What islanders tell us about the starry sky of Kumejima? Introducing recommended spots where you can see beautiful starry skies!

Enjoy star gazing on Kume Island!

Did you know that Kume Island, which belongs to a remote group of islands in the Okinawa archipelago, has not only resort facilities and beaches where you can enjoy marine activities, but also many spots where you can view the stars?

The charm of the night sky over Kumejima is that the atmosphere appears to change depending on conditions and weather.

The Milky Way, the starry night of the sea with its fantastic stars and moonlight, the night sky full of stars shining all around, and the starlight illuminating the clouds, are all romantic and highlight-full views, and you may encounter a starry sky that can only be seen on that particular day.

Also, since there are few obstacles around Kume Island, you can take a fantastic photo with the sky at night, which is filled only with stars, as if you were in a planetarium.

In this issue, we will tell you about the charms of the starry sky of Kumejima, so please take a look at it as a reference for your trip to Kumejima.

 

Islanders tell us about the starry sky of Kumejima

Although Kumejima is one of the best resort areas in Okinawa, it is a beautiful remote island with many spots where nature has been left untouched and unspoiled, and where resort development has not destroyed the original nature.

So much so that the entire island has been recognized as a natural park. Not only are there spectacular views throughout the island during the day, but the night sky is breathtaking as well.

Kume Island, which has long been called the island of the gods and revered for its beauty, is filled with an energy that is somewhat mysterious, and there are many power spots with beautiful starry skies.

We will tell you about the charm of the starry sky of Kumejima, which is too beautiful to be true, as taught by local islanders living on the island.

 

Beauty not found in the city

Since there are few streetlights, skyscrapers, and other man-made structures on Kumejima, looking at the night sky on a clear day, you can see a star-filled sky where the stars are always shining brightly, without interference from other lights or sounds.

It is like a private planetarium, only instead of the hustle and bustle, you can only hear the gentle sound of the ocean's tides from the surroundings.

This is also a space that can never be experienced in the city, and is truly the ultimate in extraordinary and beautiful scenery.

Free yourself from the crowds and stresses of everyday life in the city, and let yourself be healed to your heart's content in a natural planetarium that shines in the great outdoors.

 

Enjoyable for both children and adults.

There are many spots with beautiful starry skies throughout Japan, but not many places have the conditions to create beautiful starry skies through the power of nature.

These conditions are that the air must be clean and clear, the night sky must be pitch black, and the place must be open enough to see the entire starry sky.

All of these conditions make Kume Island an ideal place for parents and children to enjoy stargazing with their curious children.

You can see the Milky Way and sometimes large shooting stars, so have fun looking for constellations and the Milky Way and counting stars.

The special starry sky experience must be soothing not only to children but also to tired adults.

If you come to Kume Island on a family vacation, parents and children should get together and enjoy stargazing.

 

Photo tours are also popular

Photo tours are also very popular on Kume Island, where visitors can have their pictures taken against the backdrop of a starry sky that nature presents as it is, without the interference of man-made objects.

Photo tours are a service that allows professional photographers to take pictures with the stars, and many local tours are offered in a private format.

This means that you do not have to worry about other participants, and you can have as many photos taken with the stars as time permits.

Also, during the photo shoot, you will be given advice on where to look more beautiful, posing, etc., to get the best shot that shows off the starry sky, until you are satisfied with the results.

Moreover, if you are lucky enough to have good weather, you can take pictures with the Milky Way clearly visible to the naked eye and the night sky with its spectacularly large number of stars in the background.

While photos taken during the day with the beach or tourist spots in the background are of course wonderful, why not join a starry sky photo tour to make your Kumejima trip even more romantic and memorable?

 

Recommended starry sky spots on Kume Island taught by islanders

Let us now introduce some local starry sky spots where you can actually see the beautiful starry sky.

The islanders also go out of their way to stop by to see the starry sky, so please check out the last few points where the conditions are so favorable that you can see a great view!

 

Ruins of Uejo Castle

The ruins of Uejo Castle are said to be the highest elevation spot on Kume Island, and the remains of the Okinawan Gusuku period are still evident today.

The view of Machu Picchu is a heavenly spectacle, and you can see a beautiful panorama everywhere you look in 360 degrees.

It can be said that this is the No. 1 spot on Kume Island in terms of the beauty of the view among the daytime tourist spots.

However, at the ruins of Uejo Castle, you can enjoy not only a spectacular view during the day, but also a natural planetarium where you can feel the starry sky right up close at night.

The star-filled sky seen from a very high altitude of more than 309 meters above sea level makes you feel even closer to the sky, and you are sure to be enveloped in a magical sense of elation.

 

Basic Information

Address: Ueshiro, Kumejima-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa

Access Approximately 24 minutes by car on Prefectural Road 242 from Kumejima Airport.

There are stairs leading from the parking lot to the summit, which can be reached in a few minutes.

Parking available

▼Learn more about the ruins of Uejo Castle

 

tatami stone

Tatamiseki is a cross section of andesite magma, which cooled and solidified underground about 600 years ago, and is exposed on the outside.

Okutake Island, where Tatami is located, is a small island connected to Kume Island only by an underwater road, and is known as one of the best star gazing spots on Kume Island because there are almost no man-made structures around it.

Many stargazing tours are offered locally, and photo tours that capture the starry sky and background are also popular.

 

Basic Information

Address: Ueshiro, Kumejima-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa

Access Approximately 25 minutes by car on Prefectural Road 89 from Kumejima Airport.

It is also possible to walk from the eaf beach area.

Parking available

▼More about Tatami Stone ▼

 

HIYATA BANTA

Hiyadate Banta, a famous scenic spot along the driving route on Kume Island, offers a spectacular view from its elevated observatory, which is over 200 meters above sea level.

This spot also has restrooms, a restaurant, and other rest facilities, and is crowded with people during the day, as many people stop by just as if they were at a drive-in.

At night, however, it is so beautiful that the Milky Way can be seen, and it is a place that quickly transforms into a quiet place for stargazing.

Since it is located along a driving route, it is a great place to drive at night, so why not visit to see the spectacular starry sky that only a spot with a spectacular view can offer?

 

Basic Information

Address: Hiyadada, Kumejima-cho, Okinawa, Japan

Access From Kumejima Airport, take Prefectural Road No. 242, and drive about 15 minutes toward the ruins of Uejo Castle.

Parking available

 

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!

It is recommended because we can move around during the trip and also at our own timing, such as early morning (sunrise), sunset, or a short trip outside to see the stars!

▼Learn more about car rentals ▼

 

summary

We hope you enjoyed this report on the charms of stargazing on Kumejima Island, along with some of the spots recommended by local islanders.

Many people think of Kumejima as a resort and the ocean, but the starry sky, which can only be seen on this island with its rich natural environment, is also very attractive.

In the starry sky of Kumejima, you will be able to enjoy the deep sky and the countless stars scattered throughout it in an environment blessed with no obstructions that would interfere with the starry sky.

Have the spectacular starry sky all to yourself that only nature can offer, which you cannot experience in the city, and make more beautiful memories of your trip to Kumejima!