Kohama Island is a peaceful tropical island in the Yaeyama Islands, located about 25 minutes by regular ferry from Ishigaki Island. Surrounded by beautiful blue seas and covered with expansive sugarcane fields, Kohama has a relaxed atmosphere that makes it an ideal destination for experiencing the slower pace of island life.
The island is sometimes called the “navel of the Yaeyama Islands” because of its location among the islands of the archipelago. Its combination of tropical scenery, traditional island landscapes, and beautiful coastlines makes it one of the most appealing places to explore around Ishigaki.
Kohama Island became widely known throughout Japan after serving as the setting for the popular NHK television drama series “Churasan.” The show’s beautiful island scenery introduced Kohama’s landscapes to a national audience and helped make the island a popular destination for visitors.
One of the most recognizable locations associated with the drama is Sugar Road, a straight road running through fields of sugarcane. Cycling along this quiet road, surrounded by greenery and open skies, is one of the most enjoyable ways to experience Kohama Island.
Kohama Island is surrounded by clear tropical waters and is well known as a destination for diving and other marine activities. Divers visit the area to explore the rich underwater environment, while the beautiful coastline provides opportunities to enjoy the sea at a more leisurely pace.
The island’s relaxed atmosphere contrasts beautifully with its spectacular marine scenery. Whether you are interested in diving or simply want to enjoy the view of the ocean, Kohama offers plenty of opportunities to experience the tropical beauty of the Yaeyama Islands.
Although Kohama is a relatively small island, it has several large resort facilities. These resorts allow visitors to enjoy a comfortable tropical holiday while remaining surrounded by the island’s natural landscapes.
The combination of resort facilities, quiet rural roads, sugarcane fields, and beautiful coastlines makes Kohama suitable for both travelers seeking relaxation and those who want to explore the island independently.
Ufudaki Observatory is one of Kohama Island’s most impressive viewpoints. Located on the island’s highest point, the observatory offers a 360-degree panoramic view across the surrounding islands and ocean.
From the top, visitors can appreciate the distinctive geography of the Yaeyama Islands, with blue water extending in every direction and neighboring islands appearing across the horizon. It is an excellent place to understand the island’s position within the wider archipelago.
At the western end of the island lies Hosozaki Coast, another scenic location offering beautiful views across the surrounding sea. From here, visitors can look toward the Yonara Channel, an area famous for manta rays that pass through its waters.
The sight of the wide blue sea and distant islands creates a particularly memorable tropical landscape, while the channel itself is an important destination for marine enthusiasts.
For fans of “Churasan,” cycling along Sugar Road is a special way to experience one of the landscapes associated with the drama. The straight road cuts through broad sugarcane fields, creating a simple but highly photogenic scene.
With little traffic and an open tropical landscape stretching toward the horizon, cycling here offers a peaceful experience that captures the unhurried character of Kohama Island.
Kohama is also home to beautiful mangrove landscapes, adding another dimension to the island’s natural environment. These coastal ecosystems provide a glimpse into the distinctive subtropical nature of the Yaeyama Islands.
The island also has a monument commemorating “Kohama Bushi,” a traditional Yaeyama folk song associated with Kohama Island. The song reflects the island’s long cultural traditions and its close relationship with the surrounding sea and landscape.
Kohama Island offers a wonderful combination of beautiful beaches, tropical seas, sugarcane fields, mangroves, traditional culture, and comfortable resort facilities. Its compact size also makes it easy to explore at a relaxed pace.
Whether you visit because of “Churasan,” come to dive in the surrounding waters, cycle through the sugarcane fields, enjoy the panoramic views from Ufudaki, or simply relax at a tropical resort, Kohama Island provides an authentic taste of island life in the Yaeyama Islands.
Just a short boat ride from Ishigaki Island, Kohama is an inviting destination where beautiful nature, local culture, and the peaceful rhythm of Okinawan island life come together.
Fly from Naha to Ishigaki Island, then take a high-speed boat or ferry.
(The time required is about 25 minutes by high speed boat and about 35 minutes by car ferry.)