Local Guide
Six recommended sightseeing spots on Kohamajima. Let's satisfy your body and soul with a tour of spectacular scenery!

Kohamajima is located about 25 minutes by high-speed boat from Ishigaki Island. Kohamajima, with its quiet village, beautiful beaches, sugar cane swaying in the wind, and peaceful scenery, was the setting for NHK's morning drama series "Churasan. Here we introduce six spots with spectacular views that can only be seen on Kohamajima, including "Sugar Road" that stretches straight to the end, "Otake Observatory" with its breathtaking view, and "Ishinagata Beach" where you can descend into the mangrove forest and observe the mangroves up close.

A park marked by a manta ray observatory

Iriomote Island extends beyond the sea seen from Manta's observatory
Iriomote Island extends beyond the sea seen from Manta's observatory

Uminchu Park is located in Hosozaki, on the west side of Kohamajima. Located about a 10-minute drive from Kohama Port, this quiet park is marked by a manta ray observatory. The park overlooks the emerald green sea, and palm fronds sway in the breeze, creating a tropical atmosphere.
The park has benches to relax on and a small number of playground equipment, which is great for children. The park is spacious, making it ideal for picnics with leisure sheets spread out and ball games.

Manta rays swim in the emerald green sea

Yonara Channel
Yonara Channel" that flows between Kohamajima and Iriomote Island is known as Manta Way.

The strait (waterway) which is one of the breaks in the Ishinishi lagoon between Hosozaki, where the park is located, and Noharazaki, Iriomote Island, is called "Yonara Waterway". It is also a popular point for scuba diving, known for the migration of manta rays, which is the symbol of Kainin Park.
Kainin Park is located across the island from the harbor, making it quite hard to visit by bicycle. We recommend renting a car to get around the park, as there are ample parking spaces near the park entrance for cars.

Local Guide Comment
A walk around the park is also recommended. I like to take a leisurely walk along the harbor where there is a boat of divers.
Seamen's Park
  • address (e.g. of house) Kohama, Taketomi Town, Yaeyama County, Okinawa MAP
  • Direction 10 minutes drive from Kohama Port
  • Parking Free of charge

Beautiful beaches within walking distance from Kohama Port

Healed by white sandy beach and emerald green sea
Healed by white sandy beach and emerald green sea

A five-minute walk from Kohama Port is a beautiful beach with white sand and emerald green waters. The shallow waters make it an ideal place for families with small children or for those who just want to enjoy a quick dip in the water. For those who wish to take a dip, it is recommended to check the time of high tide before visiting.
Facing east, it is also a pleasant spot to enjoy the morning sunrise. The advantage of being near the harbor means that you can relax on the beach before leaving the island and enjoy Kohamajima to the end of your visit.

Relaxing island time on the beach

The sea satisfies both mind and body. Tumar
The sea satisfies both mind and body. Tumar" means the sea in dialect.

You can enjoy the island time to the fullest by spreading out your leisure sheets and other items on the beach and relaxing. On the beach, you can see Kohama Port on your left toward the ocean and Ishigaki Island beyond the ocean.
The beach is pristine and there are no stores nearby, so it is recommended to bring your own beverages. Be careful to stay hydrated, especially in summer.

Local Guide Comment
The sun in Okinawa is very strong, so it is recommended to take adequate protection against ultraviolet rays.
Tumal Beach
  • address (e.g. of house) 3208 Kohama, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa MAP
  • Direction 5 minutes walk from Kohama Port
  • Parking Free of charge

Sugar Road" stretches straight to nowhere

Ride a bicycle and feel the wind
Ride a bicycle and feel the wind

The straight "Sugar Road" was the setting for NHK's morning drama series "Churasan," and many people probably think of this road when they think of Kohamajima. Sugar cane fields and pastures spread out on both sides of the road, and cows and goats spend their time leisurely.
To ride along this road, a bicycle is recommended, as you can feel the wind. Electric bicycles are the best choice because of the ups and downs and ups and downs. Please ride along the Sugar Road while feeling the wind of Kohamajima in your body.

A good place for taking pictures

Scenery that gives you a sense of depth
Scenery that gives you a sense of depth

The straight and straight Sugar Road is a unique landscape of Kohamajima where you can feel the depth of the island. It is also a good spot for taking pictures with the straight road, the green scenery on both sides, and the blue sky on a clear day.
At night, you can see the stars in the sky, so be sure to try your hand at stargazing as well. You will find Sugar Road to be different from the impression you get during the daytime. Why don't you take pictures of the wonderful scenery that will decorate your travel memories?

Local Guide Comment
It is the same single path, but the view is different depending on the direction you go. Please try both.
Sugar Road
  • address (e.g. of house) Kohama, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa MAP
  • Direction About 5 minutes from Kohama Port by car, about 10 minutes by bicycle

Enjoy the spectacular 360° panoramic view from the top of Odake!

From the top of Ohdake, the highest peak in Kohamajima, you can see the islands of Yaeyama.
From the top of Ohdake, the highest peak in Kohamajima, you can see the islands of Yaeyama.

