Welcome to Kuroshima Island, Okinawa, Japan

*This article was last updated with verified information in January 2025.

　 Contents　
♦ Discover Kuroshima Island
♦ Getting to Kuroshima Island
♦ Convenient Rental Bicycles
♦ Best Restaurants on Kuroshima Island
♦ There are no supermarkets
♦ There are no resort hotels
♦ ATM Information for Kuroshima
♦ Emergency Medical Care
♦ There are no public trash cans
♦ Free Wi-Fi

Discover Kuroshima Island

Kuroshima Island, located in Okinawa Prefecture, is a small island with a circumference of about 13 km, accessible by a 30-minute ferry ride from Ishigaki Island.
Home to around 230 people and approximately 2,700 cows, it’s known as a ‘cattle island,’ where cows outnumber humans.
Additionally, Kuroshima is often called ‘Heart Island’ because its shape resembles a heart when viewed from above.

Kuroshima Island is a peaceful place with no convenience stores, supermarkets, or even a police box. There are also only a few restaurants, so visitors should plan accordingly.

However, thanks to its small population, Kuroshima boasts pristine waters. The island’s stunning sea is one of its main attractions, featuring spots like Nishinohama, where sea turtles come to lay their eggs, and Nakamoto Beach, where coral reefs form large tide pools at low tide, creating a natural swimming pool.

If you rent a bicycle to explore the island, a leisurely ride around all the sights takes about 3 to 4 hours. Many visitors come just for a day trip.
Since Kuroshima Island receives relatively few tourists, it’s an ideal destination for those looking to unwind and enjoy the serene beauty of the sea.

The climate is nearly identical to that of Ishigaki Island.

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Getting to Kuroshima Island

There are no flights to Kuroshima Island. The only way to reach the island is by ferry from Ishigaki Island. This means you’ll need to fly to Ishigaki Island first and then take a ferry. The ferry ride takes about 30 minutes.

From Ishigaki Airport, it takes approximately 30 to 40 minutes by bus or taxi to reach the Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal. Since the terminal is quite far from the airport, be sure to factor in travel time when planning your trip.

For details on how to get from Ishigaki Airport to Ishigaki Port, please refer to another page.

More information about the ferry, including how to board and available discount tickets, can be found on the page ‘How to take a Ferry from Ishigaki to Other Islands.’

How to get to Kuroshima Island
1. Ishigaki Airport (Ishigaki Island)
2. Ishigaki Airport (about 30,40 minutes) Ishigaki Port (Ferry terminal for Kuroshima Island)
3. Ishigaki Port (about 30 minutes) Kuroshima Island

Ishigaki Port Kuroshima Port　Ferry schedule
Ferries to Kuroshima Island are operated by two companies : Anei Kanko Ferry and Yaeyama Kanko Ferry.
Please check each company’s schedule for departure times.
Anei Kanko Ferry : schedule
Yaeyama Kanko Ferry : schedule

Ishigaki Port Kuroshima Port　Fare
Two companies operate ferries to Kuroshima Port, but the fare is the same for both.
Fares may vary depending on fuel prices, so please check each company’s current rates.
Anei Kanko Ferry : fare
Yaeyama Kanko Ferry : fare

  Adult fare 
one way : 1,340yen～／round trip : 2,570yen～
  Child fare (Elementary school students) 
one way : 680yen～／round trip : 1,300yen～

*If you book through the Anei Kanko Ferry website, you’ll receive a 5% discount on fares.
Anei Kanko Ferry reservation (Anei Kanko Ferry website)
Yaeyama Kanko Ferry reservation (Yaeyama Kanko Ferry website)

The ferry’s rocking
The ferry from Ishigaki Island to Kuroshima Island is a medium-sized vessel, similar to the one in the photo above. It sails through open ocean waters for about 15 minutes, but the ride can be bumpy depending on sea conditions.
If you’re prone to seasickness, we recommend taking motion sickness medication beforehand. Additionally, sitting in the back of the ferry, where there is less movement, may help. Since seating is unreserved, it’s best to arrive early at the boarding gate to secure a seat at the back.
Motion sickness medication is available at pharmacies and shops inside the Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal.

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Convenient Rental Bicycles

Transportation on Kuroshima Island
・Rental Bicycles
・Electric Scooters
・Rental Motorcycles
・Rental Cars
・Walking

There are no public buses or taxis on the island.

It takes about 30 minutes to walk from Kuroshima Port to Nakamoto Beach. While the distance is manageable on foot, many visitors choose to rent a bicycle.

Rental Bicycles
Many visitors choose to rent a bicycle to explore the island’s attractions. Since Kuroshima Island is mostly flat, cycling is a comfortable and enjoyable way to get around.
There are several bicycle rental shops on the island, and reservations are not required.
Additionally, some accommodations offer bicycle rentals for their guests.
For more details, check out our guide on “How to rent a bicycle on Kuroshima Island” on a separate page.

