10 sightseeing spots on the idyllic island of Kohama! A leisurely trip around the filming locations of Chura-san

Kohama Island (Kohamajima) is a remote island in Okinawa Prefecture that gained significant recognition through the NHK morning drama Churasan. Thanks to the drama's popularity, the number of tourists has surged, and the island has become a well-known honeymoon destination. Visitors can enjoy natural attractions such as Mount Oyama, the island’s highest peak, the mangroves at Ishinagata Beach, and Hama Island, the "phantom island" that appears at low tide. Other highlights include the Yonara Channel, known for manta ray sightings, and the insect museum supervised by the Nawa Insect Museum. Don't miss the straight Sugar Road cutting through sugarcane fields or the drama filming locations like Kohagura-so. If you’re considering a trip to Okinawa’s remote islands, why not explore Kohama Island, full of diverse attractions? Here, we’ll introduce 10 must-visit tourist spots that will make you want to return to Kohama Island again and again.

Access and Touring Guide

Kohama Island is an island located about 2km east of Iriomote Island. There is no airport on the island, so you can access it by boat from Ishigaki Island. It takes about 30 minutes by high-speed boat or ferry from Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal to Kohama Port. You can easily do a day trip.

There are no traffic lights on Kohama Island, so time passes slowly. There are several shops around Kohama Port, so we recommend renting a rental bicycle, electric-assist bicycle, rental motorbike, or rental car and sightseeing at your own pace. It's nice to ride around slowly on a rental bicycle, but there are surprisingly many slopes, so it's easier to tour using an electric assist bicycle, rental motorbike, or rental car.

1. Odake Observatory, offering panoramic views

A little north of the center of Kohama Island, there is a mountain called "Ufudaki." Ufudaki is the highest peak on Kohama Island, with an elevation of about 99m. It is one of the lookout posts called "Sakishima Islands Fire Guard Posts," which are designated as national historic sites.

From the Ufudaki Observatory at the top of Mt. Ufudaki, you can enjoy a spectacular 360-degree panoramic view! It is a recommended tourist spot where you can see the whole of Kohama Island, including the large resort hotel "Haimurubushi," Hosozaki, the port, and even Iriomote Island, Kuroshima Island, Taketomi Island, and Ishigaki Island. Although it is not very high, there are long stairs leading up to the top of the mountain. The view is amazing on a clear day, so try your best to climb to the top.

2. Hamajima, the mysterious island that only appears at low tide

The water around Kohama Island is exceptionally clear. Why not visit a phantom island that appears only at low tide, about 15 minutes by boat from Kohama Island?

Hamajima is a special crescent-shaped sandbar that appears only when the tide goes out. If you go to Kohama Island, it is a mysterious tourist spot that you should definitely visit as well. It is convenient to take a tour to Hamajima. Let's go and take lots of wonderful photos.

3. Hososaki where you can see Iriomote Island right in front of you across the Manta Ray

If you are sightseeing on Kohama Island, try visiting "Kubazaki." There is a long, narrow peninsula on the southwestern tip of Kohama Island. At the end of the peninsula is Hosozaki Beach, where you can see Iriomote Island right in front of you.

Tourists visit here to see the manta rays, which are popular as manta rays. The "Yonara Strait" between Kohama Island and Iriomote Island is also known as the "Manta Way" because of the giant manta rays that migrate there. The tides here are fast, so please refrain from swimming and instead enjoy sightseeing and taking photos.

4. Look for the Manta Observatory! Uminchu Park

Uminchu is an Okinawan word that means fishermen or people who work at sea. Near Hososaki Fishing Port, a little south of Hososaki Coast, there is Uminchu Park, which has a manta ray-shaped observation deck.

The park has a pleasant grassy area and is a perfect place to eat lunch or play with children. There is also a car park and bicycle parking area, so if you are visiting Hososaki Coast, be sure to stop by.

