Local Guide
6 recommended sightseeing spots on Kohama Island. Satisfy your mind and body with spectacular views

Kohama Island is located about 25 minutes by high-speed boat from Ishigaki Island. Kohama Island, with its quiet villages, beautiful beaches, sugarcane swaying in the breeze and serene scenery, was also the setting for NHK's morning drama series "Churasan." We will introduce six scenic spots that can only be seen on Kohama Island, such as the endlessly straight "Sugar Road," the "Otake Observatory" with its breathtaking views, and "Ishinagata Beach" where you can descend into the mangrove forest and observe the mangroves up close.

A park marked by the Manta Observatory

Iriomote Island spreads out across the sea from the Manta Observatory.
Iriomote Island spreads out across the sea from the Manta Observatory.

Uminchu Park is located in Hososaki, on the west side of Kohama Island. It is a quiet park about 10 minutes by car from Kohama Port, and the manta ray observation deck is its landmark. The park is covered with well-maintained green lawns, and you can see the emerald green ocean from the park, and enjoy the tropical atmosphere of palm leaves swaying in the breeze.
The park has benches where you can relax and a few playground equipment, which is great for families with children. The park is spacious, so it's perfect for spreading out a picnic blanket or playing ball games.

Manta rays swim in the emerald green ocean

The Yonara Channel, which flows between Kohama Island and Iriomote Island, is known as Manta Way.
The Yonara Channel, which flows between Kohama Island and Iriomote Island, is known as Manta Way.

The strait (channel) between Hosozaki, where the park is located, and Noharazaki on Iriomote Island, which is one of the gaps in the Sekisei Lagoon, is called "Yonara Channel." It is also a popular scuba diving spot, known for the manta rays that are the symbol of Kaito Park.
Kaito Park is located across the island from the port, so it is quite difficult to get there by bicycle. There is ample parking space available near the park entrance, so we recommend renting a car.

Comments Local Guide
I also recommend taking a walk around the park. I like to take a leisurely stroll around the harbor where the fishermen's boats are.
Kaito Park

A beautiful beach within walking distance from Obama Port

Relax on the white sandy beach and emerald green sea
Relax on the white sandy beach and emerald green sea

Located about a five-minute walk from Obama Port, this beautiful beach features white sand and emerald green water. As it is a shallow beach, it is an ideal place for families with small children and those who want to enjoy a little splash around in the water. If you want to take a dip, we recommend checking the high tide times before visiting.
Facing east, it's a great spot to enjoy the morning sunrise. Its location near the port means you can relax on the beach before leaving the island, allowing you to enjoy Kohama Island to the very end.

Relaxing island time on the beach

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

You can enjoy island time by spreading out a picnic blanket on the sand and relaxing. From the beach, you can see Kohama Port to the left as you face the sea, and Ishigaki Island across the sea.
This is a beach where nature remains untouched, and there are no shops nearby, so we recommend that you bring your own drinks. Be sure to stay hydrated, especially in the summer.

Comments Local Guide
The sunlight in Okinawa is very strong, so we recommend taking proper measures to protect yourself from UV rays.
Tumar Beach

"Sugar Road" stretches straight into the distance

Let's ride a bicycle and feel the breeze
Let's ride a bicycle and feel the breeze

The straight Sugar Road is the setting for the NHK morning drama series Churasan, and many people probably think of Sugar Road when they think of Kohama Island. On both sides of the road are sugarcane fields and pastures, where cows and goats live leisurely.
We recommend riding a bicycle on this road so you can feel the wind. Electric bicycles are best for this road because it has many ups and downs. Please try riding the Sugar Road and feel the wind of Kohama Island on your body.

A great place for taking photos

A landscape with a sense of depth
A landscape with a sense of depth

The endlessly straight Sugar Road is a unique landscape on Kohama Island that gives a sense of depth. The straight road, the green scenery on both sides, and the blue sky on sunny days make this a recommended spot for taking photos.
At night, you can see a sky full of stars, so why not try taking some photos of the starry sky? You'll be able to see a different side of Sugar Road than you would during the day. Why not take some photos of the beautiful scenery to decorate your memories of your trip?

Comments Local Guide
It's the same straight road, but the scenery you see will be different depending on which direction you go. Be sure to try both!
Sugar Road
  • URLhttps://painusima.com/869/
  • 住所Okinawa Prefecture Yaeyama District Taketomi Town Obama MAP
  • アクセスAbout 5 minutes by car or 10 minutes by bicycle from Obama Port

Enjoy the spectacular 360° panoramic view from the top of Mt. Odake

From the top of Mount Odake, the highest point on Kohama Island, you can see the Yaeyama Islands.
From the top of Mount Odake, the highest point on Kohama Island, you can see the Yaeyama Islands.