Rental Motorcycles
Perfect for those short on time!
We recommend making a reservation.
Machan Oba’s Rental Bicycle : 080-6497-2323

Rental Cars
You can rent a car on Kuroshima Island, but rental cars from Ishigaki Island cannot be brought over.
A reservation is required to rent a car on Kuroshima Island.
Kuroshima BLUE Rental Cycle : 090-7365-5666
Kuroshima rental car : 0980-85-4211

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Best Restaurants on Kuroshima Island

There are only about five places to have lunch, including food trucks. If a restaurant is open, it’s best to eat there, as business hours can be unpredictable.

In addition, most restaurants are closed at night, so if you’re staying on the island, be sure to book dinner at your accommodation.

*Business hours and menus are subject to change.

Heart Land

This restaurant is located right in front of Kuroshima Port. In addition to serving delicious meals, it also operates as a bicycle rental shop.
We highly recommend trying the tempura ice cream (pictured above). It features a scoop of cold ice cream wrapped in warm, deep-fried bread and drizzled with honey. This sweet treat is the perfect way to refresh after a day of cycling and snorkeling!.

Iconoma

This stylish café is located near Iko Pier. The photo above shows the terrace seating at Iconoma, featuring today’s special dessert—waffles—and a milkshake.
The milkshake comes in a generous size, but it’s not too sweet, making it a refreshing treat to rehydrate after a long day.
Inside, the café has a calm and relaxing atmosphere, making it a comfortable place to visit even alone.

Horie Sand

This food truck specializes in sandwiches and is located in front of the Kuroshima Research Institute.

We recommend enjoying your sandwich while taking in the ocean view at Nakamoto Beach. The beach also has a shaded bench where you can relax.

Soba&Cafe Undouya

Cafe Takenowagokoro

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There are no supermarkets

There are no supermarkets, convenience stores, or drugstores on Kuroshima Island. While there is a small shop (called a shoten), it has a limited selection and higher prices.

As for drinks, there are a few vending machines on the island, but not many. So if you need anything for your trip, we recommend buying it on Ishigaki Island before you go.

Kuroshima Island has little shade, so sunscreen is essential if you’re cycling around. Be sure to buy it on Ishigaki Island before your trip.

Map No. 1 

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There are no resort hotels

Most visitors to Kuroshima Island come for day trips. However, some experiences—like stargazing—can only be enjoyed by staying overnight.

Accommodations on Kuroshima Island are limited to Minshuku, as there are no hotels.

When booking accommodation on Kuroshima Island, it’s best to choose a plan that includes dinner. There are no restaurants on the island that serve dinner.

Additionally, there are no supermarkets or convenience stores on the island. So, if you need anything for your stay on Kuroshima Island, be sure to buy it on Ishigaki Island in advance.

 Shimayado Nankuru 
This is a Minshuku near Nishinohama
0980-85-4304

 Minshuku Achan 
0980-85-4936

 Minshuku Kuroshima 
0980-85-4280

 Minshuku Nodoka 
0980-85-4804
Instagram

 Minshuku Miyayoshiso 
0980-85-4152
Instagram

 Minshuku Nakataso 
0980-84-6811

 Minshuku Nonbiriya 
A rental vacation house
0980-85-4777

 Maisukuya 
A rental vacation house
0980-85-4007

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ATM Information for Kuroshima

There are no banks or currency exchange services on Kuroshima Island. However, you can withdraw cash using a credit or debit card issued by an overseas financial institution at the post office.
The post office has an ATM, and there is one post office on Kuroshima Island.

Most places on the island only accept cash. So, be sure to withdraw cash on Ishigaki Island before traveling to Kuroshima Island.

Kuroshima Post Office

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Emergency Medical Care

There is only one clinic on Kuroshima Island, and it does not provide 24-hour medical care.

During office hours, you should contact the clinic directly. Outside of office hours, call the emergency number (119) for ambulance services.

The clinic is located near the Kuroshima Post Office.

 Office Hours 
Weekday : 9:00 to 12:00pm、1:15pm to 4:00pm
 Closed 
Sat., Sun., Holiday
 Phone Number 
0980-85-4114
119 (Ambulance Service)
Website
  Map No. 
 2 

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There are no public trash cans

There are no trash cans on Kuroshima Island, so you must take all your garbage with you.
Bring a trash bag with you and take your waste back to Ishigaki Island to help preserve the island’s beautiful landscape.

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Free Wi-Fi

Kuroshima Island is part of Taketomi Town, so you can access the free public Wi-Fi provided by Taketomi Town.
However, Wi-Fi is only available in the following two locations, and it may not be very useful for sightseeing.

Wi-Fi hotspot : Kuroshima Port Ferry Terminal, Nakamoto Beach

Taketomi Town Free Wi-Fi ID ： Taketomi-Free-Wi-Fi
PASSWORD : No password

When sightseeing on the island, a map is essential since the guide signs are only in Japanese. The English map provided by Taketomi Town is easy to read. It’s helpful to download ‘Painusima Story’ before your visit.

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