Still, Naha Airport is a lot of fun with lots of stores, isn’t it?
Spot Outline
Naha Airport is located in Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture. It is used by many people as a starting point for travel. In addition to the traditional purposes of travel and transportation, there are many stores and restaurants in the area.
8:20am New Ishigaki Airport (Painushima Ishigaki Airport) – 新石垣空港（南ぬ島石垣空港）
After arriving at New Ishigaki Airport, take a bus to Ishigaki Port Terminal.
Above the sky heading for Ishigaki Island
The sea is crystal clear, but you can see it even from here.
Ishigaki Island from the sky
Limousine bus to the port
View from the bus
I was kayaking!
Looks like fun!
Spot Outline
New Ishigaki Airport (Painushima Ishigaki Airport), located in Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture, is the southernmost airport in Japan. There are stores and restaurants where you can enjoy meals and souvenirs. There is also a direct bus service to the remote island terminal, so there is no need to worry even if you do not have a rental car. Also, word of mouth says that it only takes about 1 hour from Naha Airport, so you can enjoy a relaxing trip.
9:50am Euglena Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal（ユーグレナ石垣港離島ターミナル）
Euglena Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal is a port of arrival and departure for high-speed boats that serve as a stopover for tourists and residents of the Yaeyama Islands. It is easily accessible from New Ishigaki Airport by shuttle bus 🚌.
It is the base for crossing to Taketomi Island, Iriomote Island, Yubu Island, Kohama Island, Kuroshima Island, Hateruma Island, and Hatoma Island, and many boats depart from here.
We used Yaeyama Kanko Ferry this time.
Exterior
lobby
timetable
There were operating times for each island.
Surprisingly, there are a lot of boats, which I appreciate as a tourist~!
boat embarkation area
The roof of the pier is also red tile and looks great against the blue sea and sky ✨.
Gushiken Yoko Monument
Speaking of heroes of Ishigaki Island! There was a golden bronze statue of the person who is a hero of Ishigaki Island (lol).
You can take great pictures with the blue sky in the background here too 😉.
ship
Here is the ship we will be embarking on
Ninufabushi
In Okinawan dialect, it means the star in the direction of the North or the North Star.
inboard
The pattern of Ryukyu Bingata is very nice!
inboard
The view from the boat is of course outstanding!
deck (of a ship)
The boat to Kohama Island had a deck so you could really feel the ocean 🤣.
Kohama Island seen from the boat
Finally, we have arrived! I’m excited!
Spot Outline
Euglena Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal, located in Misaki-cho, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture, is a passenger terminal connecting Ishigaki Island with the outlying islands around Yaeyama. It is a departure and arrival port for high-speed boats that provide transportation for tourists and residents, and many ships depart from here. Also, since the weather is changeable on the island, you need to pay attention to the weather at the time of departure.
11:05am Sommelier（ソムリエ）
A rice restaurant located in Euglena Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal!
This time, I had Yaeyama soba 😋 It is characterized by the presence of kamaboko (fish paste)!
The brick is cute.
Menu
Spot Outline
The spot called Sommelier is a restaurant located in Misaki Town, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture. This spot is located in Euglena Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal, where you can enjoy delicious food. Particularly recommended is Yaeyama soba with fish paste.
11:40am Nanapitohonpo（Nanapitohonpo）
This store is also located in Euglena Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal!
The Mariya Shake sold here is the terminal’s specialty!
There were also bento boxes for sale, so you could buy them here and eat them on the ship 😉.
Menu in front of the store
Menu
Marya Shake
It was milky but light and great!
Spot Outline
Located in Misaki-cho, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture, Nanapitohonpo is a store located in the Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal. Here, the famous Mariya Shake as well as boxed lunches are sold. It is recommended to eat on the ship.
1:20pm Kohama Port（小浜港）
Kohama Island was the setting for NHK’s morning drama series Churasan. It is a peaceful island with sugarcane fields.
