A practical English guide to Kumejima in Okinawa: the beaches, the Hatenohama sandbar, the kasuri weaving and access by air and ferry.
Operational details such as opening hours, admission fees, and train times can change. Prefer official pages and reconfirm before you travel (sources checked on 07 November 2026).
Why visit
- Kumejima is an island about a hundred kilometres west of Okinawa’s main island, small enough to drive around in a day and far enough to feel separate. It is known for three things: clear water and white sand, a sandbar called Hatenohama that appears offshore at low tide, and kasuri, a woven textile made here for centuries.
- The island has a low, green interior with sugar cane and forest, a few small villages, and a coast of reefs and beaches that are quiet compared with the main island. The water is exceptionally clear, and the island is a destination for diving and snorkelling.
- Kumejima also has a history of its own, including a castle site and a period under the Ryukyu kingdom, and the weaving tradition is still alive in small workshops.
Top places and highlights
Hatenohama
A white sandbar offshore, reached by boat and exposed at low tide.
Beaches and reefs
Quiet beaches and clear water for swimming and snorkelling.
Kasuri weaving
The island’s textile tradition, with workshops and a museum.
Island villages
Small settlements, sugar cane fields and a castle site.
Food and drink
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Getting there and around
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Where to stay
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Best time to visit
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Practical tips
- Boat trips to Hatenohama depend on tides and weather; confirm locally.
- Ferries can be cancelled in rough weather; keep a buffer before flights.
- Beaches have limited shade and few lifeguards; swim with care.
Suggested day-trip outline
- Morning: flight from Naha to Kumejima.
- Late morning: a beach and a swim.
- Lunch: a local restaurant or at the accommodation.
- Afternoon: a boat trip to Hatenohama.
- Late afternoon: a kasuri workshop and the castle site.
- Evening: dinner at the guesthouse.
Before you go
Timetables, fares, admission fees, and seasonal access rules can change. Check the official tourism and transport sites linked below for the latest information before you travel.
Explore More of Japan
Published guides that pair with this one:
- Iheya Island Travel Guide: Quiet Beaches North of Okinawa
- Ogimi Travel Guide: Okinawa’s Quiet Northern Village
- Tsuken Island Travel Guide: The Carrot Island of Okinawa
- Ikei Island Travel Guide: Okinawa Beaches and the East Coast
- Minna Island Travel Guide: Okinawa Beach Day from Motobu
Browse every Okinawa guide on this site for the rest of the region.
Sources
- town.kumejima.okinawa.jp (checked 2026-11-07)
- okinawastory.jp (checked 2026-11-07)
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