Kudaka Island is an outlying island in Nanjo City, in the south of Okinawa Prefecture, and it can easily be seen on a day trip.
Kudaka Island plays an important role in Okinawan mythology. Known as the place where Amamikiyo, the creator deity of the Ryukyuan creation myth, first came ashore, it is also called the island of the gods.
Those myths still run deep on the island, and islanders and Okinawans alike continue to pass on its history and rites, holding ceremonies year after year.
Kudaka Island is also known for its clear blue sea and as a spiritual power spot. Its population is around 246 (as of December 2016), and the island’s appeal lies in its beautiful nature and living traditions.
Ratings for Kudaka Island
*Ratings are the personal impressions of the Okinawa Bookmark editor, compared with other beaches in Okinawa Prefecture
How to get to Kudaka Island
Getting to Kudaka Island is fairly straightforward.
Ferries to Kudaka Island run from Azama Port in Nanjo City on Okinawa’s main island.
The steps are as follows.
- Drive to Azama Port and park at the harbour
- Buy a ticket to Tokujin Port at Azama Port (a return ticket is easiest)
- Board the ferry
The timetable and the ferry and high-speed boat fares are set out in the tables below.
| From Azama Port (to Kudaka Island) | From Tokujin Port (to the main island) | Service | |
| 1st | 8:45 | 8:00 | High-speed boat |
| 2nd | 11:30 | 11:00 | High-speed boat |
| 3rd | 14:00 | 13:30 | High-speed boat |
| 4th | 15:30 | 15:00 | High-speed boat |
| 5th | 17:00 | 16:45 | High-speed boat |
*Normally both a ferry and a high-speed boat operate, but with the ferry undergoing maintenance, services from 15 June to 15 July 2026 appear to differ from the usual timetable.
*Crossing times: 25 minutes by ferry, 15 minutes by high-speed boat
- [Ferry and high-speed boat fares]
- Ferry (return): adults 1,300 yen, children 680 yen
- Ferry (one way): adults 650 yen, children 340 yen
- High-speed boat (return): adults 1,480 yen, children 770 yen
- High-speed boat (one way): adults 750 yen, children 390 yen
For how to get to Kudaka Island, see our article “Kudaka Island | Ferry Times, Getting There and Accommodation“.
Kudaka Island – the best places to see on a day trip
Hire a bicycle or a tuk-tuk
A trip around Kudaka Island starts with hiring a bicycle.
Bicycles cost from 700 yen and are hired by the hour (when we rented one it was 700 yen for two hours).
Wander the island freely and take in its mysterious natural setting.
Electric carts and tuk-tuks are another option for getting around.
Rates for electric carts and tuk-tuks are as follows.
– Electric tuk-tuk (seats 3): 4,500 yen for 1 hour, 6,000 yen for 2 hours
– Electric cart (seats 4): 10,000 yen for 2 hours
See the website below for details.
Reference: https://www.kudak-jima.com/book-online
Ishiki Beach
Ishiki Beach is a sacred site, said to have been visited by the king in the days of the Ryukyu court, and swimming is not permitted here.
Legend also tells of a boat carrying the gods arriving at Ishiki Beach from Nirai Kanai.
It is a popular spot with visitors. Allow about 15 minutes at Ishiki Beach.
A giant banyan tree
On the road from Ishiki Beach towards Habyaan (Cape Kabeeru) stands an enormous banyan tree.
It has a powerfully sacred feel to it.
Habyaan (Cape Kabeeru)
Habyaan, or Cape Kabeeru, is held to be where Amamikiyo, the deity of the Ryukyuan creation myth, came down to earth.
Above we have included the explanation from the information board at Habyaan (Cape Kabeeru) – do take a look.
Allow about 15 minutes at Habyaan.
The Romance Road gazebo
The area around Romance Road is laid out as a walking path, with gazebos and a few other places to rest along the way.
Personally, I thought the view from the Romance Road gazebo was the best on Kudaka Island.
Dramatic cliffs and clear emerald-green water – it could not have been better.
There were cats around the gazebo too – a genuinely lovely spot.