From Ufudaki in the middle of the island, you can see all 8 islands except Yonaguni Island!
Spot Outline
Kohama Island is a tranquil island located in Taketomi Town, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa Prefecture, known as the setting of NHK’s morning drama series Churasan, featuring a landscape of sugar cane fields. From the middle of the island, the view from Ufudake is spectacular, offering a panoramic view of all eight islands except for Yonaguni Island. Kohama Island can be reached by ferry from Ishigaki Island in about 30 minutes. You can stay at Hoshino Resort Kohama Island or drive a moped along Sugar Road.
1:05pm Sugar Road（シュガーロード）
It is a peaceful road with sugarcane fields on both sides.
It became famous when it appeared in the movie Churasan as a route for students to go to school.
Spot Outline
Sugar Road located in Kohama, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa Prefecture, is a single road where sugarcane fields spread out. It is characterized by sugarcane fields stretching out on both sides, creating a peaceful landscape. It is also famous as a location for the drama Churasan and was used as a route to school.
1:30pm Hoshino Resort Risonare Kohama Island（星野リゾート リゾナーレ小浜島）
On Kohama Island, we stayed at the Hoshino Resort Risonare Kohama Island! It is a very nice hotel with a private hotel beach on the premises, where you can stay while experiencing the nature of Kohama Island ✨❤️
lobby
Nice interior with red color scheme
Lagoon Pool Entrance
Pool located in the lagoon area!
lagoon pool
Nice and private swimming pool.
You can see the red-tiled buildings from here, and it’s a nice view.
It was nice to spend the evening relaxing by the pool.
Lagoon Pool 2
Royal Suite
We stayed in the Royal Suite room ❤️ which is so spacious that it is now a mansion…
Private Pool
What luxury! The room had a private pool.
He said that only the Royal Suite rooms have private pools!
day bed
This is a daybed in one corner of the living room.
living
bedroom
There was a spacious bedroom next to the living room.
gazebo
In the back is the rest area next to the pool. It’s already too nice for words…
bathroom
sauna
Oh, what a surprise, even a sauna in the room…!
sauna
View from the living room
We are aiming for the beach in the hotel!
It was a bit far, so we were given a ride in a golf cart? We were given a ride in what looked like a golf cart!
Private Beach
It is an overwhelming view.
They say it is one of the largest in Okinawa Prefecture.
Parasols were also set up.
Beach Cafe
The cafe is located right in front of the beach!
introspection
Ficus retusa Plaza
Ficus retusa Square, where ficus retusa grow thickly. The branches and leaves form a natural roof, creating a very comfortable space.
Ficus retusa Plaza
The plaza is also equipped with swings and other equipment, so relaxing here is also recommended.
Ficus retusa Terrace
Climbing the stairs in one corner of the ficus retusa plaza…a terrace overlooking the ocean was set up.
Ficus retusa Terrace
Located about 3.5 meters above the ground, it overlooks the Yaeyama blue sea.
The terrace design is nice and resort-like.
Spot Outline
Hoshino Resort Risonare Kohama Island is a resort hotel located in Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa Prefecture. Word of mouth has it that the hotel has a great reputation as a nice hotel with its own private beach, and it is also introduced as a recommended base for sightseeing on the island.
Island Book Cafe（島ブックカフェ）
This is a semi-open-air book café located in Hoshino Resort Resonale Kohama Island. Located in a perfect position overlooking the ocean and the beach, you can take a relaxing break here after a tiring swim.
There’s also a swimming pool right in front of it!
introspection
Introspection 2
picture book
There seem to be many family customers and a wide variety of picture books!
Picture book 2
Hotel guests also get free coffee.
Beach pool right in front of the cafe
Spot Outline
Island Book Cafe is a semi-outdoor cafe located in Kohama, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa Prefecture. Located within Hoshino Resort Resort Kohama Island, it overlooks the ocean and the beach. The pool is also right in front of the cafe, so you can take a relaxing break after a swim.