5. The Omori Family Residence, a registered tangible cultural property also known as the guesthouse Kohaguraso

Churasan, which is often seen on Kohama Island, is an Okinawan dialect that praises a beautiful appearance. It is the "Chura" of the Churaumi Aquarium. Even now, Churasan is a must-see when sightseeing on Kohama Island. Churasan is an NHK morning drama that was broadcast in 2001 and starred actress Ryoko Kuninaka, it gained national popularity so much that a sequel was made. Kohama Island has once again attracted attention after screenwriter Keikazu Okada was awarded the Purple Ribbon Medal in 2019.

The Omori Family Residence is known as a location for "Churasan." The Omori Family Residence is a private house used for filming, set as the guesthouse "Kohagura-so." The beautiful Ryukyu red tile roof with shisha on it, the wooden one-story main house with plaster joints, and the rough stone walls are designated as registered tangible cultural properties of the country. Since it is a private home, you cannot visit the inside, but you can take photos of the exterior. Enjoy the atmosphere of the drama.

6. Sugar Road: A Straight Road Lined with Sugarcane Fields

The single straight road that runs through the sugarcane fields is a popular tourist spot on Kohama Island, nicknamed "Sugar Road." It is a very idyllic farm road that was also depicted as the school route taken by Eri Kohagura, the main character of "Churasan." Recently, the number of pastures has increased, and it is becoming more common to see grazing cows and horses.

There is a mound where the Sugar Road begins from the village, and a stone and monument have been erected. This is a "Setsudame Stone" that was used as a calendar to determine the agricultural season. From here, the Sugar Road continues straight for about 1km towards Haimurubushi.

The road has many ups and downs, so if you are on a bicycle, take breaks and relax as you sightsee while reminiscing about the drama.

7. The mangrove forest at Ishinagata Beach

Ishinagata Coast is known for its mangrove forests. The entrance is a little hard to find, but look for the sign that says "Hirugi Forest Entrance." At low tide, you can encounter rare creatures that are hard to find.

Ishinagata Coast is located on the west coast of Kohama Island, so the sunset is a spectacular sight! It's one of the tourist spots that you should definitely visit not only at low tide but also in the evening.

8. Katore Observatory: Overlooking the mangrove forests

Katore Observatory is a tourist spot with a view of the mangrove forests of Ishinagata Coast and Iriomote Island. There is a large parking lot, so it is very convenient to go by rental car, and it is also recommended as a sunset spot.

9. Nawa Insect Museum Haimurubushi Branch: A must-see for beautiful butterflies from Yaeyama and around the world

Why not check out the free-entry insect museum at Haimurubushi, a famous resort hotel on Kohama Island?

The Nawa Insect Museum Haimurubushi Branch was opened on Kohama Island with the cooperation of the Nawa Insect Museum, which was established in Gifu Prefecture by entomologist Yasushi Nawa. It is a small, neat facility located on the way from the center building of Haimurubushi to the observation bath. Specimens of beautiful butterflies and beetles from Yaeyama, the world's largest moth, the Yonaguni moth, and other beautiful butterflies and beloved insects from around the world are on display. The quiz corner is interesting and fun for both adults and children.

10. Nishi-Odake Observatory An easy climb and a quiet spot

There is also an observation deck at the summit of Nishi-Odake, just west of Odake. Nishi-Odake Observatory offers a different view from Odake, and as it is at a lower elevation than Odake, it is an easy climb, which is a recommended point. The path to the observation deck is well maintained and there is a gazebo, from which you can see Hososaki, Kayamajima, Odake, and more.

At Nishi-Odake Observatory, there is the "Churasan Monument," which was moved from the "Churasan Observatory." This observation deck is not well known, so there are not many tourists who visit. If you want to enjoy the view in peace, be sure to visit.

◎ Summary

We have introduced Kohama Island, how to get there, and recommended tourist spots. There are many attractive tourist spots, such as the observation decks of Mt. Otake and Nishi-Otake, the beach where you can see manta rays, the mangrove forest, and the insect museum. Kohama Island was the filming location for the morning drama "Churasan," and many fans still stop by to this day, so why not enjoy touring the filming locations?

You can easily visit on a day trip, but there are also two large resort hotels where you can stay overnight and relax. If you are going to Ishigaki Island, be sure to also visit Kohama Island for a great trip!