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Kohama Island Okinawa: Sugarcane Roads & Quiet Beaches

Fukuoka Saga Nagasaki Kumamoto Oita Miyazaki Kagoshima Okinawa
Kohama Island Okinawa: Sugarcane Roads & Quiet Beaches
Kohama Island in Okinawa's Yaeyama group is a 7.84 km² island of sugarcane roads, quiet beaches, and easy cycling. 25 min ferry from Ishigaki.

Highlights

Kohama Island Travel Guide: Highlights

Kohama Island is a quiet Yaeyama island with a soothing mix of sugarcane roads and blue seas. It’s easy to explore at a relaxed pace by bicycle or scooter.

Hosozaki Cape Viewpoint

Hosozaki Cape is a scenic spot on the island’s western edge, with sweeping views of the sea, white sand, and nearby islands such as Iriomote. It’s also well known for sunsets.

Phantom Island Sandbar (near Kohama)

The “Phantom Island” is a sandbar that appears and disappears with the tides, and it’s a popular snorkeling and diving spot near Kohama. Clear-kayak tours and other guided trips are common.

Sugar Road Scenery (Kohama Island)

This straight road lined with sugarcane fields is Kohama’s signature landscape. Cycling here is a great way to feel the island’s laid-back atmosphere (also known as a filming location for “Churasan”).

Mt. Oodake Short Hike

Mt. Oodake is 99 m high and can be reached in about 15 minutes. From the summit, enjoy 360-degree views over the Yaeyama Islands, with sunrise and sunset photo opportunities.

How to Get to Kohama Island

There are direct flights to Ishigaki from cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka, then a ferry from Ishigaki to Kohama takes about 25 minutes. Ferries run several times a day from Ishigaki Port, and you can buy same-day tickets.

Kohama Island Itinerary, Stay Length & Best Season

Getting around is mainly on foot or by rental bicycle, and an electric scooter can be handy. You can enjoy a day trip, but staying one night makes it easier to take it slow. Comfortable weather is common from April to October.

For the latest information, please refer to official announcements or check on site.

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What Is Kohama Island? A Healing Island in Okinawa’s Yaeyama Islands

Kohama Island (Kohama-jima) is an island in Taketomi Town, Yaeyama District, Okinawa.

It’s about 25 minutes by ferry from Ishigaki Island, making it an easy remote-island getaway.

With an area of about 7.84 km², you can enjoy peaceful scenery and beaches.

Why Visit Kohama Island

  • Crystal-clear seas and beaches
  • Known as a filming location for the NHK morning drama “Churasan”
  • Scenery of wide sugarcane fields
  • Relax at resort hotels

Located near the center of the Yaeyama Islands, it’s sometimes called the “belly button of Yaeyama.”


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Top 5 Things to Do on Kohama Island

1. Kubazaki Cape (Hosaki)｜A Scenic Point with Views Toward Iriomote Island

Kubazaki Cape (Hosaki / Kubazaki) is a scenic spot on the western side of Kohama Island.

You’ll find wide ocean views, and on clear days you can see surrounding islands such as Iriomote Island.

There is a small park nearby, marked by a manta ray monument.

Highlights

  • Quiet and calm atmosphere
  • There are times of day when the sunset is beautiful
  • Views over the surrounding islands

It’s a good spot for travelers who want to sit back and watch the sea.

2. For Snorkeling & Diving: “Phantom Island” (Hamajima)

“Phantom Island” (official name: Hamajima) is known for its sandbar that changes shape with the tides.

Located in the sea between Kohama Island and Taketomi Island, it’s typically visited on snorkeling or diving tours.

Activities You Can Enjoy

  • Observe tropical fish and coral reefs
  • Try experiences like clear kayaking
  • Tour prices are usually about 6,000–10,000 yen

Because it’s difficult to reach on your own, join a tour departing from Kohama Island or Ishigaki Island.

It’s also known as a location for wedding photo shoots.

3. Sugar Road｜A Straight Road Through Sugarcane Fields

Sugar Road is a route where you can enjoy scenery that feels uniquely Kohama.

Sugarcane fields stretch on both sides, creating a calm, nostalgic atmosphere.

Recommended Ways to Enjoy

  • Ride a rental bicycle and feel the island breeze
  • Known as a filming location for “Churasan”
  • Some sections open up to pasture landscapes

During harvest season, you may see farming work taking place.

It’s a great option for travelers who want to enjoy the island slowly.


4. Ufudaki (Ōdake)｜A Viewpoint on Kohama Island

Ufudaki (Ōdake) is known as a viewpoint on Kohama Island.

Near the summit, you can enjoy wide views over the surrounding islands.

Hiking Info

  • There are stair sections going up and down
  • Time needed varies depending on fitness and breaks
  • There are lookout points where you can enjoy the scenery

Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

5. Kohama Island Food｜Enjoy Okinawan Dishes at Local Eateries

Kohama Island has a few places where you can enjoy island-style meals.

Recommended Food Spots

  • “BOB's CAFE”
  • “Pārā Painu-shima (Pārā Painu-shima)”

Because the number of restaurants is limited, it’s best to check opening hours and days in advance.

