Okinawa Remote Island Guide: 13 Island Trips from the Main Island, Miyako Island, and Ishigaki Island

The Kerama Islands, Ie Island, Taketomi Island, and others are accessed by boat from nearby ports. Many are easy to visit on a day trip, making them simple to add to your itinerary.

The area around Miyako Island is dotted with islands connected by bridges. With a rental car, you can visit them easily, and the refreshing drive that feels like you are crossing over the sea is part of the fun.

Islands such as Kume Island and Yonaguni Island take more time to reach, but beyond the journey you will find scenery different from Okinawa Main Island and the major remote islands. If you have time to spare, they are well worth visiting.

Made up of more than 30 islands of various sizes and the surrounding waters, Keramashoto National Park is a popular remote island area that is easy to reach by high-speed boat from Okinawa Main Island. Since it takes about 40–50 minutes from Naha, it is an approachable choice even for a first remote-island trip.
Its greatest features are the sea, known as “Kerama Blue” for its world-class clarity, and the rich marine environment with coral reefs. In summer, visitors can go swimming, diving, and snorkeling, while whale watching is available from winter through spring.

Zamami Island, one of the most popular islands in the Kerama Islands, is about 50 minutes from Naha by high-speed boat. Although it is close enough for a day trip, this remote island has an atmosphere distinct from Okinawa Main Island.
Between Zamami Island and Aka Island, which is connected by bridges to Geruma Island and Fukaji Island, the village ferry runs 4 round trips a day. Island-hopping around the Keramas with Zamami as your base is also recommended. There are plenty of ways to enjoy the area beyond visiting just one island.

Located at the eastern edge of the Kerama Islands, Tokashiki Island is a place anyone traveling to Okinawa for the sea will want to consider at least once.
Marine activities at Aharen Beach and Tokashiku Beach are a highlight, but simply gazing out at the sea from an observatory is also well worthwhile. Much untouched nature remains on the island, and its relaxed island time is part of its appeal. Whether you prefer an active trip or a laid-back stay, this island lets you enjoy it in your own style.

About 30 minutes by ferry from Motobu Port. If you are visiting northern Okinawa Main Island, Ie Island is another remote island worth adding to your list as an easy side trip.
Gusukuyama, also known as Tacchu, is one of the “Eight Views of Okinawa” and has long served as a landmark for sailors. Other distinctive sights include Wajee, where water springs up along the shoreline, and Nyatiya Cave. Exploring the island by rental bicycle lets you encounter the many sides of Ie Island.

About 30 minutes by plane from Naha. If you want to go a little farther, head to Kume Island, which was praised as the “most beautiful island” during the Ryukyu Kingdom era.
The island is home to scenic coastal areas such as Eef Beach, a white-sand beach stretching about 2 kilometers, and Hatenohama, an offshore sandbar of pure white sand and cobalt-blue water. With many natural and historical sights, including the Uegusuku Castle Ruins and Tatami Ishi, this is an island you’ll want to explore at a relaxed pace with an overnight stay.

Located northwest of Miyako Island, Irabu Island is a large island with a strong presence among the Miyako Islands. If you enjoy driving, it is a “one more island” destination to visit first.
The entrance to the island is Irabu Bridge. At 3,540 meters long, it is the longest toll-free bridge in Japan. The sea seen from the bridge fully conveys the appeal of Miyako Blue. Once you cross to the island, a relaxed landscape different from Miyako Island spreads out before you, making the time spent crossing the bridge itself a highlight of the trip.

Located west of Irabu Island, Shimoji Island has scenery unlike anywhere else in the Miyako Islands. The sight of clear sea and aircraft fitting into the same view is something unique to this island.
The island’s signature spot is 17END. At low tide, a white sandy beach appears, creating a striking contrast with the turquoise sea. It is also known as a sacred place for aviation enthusiasts, and if your timing is right, you may be able to see a powerful takeoff scene or touch-and-go. This view, which represents Shimoji Island’s character beyond just the sea, is sure to stay with you.

Ikema Island, floating to the north of Miyako Island, is recommended for those who want to appreciate the different colors of the sea. Although it is a small island about 10 kilometers in circumference, it is known for some of the finest scenery in the Miyako Islands.
From Ikema Bridge, which leads to the island, you can take in the distinct gradation of the sea created by shallow and deeper waters. Ikema Blue, where many shades of blue blend together, is said to be among the most beautiful in Miyako Island. Since the scenery changes as you cross the bridge, the drive itself becomes a memorable experience.

Located southwest of Miyako Island, Kurima Island is dotted with observatories where you can enjoy Miyako Blue from various angles.
The time spent crossing Kurima Bridge is also a major part of the appeal. Seen from the bridge, the color of the sea changes with the angle of the light, and the gradation-like view is captivating. On the island, there are also places such as the Ryugujo Observatory where you can look out over the bridge and sea, letting you enjoy the scenery both before and after crossing.

Iriomote Island, the largest of the Yaeyama Islands, is a nature-rich island worth visiting from Ishigaki Island.
About 90% of the island is covered in subtropical primeval forest. It is home to many natural monuments, including the Iriomote cat, and is sometimes called the “Galapagos of the East.”
There are also many experiences unique to Iriomote Island, such as kayaking through mangroves, jungle trekking, and riding a water buffalo cart to Yubu Island. This is an island where you can encounter nature on a completely different scale from Ishigaki Island.

About 10 minutes by high-speed boat from Ishigaki Port. Taketomi Island is easy to visit even for a first remote-island trip.
The island’s appeal lies in its village scenery, which could be called Okinawa’s original landscape. Traditional Okinawan streetscapes remain, with white-sand roads connecting red-tile-roof houses surrounded by coral-stone walls. The sight of water buffalo carts slowly moving along and the calm atmosphere enveloping the village have a charm different from Ishigaki Island. If you have time, consider staying overnight to enjoy the sunset and starry sky.

Located farther south from Ishigaki Island, Hateruma Island is Japan’s southernmost inhabited island. If you are drawn to journeys to the farthest reaches, it is an island you will want to visit at least once.
In addition to notable spots such as Takanazaki and Nishihama Beach, historic sites are scattered around the island. With few streetlights, the island is one of Japan’s leading places to enjoy a sky full of stars. Receiving a certificate marking your arrival at Japan’s southernmost point also makes for a memorable travel keepsake.

Known as a border island just 111 kilometers from Taiwan, Yonaguni Island is a place where you can especially feel the closeness of a foreign country among the Yaeyama Islands.
It is one of the islands that make up the Yaeyama Islands and is Japan’s westernmost inhabited island. Around the island are powerful landscapes such as Agarizaki, Irizaki, and Tategami Iwa, and visitors can also interact with Yonaguni horses and try Yonaguni weaving. Watching the last sunset in Japan can make you feel as if you have reached the end point of your journey.