Let's travel around Kume Island by yourself! Introducing activities and recommended sightseeing spots that can be joined by one person!

Tourist associations also support the event!
If you want to travel alone, go to Kume Island!

Kume Island is located about 100 km west of the main island of Okinawa, only 30 minutes by plane.

This small remote island is,A hidden place for solo travelersThe island is attracting attention as a The tourism association also actively supports the island, creating an environment where visitors can enjoy the island's attractions to the fullest!

In this issue, we will introduce recommended ways to spend time on Kume Island and popular spots for solo travelers, as well as the charms of Kume Island.

 

Attraction of Traveling Alone in Kumejima

In these days of spending more and more time at home, many people see tourist attractions through TV and the Internet and would like to visit them themselves.

However, even when they want to go on a trip, they often give up because of limited schedules or conflicts with their companions.

If you want to blow away such a stressful situation, I recommend you to visit Kume Island alone and enjoy a free trip.

Although remote islands may seem distant and inconvenient for transportation, Kumejima is accessible from Naha Airport in only 30 minutes.

In addition to nature and the sea, Kume Island is also filled with places where you can meet the locals, enjoy delicious food, and have fun and shop to your heart's content.

If you enjoy the charming lifestyle unique to Kumejima, you are sure to return home with a smile on your face, truly healed.

The charm of a trip to Kumejima alone is that it allows you to heal your tired body and mind to the fullest.

 

Compact island, easy to get around.

Although a small island with a circumference of only 50 km, it offers a richly varied landscape, with beautiful beaches and lively fishing ports in the south and quaint villages and cliffs in the north.

The compact nature of the island allows visitors to explore the sights efficiently.

 

Freedom to set your own schedule.

Kumejima Island is also very flexible in terms of scheduling, as it can be visited from the main island of Okinawa, either as a day trip or as an overnight stop and return.

Also, since there are not too many sightseeing spots and each area is not too far apart from the others, you can go wherever you want and make your schedule as you wish.

Even if you stay at the popular Hatohama beach during the ocean-opening season, your stay will only take about 3 to 5 hours if you take a tour.

Enjoy your island trip to the fullest with a free schedule that is not restricted by routes or times.

 

Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime encounter

Kume Island has more to offer than just natural beauty and delicious food.

Typical of this is the friendly character and warmth of the local islanders.

The people who live on Kumejima value the presence of tourists very highly, and always welcome outsiders warmly.

For example, many people on Kume Island plant flowers in the gardens of their homes, symbolizing the peaceful and happy island life, as well as a welcome to visitors from outside.

The best part of traveling alone on Kume Island is that you can enjoy these once-in-a-lifetime encounters with the warm islanders.

 

One person can tour the area by himself!
10 recommended spots on Kume Island

Each of Kume Island's sightseeing spots has different attractions, so there is plenty to see and do.

Visitors can enjoy the dynamic ocean, beaches, and nature, as well as hands-on facilities, gourmet spots, and activities, including the main attraction, the spectacular island of Hate-no-hama.

Here are 10 recommended spots on Kume Island that you can enjoy while touring alone.

 

beach on the far side of the ocean

One spot on Kume Island that should not be missed is Hate-no-hama.

There are no buildings or even plants or shade on this beach, allowing visitors to enjoy a 360-degree panorama of the ocean.

Therefore, sunburn protection is a must, but it is a place to visit for those who just want to enjoy the spectacular view of the sea and the island.

Although it is less than a 30-minute boat ride from the port, you will feel as if you are on an exotic deserted island.

In addition, you can see beautiful corals, tropical fish, and sea turtles that you can encounter because of the pristine ocean.

Note that there is no regular ferry service to Hate-no-hama, so it is recommended to join a tour and take a boat from Tomari Fishery near Eef Beach area.

▼Click here ▼ for recommended Hatate no Hama tours

▼Learn more about Hate no Hama ▼

▼Learn more about the Hatoe no Hama Landing Tour ▼

 

tatami stone

Tatamiseki is a mysterious spot where pentagonal or hexagonal stones, each measuring 1 to 1.5 meters in diameter, are regularly arranged by the forces of nature.

It is said that the lava from the eruption that occurred about 6 million years ago was continuously eroded by waves as it cooled and solidified, gradually flattening and appearing in its present form.

At low tide, this stone is clearly visible, but if you go at high tide, it is covered by sea water and almost invisible, so the timing is not recommended.

However, the sea around Tatamiseki is also very beautiful, so you may want to stop by for a drive without worrying about the time.