7:30am Ooli Ooli（オーリ オーリ）
Restaurant located inside Hoshino Resort Risonare Kohama Island.
On the second day, breakfast will be served here.
entrance
introspection
cooking
Spot Outline
Ori Ori, located in Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa, is a buffet restaurant in Hoshino Resort Resonare Kohama Island. According to reviews, breakfast is recommended.
10:30am Hoshino Resort Risonare Kohama Island（星野リゾート リゾナーレ小浜島）
Check out of the hotel and head for Kohama Port to board the ferry.
11:10am Kohama Port（小浜港）
This trip is an itinerary called Kohama Island→Iriomote Island, but Iriomote Island cannot go directly from Kohama Island, so we will go to Uehara Port in Iriomote Island by the route Kohama Island→Ishigaki Island→Iriomote Island!
1:30pm Euglena Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal（ユーグレナ石垣港離島ターミナル）
We returned to Ishigaki Island from Kohama Island. From here, we boarded a ferry to Iriomote Island.
2:10pm Uehara Port (Densa Terminal) – 上原港（デンサターミナル）
There are two ports on Iriomote Island, and Uehara Port, located in the northern part of the island, is a 50-minute ferry ride away.
View from the boat
The blue of the sea is different again, soooo blue.
The ship you will be on this time
inboard
Inboard 2
The view from inside the ship✨
Spot Outline
Uehara Port is located in Taketomi Town, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa Prefecture. This port is used as an access point to Iriomote Island. Around the port, there are several inns, supermarkets, car rental and motorcycle rental agencies, general stores, and restaurants. Since the activity spots are close by, it is often used as a meeting point for those who participate in activity tours in Iriomote Island.
2:40pm Hoshino Resort Iriomote Island Hotel（星野リゾート 西表島ホテル）
On the second day, we also stayed at Hoshino Resort in Iriomote Island!
The Iriomote Island Hotel is aiming to be an eco-tourism resort that protects the island’s natural environment and creates a sustainable tourism system ✨.
Upon check-in, you will be given a thorough explanation of the rules for spending time on the island and about the Iriomote wild cat. Bottled drinks are not sold in the hotel, and guests may rent eco-friendly bottles if they wish.
Also, there are many nature programs! I experienced two of them this time 😊.
View in front of the hotel
It is surrounded by the great outdoors.
signboard
The Iriomote wild cat logo is so cute ❤️
lobby
The lobby was chic and serene!
Environmental protection explained
At check-in, a tablet will explain what to expect during your stay on the island.
Ecobottle
During my stay in Iriomote Island, I spend my time pouring water into it and adding water to it.
lobby
Lobby 2
room
This is the room we stayed in this time!
The atmosphere here is also chic and relaxed.
bed
View from the room
The view of the room is also green🌲🌳🌿 in front of you.
(swimming) pool
Next to the lobby is a swimming pool🏊.
(swimming) pool
When I went there, there was a pineapple event going on, and the parasols and floats were pineapple-patterned and really cute 🍍🍍🍍🍍.
self-service drink area in a restaurant (incl. soft drinks, coffee, tea, etc.)
Participate in Activities
As soon as we arrived at the hotel, we joined the Iriomote Guided Walk Mangrove Course!
Our guide brother tells us about the coast and mangroves near the hotel in a simple and detailed way! There were a lot of things I didn’t know… 🙄.
Baby mangrove
mangrove
This Mr. Mangrove is about 40 years old!
Explanation of the leaf🍃.
Mangroves grow where fresh water and seawater mix, but they are actually salty!
That’s why some leaves absorb salt and turn yellow.
Baby mangrove
The baby mangroves are said to get stuck in the soil and grow from there.
Mangrove 2
Sunset at Todomari Beach
You can watch the sunset from the beach near the hotel. Enjoy the luxurious view 😘.
sundowner
There was a sundowner, or sparkling wine, served at sunset time!