Using your resort hotel restaurant is also one option.


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Getting Around Kohama Island & Tips for Enjoying Your Stay

Because public transportation is limited, getting around Kohama Island is easiest by rental bicycle, rental motorbike, or rental car.

There are rental shops near the port, and bicycles may be available from a few hundred yen in some cases.

The island has some hills, so choosing an electric-assist bicycle can make it easier to explore.

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Practical Travel Info for Visitors

1. How to Get to Kohama Island

From Mainland Japan

  • There are seasons when direct flights operate from Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and other cities to Ishigaki Island (New Ishigaki Airport / Painushima Ishigaki Airport).
  • From Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal, take a ferry to Kohama Island.

From Ishigaki Island

  • From Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal, it’s about 25 minutes by ferry.
  • Schedules and fares vary by season and operator, so check the timetable.

2. Recommended Places to Stay

Resort Hotels

  • “HOSHINOYA Resort RISONARE Kohama Island”
  • “Haimurubushi (Haimurubushi)”

Budget-Friendly Options

  • “Kohama-sō (Kohama-sō)”

Because there are no convenience stores on Kohama Island, it’s best to buy necessities on Ishigaki Island in advance.

If you want to fully enjoy the slow island pace, staying one night or more is recommended.


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Summary

✅ Kohama Island is a peaceful remote island in the Yaeyama Islands

✅ Beaches and sugarcane-field scenery are major highlights

✅ Ocean activities like Phantom Island tours are popular

✅ It’s easy to explore by rental bicycle and similar options

✅ About 25 minutes by ferry from Ishigaki Island

Frequently Asked Questions

A. Kohama Island has the relaxed Yaeyama feel of sugarcane fields and the sea. It can be done as a day trip, but if photos are the goal, late-afternoon light is strong, so staying one night and walking twice in “morning and evening” can raise satisfaction.
A. The Ishigaki–Kohama ferry costs 1,400 yen one way for adults and takes about 25 minutes. In peak seasons the boarding line can get long, so arriving at the port about 20 minutes before departure gives you more choice of seats.
A. Rental bikes are the standard, but wind and hills can drain your energy. On hot days, choosing an electric-assist bike helps keep the quality of sightseeing from dropping, and it can reduce the chance you feel completely wiped out on the return ferry.
A. Even at shallow beaches, the scenery can change a lot with the tide, so roughly knowing low and high tide times helps you hit better moments. Coral fragments can cut feet, so marine shoes are safer than going barefoot and expand where you can walk comfortably.
A. On some nights, limited street lighting makes stars easier to see. Phone lights attract bugs, so using a red light or lowering screen brightness is more comfortable, and for photos, simply stabilizing your phone on a railing or rock can be enough even without a tripod.
A. Even if same-day slots exist, day trips are constrained by ferry times, so building a timetable in advance is the key. Fix your return ferry time first, then schedule tours by working backward to reduce the risk of missing the boat.
A. With limited restaurants, seats can fill quickly at the lunch peak. If you’re moving actively in the morning, bringing a light meal for the beach and shifting island restaurants to an early dinner can reduce waiting and improve satisfaction.
A. Easy-to-share picks include room-temperature sweets and salt, which also hold up well in luggage. Ferry travel can trap humidity, so placing boxed sweets in a plastic bag helps guard against moisture and keeps texture from degrading.

Useful Japanese Phrases

Meaning
Where can I catch the ferry to Kohama Island? — Use at Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal. Ferries to Kohama depart from here, so ask staff at the ticket counter to confirm the right pier.
Meaning
One adult ticket, please. — Use at the ferry ticket counter on Ishigaki. Hold up one finger while saying this to make the number clear, especially if the counter is busy.
Meaning
I'd like to rent a bicycle. — Say this at a rental shop near the port. Ask for an electric-assist bike (denki-assist) if you want help with Kohama's hilly roads.
Meaning
Is this the right road to Sugar Road? — Ask locals while cycling. Sugar Road is the straight sugarcane-lined route featured in the NHK drama "Churasan," so mentioning the drama helps.
Meaning
Where is the trailhead for Ufudaki? — Ask at your hotel or a passing local. Ufudaki (big peak) is a short hike with stairs leading to a 360-degree viewpoint.
Meaning
Can I book a Phantom Island tour? — Ask at tour desks or your hotel. Maboroshi no Shima (Phantom Island) is a tidal sandbar that appears at low tide for snorkeling and photos.
Meaning
Which lunch do you recommend? — Use at BOB's CAFE or Pārā Painu-shima. Point at the menu while asking to help the staff suggest a local Yaeyama specialty.
Meaning
Do you have marine shoes? — Ask at rental shops or your hotel front desk. Marine shoes protect your feet from coral fragments at Kohama's beaches.
Meaning
Please tell me where I can see the sunset. — Ask hotel staff or locals. They'll likely point you to Kubazaki Cape (Hosaki), the western tip marked by a manta ray monument.
Meaning
What time is the last ferry back to Ishigaki? — Ask at the Kohama port ticket office. Checking the last departure is essential since there are no convenience stores or late services on the island.
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