Kubou Utaki
Kubou Utaki is a sacred site and is closed to the general public.
It appears in the Ryukyuan creation myth and is counted as one of the seven utaki.
Kudaka-den
This is the island’s central ritual ground, also known as Udunmyaa.
What looks like an empty yard is in fact where Kudaka-den stood, and where the Izaiho ceremony was held.
During Izaiho, seven huts were built behind Kudaka-den where the women becoming priestesses secluded themselves for four days; that ground is a sacred place called Izaiyama.
Every twelve years, in the year of the horse, from the 15th day of the 11th lunar month and over four days, it served as the stage for the ceremony in which married women aged 30 and over, born and raised on the island, became priestesses.
*Izaiho has not been held since 1978, largely for want of successors.
Hokama-den
Alongside Kudaka-den, this is the island’s other important ritual ground.
Revered as a guardian deity since the time of the island’s ancestor Hyakuna Shirudaru, it is where all rites are performed, led by the Hokama priestess and the Hokama nichu.
Seven deities are enshrined here, including the sun, the moon and the dragon palace, and together with Kudaka-den it holds an important place among the island’s ritual grounds.
Next to it stands the Asagi house, where King Seii was born; Hokama-den itself, known as Upugui, is today an extremely sacred place closed to visitors.
Migaa
There is a well at Migaa.
Whether it is still in use is unclear.
*In the Okinawan dialect, gaa refers to a well or to groundwater
The view from above Migaa is superb, so do take it in!
Meegi Beach
Meegi Beach is the only beach on Kudaka Island where swimming is allowed.
Swimming is not permitted at the other beaches, so please bear that in mind.
Lunch and souvenirs
Shokujidokoro Tokujin
Shokujidokoro Tokujin is a restaurant about 70 metres from Tokujin Port.
The menu includes Okinawa soba, the island’s traditional irabu (sea snake) soup, and set meals with sea grapes.
Kudaka Kaiun ticket office
Next to the Kudaka Kaiun ticket office you will find bicycle hire and a cafe.
One corner of the shop sells Kudaka Island souvenirs.
The history of Kudaka Island
Kudaka Island is a small island south-east of Okinawa’s main island, known as sacred ground since ancient times.
According to Ryukyuan myth it is where the creator deity Amamikiyo came down to earth, making it the place where Okinawa began.
For that reason the whole island is regarded as sacred, and Kubou Utaki, Habyaan and Ishiki Beach in particular are important ritual sites.
Kudaka Island also played an important role during the Ryukyu Kingdom era.
As part of the kingdom’s rites and ceremonies, the Ryukyuan king visited regularly, and the island’s historical value is immeasurable.
The women of Kudaka Island in particular served as priestesses known as noro, presiding over the island’s rituals and keeping its traditions alive.
Even today Kudaka Island retains that sanctity and is known as a spiritual destination that draws many visitors
With its rich natural scenery and its living historical heritage, the island offers deep impressions and a sense of calm.
Knowing the history of Kudaka Island makes its appeal that much richer.
When you visit, take in its history and culture along with the island’s nature and sacred air.
What’s nearby
Recommended activities in Nanjo City
Nanjo City offers a wide range of marine activities.
You can book diving, snorkelling, SUP and more.
If you would like to try diving or snorkelling, take a look at what is available on GetYourGuide or Viator.
Yuinchi Hotel Nanjo
Yuinchi Hotel Nanjo offers reasonable rates and a natural hot spring – a rarity in Okinawa.
On clear days you can also enjoy fine views of the sea from its hilltop setting.
The sound of the waves at Ishiki Beach
We have also published a video of the waves at Ishiki Beach on YouTube.
Listen to the waves of the island of the gods and let yourself unwind!
Summary
In this article we introduced Kudaka Island in Nanjo City.
Kudaka Island works well as a day trip, which makes it a good choice for residents of Okinawa’s main island and visitors alike.
It appears in the Ryukyuan creation myth, giving it a spiritual appeal as well.
When you come to Okinawa, do consider a trip to Kudaka Island.
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