4 Best Must-See Destinations in Kume Island, Okinawa

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Written by GOOD LUCK TRIP

Kume Island is a remote island in Okinawa, located just a 30 min. flight away from Naha Airport. During the age of the Ryukyu Dynasty, Kume Island was said to be the most beautiful of all the Ryukyu Islands.
It’s also a popular spot for diving.
Below are a 4 destinations around Kume Island that you won’t want to miss!

1. Hate-no-Hama

An unmanned island made of nothing but sand, complete with crystal clear water beaches. Recommended for snorkeling and swimming. You can only visit by boat so be sure to make an advanced reservation.

Transit boat
Transit boat

2. Mifuga Rock

An enormous rock that seems to be almost ripped in two. The formation is said to be a “female rock” and is believed to aid in the fertility of any woman who prays here. You can walk up close to the formation but the footing is rocky. Caution is advised.

Mifuga Rock
Mifuga Rock
Address
Nakandakari, Kumejimacho, Shimajirigun, Okinawa
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)

3. Tatami-ishi

A volcanic eruption some 6 million years ago cooled and solidified in this geometric formation known as “columnar jointing”. The lattice of 5- and 6-sided stones is often said to look like turtle shells, earning this spot the nickname of “turtle shell rocks”. Visible only at low tide, Tatami-ishi is designated in Japan as a Natural Monument.

Tatami-ishi
Tatami-ishi
Address
170 Ou, Kumejimacho, Shimajirigun, Okinawa
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)

4. Uegusuku Castle Ruins

The Uegusuku Castle ruins sit on the 310 meter-high summit of Uegusuku-Dake, offering a 360-degree panoramic view out over Kume Island. You can see out to other islands on a clear day. The summit is reachable by car.

Scenic view from the Uegusuku Castle Ruins
Scenic view from the Uegusuku Castle Ruins