Kumejima
Kumejima (久米島), or simply Kume (久米), is an island in Okinawa, Japan, about 100 km west of the main Okinawa Island.
Understand
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.
Get in
By plane
🌍 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.
Get 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
- 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.
- Uezu House (上江洲家住宅 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.
- 🌍 Uegusuku Castle (宇江城城 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.
- 🌍 Ōjima island (奥武島). Where is located Tatami Ishi (畳石), an arrangement of stones in pentagonal and hexagonal shapes, resembling a carapace.
- Eef Beach (イーフビーチ). 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
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
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 (久米島イーフビーチホテル), 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 (ラ・ティーダ久米島テラス), ☏ +81 98-896-8100. Mid-priced hotel.
- Kumejima-Bekkan (久米島別館) (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.