▼Learn more about Tatami stone▼

 

Mifgar.

Mihugaru means "woman rock" in the Okinawan language.

This huge rock is 20 meters high and is characterized by a large hole in the center.

It is said that the rocks collided with each other about 4 million years ago and were then eroded by the tide to form their present shape.

According to an old legend, if a woman worships this woman rock, she will be blessed with a child, and it is still a power spot for women who wish to have a child.

The mystical view at sunset is also fascinating, and visitors never cease to come.

▼Learn more about Miehger▼.

 

Ruins of Uejo Castle

Uejo Castle Ruins was built in 1754 and is the home of a samurai family active in the Ryukyu Dynasty and is an important designated cultural property.

At the ruins of the castle, which still retains strong traces of those days, a guide, a family member descended from a samurai family, will tell you in detail about the characteristics and history of the house.

In addition to history, ask them about life and culture on Kume Island, and they may be able to tell you many stories.

In this comfortable environment, you will feel as if you have time-traveled back to the days of the Ryukyu Dynasty.

▼Learn more about the ruins of Uejo Castle

 

haunted slope

You may think the name "haunted slope" is a strange name, but this road is by no means a haunted mystery spot.

This is a spot where a mysterious phenomenon called the slope illusion (or longitudinal gradient illusion), which appears to be a downhill slope but is actually an uphill slope, occurs.

When you roll a ball down a seemingly downhill path, it somehow rolls back to you instead of rolling downhill.

Although there are several such slopes in Japan, it is rare to find one with as little traffic as Obakezaka in Kumejima, where experiments with slope illusion can be conducted.

 

EEF Beach

Eef Beach boasts of being a long beach with approximately 2 km of white sandy beach.

If you want to go to a tropical resort atmosphere or a typical resort beach, this is just what you need.

In addition, since the seawater is of course beautiful and clear, it is good to enjoy marine sports such as snorkeling to observe marine life, banana boats, and marine jets.

The waves are calm and the shallow water makes it safe even for those who are not good at swimming.

Furthermore, on a good weather day, you can see the stars in the sky at night, so please go stargazing once.

▼Learn more about EEF Beach▼

 

HIYATA BANTA

Located in the northeastern part of Kume Island, Hiyadate Banta is a scenic spot with a powerful view of a series of precipitous cliffs as high as 200 meters.

The word "banta" in Hiyasada Banta means "cliff" in the Okinawan dialect, so you will see a spectacular view that is exactly what the name implies.

There is also an observation deck on a hill along a nearby road that will provide a panoramic view of the island.

Since the observatory is located on a hill, it also offers a view of the popular Hate-no-hama beach and remote islands such as Aguni, Watanaki, and Kerama.

Furthermore, if the weather is good, you may be able to see the main island of Okinawa.

Why not enjoy the magnificent scenery that explains why it is designated as a scenic spot?

 

five pines

This more than 250-year-old Ryukyu pine tree towering over Kamiezu in the town of Kumejima is a giant pine tree that has been designated a natural monument.

In Okinawa, it is considered one of the two most famous pine trees, and its beauty is so unique that it was once sung about in Ryukoku (a traditional song of Amami and Okinawa).

It has also been selected as one of the 100 best pine trees in Japan.

The pine tree seen today was planted in 1839 as the second generation, and many people continue to care for it daily to keep it looking its best.

The prefectural nature park where the pine tree with five branches is located is also a habitat for kumejima fireflies, which can be seen around the beginning of May.

 

Kumejima Horse Farm

Many of you may be thinking, "Doesn't horseback riding have to be on Kumejima?" Many of you may be thinking, "I can do horseback riding even if I don't live in Kumejima.

Kumejima Horse Farm offers an unusual horseback riding experience that overturns this image.

What a surprise, at this horse farm, you can have a very wild experience of entering the ocean while riding a horse.

There is also a horseback riding course where you can take a beach walk and play in the sea at Eef Beach, and a horseback riding walk in the nature of the mountain.

In addition, the horses are small but powerful and mild-mannered, so even those who have never had contact with horses will feel comfortable with the experience.

Please try an extraordinary horseback riding experience to make your trip to Kume Island a memorable one.

 

the Uesu family

The Uezu family, descendants of the lord of Gushigawa Castle, who is said to have once ruled Kume Island, served as landowners of this land for generations and performed many good deeds.

The spot where the family's old house remains is also designated as an important cultural property.

The area surrounding this former residence of the Uezu family is surrounded by a magnificent stone wall of Ryukyu limestone, called Ishigaki-dennai.

