Ie Island is an outlying island off northern Okinawa, lying just beyond the Motobu Peninsula.
A ferry runs from Okinawa’s main island, taking about 30 minutes from Motobu Port (Motobu Town) to Ie Port.
Gusukuyama — better known as “Ie Island Tacchu” — rises from the middle of the island, and this compact island of some 22 km in circumference packs in beaches, viewpoints and sights such as the Wajī spring.
This article covers how to get to Ie Island, the ferry timetable and fares, how to get around the island, and where to stay.
Getting to Ie Island
Ie Island is reached on the Ie Village municipal ferry from Motobu Port on Okinawa’s main island.
The steps are as follows.
- Travel from Naha Airport to Motobu Port (about 2 hours by car)
- Park in the multi-storey car park at Motobu Port
- Buy your ticket at the Motobu Port terminal
- Take the ferry to Ie Port (about 30 minutes)
You can buy tickets at the counter on the day without a reservation, so you can go on the spur of the moment — part of what makes Ie Island so easy to visit.
Motobu Port: location and parking
| Access | About 2 hours by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Aza Sakimotobu 5235, Motobu Town, Kunigami District, Okinawa |
| Parking | Yes (paid multi-storey car park) |
| Parking fee | 100 yen per 60 min Max 700 yen per 24 hours |
| Restroom | Yes |
Parking within the port grounds is generally not allowed; cars go in the “Motobu Port multi-storey car park” right beside the harbor.
Payment is cash only, so having coins or a 1,000-yen note handy helps. Note that the parking area in front of the ferry terminal is reserved for those taking a vehicle onto the ship.
Ferry timetable
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | |
| Depart Motobu Port (for Ie Island) | 9:00 | 11:00 | 15:00 | 17:00 |
| Depart Ie Port (for Okinawa’s main island) | 8:00 | 10:00 | 13:00 | 16:00 |
The ferry between Motobu Port and Ie Port normally runs four round trips a day (four sailings each way).
The crossing takes about 30 minutes. Take the first sailing over and an evening one back and you can cover most of the island in a day.
Extra sailings are added over Golden Week, Obon, the New Year period, and during the Lily Festival and the Ie Island Marathon, so check the Ie Village official site for the latest times.
See the Google Map below for the location of Ie Port.
Ferry fares
| Adult (12 and over) | Child (6 to under 12) | |
| One way | 730 yen | 370 yen |
| Round trip (from Motobu Port) | 1,390 yen | 710 yen |
| Round trip (from Ie Port) | 1,250 yen | 630 yen |
| Group round trip (15+ people) | 1,320 yen | 670 yen |
Round-trip fares differ depending on which port you board at. Coming from Okinawa’s main island, the “round trip (from Motobu Port)” fare applies.
Taking a car or motorcycle on board
| Vehicle | One way |
| Bicycle | 600 yen |
| Moped (under 50cc) | 780 yen |
| Moped (50cc to under 125cc) | 1,020 yen |
| Motorcycle (125cc and over) | 1,260 yen |
| Car (under 3 m) | From 2,530 yen *Additional charge per metre of length |
Taking a car, motorcycle or bicycle on board costs the following shipping fares, separate from the passenger fares above (all one way).
Space for vehicles is limited, so a reservation is required; bookings open two months in advance.
For a day trip it is simpler and cheaper to leave the car at Motobu Port and rent a car or bicycle on the island instead.
Getting around Ie Island
Ie Island is about 22 km around, and it is several kilometres from the port to Gusukuyama (Ie Island Tacchu) or the Wajī Observation Deck.
Covering it on foot is difficult, so rent a car or bicycle at the port, or use the local bus.
Rental cars
A rental car gives you the most freedom on the island.
There are rental offices right by Ie Port, and you can reach anywhere on the island within tens of minutes. Rough rates are as follows.
| Kei car | Wagon | |
| 6 hours | From 3,000 yen | From 6,500 yen |
| 24 hours | From 4,200 yen | From 8,500 yen |
Rental bicycles and mopeds
You can also rent bicycles and mopeds around the Ie Port terminal.
Much of the island is flat, but the area around Gusukuyama is hilly. If you plan to cycle, an electric-assist bike makes the climbs much easier.
The sun is strong in summer and there is little shade, so be sure to bring water and a hat.
| Bicycle | Moped | |
| 1 hour | From 450 yen | From 850 yen |
| 1 day | From 1,100 yen | From 3,000 yen |
Local bus
Ie Island has a local bus route linking Ie Port with Maja-iriguchi on the north side of the island.
There are about six services a day in each direction, with different timetables for the regular season and summer (July 21 – August 31).
Fares are cheap but services are limited, so check the return times before you board.
| Section | Adult | Elementary school |
| Ie Port ⇔ Agarie-mae / Agarie / Nishie | 150 yen | 80 yen |
| Ie Port ⇔ Maja / Nishizaki | 250 yen | 130 yen |
Sightseeing bus
If you would rather see the island’s highlights in one go, there is also a scheduled sightseeing bus.
It departs at 12:30 on a roughly three-hour route, costing 2,500 yen for adults and 1,500 yen for children. There is no driving involved, and a guide fills you in on the island’s history.
Taxis
Ie Island has taxis too, including chartered sightseeing runs.
Rough rates are from 2,000 yen for 30 minutes, from 4,000 yen for an hour and from 8,000 yen for two hours. Handy when there are only a few of you and time is short.
Ie Island FAQ
Is a day trip to Ie Island worthwhile?
A day trip works perfectly well.
Take the 9:00 sailing from Motobu Port and the 16:00 sailing back from Ie Port and you get around seven hours on the island. Climbing Gusukuyama (Ie Island Tacchu) and taking in the Wajī Observation Deck, Nyatiya Cave and Ie Beach makes for a comfortable schedule.
Ferry services are limited, though, so do check the time of the last sailing.
Is there anywhere to stay on Ie Island?
There is everything from resort hotels to family-run guesthouses, and staying over means you get the island’s sunsets and night skies as well.
If you are thinking of staying overnight on Ie Island, Hotel YYYCLUB Ie Resort is a good choice.
It is a comfortable place to unwind while looking out over the beautiful sea, with a pool, a restaurant and a bar on site.
Is there anything to watch out for on Ie Island?
Part of the island is a US military training area, with fenced and signposted zones that are off limits. Follow the signage.
Ferries and accommodation also get busy during the Lily Festival (late April to early May) and the marathon. If you are visiting then, book your accommodation and rental car well in advance.
Around Ie Island
Marine activities on Ie Island
Ie Island offers plenty of marine activities such as diving and snorkeling.
Guided experiences mean even first-timers can take part with confidence.
They are a good fit for families and groups of friends too.
Summary
This article covered how to get to Ie Island and how to get around once you are there.
About 30 minutes by ferry from Motobu Port, easy to reach without a reservation, and navigable by rental car, bicycle or local bus — it is an island you can enjoy in a day alongside sightseeing in northern Okinawa.
The 360-degree panorama from Gusukuyama (Ie Island Tacchu) is a view worth seeing at least once. When you are in northern Okinawa, do make the trip out to Ie Island.
The other beaches and sights on Ie Island are all covered in the article below — take a look.
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