Oodake, read as "Ufudaki," is the highest mountain in Kohamajima and the symbol of the island. The height is about 99m, and since there are no tall buildings around, you can enjoy a 360° panoramic view from the observatory at the top.
Since Kohamajima is located right in the center of the Yaeyama Islands, the Yaeyama islands (Ishigaki, TaketomiIsland, Kuroshima, Aragusuku, Iriomote, Hatoma, Kayama, and if the weather is fine, Hateruma) can be seen from the observatory. If you climb up on a fine day, the blue sky, blue sea, and green islands spread out in your view, and it is breathtakingly beautiful.

Let's climb the symbol of Kohamajima!

Oodake, a mountain sung about in a song
Oodake, a mountain sung about in a song

At the entrance, there is a "Kohama-bushi" song monument. This monument was installed in conjunction with the construction of Churasan Plaza to commemorate the designation of Kohamajima's "Obon," "Yugansai," and "Tanedori Matsuri no Geino" as nationally important intangible cultural assets in 2007.
According to the monument, in the Kohamajima-bushi, the song goes, "If you climb up to the top of Mt. For those who are enthralled by the spectacular view from Odake, we also recommend viewing the sunrise and sunset, when you can enjoy the impressive beauty of the sunrise and sunset.

Local Guide Comment
The view from "Nishi odake" next to odake is also spectacular! Compared to the Mt. Oodake, the footholds are better maintained and easier to climb, so it is recommended for small children and those who are not confident in their physical strength. There is also a monument to Churasan at the top.
Otake Observatory
  • address (e.g. of house) Kohama, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa MAP
  • Direction 2 minutes by car or 7 minutes by bicycle from Kohama Port
  • Parking Free of charge

The coast where mangroves spread

Iriomote Island can be seen beyond the mangroves.
Iriomote Island can be seen beyond the mangroves.

Ishinagata Beach is located on the west side of Kohamajima. It is a spot where subtropical mangroves can be observed, and is located on the opposite side of the island from Kohama Port, about 10 minutes by car. There is a well-maintained, free parking lot, and visitors can easily reach the beach with a rental car or other vehicles.
A few minutes' walk from the parking lot takes you down to the mangrove forest, where you can observe a variety of creatures at low tide. The mangrove forest spreads out in front of you, and Iriomote Island can be seen on the opposite shore, a beautiful subtropical scenery that can only be seen in Kohamajima.

Let's enjoy Ishinagata mangrove!

Activities such as kayaking can also be enjoyed.
Activities such as kayaking can also be enjoyed.

Kayaking and nature exploration tours are popular in the mangrove forests of Ishinagata Beach. It is said to be a place where locals gather at night during low tide to catch island octopus, crabs, and shellfish. The mangrove forest stretches along the coast from Akayazaki to Hosozaki on the west side of Kohamajima, and Ishinagata Beach is located right in the middle of this area.
Three species of hirugi (Hirugiaceae) and hirugi damashi (Hirugiaceae) grow in this area. Its western location makes it a good place to enjoy the sunset at dusk.

Local Guide Comment
You can walk down to the mangrove forest from the parking lot, making it a great place for children to learn about nature.
Ishinagata Beach
  • address (e.g. of house) Kohama, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa MAP
  • Direction 10 minutes drive from Kohama Port
  • Parking Free of charge

A spectacular spot where you can see mangroves and Iriomote Island

You can see the mangrove of Ishinagata beach.
You can see the mangrove of Ishinagata beach.

The observatory was completed in early fall of 2013 and is located on the west side of Kohamajima. It is a spectacular spot from which you can view the mangroves of Ishinagata Beach and Iriomote Island. It takes about 10 minutes by car from Kohama Port, and you can park for free near the entrance of Ishinagata Beach by following the road in front of Kohama Elementary and Junior High School toward west.
The stairway entrance to the Cattley Observatory is located near the parking lot, so it is recommended to visit in conjunction with sightseeing along Ishinagata Beach.

The sunset spot on Iriomote Island

Mountains of Iriomote Island can be seen from the observatory
Mountains of Iriomote Island can be seen from the observatory

Since Cattley Observatory is located on the west side, it is also an excellent sunset point where you can see the beautiful sunset over Iriomote Island. Stopping by after enjoying Activities such as kayaking at Ishinagata Mangrove is also recommended as a good ending to an enjoyable day.
There are benches where you can relax and enjoy the view, so it is a wonderful place to bring drinks and snacks and have a picnic. Why not go and encounter memorable scenery in the midst of Kohamajima's great nature?

Local Guide Comment
There are no vending machines, so it is recommended to bring your own drinks. If you are worried about insect bites, you may want to bring your own insect repellant spray.
Cattley Observatory
  • address (e.g. of house) Kohama, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa MAP
  • Direction 10 minutes drive from Kohama Port
  • Parking Free of charge

MAP

Hoshino Resorts facilities nearby
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The information in this article is current as of the date of the update. Please check before visiting as they are subject to change.