*This article confirmed the information in January 2025.
Kuroshima Island is a small, picturesque island with a circumference of about 13 km. Its most famous attraction, Nakamoto Beach, is just a 30-minute walk from Kuroshima Port. However, to explore the island’s many scattered sights, renting a bicycle is highly recommended. Cycling is a popular way for visitors to enjoy the island, and since Kuroshima is mostly flat, even children can ride comfortably.
If you explore Kuroshima’s major attractions by bicycle, it takes just three to four hours at a leisurely pace, making it easy to visit on a day trip from Ishigaki Island. If you plan to rent a bicycle on Kuroshima, booking a package tour is a more budget-friendly option.
The main modes of transportation on Kuroshima Island are bicycles, electric scooters, motorcycles, and cars, all of which can be rented on the island. However, there are no public buses or taxis.
Contents
♦ No Reservation Needed for Bicycle Rentals
♦ Comparing Bicycle Rental Shops
♦ Standard Cycling Plan
♦ Cycling Safety Tips for Kuroshima Island
♦ Kuroshima Island Tour by Rental Bicycle
No Reservation Needed for Bicycle Rentals
When you arrive at Kuroshima Port by ferry, a shuttle car from the bicycle rental shops will be waiting in front of the terminal. No reservation is required for the shuttle. Simply hop on the shuttle for your preferred rental shop, and you’ll be taken there to rent a bicycle—no booking needed.
There are four bicycle rental shops on Kuroshima, and some of them have shuttle buses waiting at the port.
A comparison of rental bicycle fees is provided later.
For Guests Staying on Kuroshima Island
If you’re staying on Kuroshima Island, check with your accommodation to see if bicycle rentals are available. Some places offer free bicycle rentals for guests.
How to Rent a Bicycle
1. Take the shuttle from your chosen rental shop or walk directly to the shop from Kuroshima Port.
2. Complete a simple rental procedure at the shop. The staff will explain important usage guidelines.
3. Pay the rental fee in advance.
4. Receive a map of the island from the staff and start your cycling adventure.
5. When returning the bicycle, leave it in front of the shop where you rented it. It’s best to inform the staff, but if they are not available, you can simply leave it there.
6. Walk back to the port.
Comparing Bicycle Rental Shops
There are four bicycle rental shops on Kuroshima Island, all located near the port. While the services offered are mostly the same across all shops, child bicycles are limited, so it’s best to reserve them in advance.
Kuroshima Island is mostly flat, making it easy to explore comfortably even with a city bicycle.
Standard Cycling Plan
This is a recommended cycling route that covers Kuroshima Island’s major attractions. Following this route, sightseeing will take about three to four hours.
We recommend Nakamoto Beach as a perfect spot for a cycling break. There are covered benches and restrooms, allowing you to relax while enjoying the beautiful sea view.
The map below also includes information on slopes. While Kuroshima Island is mostly flat, the road from the port to the Kuroshima Observatory has a slight uphill section. To avoid this, start your sightseeing route from point No.1 on the map for a more comfortable ride.
Cycling Safety Tips for Kuroshima Island
There are only a few restaurants and vending machines on the island. If you come across an open restaurant, it’s best to have lunch there, as you may not get another chance later.
The sunlight on Kuroshima Island is strong, so wearing a hat and applying sunscreen are essential.
Avoid leaving your belongings in the bicycle basket. While no one will take them, crows might. Kuroshima Island has many crows, and they may steal your belongings—even if they’re not food.
Rental bicycles do not have keys. At tourist attractions, you may find similar bicycles parked nearby. Be sure to check the number on your rented bicycle and take the correct one to avoid any mix-ups.
Kuroshima Island has many guide signs for tourist destinations, but they are mostly in Japanese. To navigate easily, we recommend bringing a mobile router or SIM card to use Google Maps. Alternatively, Taketomi Town provides an easy-to-read English map, so it’s a good idea to download Painusima Story before your visit.
There are restricted areas on the island for various reasons, such as private property and sacred sites. Please be respectful of local residents and follow the guidelines.
Kuroshima Island Tour by Rental Bicycle
Several package tours include a round-trip ferry ticket between Ishigaki Island and Kuroshima Island, as well as a rental bicycle on Kuroshima Island. These tours are more cost-effective than traveling on your own.
These tours allow you to choose your ferry times and explore the island freely by bike.
These tours are operated by a tour company at the Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal. To join a tour, you can make a reservation online, by phone, or at the shop counter.
We recommend Hirata Tourism, an officially certified tourist information center for international visitors in Japan.
Tour company
Hirata Tourism
Anei Kanko Ferry
Yaeyama Kanko Ferry
Ishigaki Island Travel Center (only in Japanese)
Yamaneko Tours (only in Japanese)
