Kumejima

Understand

Often described as one of the most beautiful islands in Okinawa, Kume has plentiful freshwater supplies and was known for its cultivation of rice. Thanks to its location along the route from mainland China to Okinawa, it was also an important trading post during the days of Ryukyu Kingdom. Today the island's main industry is tourism, drawing visitors for its beaches, particularly the 5 km long coral cay at its eastern end, and scuba diving. The island is administered as one municipality, Kumejima Town.

Tourist information site The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site with integrated machine translation.

Getting there

By plane 1 Kumejima Airport. (UEO IATA) has daily flights from Naha on Japan Transocean Air and Ryukyu Air Commuter (35mins one way; ¥10; 000). During the summer months of July and August, Japan Transocean Air also operates once a day flights direct to and from Tokyo's Haneda Airport.

By ferry The Kume Shosen runs twice daily from Naha's Tomarin Port to Kumejima's Kanegusuku Port (departs 8:30am and 2:00pm; approximately 3.5 hours; ¥6; 450 roundtrip). The morning ferry daily stops at Tonaki on the way, adding 30 min to the journey.

Getting around

Kumejima has an inconvenient but affordable bus system that runs around the entire island. There are also a few car rental companies located at the airport and ferry port. Some shops around town also offer bicycles and moped scooters available for rent.

See

1 Hateno Beach (Hatenohama). Sandbar located 15 mins off of Kumejima. Accessible by tour boats, jet ski, or kayaks. Great for snorkeling. Kumejima's finest white sand beach and crystal clear blue waters. (updated Aug 2025) 2 Uezu House (uezu-ke jūtaku), 816 Nishime. This traditional Okinawan style house was built in 1726. It is the former home of the governing parties during the Ryukyu Kingdom era. Adults ¥300. 3 Uegusuku Castle (uegusuku-jō). The castle ruins are located on the top the highest point in Okinawa, offering great views of the entire island, adjacent Hatenohama sandbar, and neighboring islands. 4 Ōjima island. Where is located Tatami Ishi, an arrangement of stones in pentagonal and hexagonal shapes, resembling a carapace. (updated Jan 2016) 5 Iifu (Eef) Beach. Fine white sand beach named one of the 100 Best Beaches in Japan.

Do

Kumejima offers various water and outdoor activities from scuba diving, snorkeling, ocean kayaking, boat tours, and other water sports.

Diving Eef Marine Holiday, ☏ +81 98-985-7312.

Hatenohama Tours Kumejima Marine Sports, 098-985-8648 Kumejima Kaiyoreja Kyodokumiai, 098-896-8418 Ocean Kayaking and Water sports: Please see Sleep for Eef Beach and Kume Island Resort contact information. Both resorts offer water sport activities.

Yearly events Kumejima Hari Races (Okinawan Boat Races): held on the first weekend in May Kumejima Matsuri (Festival): held on the first weekend in August; features live traditional Okinawan music and dance, as well as special guests from all over Okinawa; food booths, competitions, prizes; Kumejima's main event of the year Kumejima Marathon: held on the fourth Sunday of October; http://www.kumejima-marathon.com/

Buy

There are a number of souvenir gift shops (omiyage) selling local favourites from Kumejima Miso Cookies, various Kumejima salts, Kumejima tsumugi, Okinawan pottery, and Kumejima's Kumesen.

Eat

Most restaurants will have almost the same menu, specializing in local Okinawan cuisine such as Okinawan Soba, various champurus, and fresh local fish specialities.

Drink & nightlife

Kumesen: Kumejima's famous awamori (Okinawan sake) offered at most restaurants

Spiral Reggae Bar. Small hole-in-the-wall bar/restaurant, also offering delicious Indonesian/Thai cuisines

Sleep

Kume Island Resort Hotel, ☏ +81 98-985-8001. Luxury resort located a 1 minute walk from Eef Beach. EN Resort Kumejima Eef Beach Hotel, Eefu beach (east end of Eefu beach), ☏ +81 98-985-7111. Check-out: 11am. Luxury resort with western-style ocean view rooms. ¥5000 per person including breakfast. La Teada Kumejima Terrace, ☏ +81 98-896-8100. Mid-priced hotel. Kumejima-Bekkan (near Kanegusuku Port), ☏ +81 98 985-5333. Japanese minshuku From ¥4200 a night. Minshuku Amimoto, ☏ +81 98-985-8856. Traditional style Japanese minshuku located on Ojima; rooms from ¥3675 a night. Dormitory Kum, ☏ +81 90-4986-8899. Budget dormitory-style hostel from ¥1800 a night.

Go next

Kume is the end of the line: the only way out is to go back to Naha.