Visit these old houses that are still beautifully preserved and feel the history of Okinawa and Kumejima firsthand.

▼Learn more about the Uezu family

 

Enjoy traveling alone.
5 recommended activities on Kume Island

Then, even if you are traveling alone, "I want to have fun in the sea of Kumejima! I want to participate in activities! Here are 5 activities in Kumejima that we recommend for active people who want to have fun in the sea and participate in activities even if they are traveling alone.

There are many tours that you can enjoy only because you are alone, so please join us and enjoy the nature of Kume Island all by yourself!

 

Hatate no Hama Cruising

Hate-no-hama cruising is a glass boat cruise to the coral white beach off the southeast coast of Kume Island.

The glass boat has a transparent bottom, so you can enjoy cruising while peering into the sea bottom inside the boat.

Most of the tours are half-day tours that take about 2.5 hours, so they are recommended for those who do not have a long stay on Kume Island or have other plans.

There is also a plan to go to a private beach called Okunohama to enjoy playing in the ocean, so if you want to have fun to the fullest, please join us.

Full-day tours and other tours that include diving spots are also available, as well as sunset cruises that operate at night.

Enjoy a leisurely cruise while listening to the guide of the islanders' captain.

 

snorkeling

Kume Island has many good snorkeling sites.

They offer a variety of snorkeling tours, including snorkeling on the beach, boat rides to various spots, and sea turtle snorkeling to sea turtle spots.

The tour begins with a 20-minute boat ride to the snorkeling spot.

Enjoy the spectacular view of the ocean spread out before your eyes and the underwater world, a treasure trove of marine life, as if it were an aquarium.

To make your snorkeling tour safer and more enjoyable, it is important to note that you should never enter the water alone, always wear a life jacket, and learn basic snorkeling skills in advance.

Especially for first-time snorkelers, choose a tour accompanied by an instructor and enjoy snorkeling safely while receiving instruction.

▼Click here for recommended snorkeling tours.▼

▼Learn more about snorkeling▼

 

diving

The waters of Kume Island are teeming with marine life: tropical fish, schools of fish, big game fish, colorful coral reefs, sea turtles, manta rays, and more.

There are also scattered dive sites that can be enjoyed by beginner and advanced divers alike, so everyone can have fun.

Divers are especially attracted to the clear waters where it is easy to spot black manta rays, which are said to be rare to see in Japan.

If you want to see black manta rays, join a tour that can take you to the point where they appear and search carefully with a guide.

▼Learn more about diving▼

 

Canoe (Kayak)

Sea canoe and kayak tours on popular Kume Island are often held in the inner bay, so the waves are calm and recommended for beginners.

Many tours are accompanied by a guide who will give you a lecture on how to ride a canoe or kayak, so you can enjoy cruising with peace of mind.

Kayak tours are also popular with visitors who enjoy watching the sunset sky over the beach with its beautiful gradations.

Touring tourist spots during the day and trying canoeing or kayaking in the evening will surely be a memorable experience.

▼Learn more about kayaking and canoeing▼

 

SUP

SUP is a marine activity that is less demanding than surfing and uses boards with high buoyancy, so it is not difficult for beginners to try.

Even if you are not good at exercising, you can easily get around on a SUP board in the ocean!

In addition, the waters of Kumejima are generally calm and flowing, providing a stable environment for SUP.

If you want to take it to the next level, you can even do yoga or stretching on the board.

We invite you to experience a relaxing island time walk on the water by SUP.

▼SUPLearn more about ▼

 

A rental car is recommended for sightseeing in the islands!
Book your rental car on Kumejima Island early!

A rental car is recommended for getting around on Kume Island!

Not only during travel, but also early in the morning (sunrise), sunset, and a little outside to see the starry sky.We recommend that you move at your own timing, such as when you are in the middle of the day or when you are in the middle of the night!

▼Learn more about car rentals ▼

 

summary

Kume Island is so attractive that it has long been called the Island of Kubi, meaning the most beautiful island in the Ryukyu Archipelago.

Many people who stopped by Kumejima on their way to Okinawa have become captivated by the island, and the beauty of the island is sure to take their breath away as they travel around it.

Many people would like to visit this fascinating island at least once, but may not be able to make it if they are traveling with friends or family.

In such a case, why not visit Kumejima on a solo trip, which is also supported by the Kumejima Tourism Association?

Create your own memories of your trip by touring the island's sights and attractions in a relaxed and free atmosphere without worrying about being seen!

▼Click here for articles to read in conjunction with this article.