Odake, pronounced "Ufudaki," is the highest mountain on Kohama Island and the symbol of the island. With an altitude of about 99m and no tall buildings around, you can enjoy a 360° panoramic view from the observation deck at the top.
Since Kohama Island is located exactly in the center of the Yaeyama Islands, you can see the Yaeyama Islands (Ishigaki Island, Taketomi Island, Kuro Island, Aragusuku Island, Iriomote Island, Hatoma Island, Kayama Island, and Hateruma Island on a clear day) from the observation deck. If you climb up on a clear day, the blue sky, blue sea, and green islands will spread out before your eyes, and it will take your breath away.

Climb the symbol of Kohama Island

Mt. Otake, also sung about in songs
Mt. Otake, also sung about in songs

At the entrance, there is a monument inscribed with the Kohama-bushi song. This monument was erected in 2007 to commemorate the designation of the performing arts of Kohama Island's Obon Festival, the Kugan Festival, and the Tanedori Festival as Important Intangible Cultural Properties of Japan, along with the development of Churasan Square.
According to this monument, the Obama song goes, "If you climb Mt. Otake and look around in all directions, you will see that the rice and millet are ripe and there will be a bumper harvest," conveying the importance of Mt. Otake to the people of Kohamajima, as it brings prosperity to the island. For those who are captivated by the magnificent view from Mt. Otake, we also recommend visiting during the hours when you can see the sunrise and sunset, which are both breathtakingly beautiful.

Comments Local Guide
The view from Nishi-Odake, located next to Odake, is also spectacular! Compared to Odake, the foothold is better maintained and it is 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 Chura-san at the top.
Otake Observatory

Mangrove coastline

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 Kohama Island. This spot allows you to observe subtropical mangroves, and is located across the island from Kohama Port, about 10 minutes by car. There is a well-maintained free Parking, and you can easily get to the coast by rental car.
Just a few minutes' walk from Parking, you can descend into the mangrove forest, where you can observe a variety of creatures at low tide. With the mangrove forest spreading out before you and Iriomote Island visible on the opposite shore, you can enjoy the beautiful subtropical scenery that can only be seen on Kohama Island.

Enjoy Ishinagata Mangrove

You can also enjoy Activity such as kayaking.
You can also enjoy Activity such as kayaking.

Kayaking and nature exploration tours are popular in the mangrove forests of Ishinagata Beach. At night during low tide, locals gather here to catch island octopus, crabs, and shellfish. The mangrove forest stretches along the coast from Akayazaki to Hosozaki on the west side of Kohama Island, and Ishinagata Beach is located right in the middle of this area.
The area is home to three species of the Rhizophoraceae family (Rhizophora macrophylla, Rhizophora candel, and Rhizophora gracilis) and Avicenna marina. Located on the west side, it is a recommended spot to enjoy the sunset at dusk.

Comments Local Guide
It is just a short walk from Parking down to the mangrove forest, making it a great place for children to learn about nature.
Ishichoda Beach

A scenic spot overlooking the mangroves and Iriomote Island

You can see the mangroves of Ishinagatahama Beach.
You can see the mangroves of Ishinagatahama Beach.

An observation deck located on the west side of Kohama Island, completed in early autumn 2013. It is a scenic spot from which you can view the mangroves of Ishinagata Beach and Iriomote Island. It is about a 10-minute drive from Kohama Port, and if you head west along the road in front of Obama Elementary and Junior High School, you will arrive near the entrance to Ishinagata Beach, where you can park for free.
The stairs leading to the Katore Observatory are located near Parking, so we recommend visiting it in addition to sightseeing at Ishinagata Beach.

Sunset spot on Iriomote Island

From the observation deck you can see the mountains of Iriomote Island.
From the observation deck you can see the mountains of Iriomote Island.

Katore Observatory is located on the west side, making it a great spot to watch the beautiful sunset over Iriomote Island. It is also a great way to end a fun day by stopping by after enjoying Activity such as kayaking in the Ishinagata mangroves.
There are benches where you can relax and enjoy the view, so it's a great place to bring drinks and snacks and have a picnic. Why not come and experience some unforgettable scenery in the great outdoors of Kohama Island?

Comments Local Guide
There are no vending machines, so we recommend that you bring your own drinks. If you are concerned about insect bites, we recommend bringing insect repellent spray.
Cattrell Observatory

MAP

Nearby Hoshino Resorts Property
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