Participate in Activities
We also took a tour of Kula Falls in the morning of the second day.
We will continue through the jungle to Kula Falls with various explanations!
Japanese freshwater crab
He also explained about the birds
Okinawa tree lizard
The Okinawa tree lizard, which we saw a lot of on this tour ❤️
He said he is good at climbing trees!
Okinawa tree lizard
I was climbing a tree!
Natural ceiling 🌳🌲🌳🌲
The sound of water can be heard as you go deeper into the jungle!
Kula Falls
We arrived at Kula Falls!
Spot Outline
Hoshino Resort Iriomotejima Hotel is a resort hotel located in Uehara, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa Prefecture. This hotel aims to be an eco-tourism resort that protects the natural environment of the island and creates a sustainable tourism system. Upon check-in, you will be given a detailed explanation of the rules for spending time on the island and about the Iriomote wild cat. Plastic bottled drinks are not sold in the hotel, and guests can rent eco-bottles if they wish. The hotel also offers a wide variety of nature programs. Word of mouth says that this is a larger resort hotel than Eco-Village and is recommended for families. The buffet has a wide variety of items, the food is elaborate, and the rooms are comfortable, but the room rate is a bit expensive. The hotel’s dinner buffet is popular because there are few places to eat nearby.
7:30pm Tsukigahama (Tudumari Beach) – 月ヶ浜（トゥドウマリの浜）
The beach is located just a short distance from the hotel.
The beach is called Tsukigahama because of its moon-like shape.
The sand itself is pure white and smooth. It is said to be squeaky sand that makes a squeak, squeak sound when you walk on it, but when I went there, it was after it had rained, so it didn’t make much noise 🥲.
Although most of the ocean in Okinawa is calm, the waves here are surprisingly high, and it is not that suitable for swimming.
In the evening, you can also see a spectacular sunset!
Staying at the Hoshino Resort also gave us sparkling wine at sunset time 🍾❤️
View from the beach✨
Spot Outline
Tsukigahama (Tudumari Beach) is located in Uehara, Taketomi Town, Yaeyama County, Okinawa Prefecture. This beach is located just a short distance from the hotel and is called Tsukigahama because it is shaped like the moon. The sand is pure white and sandy, and is also known as “squeaky sand” that makes a “squeaky, squeaky” sound when walked on. However, after it rains, it does not seem to make much sound. The ocean in Okinawa is usually calm, but the waves are surprisingly high at this beach, so it is not suitable for swimming. However, you can see a wonderful sunset in the evening, and if you stay at the Hoshino Resort, you can also enjoy sparkling wine at sunset time.
08:30am Hoshino Resort Iriomotejima Hotel（星野リゾート 西表島ホテル）
Start of Day 3! We will take a guided tour of the hotel.
9:00am Kula Falls（クーラの滝）
This waterfall is located in the middle of the Kula River.
It is a small waterfall with a drop of about 5 meters, but it is a highly recommended spot with a mysterious atmosphere.
This time we walked to the falls, but there are also canoeing activities to reach the falls.
Around the Kula River, there is a native modama tree that looks like a large pea pod, and we were able to take pictures on it like a swing ✨.
You can walk to the bottom of the waterfall
Spot Outline
Kula Falls, located in Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa Prefecture, is a small waterfall with a drop of about 5 meters, yet it is a spot with a mysterious atmosphere. Located in the middle of the Koola River, visitors can head there on foot, but can also enjoy canoeing activities to reach the falls. The surrounding area is perfect for nature observation, as there are native modama trees (Entada phaseoloides) that bear large pea-like fruits. This is a recommended spot to experience the beauty of the falls and the richness of nature.
11:00am Hoshino Resort Iriomotejima Hotel（星野リゾート 西表島ホテル）
Check-out time.
It was a 3-day/2-night trip that allowed me to enjoy nature to the fullest!
Please take a look at it for reference~! 🌺
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